2023-2024 Annual Reports

President’s Report for the Annual General Meeting, October 09, 2024

On completion of my term as President of the University of Calgary Retirees Association (UCRA), I am pleased to report that it has been a productive and satisfying year.  We are blessed with the talents of a committed cadre of volunteers on the Executive Committee.  They work very hard on your behalf.  Thank you to each and every one of them.  This year has been especially busy as we continue our transition from the Emeriti Association to one for all retirees. 

In the summer 2024, edition of Life After Retirement (LAR), our excellent journal, my President’s report detailed much of the work that has gone on this past year: our survey of members and potential members and strategic planning to name but two initiatives.  I have appended that report for your edification if you have forgotten.  Since publication of LAR, we have continued to move forward.  To that end, a working group, and subsequently, our Executive Committee has revised our Constitution to make it more streamlined and hopefully to reduce the frequency with which you will have to approve changes.  The Bylaws (Operating Procedures) have been revised accordingly to complement the Constitution.  The proposed Constitution, the revised (but not yet approved by the Executive Committee) Bylaws and documentation related to those proposals can be found in your Annual General Meeting (AGM) package. 

We continue to struggle with identifying and recruiting retirees who are not Emeriti.  However, we are receiving assistance from the Alumni Association, Human Resources, and from the President’s office.  We attended the President’s Reception on September 11, were pointed out to attendees, and provided with a table at which we could meet and greet retirees.  Some just passed by to chat; others provided contact information.  BUT some signed up on the spot and paid their membership dues. Such exposure is invaluable. 

I am passing the baton to the very capable hands of Werner Becker, but I will continue to function as both Past President and Graduate College Representative.  I look forward to continuing to serve and thank you for the opportunity to be involved with such a dedicated group of people. 

Sheila Evans,

President, UCRA

Attached: UCRA President’s Report Summer 2024

UCRA President’s Report Summer 2024

The University of Calgary Retirees Association (UCRA) has had a very active year.  As you are aware, in October 2022, the former Emeriti Association altered its mandate from being an Emeriti Association to one that includes all retirees from the University of Calgary. This year we focused on how to make real our vision of an inclusive association. 

Our approach has been two-fold.  First, we needed to know what our membership and prospective members wanted and needed from the association.  To that end, we surveyed current members, former members and prospective members about issues such as programming, barriers to attendance, communications (E-letters and LAR), and social activities such as luncheons and sub-groups of interest. 

Response from our current membership was excellent!  One hundred and fifty-eight (158) persons provided input.  As expected, the vast majority of current members are emeriti. We also heard from 25 former members. Since retirement is often associated with residence relocation, we learned about how it affected retirees’ membership and participation. 

Gaining access to newly retired staff and faculty and those who had been retired for more than a year was challenging.  Emeriti retain university emails. The UCRA is notified when emeritus/emerita status is granted.  Other retiring staff and faculty rarely retain emails and the UCRA receives no information about who these persons are or about how to contact them.  As a result, we were unable to contact the vast majority of non-emeriti faculty and staff.   Grace Li and Mychael Gilbert of Human Resources, Total Rewards, were very helpful in contacting faculty and staff newly retired in 2023 or anticipated to retire in 2024.  They sent letters to more than 100 retirees and provided a link to our survey.  Those who retired prior to 2023 were an unknown and unreachable group.  To access those persons, Dr. McCauley, University of Calgary President, suggested that we pursue an article in UToday, the daily online newsletter.  Aurelie Maerten authored an excellent article on the changes in the UCRA. It appeared in UToday during the week of January 8, 2024. That article also contained an invitation, with link, to participate in the survey.  We heard from a total of 27 retirees through the joint efforts of Human Resources and UToday. 

Although we hoped for more responses from those not currently members of UCRA, we gathered enough data to guide phase two of our plan.  On February 16, 2024 the UCRA held a full day Strategic Planning Meeting. Our most supportive and excellent Colleen Bangs, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, facilitated the session. Through the help of University of Calgary staff, the planning group included retired AUPE/MAPS participants, UCRA executive members, and other retirees known to the executive. From that day’s deliberations, a sub-group of the executive is now engaged in developing strategies to recruit, retain and engage retirees in the UCRA. As part of that work on the strategic plan we are focusing on governance & committee structures, stronger connections with the university, enhancement of social activities and membership recruitment.  A further report will be forthcoming.  Hopefully, you will not only hear of, but see, the results of our labours. 

