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UC Riverside Retirees' Association Report

October 2024 Report

Submitted by Andy Plumey, UC Riverside CUCRA Representative

 

Fundraising / Scholarships / Budget

Fundraising: The UCR Retirees’ Association recently met with our Advancement liaisons to discuss fundraising for the 2024/25 academic year.  In the past we have participated in the fall Giving Tuesday and the spring UCR Give Day.  While we continue to participate in those events this year, we will concentrate our efforts on the UCR Give Day.  We were very successful last spring in obtaining a corporate sponsor.  We plan to work with this same sponsor on a matching gift drive along with a minimum giving guarantee.  This would be a multi-year agreement.  Our goal is to increase our Undergraduate Scholarship endowment to make our annual scholarship awards self-sustaining.  We are currently halfway toward fulfilling this goal.

Scholarships: We are currently accepting student applications for our Undergraduate Student scholarship, which will be awarded by the end of fall quarter.  Scholarship requirements include recipients being a child, grandchild, or close relative to a UCR staff member or retiree and expressing financial need.  Last year we received over 30 applications and were able to award three scholarships. 

Budget: Another goal for the association is to develop an operational budget, now that we have reached normal operations for in-person activities, programs, and travel.  This effort has been hindered with the implementation of a new financial system on campus.  We have only recently received campus financial reports from last year and the year before.  We hope to have our financials reconciled and then can begin work on a budget.  We currently fall under the umbrella of Human Resources on campus and have benefited from their assistance, which has included their financial support for our hosting the CUCEA/CUCRA meetings on campus this coming spring.

 Retirement Center

As previously shared, space has been identified in Hinderaker Hall, the main campus administrative office building, which houses the Chancellor, Provost, and many Vice Chancellors.   The Retirement Center will be included in this space, bringing together the Director along with our retirement counselors, which UCR has retained.  Inclusive of this space will be consideration for UCRRA and UCREA.  Work is currently underway to remodel the space, and Human Resources should be moving in by the end of the fall quarter.  We still have an agreement with the Vice Chancellor of Planning, Budget, and Administration on a stand-alone building called the Cottage.  It is adjacent to the Barn complex, which includes historic buildings from the campuses’ beginning as the Citrus Experiment Station.  At most, the Cottage will provide space for offices, small meetings and small events.  Being adjacent to the Barn, which is a thriving social campus hub offering food, spirits and entertainment, provides other opportunities.

 Membership / Board

Membership: UCRRA membership is at 356, which is an increase of 12.5% from last fall, with over 71% being lifetime members.  We have an outstanding Director of Communications & Outreach on our board, who has done incredible work in outreaching to soon-to-be retirees.  He has refreshed our marketing materials and website, which has resulted in our membership increases.  We also attend most in-person events related to retirement and benefits. 

Board: Our Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President from last year decided to not re-run for their positions.  We were fortunate to recruit three retirees to run for these positions and have a full board this year.  At our last membership business meeting, we also passed a Bylaw change to provide language dealing with the term for President.  We have in place a three-year consecutive term limit for President, but there was nothing in the Bylaws on what to do should no one run for President when an incumbent reaches that three-year maximum.  The change will allow for an extension of one year in this circumstance.  This Bylaw change was approved by the membership.

 Events and Activities

Events and activities sponsored by UCRRA, UCREA and the Retirement Center Director include:

  • Quarterly Luncheons (all in person):
    • The Spring Luncheon and Business Meeting was held in May 2024. The featured speaker was Professor Ilana Bennett and she spoke on “Advanced Aging Research at UCR.”  We also held our annual business meeting, where we elected our Board of Directors for 2024-2025.  Additionally, we held a donations drive providing laundry supplies for the UCR Basic Needs Office. 
    • The Fall Luncheon was held in October 2024, and featured UCR Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy Jose Wudka. He presented on “Dark Matter and Energy.”   
    • In December 2024, we will have our Holiday Luncheon. Our feature speaker will be Kimberly Hammond, Professor of Biology and Director of the Natural Reserve System.  She will provide an overview of the system.  We are planning a fund drive benefiting the UCR Basic Needs Office.     
  • In November 2024, there will be the Annual Reception Honoring UCR Retirees and Emeriti, featuring Chancellor Kim Wilcox. This event is open to all retirees and emeriti.
  • Other Programs and Activities:
    • Dickson Lecture Series:
      • May 2024 - UCR Professor Federici spoke on “Wasp Evolution Tricks Scientists.”
      • November 2024 - Presentation by Professor Emeritus of Anthropology Scott L. Fedick “Ancient Maya Agriculture. 
    • Walks, Talks, & Tours
      • April 2024: Tour of the new School of Medicine Education Building.
      • October 2024: Tour of the new Riverside Main Library and the Civil Rights Institute.Other programs and activities:
    • Mystery Book Club:
      • Spring 2024: Jeff Goddin, The Third Girl,and Peter Temple, The Broker Shore 
      • Fall 2024: Tana French, The Hunter: Peter May, Extraordinary People; Ann Cleeves, The Darkest Evening; and Louise Penny, How the Light Gets In.Dickson Lecture Series:
    • Tech-Tips HEART Programs including topics on Leveraging Keyboard Shortcuts, General Security Services Refresher, Understanding Google Drive, and Internet Cookies.Walks, Talks, & Tours:
    • Retirement Center sponsored programs included Fidelity Investments, Riverside Master Gardeners, ARAG Legal Caregiving Support, UC Retiree Travel, and an Open Benefits, Health and Wellness Fair.
  • New programs introduced:
    • My UCR Story. Former Staff Research Associate Jarel Ervin provided stories of UCR’s history.
    • Lawn bowling at Fairmount Park.
    • Eatwell Series with Chef Val, providing a virtual series of cooking and recipes of healthy meals.

 Download/View PDF version of the UCR Report.