Sessions during 2007-08 term: May 10, May 24, September 3, October 2, October 23, November 20, January 15

MINUTES FOR MEETING, MAY 10, 2007

During the monthly luncheon, in Exectutive Dining room, Pres. Harvey Gochros convened a general meeting at which new officers were elected as follows:

President, FredRiggs; Vice-President, Bob Campbell; Secretary, Bart Mathias; Treasurer,Roy McArdle

Ex-officio: Ex-president, Harvey Gochros; Program Chair, Ced Cowing

Elected Board members: Ruth Kleinfeld, George Simson, Virgie Chattergy, Wassim Siddiqui, (1 open)

The luncheon program focussed on "Crossing Cultural Borders, Personal and Professional Experiences," led by Virgie Chattergy with presentations by Agnes Niyekawa and Oliver Lee. A lively discussion followed at all tables to chat about the cross-cultural experiences of other members, ending with written notes for Virgie to use in planning a future session on some related theme. There was enthusiasm for the kind of inter-personal interaction this theme generated and support for its replication at some future luncheon meetings.

(Above portion of May 10 minutes by outgoing Secretary Fred W. Riggs)

BOARD MEETING OPENED AT 2:00 pm,

In attendance: Fred Riggs, presiding. Bob Campbell, Virgie Chattergy, Cedric Cowing, Harvey Gochros, Ruth Kleinfeld-Lenney, Roy McArdle, Bart Mathias, Ted Rodgers, Wassim Siddiqui, George Simson

Discussed a problem, introduced by Campbell, of getting information to former members no longer on the roll and addresses lost. No elegant solution.

Riggs asked Rodgers to help work towards the establishment of a Faculty Club. Rodgers agreed, citing relevant experience elsewhere; it would be on a catch-as-catch-can basis, because he spends much of the year on the mainland.

Cowing noted that, as head of the new Program Committee, he had drawn up a potential schedule for the fall, and he suggested that discussion of the Faculty Club could be added to the proposed September topic, namely historic campus buildings. Further discussion followed, linking "Faculty Club" and "Retirees Center."

In regard to such a retirees' center, and the need to establish a place to preserve documents, Simson mentioned success in finding a campus home for the Biography project, on the model of a lesson learned at Stanford. Chattergy suggested that the Office of Faculty Development might have space for records storage. Riggs mentioned the Faculty Room in Hawaii Hall, which might be useful for that purpose, except for a problem with getting the key to it.

Riggs announced that he had set up a Program Committee, so that his own efforts could be directed at work on FRAUHM--UH relations. Cowing said that he had gotten agreement from Gochros, Campbell, Chattergy, and Mathias and to serve on the Program Committee. There was discussion of, and agreement on, inviting the new Chancellor, Virginia Hinshaw, to the December Tree Tops meeting -- and also holding an early planning session for Board members with her.

Riggs mentioned that the Association would have to find replacements for members serving on Faculty committees whose terms would expire in the near future.

There was general agreement that today's meeting, with its interactive format, had been successful, and we should so format future meetings with some regularity.

Riggs noted that some members are inclined not to attend our "second Thursday" lunches because of some other long-established and attractive Thursday programs. The Board agreed that we should try "second Tuesdays," if no problems such as room availabilty prevented it, to see if that was better, although we could expect that any particular day pose conflicts with something else for some members.

The meeting adjourned about 2:40 with a reminder of our next meeting in Hawaii Hall at 2:00 pm on May 24th.

Submitted by Bart Mathias, FRAUHM Secretary and Webmaster

Minutes for FRAUHM Board meeting May 24, 2007, Hawaii Hall 310

Members present: Fred Riggs, presiding; Robert Campbell, Virgie Chattergy, Ced Cowing, Harvey Gochros, Jacquie Maly, Bart Mathias, Michael Saso, Wassim Siddiqui, George Simson.

Absent: Ralph Berger, (Don Char), Ruth Kleinfeld, Ted Rodgers, Nancy Lewis, Roy McArdle.

CHAR. The meeting convened at 2:06. There being new members, we began with self-introductions. Don Char was nominated for board membership and he was voted in.

PROGRAM. Reports from heads of committees began with the Program Committee (Ced Cowing). Cowing wanted confirmation of the new day for luncheon meetings; after some discussion, the second Monday of each month was settled on, depending on whether we could arrange meeting place(s).

