Diana McClay, Associate Director, Human Resources, East Tennessee State University

1. Vital Retirement: Creating Impact with Your Retirees • Diana McClay, Associate Director, Human Resources, East Tennessee State University • Connie Baskette, Executive Director, Benefits and Retirement, The University of Tennessee • Brian Roe, Benefits Specialist, Benefits and Retirement, The University of Tennessee • Richard Ashley, Training Manager, East Tennessee State University

2. East Tennessee State University “Home of the Buccaneers” • Located in scenic JohnsonCity, TN • Offers more than 100 undergraduate, 60 master’s and 11 doctoral programs including a College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy • Numbers • 2,133 employees • 724 faculty • 1,409 staff • >12,100 students • Human Resources Office

3. University of Tennessee, Knoxville • Located in Knoxville, TN • Offers more than 300 degree programs • Enrollment • 26,400 (20,400 Undergraduate & 6,000 Graduate) • 8,300 Faculty & Staff • 1,400 Instructional Faculty • 300,000 Alumni • 550 Acres, 220 Buildings

4. Accreditation • UT is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. Ayres Hall

5. Objectives • Describe the need for retiree associations • Describe the benefits of establishing a retirees association • Understand how retiree programs operate at East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee • Return to your institution and establish a retirees association

6. The need forretiree associations 1. More Retirees! Labor force projections (Census Bureau) • Labor force continues to age over next 10 years • Aging of the Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) • In 2014 this age group will be 50-68 years old • 2004-2014 the annual growth rate of 55+ group projected to be 4.1% or 4x the rate of growth of the overall labor force • In contrast: 25-54 year age group growth rate of .3%; 16-24 year age group growth rate flat

7. The need forretiree associations 2. More Retirees wanting more: AARP survey (1999) • 8 in 10 Baby Boomers plan to work part-time during retirement; • More than a third will work part-time for interest and enjoyment; • Close to half will devote more time to community service or volunteer activities; • Seven in ten expect to have a hobby or special interest; • Boredom and isolation are not seen as problems

8. The need forretiree associations 3. More retirees wanting/needing services for a longer time! • Life expectancy in the U.S.: 77.71 yrs. • 74.89 years male • 80.67 years female

9. The need forretiree associations 4. Increased need for maintaining contact with retirees • Boomers want information • More decisions: Medicare, Social Security, Retirement, Health Insurance, Long-term care, etc. • Retirees want work and volunteer opportunities • Retirees want social activities/travel opportunities/institutional updates/educational opportunities • “Brain Drain” for institutions • Significant shortage in qualified employees due to retiring baby boomers and fewer workers with advanced skills • Service opportunities and fund raising for institution

10. The Benefits of a retirees association • Temporary and volunteer workforce • Phased retirement for faculty • Service/Mentoring workforce • Continued social contact/involvement • Communication vehicle • Between the institution and retirees • Between the institution, legislators, vendors • Good will • Fundraising • Public Relations

11. ETSU Retirees Association History • June 1986 ad hoc task force initiated by the university president • Objectives: survey retirees for level of interest; draft association objectives and by-laws; present proposal; assist in the formation of association • Initially sponsored by Development Office/reassigned to HR in 1987 • November 1987 Organizational Meeting and Luncheon • Open to all retirees – university hosted event/meal • Adoption of By-laws • Election of Board members • December 1, 1987 First Board Meeting • January 1992 Scholarship Endowment established Scholarships for deserving students

12. ETSU Retirees AssociationPurpose • To provide opportunities for continuing social contact • To provide a vehicle for communication between the University and retirees • To assist the University in carrying out its objectives and policies

13. ETSU Retirees Association Current Board Structure • 12 voting retiree members (three year terms) • 1 voting member from university administration • Officers: President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer

14. ETSU Retirees Association Current Sponsored by Office of Human Resources • Associate Director HR, Liaison • Senior Human Resource Assistant-secretarial/technical support • No dedicated space/use HR office facilities • Access database (>750 retirees and spouses) • Special mailings • Quarterly Newsletter • Special Event Flyers • New Retiree Packets (for recruitment)

15. ETSU Retirees Association Current Committee Structure • Executive Committee • Membership Committee • Finance Committee • Program Committee • Communications Committee • Liaison Committee • Service Committee

16. ETSU Retirees Association Current Budget • No university seed money. Funds generated from membership fees and interest • Human Resources provides staffing, supplies, paper, printing, miscellaneous expenses • Retirees pay for mailing costs

