On March 26, 2021 President Peter Stoicheff signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the elements of a mutually beneficial relationship between the University and the USRA. In the MOU’s preamble the two parties acknowledge that many former faculty and staff wish to continue to participate in the life of the University and the various elements of the MOU seek to enable that. For its part the University affirms that it welcomes the continued participation of retirees and agrees to promote and support their continued scholarly, creative, professional or volunteer activities. The USRA agrees to act as the official liaison between the University and its retirees, to keep the University aware of retirees’ concerns and to keep retirees informed of opportunities to engage with the University.

Signed MOU.

See the full report, University and USRA Sign MOU by Rick Bunt, Engagement Committee Chair, in our April, 2021 Newsletter.

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:

1. To conduct activities which foster a continuing association among members and between members and the University;
2. to promote the economic interests and welfare of retirees;
3. to provide programs of intellectual and social activities for members;
4. to collectively represent all retirees, whether members or not, in appropriate forums;
5. 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;
6. 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;
7. 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;
8. 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.

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.

Co-Presidents	Merry Beazely and Jim Thornhill
Vice President	Caroline Cottrell
Secretary	Jacqueline Huck
Treasurer	Tom Wilson
Immediate Past President	Co-Presidents Jim Thornhill and Merry Beazely
Members-at-Large	Bob Card
	Bryan Harvey
	Judith Henderson
	David Mandeville
	Yannis Pahatouroglou
	Vera Pezer
	Beryl Radcliffe
	Kathryn Warden

Standing Committees

Standing Committees have been established to handle certain aspects of the Association’s business. Ad Hoc Committees are established from time-to-time to address particular needs.

COMMITTEE	CHAIR	MEMBERS
Awards	Merry Beazely	Bryan Harvey, Judith Henderson, David Mandeville
College and University Retiree Associations of Canada (CURAC)	Bryan Harvey	n/a
Communication	Jacqueline Huck	Bob Card, Judith Henderson, Kathryn Warden
Education, Social and Recreation	Caroline Cottrell	Bob Card, Mary Dykes, David Mandeville, Beryl Radcliffe, Jim Thornhill
Membership	Beryl Radcliffe	Jacqueline Huck, Judith Henderson
Engagement	Jim Thornhill	Bryan Harvey, Yannis Pahatouroglou
Campus Heritage	Yannis Pahatouroglou	Bob Card, Patrick Hayes, Vera Pezer, Kathryn Warden
Honorary Degrees	Tom Wilson	Merry Beazely, Bryan Harvey, Judith Henderson, Vera Pezer, Asit Sarkar
Nominations	Jim Thornhill	Merry Beazely, Tom Wilson
Ad Hoc Committee to Review Constitution, By-laws, and Policies and Procedures	Merry Beazely	Bryan Harvey, David Mandeville, Jim Thornhill
Coordinating Committee, Memorandum of Understanding Between the University and the USRA	n/a	Jim Thornhill, Rick Bunt

Annual general meetings must be held on or before November 30, but traditionally are held in September.

Minutes available online: 

2023 (draft), 2022, 2021

2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006

2005, 2004, 2003, 2002