MOU with the University Renewed to June 30, 2027
On March 27, 2024, President Peter Stoicheff, University Secretary and Chief Governance Officer Julian Demkiw and USRA Co-Presidents Merry Beazely and Jim Thornhill signed a second Memorandum of Understanding which reinforces our shared goals and the benefits and support provided by the University to both the USRA and all individual retirees.
New in the second MOU is the University’s commitment to help us promote our goals and activities to current members, retirees who have not yet joined and those planning to retire.
For more information about the second MOU see the article From Our Co-Presidents in the April, 2024 Newsletter.
For more information about the first MOU see the article University and USRA sign MOU in the April, 2021 Newsletter.
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of the Association is to promote and safeguard the interests and welfare of University of Saskatchewan retirees and to provide a means of sustaining a continuing relationship among retirees and between retirees and the University. The objectives of the Association are:
- To conduct activities which foster a continuing association among members and between members and the University;
- to promote the economic interests and welfare of retirees;
- to provide programs of intellectual and social activities for members;
- to collectively represent all retirees, whether members or not, in appropriate forums;
- to be a channel of communication between the University and its retirees for purposes of responding to the academic and other needs of the University;
- to promote the Association and its objectives among employees of the University approaching retirement or who are leaving the University and meet USRA eligibility requirements;
- to provide opportunities for retirees, administrative officials, academic staff and other employees of the University (and their associations) to discuss and otherwise pursue matters of common interest;
- to cooperate with, assist, and join together with retiree associations at other universities in areas of mutual concern.
The objectives of the Association are facilitated through agreement with the University of Saskatchewan and other organizations.
Governance and Committees
Constitution, By-laws, Policies and Procedures
Constitution revised at 2021 AGM
By-laws revised at 2021 AGM
Policies and Procedures, approved by the Board in May 2023, supplement the USRA Constitution and By-laws and provide detailed guidance on USRA operations.
Board
The Board is elected annually by the membership at a general meeting; it conducts the business of the Association on a day-to-day basis.
| President | Vera Pezer |
| Vice President | Hope Bilinski |
| Secretary | Jacqueline Huck |
| Treasurer | Tom Wilson |
| Immediate Past Co- President | Merry Beazely |
| Members-at-Large | Joe Angel |
| Bob Card | |
| David Mandeville | |
| Nigel Rawson | |
| Kathryn Warden | |
| Note: a picture of the 2025-2026 Board will be published in a later newsletter. | |
Standing and Ad Hoc Committees
Standing Committees handle the Association’s normal business.
Ad Hoc Committees are established from time-to-time to address particular needs and issues.
|
Committee |
Chair, Members |
|
Awards |
Merry Beazely, Bryan Harvey, David Mandeville, Vera Pezer, Kathryn Warden |
|
CURAC |
Merry Beazely |
|
Communication |
Jacqueline Huck, Joe Angel, Bob Card, Kathryn Warden |
|
Education, Social and Recreation |
David Mandeville and Bob Card, Nigel Rawson |
|
Engagement (including MOU Coordinating Committee Representatives) |
Hope Bilinski, Joe Angel, Vera Pezer, Nigel Rawson |
|
Honorary Degrees |
Tom Wilson, Merry Beazely, Bryan Harvey, Asit Sarkar, Kathryn Warden |
|
Membership |
Jacqueline Huck |
|
Nominations |
Merry Beazely, Bryan Harvey, Kathryn Warden, Tom Wilson |
|
USask Senate Representative |
David Mandeville |