Retirees Association Meeting Minutes

Present: Candi Agnew, Lol Barton, Tom Eyssell, Dave Ganz, Joel Glassman, Melissa Hattman, Clark Hickman, Connie Jeffries, Faith Lucas, Susan Moody, Michael Murray
Ex-Officio Absent: David Garin

A. Meeting was called to order at 10:07 am by President Connie Jeffries.
B. The Minutes from August 13, 2025 were accepted as amended.
C. Board Reports:

• Alumni Association: No report.
• Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Faith Lucas presented the financial report, reporting a balance of $13,649.72.  This balance reflects expenditures for checks and refreshments and income from a new member.
• Planning and Events: Joel Glassman provided information on the upcoming November 12 breakfast discussion with Bob Sorenson tariffs.  Fifteen attendees have signed up.
  Future programs were discussed:
     February, 2026:  Mary Troy to discuss her experience as a novelist
     March, 2026:  Tour of Grand Center
     April, 2026:  Chris Spilling to discuss Orphan drugs. 
  
  All of these plans are subject to change based on the availability of the speakers or location.  The board approved these plans.
  
  Possible May outing:  Visit to Japanese Tea House at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
  
  Joel will update these plans at the December board meeting and announce these plans at the Holiday Luncheon.
  
  Susan Moody discussed the plans for the December 12 Holiday Luncheon.  The invitation is being prepared and printed.  She has worked with Kevin Smith to get the labels from the master membership list that has been recently updated.  Postage costs will be reimbursed from the RA account.  Melissa Hattman agreed to put a “Save the Date” announcement on the RA Facebook page.
  
  
•  Communication: The Fall Newsletter has been completed and will be sent to the membership shortly.
•  Membership: Melissa reported that since April 2023, 61 retirees have agreed to “opt-in” which allows the RA to have their contact information.  Out of those 61 retirees, 15 have joined.  In June 2025, we had three new members.
  
  There is a discussion concerning new retirees.  We offer “your first year is free” to all new retirees (regardless of when they retired.)  However, some new retirees don’t realize this and provide payment for that year.  It was decided to inform the member to enjoy the free first year and if they agree, the association will hold that payment for their second year.
  
  We will make membership presentations to the Faculty Senate/University Assembly on November 18.  A presentation to the Staff Association will take place in the Spring as well as a second presentation to the Faculty Senate/University Assembly.
  
  Clark Hickman questioned the authenticity of the subscribers to our Facebook account.  Melissa agreed to check the subscriber list vs our membership list.  Clark also mentioned that some of our previous recruitment materials need to be updated.
  
  Tom Eyssell suggested that we reach out to the campus deans and inquire about the possibility of including information about the UMSLRA as well as information for our events in their respective newsletters.
  
  Old Business There was none. 
  
  New Business 

• Staff Benefits- Tom Eyesell
  Tom Eyssell discussed the new retiree buyout option for current employees.  He suggested that if anyone is asked about this option, we should encourage them to contact System Human Resources.  He also distributed two timely articles concerning managing investments and a projected long-term care insurance crisis.

• UMSLRA website—Lol Barton
  The university has made changes to how he can provide information to our webpage.  Those changes are making it difficult to post minutes, newsletters, etc.  Lol mentioned that he adds items to the website but he would appreciate more input and communication from the board.  Melissa agreed to send him the Save the Date information to be added to the website. 

  Adjournment: The meeting adjourned T 11:17 am 

  Prepared by Candi Agnew, UMSLRA Secretary, 2025-2026

   Next meeting:  Wednesday, March 18, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, 411 Woods Hall.