In the meantime, we have continued our excellent monthly programs, held festive December and June Luncheons, continued to support the UCRA Indigenous Scholarship, and disseminated our E-letter and the Fall Issue of Life After Retirement.  It is a busy and committed group.  However, it is changing.  Dr. Om Malik, Dr. Gary Krivy, Dr. Carole-Lynne LeNavenec and Dr. Andrew Pernal will be stepping away from their positions on the Executive in October. Thank you to each of them for their exemplary service.

We look forward to seeing all of you at our meetings and social events AND we hope that you will consider contributing to the UCRA by expressing interest in being part of the Executive. We welcome those from a broad variety of backgrounds.  Experience with website development/maintenance would help us communicate to the wider community. We are particularly interested in hearing from any who might consider taking on a leadership role as our incoming Vice-President/President elect. The current President, Vice-President, and Executive look forward to mentoring newcomers.

We hope to see you at one of our events soon.  Happy Summer!

Sheila Evans, 

President, UCRA

Past-President and Graduate College Report, 2023-2024

The Past-President has two specific functions: (i) Chair Nominations Committee of the Executive and (ii) Graduate College representative.

1. Report of the Nominations Committee has been submitted separately for voting at the UCRA 2024 AGM. Unfortunately, there is no nominee for the position of UCRA webmaster, and it is hoped that a volunteer will come forward at the AGM to fill this position.

2. Regarding the Graduate College, Dr. Clifton Cunningham, Interim Head of the College and two graduate students from the Graduate College made presentations at the March 13, 2024, meeting of the UCRA. It went very well. With changes in the administration of the Graduate College, there has been some uncertainty regarding the joint UCRA and Graduate College mentorship program. Hopefully, our group and the Graduate College can continue to work together to try and evolve a mentorship program for students who may wish to involve themselves in such an endeavour.  

   I wish to add my thanks to John Latter, a Past-President of UCRA, who has also helped throughoiut the year in our liason with the Graduate College. 

Om Malik

Past President and Graduate College Rep.

UCRA Membership Report for AGM
Membership report (Sept 1, 2023 – August 31, 2024)
2025-2026 Memberships:     1

2024-2025 Memberships:    107 (not including 63 LIFE members)

2023-2024 Memberships:    228 (not including 63 LIFE members)

2022-2023 Memberships:    193 (not including 66 LIFE members)

2021-2022 Memberships:    235 (not including 27 LIFE members)

2020-2021 Memberships:    239 (not including 23 LIFE members)

1 new LIFE member (John McDonald)
132 members from 2023-2024 have not renewed yet 33 members from 2022-2023 have not renewed yet 40 
new Emeriti in 2024 – 6 have joined UCRA
36 new Emeriti in 2023 – 20 have joined UCRA
15 Retirees, fourteen Emeriti, one retiree, have died in calendar year 2024 – two were LIFE UCRA 
members (James Robinson, Howard Yeager). 2 others were UCRA members at time of death (Penny 
Jennett, Rod Cooper)
30 Emeriti have died in calendar year 2023 (4 were Life members (Brian Chellas, Maurice Lepper, 
Cyril Challice, Don Mills), 2 were members last year, Amin Ghali, Bill Perks)
24 Emeriti died in calendar year 2022; 2 were EA LIFE members (Bernadette Curry, George Lane), 3 
were members (John Tyberg, John Klassen, Lee Handy)

Arvi Rauk                          August 31, 2024
 

Report of the Program Committee 2023-24.

Special thanks to the members of the Program Committee: Jocelyn Lockyer (Chair), Carol-Lynne LeNavenec, Om Malik, Elaine McKiel, Dennis Salahub, Mary Valentich, Gerrit Voordouw and Mike Williams.

Special thanks also to: 

• Colleen Bangs, Meghan Whitehead and Jeff Wallace in the Alumni Office who supported the programs financially and with logistics. 
• Erin Fraser and Clifton Cunningham who facilitated the March program with scholars from the Graduate College.
• Clarissa Luna who handled communications, particularly posting our information on the UCRA website and University of Calgary Events page. 
• Carol-Lynne LeNavenec, e-letter editor who ensures that information about programs are front and centre of the e-letter.

