George Mason University
Minutes of the Retired Faculty Association – Officers Meeting and December event
Dec. 9, 2015, 10:00-10:40 AM mtg. 10:40-11:00 AM social; 11:00 AM-noon presentation followed by lunch Aa’bee Persian & Mediterranean Fusion Restaurant, Fairfax, VA
Present: Don Boileau, Bob Ehrlich, Esther Elstun, Jane Razeghi, Janice Sutera, Veronique Klimonda (HR Liaison)
I. The meeting began at 10:04 AM. Minutes of Nov. mtg. approved.
Action: Decided to discontinue coffee/tea service, but allow folks to order drinks as they wish for the February meeting and social.
II. Succession Planning and Membership (Bob Ehrlich)
- Joseph Lieb agreed to assume Jane’s unexpired term as Treasurer. Jane is resigning due to her health.
- Bob Ehrlich would like to assume Julie Mahler’s role as Program Chair in July 2016.
- Discussed potential candidates for President position. No firm commitment yet. Bob will approach potential nominees in turn as needed.
- Janice Sutera shared the RFA website and our mission and activities at the Mason “Next Steps” retiree planning event by Mason Human Resources staff on Nov. 20. Esther Elstun and Lou Buffardi also attended. All fielded questions and engaged in a lively discussion. HR requested that RFA officers serve as a resource for classified staff who are interested in starting a staff retiree’s organization.
III. Human Resources update (Veronique Klimonda)
- Actions: Veronique will follow up on getting the contact info for all 2015 retirees and connect with Bob E. Veronique will also check with OLLI about a RFA discount for events/classes.
- There were approximately 35 faculty retirees in 2015. 2016 promises about 50 faculty retirees.
- Janet Walker is the Work/Life staff member in HR who manages service awards, “retirement connection” info and website. Veronique is HR benefits and employee relations.
IV. Programming (Bob Ehrlich, Julie Mahler)
- 2015 – 2016 programs: See website for updates: https://rfa.gmu.edu/activities/featured-events/
- Upcoming events:
- Wed, Jan 13, 10:30 AM meet at S. Botanic Garden (next to U.S. Capitol.) The Garden is indoors, free, and near an Orange Line Metro stop (Federal Center). Please come on time for the guided tour lasting about an hour. Some may wish to visit a nearby restaurant for lunch afterwards — two good choices include Article One American Grill & the restaurant in the American Indian Museum.
- Wed, Feb 10, 10:30 AM socializing & 11:00 AM lecture by Michael Summers, professor of Physics, “The ‘New Horizons’ mission to Pluto: What have we learned?” The talk & lunch are at Aa’bee Persian restaurant, Fairfax, VA
- Wed, March 9, 10:30 AM socializing & 11:00 AM lecture TBA
- Wed, April 13, 10:30 AM socializing & 11:00 AM lecture by David Keegan, State Department Foreign Service Institute, “The Chinese economy: Opportunities and challenges. “ Aa’bee Persian restaurant, Fairfax, VA
- Wed, May 11, 10:30 AM socializing & 11:00 AM lecture by Jack Censer, professor emeritus of History, “The evolution of revolutionary ideas” The talk & lunch afterwards are at Aa’bee Persian restaurant, Fairfax, VA
Fall 2015 Event attendance:
- December event: 11 attendees representing 9 university depts. – Karen Bune, Adjunct Professor of Criminology, Law and Society, “Victimization of the Elderly and Senior Population”
- November event: 11 attendees representing 10 university depts. – Robert Lichter,Professor of Communication and Director, Center for Media and Public Affairs, “Talking past Trump: Candidate communications in the 2016 presidential elections”
- October event: 14 attendees representing 10 university departments – Doug Mose: “Fresh Water: (a) Future Global Availability, and (b) An Assessment of the Risks and Benefits of Fracking”
V. 2015-16 Executive Committee Meetings
- Meetings will generally precede the monthly programs/events
- The following represents a tentative list of executive committee meeting dates remaining for 2015-2016:
February 10, 2016
March 9, 2016
April 13, 2016
May 11, 2016
June 2, 2016
VI. Adjournment: About 10:40 AM
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Sutera Wolfe, Ph.D.
2012 Retiree