December 2009
Vol. 2009-2010 No.5
Retirees to meet new media in new year
The IU Retirees Association will be all a-Twitter as we welcome the year with a session on new media, social networking, and the services that UITS makes available to retirees. Chuck Aikman, manager of online services at University Information Technology Services, will speak on “8-track people in an iPod world.” We will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, in the Peterson Room of the IU Foundation.
“My goal is to give an overview of some of the most popular and relevant technologies (social networks, blogs, wikis, podcasts),” Aikman says. “I'll speak to how retirees can use these tools and also touch on what IT services the university provides for retirees.” There will be an opportunity for questions.
An old hand at incorporating new and emerging technologies into manageable, user-based solutions, Aikman has more than 15 years’ experience directing and delivering technical support and services in information technology.
Learn the potential of your new toys and explore adventures still to be experienced in this brave new IT world.
What? Again? Name change proposed
Amendments to the Articles and Bylaws of the IU Association of Retired Faculty and Staff, including a name change, will be proposed and voted on during the organization’s meeting at 2 p.m. Jan. 13.
In April 2008 the group changed its name from the IU Annuitants Association to the IU Association of Retired Faculty and Staff. Over time members have found the IU Retirees Association a far more usable name. (Just try writing a check to the “IU Association of Retired Faculty and Staff.”) The board, therefore, is proposing an official name change. Because a Web site is being developed and brochures are soon to be printed, “the name of the Association needs to be changed again, as soon as possible,” says Bob Ensman, past president.
The change will reflect common usage. Among Big Ten schools, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Purdue use the university name plus “Retirees Association.”
In October President Sandra Churchill appointed a committee — Ensman, Bob Dodd, and Don Weaver — to examine the Articles and propose changes that, in Ensman’s words, “more clearly reflect current operational procedures and definitions.” These include:
- In section IV-A, the “immediate past president shall serve as a tenth voting member of the board for one additional year.”
- In IV-B, wording clarifies the sequence of the president-elect becoming president, the board’s duties to solve unusual situations, and the appointment of committee chairpersons.
- Section VI adds, “If a vote by the membership is required, ten percent of the dues-paying members shall constitute a quorum.”
- To section VIII, which read, “The members of the association may amend these Articles and Bylaws,” add “by majority vote at an annual or called meeting.”
If you’d like an electronic copy of the current bylaws, together with the proposed changes, please e-mail Bob Ensman, rensman@indiana.edu.
About the enclosed annual directory
The attached directory includes the names and addresses of 368 Retirees Association members, an increase of 49 from last year. Database manager Gerald Marker compiled the directory from membership forms. If no e-mail address or telephone number was listed on the membership form, none was included in this directory. Please send corrections to Gerald, marker@indiana.edu.
Singers ring in holiday season at gala
Nearly 90 retirees attending the Dec. 9 gala luncheon at Terry’s enjoyed a rousing performance by members of IU’s African American Choral Ensemble, directed by Keith McCutchen. Luncheon organizer Eileen Schellhammer introduced the 40 or so students who, despite impending finals, showed out in force to “show some love.” Their contagious enthusiasm came across in Nathaniel Dett’s “Listen to the Lambs.” McCutchen saluted his mentor, IU alumnus Robert Morris — and, by extension, Morris’s mentor, IU’s famed choral conductor Julius Herford — by conducting Morris’s moving composition “I Thank You, Jesus.”
Bohemian composer Antonin Dvorak suggested to African-American composer Harry Burleigh (1866-1949) the use of spirituals as art songs, McCutchen explained. Olivia Hairston sang Burleigh’s powerful setting of “Steal Away to Jesus,” Justin Merrick sang his own arrangement of “There Is a Balm in Gilead,” and Juanyette Jones sang Moses Hogan’s arrangement of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Enthusiastic applause followed.
The program concluded with McCutchen’s own composition, “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Singers swayed, clapped, and called out in this spirited piece, which incorporated jazz and gospel elements, following in the Langston Hughes tradition of “Black Nativity.”
The lunch was delicious, and with nary a Scrooge among them, retirees left with smiles on their faces and songs in their heart.
United Way drive on track to reach goal
A highlight of the Dec. 9 Retirees Association luncheon was the report that we are within sight of reaching the 2010 target. Harriet Pfister reported that retirees have pledged $67,532 — 96 percent of the $70,000 goal. Wain Martin spoke for many when he exclaimed, in his role as cheerleader, “Go Retirees!” Harriet said 35 retirees are Vanguard givers, with pledges of $1,000 or more. Last year 41 retirees were Vanguards. There is still time to make or increase your pledge. Remember that this year the Lilly Foundation is matching all new Vanguard gifts.
Put these dates on your 2010 calendar
In addition to January’s meeting, three Retirees Association events remain in the academic year:
Feb. 10 – Lesa Lorenzen Huber, a clinical professor in the department of applied health sciences and an expert on gerontology, will discuss aspects of aging
April 14 – IU basketball coach Tom Crean
May 12 – annual potluck dinner, with Jacobs School of Music Professor Glenn Gass on historical rock ‘n’ roll
Calling all retiree artists!
Emeriti House will present its seventh annual juried art exhibit during April. The organizing committee welcomes submissions in photography, jewelry, pottery, woodworking, and other graphic and fine arts from retired faculty and staff, their spouses and partners.
Works will be submitted March 6 for jurying. A festive reception April 2 will open the April exhibit. In October the Retirees Association board allocated $250 to support the exhibit. More details will be coming in early spring. If you would like further information about the exhibit, please contact John Woodcock (woodcock@indiana.edu or 812-339-2741).
Be part of history in the making
Here’s an opportunity for retirees who are looking for exercise, valuable community service, and a little additional income. The U.S. Census Bureau is desperately seeking census takers for short-term employment — from two to six weeks — beginning in mid-April. Positions pay from $12.25 to $15 an hour. Applicants must take a test to qualify, and testing is under way now.
If you are interested, please call 812-314-7410 (which connects with a live person in the Columbus, Ind., field office) or 1-866-861-2010 right away. Census data affects not only our representation in Congress but also funding for schools, roads, elderly care, neighborhood improvements, and more. This is important work.
