UC Santa Barbara Retirement Association Report

October 2024 Report

Submitted by George Hopwood, CUCRA Representative

Membership

After completing our annual membership drive in July, we currently have 361 members. The USCB Association has experienced some leadership turnover during the last few years. The board positions are currently filled with the exception of Vice President and Secretary.

 Kim Summerfield, President
OPEN, Vice-President
OPEN, Secretary
Andrea Carr, Treasurer
Julie Luera, Membership
Robert Mann, CUCRA Rep
George Hopwood, CUCRA Rep

Association activities

The Retirees Association's Summer Picnic and Annual Update was held at Stow Grove Park in Goleta on Wednesday, July 17, with a barbequed lunch catered by the Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch. Members received updates on the Association’s activities and plans for the upcoming year and enjoyed several rousing games of bingo.

In early August the Association held a sold-out walking tour of Ganna Walska Lotusland. Lotusland is recognized as one of the most iconic public gardens and celebrated for its extraordinary history, avant-garde landscape designs, sustainable practices and mystique. It spans over 37 acres and stands as home to many of the rarest, most fascinating plants in the world. Due to its location in  a residential area, attendance is limited, making it a “hot ticket” destination in the Santa Barbara area and very popular with Association members.  

An historical lecture and tour of the Santa Barbara Cemetery was held in April. Attending members learned about the history, architecture, art and notable residents of the Santa Barbara Cemetery in a guided tour of the chapel and cemetery grounds. The tour was led by David Petry, historian and author of The Best Last Place: A History of the Santa Barbara Cemetery.

The Chancellor’s Reception for new retirees and emeriti will be held Tuesday, October 15 in the Mosher Alumni House. New retirees will be thanked by the Chancellor for their service to the University and welcomed to retirement by members of the Association board.

Plans are underway for the Association’s annual Holiday Luncheon. This year it will be held on December 12 at the Glen Annie Golf Club.

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