Our speakers and the titles of their presentations included: 

• September - Katheryne Perri Edwards, Calgary Teacher and Singer; Malcolm Edwards, Professor Emeritus, School of Creative and Performing Arts, Faculty of Arts and Richard Heyman Professor Emeritus, Werklund School of Education Founders of The Mostly Broadway Trio: After all these years.
• October - Yvonne Poitras Pratt (Werklund School of Education—Indigenous Education): Métis Matters: Then and Now
• November – Sara Hastings-Simon (Science—Earth, Energy and Environment and School of Public Policy): Understanding the Energy Transition at the Intersection of Policy, Business and Technology
• January – Homelessness (1) Jeannette Waegemakers Schiff, PhD, Professor Emerita & Research Professor, Faculty of Social Work: Homelessness in Calgary Post-pandemic homelessness in Calgary: A shifting landscape (2) Lara Nixon MD, Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine: Late-life homelessness: Structural drivers and opportunities
• February-- Sarah Elaine Eaton, PhD, Associate Professor, Werklund School of Education: The Changing the Face of Academia: Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education
• March—Graduate College Presentations (1) Charlotte Bourbon, 2nd-year Ph.D. Student, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine: Recovery of caribou in Western Canada: Decoding DNA and gut microbiome for conservation purposes (2) Yaser Rahmaniani, Year 3, PhD Student, School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape: Small, Minimum, Mass: Small, Minimum Dwelling Within Mass Affordable Housing Projects 
• April-- Dr Alexander Hill, Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Arts and Military History Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies: The War in Ukraine—Origins, Course, Possible Conclusions and Consequences
• May-- Jonnette Watson Hamilton, Professor Emerita, Faculty of Law: Wills, Personal Directives and Powers of Attorney

Further information about the programs can be found on the newsletter: https://ucalgary.ca/sites/default/files/teams/18/LAR%20Newsletter%202024%20Winter-Spring(UCRA)-volume%2031-number%201.pdf

Watch for our upcoming programs 

September 11

Maeve O’Beirne, Professor Emerita, Department of Family Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine

Maintaining Health from 65 – 100: What is the evidence supporting healthier living

October 9

Ken Barker, Ph.D., I.S.P., ITCP

Professor, Computer Science

Director, ISPIA

Cyber Security

November 13

Don Lawton

Professor Emeritus

Department of Earth, Energy and Environment, Faculty of Science

Can carbon capture & storage secure a future of Alberta’s oil and gas industry?

Submitted by: Jocelyn Lockyer, July 2024

UCRA Social Committee 2023-2024

The ‘Keeping in Touch’ Social Committee of the UCRA this past 2023-2024 year focused on  the following two main Gatherings:

1. Annual Christmas Luncheon – December13, 2023:

We had a festive luncheon to kick off the Christmas Holiday Season at the Blue Room (Dining Centre) at the University of Calgary. The sixty-nine registered UCRA members and their guests seemed to participate in lively conversations at their respective tables. See full page ‘Christmas Luncheon Photos’ in the LAR (Vol.31, No.1 Winter/Spring 2024) previously distributed.

1. UCRA President’s Luncheon – June 12, 2024:

The UCRA President’s Spring Luncheon Spring was held at the Carriage House with forty-five registered UCRA members and their guests in attendance. There was very good feedback (informally gathered) re: the quality of the food and the atmosphere at this venue. See ‘President’s Luncheon Photos’ and summary description of the very well received Musical Performance by Jennifer Buchanan in the LAR (Vol.31, No.1 Winter/Spring 2024) previously distributed.

Overall, the above events were successful and convivial social gatherings for UCRA Members, providing opportunities to reconnect and solidify friendships.  For the 2024 -2025 year the plan is to refocus our energies to ensure that we continue the tradition of having these two important events.  The Challenge is to continue to do our homework as search out and make the right decision re: date, venue and price to maximize the number of UCRA members and their guests in attendance.

Thank you to the small but might UCRA ad hoc committee of Arvi Rauk, Elaine Mc Keil, Carole-Lynne Le Navenac and Claire Mills. Special thank you to Sheila Evans, President, UCRA in her role as MC at both of the above events.

Respectfully submitted, Claire Mills

  List of Deceased

University of Calgary Retirees Association

(* Non-emeritus who were well-known within the University community as brought to our attention.)

