President's and Regents Retirement Association (PARRA) Report

PARRA, the President's and Regents Retirement Association, representing retirees of Office of the President and the offices of the Regents, conducts two luncheon/speaker events per year, several social hours per year and opportunities to volunteer with other PARRA members at select nonprofits.

Membership and Recruitment

PARRA continues work to obtain contact information for new retirees. Not having a retirement center, the UCOP HR department does not provide PARRA post employment email addresses of retirees. PARRA is working with UCOP to satisfy privacy rules so that address can be supplied regularly.

Association Activities

PARRA is hosting in May for the second year a reception for those about to retire.

PARRA is holding its next luncheon/speaker event on April 15, on the topic of DEI in the University.

PARRA is continuing to hold “social hours”. These events include beverages and snacks but no formal program.

PARRA welcomed several new board members in January and also elected Jon Good as Vice President, replacing Bill Newton. Bill will continue as PARRA’s Treasurer.

PARRA’s volunteer work session held at a local food bank in November was well attended.

PARRA members participated in a holiday craft fair held in the main UCOP office building.

PARRA has created a sub committee to look into what to do with all the paper records of board meeting minutes, board appointments, etc.

Association Member Benefits

The Berkeley Retirement Center has extended to UCOP/Regents retirees benefits available to campus retirees, except for access to some library privileges.

A major benefit PARRA provides to retirees is advocacy on their behalf. Since the last report there have been instances where PARRA was asked to advocate for a retiree and in other cases PARRA has raised issues to UCOP on behalf retirees.