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Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education
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Editor's note: This issue of AROHE Matters highlights retirement organization’s experience in collecting dues versus having members make contributions. See the link in "Tell Us Your Story" to suggest newsletter topics.
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Issue Highlights (Click on item to go directly to it; links may not work on mobile devices) |
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Retirement Organization News
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Retirement Trends and Resources
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President's Message
Cherie Hamilton
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Dear AROHE Members,
Summer is here, and fall is just around the corner!
Now is the perfect time to begin planning events to attract new members and keep current members engaged. AROHE supports you with webinars, conferences, briefs, and travel opportunities to unique destinations alongside fellow members.
In response to member interest, we’re sharing some key strategies to foster engagement and promote an inclusive environment as you set goals for 2026 and beyond:
- Effective Communication: Is your website a dynamic, accessible “information hub” for all members? Clear and consistent communication is essential for both recruiting and retaining members.
- Commitment to Diversity: Diverse representation in membership, committees, and leadership brings valuable perspectives and promotes inclusivity throughout your organization.
- Strengthening Campus Relationships: Foster mutually beneficial connections with your institution. Consider hosting events that build bridges between your RO and current faculty.
- Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition: Targeted outreach helps bring in new members, diverse programming encourages retention, and recognizing volunteer contributions builds a sense of community.
AROHE is also hosting events to welcome new members. On July 24, 2025, at 1:00 PM PDT, we’ll offer an orientation for academic retirees from institutions without a retirement organization. For details, please see the related article in this newsletter.
In addition, the AROHE Travel Institute will present an in-depth preview of the five exciting trips planned for 2026. Visit our Travel Website for more information.
To learn more about any of these opportunities, visit the AROHE Website.
Wishing you a joyful and productive summer!
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Connections & Conversations: Notes from Valerie
AROHE is excited to share some recent work focused on creating meaningful engagement in the next chapter of life. From soft launching a new Virtual Retirement Chapter for those without a traditional campus connection, to previewing enriching travel experiences designed just for our members, each initiative is rooted in one goal—building community.
Whether it’s through shared journeys, thoughtful writing, or simply showing up for each other in conversation, I continue to be inspired by the ways we connect. Thank you for being part of this growing network of purposeful living in retirement.
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Virtual Chapter
The AROHE Virtual Retirement Chapter is a new community designed for retired and soon-to-retire faculty and staff who may not be affiliated with a campus-based retirement organization or who live far from their former institution. This virtual space offers opportunities to stay connected, share experiences, and engage in programs that support purpose, connection, and lifelong learning—no matter where you are.
Join us on July 24th to learn more.
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Travel Institute
We are excited to offer enriching and engaging travel opportunities designed specifically for our members. Whether you're dreaming of a slower-paced journey or an immersive cultural experience, the Travel Institute is your gateway to meaningful adventures. There a few spots available for Costa Rica! Sign up now!
Join us for our next destination spotlight!
You're invited to a special preview session for New York City at a Slower Pace
Monday, September 8th
2 PM EDT | 1 PM CDT | 12 PM MDT | 11 AM PDT
In this live session, you’ll hear directly from a New York City travel expert who will walk you through trip highlights, answer your questions, and provide insider tips. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with other AROHE members who may become your future travel companions.
We hope to see you there!
If you missed our 2026 Trip Preview, the recording is now available on our website—simply visit arohe.org/Travel-Institute and click the photo at the bottom of the page to view the session.
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Invitations to Authors! AROHE is creating a publication---"Building Community through Shared Writing Experiences”. You are invited to submit content about an individual or group writing experience with your RO that helped build community: Memoir Writing, Memories from Your College Career, and other topics. Contact Dr. Dee Stegelin at dstegel@clemson.edu, for information and submission.
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AROHE 2026 In-Person Conference
We’re excited to share that initial planning is underway for AROHE’s next in-person conference, scheduled for Fall 2026. This event will bring together thought leaders, innovators, and members from across the country to explore the future of retirement in higher education. As we begin shaping the conference experience, we invite you to stay tuned for more details in the coming months, including a formal “Save the Date” and opportunities to get involved.
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Retirement Organization News |
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Harvard University. Science Center seen through Meyer Gate (Class of 1879) Photo by Anne Parker
Dues vs. Donations – Harvard University Retirees Association
One pays dues to a membership organization. Paying dues establishes a feeling of belonging to the organization and cultivates a sense of loyalty. In addition to paying their dues, members may also make donations, especially if the organization is embarking upon a worthwhile project requiring resources beyond what the normal collection of dues can cover. It is paying dues that establishes membership.
Donations to a charity that does good works for somebody else does not engage the donor in the organization in the same way as being a member.