List of Deceased

University of Calgary Retirees Association 

Name                             Department                                    Date of Death

Dr. Jacqueline S. Ismael  Social Work                                    May 27, 2023

Dr. Brian (Barney) Reeves Archaeology                                 August 3, 2023

Dr. Gilbert A. Schultz  Biochemistry & Molecular Biology/Medicine  September 26, 2023

Prof. Harry Ian Rounthwaite      Law                                     October 19, 2023

Prof. Mike Lashuk                    Kinesiology                          October 24, 2023

Dr. Helen Buss                         English                                October 28, 2023

Rev. Canon Dr. Cyril E. Challice  Physics & Astronomy        December 3, 2023

Dr. Richard Walker                 Biological Sciences                December 8, 2023

Norman Barnecut   Assistant Director, Computer Operating Systems  December 9, 2023

Dr. James B. Hyne        Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies/Chemistry   December 11,2023

Dr. Bhagwan (Ben) Dass Aggarwala  Mathematics & Statistics     December 14, 2023

Dr. Claudia G. Emes                Kinesiology                                December 24, 2023

Dr. Don L. Mills                       Sociology                                   December 25, 2023

Dr. Lynn A. Rosenvall              Geography                                 February 1, 2024

Prof. M. Robert (Kirby) Kirby    Architecture & Urban Planning    February 2, 2024

Dr. Alfonso Gonzales            Geography                                    February 14, 2024

Maxine Fisher   Student Affairs Coordinator, Faculty of Medicine   February 17, 2024

Valerie Pritchard      Admin. Assistant, Biological Sciences         March 5, 2024

Dr. Roger Gibbins               Political Science                              March 10, 2024

Dr. Allan Cahoon                Management                                   April 5, 2024

Dr. John K. Todd                 Medicine                                        April 18, 2024

Dr. Robert (Bob) Loov         Civil Engineering                             April 28, 2024

Dr. James Robinson                  Dean, Faculty of Management           April 29, 2024

Dr. Necmettin (Nick) Mungan    Petroleum Recovery Institute             May 11, 2024

Dr. Howard L. Yeager                Chemistry                                         June 2, 2024

Dr. Penny Jennett                      Medicine                                           June 10, 2024

Dr. William (Bill) Whitelaw          Medicine                                          July 7, 2024

Dr. Roderick (Rod) Cooper        Psychology                                       July 17, 2024

Dr. James (Jim) Mosley              Psychology                                       July 26, 2024

Dorothy Ann Dais                                                                             August 1, 2024

Dr. John H. Woods                   Dean, Faculty of Humanities              August 15, 2024

Dr. Spencer Tracy Nichols       Electrical & Computer Engineering     August 25, 2024

ANNUAL REPORT 2024: LAR

Life After Retirement (LAR) is the official newsletter of the Retirees Association (RA) of the University of Calgary. It is normally published annually in two issues.  The latest issue, volume 31, no. 1, which included summaries of events held during the months of September, 2023 to June, 2024 was distributed in PDF form to all members of our Association on July 15^th, 2024.  The next issue will be prepared for publication in January, 2025.  All technical assistance in preparation of computer files, as well as the LAR layout is normally provided by Mountain View Printing and Graphics Limited.  In collaboration with the UCRA Treasurer/Membership Director, the LAR Director (Editor) arranges for the mailing lists and distribution of the LAR.

Andrew B. Pernal

LAR Director (Editor)

2   September 2024

Webmaster Annual Report, 2023-2024

Although the webmaster position was formally vacant, website was looked after by Om Malik.

The Association website has been working without any significant problems.   Most of the activity of the webmaster during 2023-2024 was to update the UCRA website (https://ucalgary.ca/retirees-association) at regular intervals. A few changes were made, and some extra information added. Otherwise, the year has run smoothly.

Om Malik

Webmaster (Acting)

September 2024

2023-2024 ANNUAL REPORT from  Editor of

 E-LETTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY RETIREES ASSOCIATION (UCRA) 

    By Carole-Lynne Le Navenec

Since November 2023,  I have been pleased to compile the monthly e-Letter to outline the monthly sessions between September  to November, and January to May, which are   available for both in-person attendance on campus and online via Zoom. The December and June Luncheon reminders are also indicated in the e-Letter. Although the e-Letter is sent out via an Email mailing list, a hard copy can be mailed to members who may not have internet access. 