Cowing reported that the Program Committee members are Ralph Berger, Virgie Chattergy, Harvey Gochros, and Bart Mathias; the committee had not yet met as a group, but he have a tentative list of programs. If possible, we will have Potter and Kamins put on their UH history skit as part of the September program. Kobayashi on the history of UH buildings in October.

Gochros suggested political themes for programs and Simson seconded the idea. Perhaps in the spring. Riggs opined that we should have two meetings a year on UH relations, maybe beginning with the new Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw as the December Tree Tops meeting. We should have one on FRAUHM participation on Senate committees. Also, reserve a date for another “interactive” session like that in May. Gochros suggested a “light” topic along the way -- Riggs thought perhaps Asian music with Barbara Smith.

MEMBERSHIP. Bob Campbell spoke for the Membership Committee. He pointed to his being able to find only 28 School of Education retirees on the UH retirees mailing list as an example of the difficulty of contacting people about FRAUHM programs. The Federal Right to Privacy Act was blamed. In the discussion that followed, it was agreed that efforts should be made to inform people by having announcements made in Ka Leo, the Advertiser, Midweek, etc. We should also invite “elder” members of the Faculty, encouraging them to consider retirement and join FRAUHM.

Someone suggested having some meetings off campus. Riggs noted that KCC was going to rebuild the Cannon Club, which would be an excellent location. Simson thought we should get a head start. Campbell thought we might use the current KCC Dining Room, possibly with a shuttle bus to get people there and counter the parking problem.

CLUH. Fred Riggs noted, in the context of our Committee on Liaison with UH (CLUH) that an important development involves creation of a FRAUHM/Senate Study Group on the Governing of UH, with special reference to the role of the BOR. The newly enacted law authorizing establishment of a Candidate Advisory Council, administered by UH, creates a context to make this timely and opportune. He has posted a memo with details on his web site.

UH SYSTEM. Jacquie Maly, UH System Liaison, had doubts about retired faculty from other campuses feeling part of the system and joining the Association, even though they might have retirees' organizations of their own. Virgie suggested “combined sponsorship.” Riggs thought it would be good to have a “day-long retreat” once a year for all such groups and FRAUHM to get together, then let each group do its own thing the rest of the year. Michael Saso stressed the idea of having a meeting place off campus where everyone could feel they belonged equally. Chattergy said that if we were serious about integrating retirees from all the campuses we need to find a common interest. Maly said we need to contact Community College people as individuals, and again stressed the importance of personal invitations.

UNIVERSITY CLUB. Riggs stressed a University Club for UH has been incorporated by Raymond Yeh, Dean of Architecture. He should meet with us. The club house need not be on campus We should emphasize having club members and activities even before having a club house.

FUNDS. Michael Saso on Funds. He noted that he had been more successful getting funds for research since his 1990 retirement. Private grants are available, but how should they be administered? There is a way (with incoming Chancellor Hinshaw's help) to list FRAUHM as an organized group of retired professors to manage grants and obtain overhead funding also. Jacquie said the way the Women's Campus Club handles the Thrift Shop is a good example to emulate. It was suggested that we do not need the services of a UH employee nor work through the UHF. Howevr, we need to get the Chancellor's approval. Michael promised to do further research on the issue, and report later.

CHANCELLOR. Riggs sought a resolution to invite Chancellor Hinshaw to meet with us. We need to prepare a list of short next-step topics, such as parking and library privileges for non-emeritus members.

We adjourned at 3:49. Submitted by Bart Mathias, with corrections and additions by Fred Riggs

Minutes for FRAUHM Board meeting September 3, 2007, 10:00 AM at Fred Riggs' residence.

Members present Fred Riggs, presiding; Robert Campbell, Don Char, Harvey Gochros, Jacquie Maly, Bart Mathias, Michael Saso.

Not present: Ralph Berger, Cedric Cowing, Ruth Kleinfeld, Nancy Lewis, Roy McArdle, Ted Rogers, Wassim Siddiqui, George Simson.

The minutes for the preceding meeting were mentioned, but not discussed, approved, or rejected.

