Emeriti Executive Committee Meeting
June 7, 2021
A meeting of the executive committee was called to order by Mike at 2:00 p.m. in the
Council Room of the Alumni Center. Those present were Mike Lorenz, Kent Sampson, Kay
Keys, Ron Elliott, Priscilla Gerfen, and Sofia Gustafson.
I. Monday Night Dinners
• Mike will call the president’s office a few days before July 1 to invite President Schrum to speak at the September meeting. Coach Boynton is a back-up possibility in the event that Dr. Schrum is unable to speak. Tentatively scheduled for the October and November meetings are Rob McInturf, president of the OSU Alumni Association, and Burns and Anne Hargis. Bobby Wintle, owner of the District Bicycles was mentioned as a possible back-up. Priscilla presented a lengthy list of other potential speakers to include, among others, the women’s softball coach, one of the OSU sports announcers, Deb Engle, Monty Karns, and Larry Sanchez. The committee is hopeful that the Stillwater High School Chorale, directed by Dana Ayers, will provide a musical program for the
December meeting.
• There was some discussion regarding parking issues for the events at the Alumni Center. It is felt that more people might attend if parking weren’t quite so difficult. The idea that garnered the most interest was that of creating lists of people who would like to have rides to and from the dinners and those who would be willing to provide pick-up service.
• Mike and Velda Lorenz and Kent and Shelia Sampson have agreed to handle the Meet and Greet. The Olsons may also help.
• It was decided not to increase the cost of the Monday night dinners at this time. The following two ideas regarding costs of the dinners will be taken to the full Council at our next meeting.
o Using the interest from the Foundation Account to cover the cost of room set-up.
o Using the operating budget (annual dues plus Meet and Greet funds) to offset the deficit in catering costs.
II. Communications
Zane is willing to continue with the web site and the newsletter, although he has
asked to be relieved of the task of publishing the directory. Since members have not
contributed to the newsletter as Zane had initially hoped, we will move back to a
shorter version. Mike will contact Barbara Mintmire regarding working on the directory.
Work on the new directory should begin in late fall, with the hope of publishing it
in early 2022.
III. Emeriti Council
Mike will remain president for the remainder of 2021, when Kent will become president.
Although the past president is usually in charge of nominations, Mike asked instead
to return to his former position as membership chair, with help possible from Becky
Schlais. The committee agreed, and it was decided that Kent would be responsible for
nominations. The search for a new treasurer continues. Cecil Strande has declined,
so Mike will call Rick Beier regarding the
three-year position, which begins in January of 2022. Kay will remain as secretary
through 2022, and Priscilla will serve as vice-president for activities through 2023.
Councilors will need to find replacements for Doug Aichele, Bob Wettemann and possibly
Jim Halligan. Sofia will contact Halligan regarding whether he is willing to serve
a second term. Mike will call Tana,Gladeen, and Barbara to see if they will extend
through another three-year term. Rick Beier, Francis Epplin, and Gary Sherrer all
serve through 2022.
IV. Committees and Interest Groups
A number of changes will be made in this area. Since Russ has chaired the
Ambassadors/Alumni Relations Committee for a number of years and has now moved to
Skiatook, Priscilla will contact Judy Lewis to see if she will accept the position
going forward. Zane will remain chair of the Communications Committee, but will be
responsible for only the newsletter and web site. As mentioned above, Barbara Mintmire
will be contacted with regard to the directory. The new treasurer will serve as chair
of the Finance Committee along with the new president, Kent Sampson. Mike, Kent, and
their spouses will serve on the Meet and Greet Committee, and Mike will serve as chair
of Membership. Priscilla will be chair the Monthly Programs Committee, and Kent will
chair the Nominations Committee.
No changes will be made to Benefits, Catering and Reservations, Facilities, Investment
Club, Technology Interest Group, or Tours and Travel. The Making the Most of Retirement
Interest Group will be dropped as will the Photography Interest Group and possibly
the Travel Interest Group.
With regard to other appointments, Mike has an email out to Carol Olson regarding
continuing as Courtesy chair and will call Barbara to see if she is willing to continue
as Archives/History chair and Faculty Council Attendee. Replacements may need to be
found to take responsibility for handling the name tags.
V. Faculty Council Standing Committees
Mike will contact Andrea and Bob regarding their desire to continue in their positions of Budget and Benefits chairs. Kent will search for someone to replace him on the Learning Resources/Student Affairs Committee. Mike will remind other chairs via email of their continuing responsibilities.
VI. University Standing Committees and OLLI
Glade and Keith will continue as representatives on the Athletic Council and Intellectual
Property Committee, respectively. Mike will contact Ed Arquitt to see if he will continue
to serve as the Emeriti rep to the OLLI Board of Directors.
VII. Other Business
Mike will send an email to the full Council regarding today’s meeting of the Executive
Committee. The full Council will meet on August 30, prior to the September 20 dinner.
Following a brief discussion, it was decided to continue to do solicitations of new
members twice a year. It was also decided to distribute lists of new retirees via
email to councilors so that they could make personal contact with those they know
and encourage them to join.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:25