 A big thank you to all the members who send in news about a range of upcoming events or associations (including those addressing climate change and health concerns) as well as those who have had recent  publications (including books), awards, community service projects, lecture tours, and related  achievements. Please continue this practice, as well as sending suggestions of additional types of content you would like in upcoming e-Letters.

Report respectfully submitted 20 September 2024 by

                               College and  University Retiree Associations of Canada (https://curac.ca/about-us/)

2023-2024 ANNUAL REPORT  FROM YOUR CURAC/ARUCC  Representative

By Carole-Lynne Le Navenec, 

 Background Notes:  I continue to serve (since 2021) as one of CURACs twelve Board of Directors, and hence participate in the monthly online Board meetings, workshops, and AGM.  I have submitted monthly reports to the e-Letter of our UCalgary Retirees Association (UCRA) regarding highlights of the current activities and news re special offers from the Affinity groups (e.g., trip cancellation &health insurance & others: https://curac.ca/en/member-benefits)

See Later Life Learning Committee segment below regarding the October 17, 2024, zoom session that I have arranged at the request of many Retiree Associations (RAs) across Canada regarding CURAC member benefits. The October session is first on a list of others to follow.  

 CURAC’s website has been redesigned and efforts are continuing to further develop it in ways that RA members from across Canada can easily keep up to date with CURAC’s range of activities and future plans.

 CURAC’s 2024Conference and Annual General Meeting: May 22 to May 24,2024

 Hosted by the University of Waterloo Retirees Association in Waterloo, Ontario. 

The Conference theme: THRIVING IN RETIREMENT.

This 2024 Conference was primarily an in-person conference, with only the AGM being available via Zoom and only for the one representative from each of the 40 CURAC Retiree Associations (RAs), and for each of CURAC’s Board of Directors who were unable to attend in person (including me).  Dr. Arvi Rauk, our University of Calgary Retirees Assoc (UCRA) Treasurer & Membership Chair, attended the CURAC Conference in-person. 

Link to Highlights of CURAC’s 2024 Conference: 

https://uwaterloo.ca/retirees-association/events/curacarucc-annual-conference-2024

___________________________________

 CURAC’s Later Life Learning (LLL) Committee (a committee chaired by C. Le Navenec)  which involves invitations from many of CURAC’s Retirees Associations (RAs) to attend their primarily free online  educational sessions, most of which are indicated in the Events Calendar on CURAC’s website:  https://curac.ca/en/committees/later-life-learning-committee (then scroll down to LLL Sharing process, #2). 

Please mark your calendar for the October 17, 2024, zoom session, at 10am Mountain time titled: RTOERO Extended Health Insurance and Travel Insurance. Overview of the session:

…Your provincial health insurance plan is not your only option! Learn to shop for your plan with Stephen Wong, Director of Benefits at RTOERO—which refers to the newly named Entente group. He breaks down the essentials of RTOERO's Entente Plan and shares practical tips to equip you with the knowledge you need to compare coverage between providers. Whether you're looking for extended health, travel, dental, hospital or convalescent coverage, we've got you covered. 

Link for this zoom session:  will be sent out the week of 25September 2024. 

…I do hope you, as members of our UCalgary Retirees Association (UCRA), will be attending some of these Later Life Learning (LLL)  online sessions, and/or consider joining  our LLL committee (your work would only involve attendance at 2 zoom mtgs per year, and submission of specific strategies to address one or more of the 4 objectives of the  LLL committee--see above link).  For further info, or  qts you would like addressed, send an email to the LLL chairperson:  cllenave@ucalgary.ca

_________________________________________________________

CURAC column titled ACADEMIC FOR LIFE in University Affairs Newsletter (Editor is C. Le Navenec). The link to the English version of the articles is:

 https://www.universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/academic-for-life/

….The link to the French version of the articles is:

https://www.affairesuniversitaires.ca/conseils-carriere/universitaire-a-vie/?_ga=2.191720682.1100853143.1694986956-1465136964.1670644764

… Please consider reviewing some of the articles that Retiree Association (RA) members, including several from UCRA, have written since it first started in October 2022. See latest article titled: Thriving in Retirement: A Holistic Approach (https://universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/academic-for-life/thriving-in-retirement-a-holistic-approach/) 

I also would like you to submit an article of your choice (1000 words or less) for this column. Please send it to me anytime at: cllenave@ucalgary.ca) 

Report respectfully submitted 21 September 2024 by: Carole-Lynne Le Navenec (cllenave@ucalgaryca)