First item on agenda was the Program, although Cowing, Program Committee Chair, was unable to attend this meeting. The October 8 program was uncertain. One of the "UH Actors" (Tom Holowach) will probably not be available that date. It was pointed out that the UH Actors' act about the beginning of the University would fit in very well with what is tentatively planned for November 12 (Tuesday), a talk on historical preservation. That would have to be approved by the speaker, William Chapman. If in October (and if October=Victor Kobayashi is settled on), Kobayashi has already agreed to it. Char suggested postponing this discussion until the September meeting. Gochros put it in the form of a motion, and we decided to postpone discussion of the program.

The board settled on 2pm, Monday September 17th, in Hawaii Hall, for our next meeting, room yet to be arranged.

Gochros wondered whether reservations had been properly made for our Monday meetings. The minutes for the preceding Program Committee meeting (July 19) said nothing about anyone volunteering to make those arrangements, although Chatterjy thought she remembered someone doing so. Gochros would check with Cowing, as well as with the Campus Center. It was agreed that we should continue to provide coffee at the lunch meetings. It was clarified in ensuing discussion that nothing in the proposed program schedule beyond Sheila Conant on September 10th had been finalized. Char stressed that we should leave time and place for the December meeting open enough so that a busy Chancellor Hinshaw could more likely accept our invitation to be the speaker. He also suggested that KCC would be a better site than Tree Tops. Riggs would start negotiations with the Chancellor. Campbell(?) suggested that we get political topics into the schedule. The board approved Riggs telling Chancellor Hinshaw that we appreciated her e-mail affirming that she looked forward to talking with us about how we could help the University and vice versa.

Campbell related his essentially unsuccessful efforts at finding ways to contact people eligible for FRAUH membership. Some colleges or departments might cooperate by sending a "join FRAUHM" letter/e-mail to their retirees. Saso pointed out that it was easy to get things sent to retirees of the Department of Religion--just use proper tact in asking the secretaries. Then what should the message be? Perhaps some things from Riggs' "Manifesto" [to be found at http://webdata.soc.hawaii.edu/fredr/RetMan.htm]? Or incentives like the University of California offers retirees? He gave a number of examples of possible "reasons for joining." We could perhaps offer to supply health care information, computer instruction, tax information. Campbell wanted Riggs to put meeting room on his list of things we need. Riggs was concerned more with storage space to keep our mass of records. Campbell said that he plans to try to get a key to the Faculty Senate room in Hawaii Hall, so that we could use it when it is otherwise unused.

We took up Berger's suggestion to collect dues at one time of the year, e.g. in September, instead of scattered through the year. There was some discussion of what to do about people who fail to pay in September, and how to prorate. Riggs suggested having Berger work out a detailed proposal. Char said we should also reconsider dues structure--we need to charge more. Maly(? Chattergy?) opined that increasing dues might have a negative effect on membership.

Riggs passed out copies of a brochure for HARA (Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans [http://retiredamericans.org/]), as an example of what a FRAUH brochure might look like, and as an organization--a lobbying group--that FRAUHM might join. With HARA dues for an organization a mere $50, the board voted to join.

Riggs recommended paying the dues to remain a member of the National Association of Retirees' Organizations [http://www.arohe.org/], which would be $100, and said that we have a special fund we can pay such things from.

This led to discussion of future talks with Chancellor Hinshaw­what one should say to her when a formal meeting is possible. This somehow led to much conversation about an advisory council for selecting members of the Board of Regents. It was generally agreed that a small group of two or three persons meeting with the Chancellor would be preferable to having her attend our next full Board meeting.

Saso said that we need to get Hinshaw to allow FRAUH to set up an "office" to administer funds for research by retirees and to secure the "overhead" funds resulting therefrom.

Riggs suggested getting university-wide Departmental histories established--something else to seek Hinshaw's help for. And it would be good to get all Colleges to publicly recognize retirees with notable achievements. Once FRAUH knew who the recognized retirees are, it could have a luncheon or a dinner in their honor.

Three members of Senate committees are dropping out. Riggs wants them replaced--would any of us like to volunteer? Char said he would like to be a member of one of the three committees. Riggs would also like help with his on-line membership list and contact list. And he considers it a shame that we don't keep better track of deceased retirees, and would like help improving that situation.

The meeting adjourned at 12:15.

Respectively submitted, Bart Mathias, Secretary

Minutes for FRAUHM Board meeting October 2, 2007, 1:30 PM, Hawaii Hall 310F

Members present Fred Riggs presiding, Robert Campbell, Donald Char, Virgie Chatterjy, Cedric Cowing, Harvey Gochros, Ruth Kleinfeld, Jacquie Maly, Bart Mathias, George Simson.