17. ETSU Retirees Association Current Budget (continued) • Four Accounts: • Operating Fund Account:$5 individual yearly membership • Life Membership account: $100 individual; $150 retiree/spouse • Scholarship Endowment Investment Account: Funds invested by the university • Endowment Interest Income Account: interest from the Scholarship Account. Monies distributed yearly through student scholarships

18. ETSU Retirees Association Current Activities • Annual Meeting/Luncheon • Annual Picnic • Three yearly “Eat and Chats” • Sponsor special events • Publication of Quarterly Newsletter • Scrapbook and Archive submissions • Sponsor travel opportunities (local and oversees) • Retirees Website • Sponsor Fund Raising (over $100,000 balance)

19. ETSU Retirees Association Current Activities (continued) • Garage Sale supporting Career Skills Enhancement Program ($1000 donation) • Volunteering • SGA, Homecoming, Appalachian Fair, Pride Week, athletic events • Tutor athletes • Campus offices (list in HR) • Training for staff/faculty • Advocacy: contact with legislators, state government agencies • Public Relations: TV and radio interviews • History: Tales of the University, gather tales and stories about university life

20. ETSU Retirees Association Current Benefits of Association Membership • Athletic event discounts • Campus Fitness Center • Free dental cleanings • Free campus publications • Free university photo ID • Access to university libraries • University Bookstore discounts • Education Assistance provided through State programs • Free campus parking

21. ETSU Retirees Association Future • Retirement and Benefits Seminar for Potential Retirees • In-conjunction with HR • Workshops • Mailings • Mentoring • New Position Request: Benefits/Retirement Counselor • Continued and expanded association with AROHE (Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education) and the Higher Education Statewide Retirees Group • Email Contact List

22. Retirees’ AssociationHISTORY • January 1979, Faculty Senate suggestion • March 1979, By-Laws presented to Chancellor • October 1979, Chancellor endorses • January 1980, Constitution approved

23. Retirees’ AssociationHISTORY • Named UTKRA (University of Tennessee, Knoxville Retirees’ Association) • September 1990, name changed to UTRA (University of Tennessee Retirees’ Association)

24. Retirees’ Association OBJECTIVES • To provide social opportunities for retirees and their families • To provide for the exchange of information between the university and its retirees • To identify and resolve problems of retirees of the University of Tennessee

25. Retirees’ AssociationBOARD • 6 voting retiree members • 1 voting member from university administration (HR) • Officers • President • President-Elect • Vice President • Secretary • Treasurer

26. Retirees’ AssociationLIAISON • Sponsored by Human Resource Office of Benefits and Retirement • Executive Director, Liaison • Benefits Specialist, Sponsor/Technical Support

27. Retirees’ AssociationOFFICE • Dedicated Space within UT Conference Center Building

28. Retirees’ AssociationOFFICE • Retiree’s Office • Manned 9 – 12, M – F • Volunteers from the UTRA (average one day a month) • Been open every working day for over a year • Card file of all members with contact info

29. Retirees’ AssociationNOTIFICATION • Notifying prospective members • Brochures enclosed in the retirement confirmation letter • Word of mouth • Receptions • Office volunteer’s calling • Picnic

30. Retirees’ AssociationREVENUE • Generating revenues • $5,000 allocated from Benefits Office budget • $5 per year for membership • $40 lifetime membership

31. Retirees’ AssociationOPPORTUNITIES • Why join? • Trips (Networking) • Luncheons (Networking) • Meetings (Networking) • Newsletter (Networking) • Additional benefits

32. Retirees’ AssociationOPPORTUNITIES • Bus trip to Biltmore Estate – Asheville, NC

33. Retirees’ AssociationUNIVERSITY TIES • What’s in it for UT? • Scholarship • Campus Chest participation • Cadre of individuals with ties to the university who are willing to do almost anything that is asked

34. Retirees’ AssociationFUTURE GOALS • Emeritus college • Identify expertise • Guest lecturers • Spin off interest groups • AROHE biennial conference representation • Collaboration with Tennessee Board of Regents and UT campuses retiree boards

35. Next Steps:Establish a Vital Retirees Association • Identify Retiree Interest and Support • Identify Institutional Support—monetarily and administratively • Purpose • Structure • Operating Procedures, by-laws, constitution • Activities

36. Next Steps: Establish a Vital Retirees Association • Next Steps – Starter Kit • Websites • www.tennessee.edu/retirees • www.etsu.edu/humanres/etsura.htm • AROHE www.arohe.org

37. Questions and Answers

38. It has been our pleasure!!!