About OSURA
About OSURA
General Information
The objective of OSURA is to enhance the well-being of its members through educational and cultural programs/or experiences that provide:
- information of importance to the member's status as a retiree of The Ohio State University;
- benefits and privileges extended to retirees by the university and the State Teachers and Public Employees Retirement Systems (STRS-OH and OPERS);
- an effective communications link with various public agencies and institutions that relate to the retirees;
- ways of maintaining and improving the member's health condition;
- ways of maintaining and improving the member's economic status and financial condition;
- opportunities for members to maintain a relationship with and service to the university;
- information and/or assistance or information to a surviving spouse or family in case of extreme illness or death;
- pertinent educational, recreational, social and volunteer activities.
A president and vice president are selected annually, and other officers and board members serve two-year terms. Standing committees serve in the areas of benefits, budgets/finance, by-laws, communications, endowment, membership, program and friendship. A newsletter is sent to members each month, and a directory is published annually. The Association holds a business meeting annually. Other annual conferences include "Coping with Change," and "Income Tax Help."
Special interest groups (SIGs) include:
- The Book Club which meets monthly to discuss various readings.
- The Bridge Group plays cards or other board games monthly.
- The Litter Pickers improve the environment along the section of Route 33 that has been adopted by OSURA.
- The Ohio State University Faculty and Staff Photographic Society shares techniques and interests.
- The Tertulia Breakfast is held monthly at the Faculty Club and features Ohio State retirees and current employees sharing opinions on a wide variety of topics.
In addition,
- The Travel Committee plans trips in and around Ohio as well as other areas in the United States and throughout the world. Most are bus trips for one to several days, but some are with air travel (notably international trips) and for longer periods
- The Cultural Affairs Committee arranges for outings to the opera, light opera, ballet, museums, etc.
- The social calendar includes a summer picnic, a holiday buffet, luncheons.
Ohio State retirees are offered information and assistance with benefits available through Ohio State, the retirement systems, and agencies and groups concerned with aging, and with many of the tasks needed by individuals (e.g., transportation, medical forms, contact information).
Vision, Mission, Goals
Vision
The Ohio State University Retirees Association aspires to become the most effective organization possible to help members attain optimum satisfaction in their retirement years.
Mission
OSURA provides a variety of services that enrich the lives of its members and benefit the university and the greater community.
Goals
- To provide a wide range of activities, including educational, informational, cultural, social, travel, and volunteer opportunities.
- To monitor and share information on benefits affecting health and life style choices.
- To increase membership.
- To advance all modes of communication with its members, as well as the university and greater community, via the Association's newsletter, membership directory, web site, and other appropriate avenues.
- To assist and serve The Ohio State University in accomplishing its mission and goals.
- To encourage and create opportunities for retirees to help other retirees.
- To develop further the Association's endowment.
- To be an efficient retiree association.
Founding of OSURA
OSURA was not formed on a sudden impulse or whim on the part of a few interested persons. Rather, it is an outgrowth of a lengthy study by a special committee of the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors. These individuals were deeply concerned about the on-going welfare of those who had retired or were about to retire from this university. It was noted that there was no single office nor designated individual to whom newly retired persons could turn for counsel and assistance with the many problems involved in the transition from employees to retirees. A sympathetic response from the University president and from the vice president, personnel services, led to the establishment of such an office, appointment of an appropriate officer, and the preparation and distribution of a retirement handbook for persons in the process of retiring.
But how could on-going views of retirees be adequately expressed? How could their common needs and problems be resolved?
The committee, augmented by additional interested employees, directed an inquiry to a selected group of outstanding American universities where associations of retirees were in existence, some for many years, to ascertain the characteristics of such organizations and to benefit from their experience. Based upon this information and the perceived needs of OSU retirees, the committee authorized a questionnaire study of a sampling of Ohio State retirees as to the need for and suggested functions of such an association. The positive results from this study were interpreted as a mandate to proceed with the establishment of such an organization. This became reality in 1983 with Ransom Whitney as the first president of The Ohio State University Retirees Association (OSURA).
Endowment
OSURA established an endowment in 1995 “to enhance the programs and activities of the Retirees Association as it strives to achieve its mission in the lives of retirees of The Ohio State University.” The money received is invested by the OSU Foundation and the principal is not used – only the earnings. These earnings provide support to balance the OSURA annual budget. For example, the Endowment provides funds to cover some of the costs of events such as Coping with Change and the Annual Meeting to keep the charge for attendance as low as possible in the interest of affordability for all. Monies are available – although they are rarely requested – for emergency assistance to OSU retirees (at this time a $200 maximum).
Tax-deductible contributions to the OSURA Endowment Fund may be made at any time and in any amount. Make your check payable to The OSU Foundation; and, indicate its intended use (OSURA Fund #605420) in the lower left corner of the check. Then mail it to OSU Foundation, 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221-3939.
Committees/Officers
Executive Board 2007-2008
President |
J. Robert Warmbrod |
Vice President/President Elect |
Thomas A. Willke |
Secretary |
Richard M. Hill |
Treasurer |
C. Thomas Ridenour |
Communications Secretary |
Carlene Hamilton |
Past President |
Virginia N. Gordon |
Members at Large |
Shirley A. Chase |
Standing Committee Chairs
Benefits |
Louis P. DiOrio |
Budget and Finance |
Charles H. Corbato |
Bylaws |
Thomas L. Sweeney |
Communications |
Carlene Hamilton |
Endowment |
Don E. Cook |
Friendship |
Nancy S. Wardwell |
Membership |
John A. Stottlemyer |
| Program Coordinating | William J. Studer |
| Cultural Arts | Odette Blum |
| Social | Penelope F. O ‘Neil |
| Travel | Ruth M. Conone |
Representatives
Campus Campaign |
Richard M. Hill |
Bucks for Charity |
Penelope F. O’Neil |
Faculty Compensation & Benefits Committee |
Richard M. Hill |
Ohio Council of Higher Education Retirees |
Louis P. DiOrio and J. Robert Warmbrod |
Staff Compensation & Benefits Committee |
Eleanor C. Conlon |
Historian |
Fern E. Hunt |
Office Manager |
Judith A. McMahon |