Not present: Ralph Berger, Nancy Lewis, Roy McArdle, Ted Rogers, Wassim Siddiqui.

Other FRAUHM member attending: Elizabeth McCutcheon.

Other Guests/Visitors: Heather Crislip (Assistant to Chancellor), Jimmy Efird? (Faculty Senate VIP), Marc Le Pape (inroduced self as Pres. of GSO); Dick Dubinoski (briefly about 3:00)

Special Guest (arrived 2:14): Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw.

Began at 1:37 to prepare for Chancellor Hinshaw's visit. Riggs had prepared an agenda for that, starting with getting the Chencellor's feelings about a study group to look at UH government and a Board of Regents (BOR) Candidate Advisory Council; and he spoke awhile about the structure and behavior of the BOR.

Campbell suggested we should first find out how the Chancellor would deal with retired faculty. Gochros agreed: how does she deal with emeriti?

Crislip arrived about this time, and introduced herself; the Chancellor was caught in traffic and would be slightly late. Crislip suggested we retirees would have stories that could help "sell" UH to the public.

Chancellor Hinshaw came in. She thanked us "for all you have done" to make the University what it is. She laid out her three special goals, namely 1.Make UH "a destination of choice for great faculty, students, and staff, along with the citizens of Hawaii and beyond"; 2. "Make UH a leading, global research university that performs at the highest level and solves society's problems and meets needs around the world"; and 3. "Make UH a respectful, inclusive community that welcomes and nurtures diversity."

Riggs responded by going over his "three strategic moves." Hinshaw's take was that she would stay entirely out of the Faculty Senate and leave them alone to do their job. She didn't see a necessity for the study group; the BOR was OK; we just have to kow how to prime them to do what they need to do. Retired Faculty might best help lead to the "Great Century" with our voices, she said.

Riggs talked about how a compilation of departmental histories on the "web" as a resource to inform ourselves, as well as the Chancellor, for a perspective on the past and on the future. Asked whether she thought it a project worth pursuing, the Chancellor opined that it could be valuable, but she returned to the theme that people were more interest in where we're going than where we've been.

Our much discussed problem of finding out who and where retirees are was brought up. The Chancellor said she has worked through that problem in the past, and was already looking into how to handle it here.

Maly brought up her community colleges "Ambassadors" group as a possible model for putting together a Manoa organization for getting our word out to the public.

Cowing suggested raising university (entrance) standards, and going around to the schools to let them know about it, would be good PR. Too many are unaware of the University's quality, and going elsewhere for college educations--McCutcheon elaborated on this notion.

Riggs interrupted the discussion when Dick Dubinoski appeared, and asked him to say something about the honoring of distinguished retired faculty, a list of whom we had been provided.

Char brought up the fragmentation of the University--people in different fields don't know each other--as one of the problems we need to deal with.

After the Chancellor left, we moved to board matters. Char pointed out that with US presidential elections coming up, health care would be a major topic, and suggested that would be a good theme for our monthly lunch meetings; we could get HMSA and Kaiser people to talk to us.

Cowing said the fall programs are taken care of, but nothing is settled for next spring, except Bill Chapman wants to talk to us; we can still consider new options, such as getting politicians (Abercrombie, e.g.) to appear.

Simson noted that "Hinshaw is pro sociability--we should push it." On those lines, Chatterjy wants to formally set up a project of informal get-togethers for retired faculty and faculty nearing retirement and will form a committee to do so.

Simson proposed that we get Ka Leo to give FRAUHM column space, and that we members provide material for it.

The meeting ended at approximately 4:00 PM.

Respectively submitted, Bart Mathias, Secretary

FRAUHM Board Meeting 2007-10-23 3:00-4:00PM Hawaii Hall 310F

Members present: Fred Riggs (presiding), Ced Cowing, Robert Campbell, George Simson, Jacquie Maly, Ruth Kleinfeld, Bart Mathias

Absent: Ralph Berger, Donal Char MD, Virgie Chatterjy, Harvey Gochros, Nancy Lewis, Roy McArdle, Ted Rogers, Michael Saso, Wassim Siddiqui

Note: This meeting followed a one-hour special session, "Planning for 'Outreach Committee'--to re- place CLUH," which the Sect'y did not attend.

Campbell provided a number of handouts. The first three were copies of documents related to Chan- cellor Hinshaw's process of getting a Center for Retirees Resources and Relations at UC Davis in the fall of 2005; these were to serve as examples of what we might hope for at UH.

The fourth handout was "Possible Activities for FRAUHM," written by Campbell the day before. It comprised ideas of 13 actiivities under three headings which were discussed briefly: "Information Providing" included Website, Newsletter, and Brochure. Under "Service Opportunities," Pre-retirement information, Mentoring, Oral histories, Osher Life Learning Institute, BOR Advisory, Health Care, and Computer support. Items 11, 12, and 13 fell under "Entertainment": Travel, Din- ner-dance, and Steak-bake.

With regard to the last topic, Cowing reminded us of the retirees' food activity event being planned for the top floor of the Campus Center probably in February, and he suggested more food at future events--a chance to talk story before the lectures at our monthly meetings, e.g.

Maly suggested that we consider organizing interest groups, and pot-luck meals.

Campbell provided the committee with four more handouts, pages of "The Connecting Link" from the UC Berkeley Retirement Center (home page, pre-retirment planning, computerclasses, and Emeriti Association) for our lei- surely perusal later.

Simson wants everyone to bring developed ideas for a FRAUHM brochure to our next meeting, in writing.

Turning to FRAUHM programming, Cowing noted that most members of the Program Committee were not on the island; there would be a meeting when everyone returned. There was one solid commitment, but date undecided, for one spring program.

Finally, the board unanimously passed a motion whereby dues will become $12, payable in September; those who need to renew before September will be asked to pay $1 for each intervening month plus $12 for 2008-2009.

There was discussion of discontinuing coffee and cookies at the monthly meetings, but decision was deferred pending further discussion with the Treasurer.

The meeting closed just after 4PM.

Submitted by Bart Mathias, Secretary

Present: Fred Riggs (presiding), Virgie Chatterjy, Cedric Cowing, Robert Campbell, Harvey Gochros, Ruth Kleinfeld, Jacquie Maly, Bart Mathias

Looked at prior minutes, found a problem in next to last paragraph with mention of "three motions" passed, but apparently only one listed.

It was noted (Campbell) that 25 persons (including three visitors) had attended the November lunch meeting. It was agreed that the person in charge of programs should decide on who orders refreshments, with the bill going to the Treasurer.

We agreed on inviting the Chancellor and her aide Heather Crislip to lunch at the Tree Tops meeting where the Chancellor is goimg to speak. Riggs will call the meeting there to order and introduce Program Chair Cowing to introduce the speaker. Registration for lunch will begin at 11:30, lunch at 12:00, and the talk at 12:30.

Cowing reported on the Program Committees deliberations. Supposing that a health session (a relevant topic due to the health care emphasis of some of the presidential campaigns) should focus on Hawaii health, Cowing will seek advice from member Donald Char, MD.

Discussion turned to the possibility of KCC as a lunch meeting site. Campbell had learned that it would cost $175 to hire a campus shuttle for transportation from the Manoa campus to KCC.

Campbell had also been in touch with KCC and learned that March 24 would be an acceptable date. Representative Abercrombie could be available for a date in April

Discussion turned to "Virgie's Event"--an informal get-together for retirees and future retiree's that Chatterjy had volunteered to form a committee for. It was felt that the event needs a "hook" such as a very short talk to draw people in. Further discussion of details was postponed, but Campbell suggested a possible joint venture with the Campus Women's Club.

Riggs mentioned some of the things he was going to ask the Chancellor for. Gochros told him not to "noodge"; we need to be gentle with her and keep her on our side.

We agreed that notices of our meetings should be included in Ka Leo [but no one was assigned the task of providing them. Is this understood to be the Secretary's job?].

After setting 2008-01-08 14:00 as the time for our next meeting, we adjourned at 16:13.

Respectively submitted, Bart Mathias, Secretary

Minutes of brief post-lunch board meeting, 2008-01-15

Present: Fred Riggs, Robert Campbell, Harvey Gochros, Jacqui Maly, Bart Mathias, Michael Saso

Time and date set for next full board meeting: 22 Jan, 2-4pm.

Michael Saso reported his intention to ask Dean of Arts and Humanities (?) to serve as fiscal officer for retiree grants, as well as to use some interest from some of his own research projects for such expenses.