A practical reason to use dues rather than donations is that the IRS requires that to maintain their tax-exempt status, 501(c)7 organizations (HURA’s legal status) must primarily be funded by dues, fees, or assessments from their members, not by donations. For more information, contact Malcolm Hamilton, Managing Editor, Harvard University Retirees Association, 30 Mill St., Arlington, MA 02476, 781-641-2942
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University of Calgary Retirees Association – Dues and Donations
“I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member” Groucho Marx:
The University of Calgary Retiree Association (UCRA) collects membership fees early every fall when our new series of monthly hybrid information sessions starts. We offer members the opportunity to use e-transfer for payments, although some members still prefer to pay by cheque. If two members are in the same family, a discount on our small annual fee is offered. Later in the year, we send out reminders through the postal service to any former member who has not renewed. We try to add a personal note if the individual member is known to those of us who are sending out the reminders. It is a successful strategy.
Membership provides our members not only increased social engagement opportunities but also several other benefits, including access to our luncheons at a reduced rate, monthly e-letters, and some campus reductions such as bookstore purchases, and a free parking code for attendance at selected sessions
From a donation perspective, we ask our members to contribute to the University’s Giving campaign in April of each year and in doing so, to identify themselves as a UCRA member. One suggestion to them is to contribute to our Indigenous Student award as it receives matching funds from the University. This is but one of the many donation opportunities available to them. Donations are generally tax-deductible, but membership fees are not.
For follow up questions, contact Sandi Hirst, BScN, PhD, UCRA Executive, CURAC Vice-president and Carole-Lynne Le Navenec (RN, PhD, Associate Professor Emerita, Nsg & CURAC Chair, Later Life Learning Committee: https://curac.ca/en/committees/later-life-learning-committee) University of Calgary Retiree Association (UCRA)
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Santa Clara University Retired and Retiring Faculty Group -- Dues
vs Contributions Approach
Santa Clara University's retiree
organization collects neither dues nor member contributions. The SCU Retired
and Retiring ("R&R") Faculty Group has a small budget provided by
the Faculty Development program. The R&R Group serves retirees and late-career
faculty participating in the university’s phased retirement option.
The budget covers a small stipend for two
"Retiree Liaisons" whose responsibilities include organizing lectures
and panels on topics such as "Aging and Cognitive Health" and
"Creating a Meaningful Retirement." Other costs include an annual
brunch celebrating retiring and retired faculty to which the President and
Provost are invited. In addition, the budget covers the time and expertise of
an administrative assistant who provides occasional logistical, website,
and newsletter support.
All retirees and all late career faculty
in phased retirement are members of the Retired and Retiring Faculty Group by
default: all receive the program's electronic newsletter,
"The Retiree Update," and all are invited to events. A new
initiative, collaboratively funded by the University’s Ignatian Center for
Jesuit Education and the Faculty Development Program will offer a year-long
seminar called “Pathways to Purpose” for late career and retired faculty, with
monthly gatherings for reflection on readings on retirement, aging, health,
values, service, and spiritual practice.
The structure of the SCU Retired and
Retiring Faculty Group model creates a context in which late-career faculty are
in productive dialogue with retirees about the benefits and challenges of
retirement, and in which retirees maintain valuable connections with the
university.
Contacts: Diane Jonte-Pace, Professor
Emerita, Religious Studies, Retiree Liaison
Eileen Elrod, Professor, English
Department, Retiree Liaison, djontepace@scu.edu and
eelrod@scu.edu
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Retirement Trends and Resources
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Poll shows wide variation in older adults' preparations to age in place – University of Michigan
New findings from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging reveal wide variation in what adults age 65 and older have done, or intend to do, to make their homes meet their needs as they grow older – a concept called aging in place.
Overall, 84% of people age 65+ said it is very or somewhat likely they will live in their current home for the rest of their lives. However, less than half (46%) have taken steps to age in place. This includes making modifications to make their home more age-friendly, moving to a place that can meet their needs as they age, or both.
This poll highlights the importance of taking proactive steps to make homes safer and more comfortable, even before modifications are urgently needed.
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More Workers Now
Providing Eldercare than Childcare
The number of U.S. workers providing care to older adults has
surpassed the number providing care to preschool children. Elder caregivers
currently make up 14% of the workforce, and that number is only going to
increase, because Americans aged 65 and older are the fastest-growing segment
of the population. To meet the eldercare challenge, employers must step up,
just as the majority have done for childcare, with new or expanded policies,
programs, and benefits.
In “Your Company Needs an Eldercare Policy” (Harvard Business Review,
July-August 2025), Ken Dychtwald PhD, Robert Morison, and Katy Terveer of Age Wave, and Terry Fulmer PhD, of The John A. Hartford
Foundation detail the growing need for eldercare support, profile organizations
showing the way, and offer practical guidance to leaders who want to prepare
their organizations for this unprecedented challenge.
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How to stay safe in hot weather -- National Institute on Aging
As the temperature rises, you may find yourself spending more
time outdoors. Although too much heat is not safe for anyone, it is even
riskier for older adults. Being hot for too long can increase your risk of
heat-related illnesses, such as hyperthermia. Here are a few things you can do
to stay safe in hot weather:
· Drink plenty of liquids.
· Dress in light-colored,
loose-fitting clothing.
· Avoid outdoor physical
activity when it’s too hot
Learn
more about the signs of heat-related illness and how to prevent it.
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Tips to
help make safe choices about driving
As you get older, you may notice driving becoming more difficult for yourself or your loved
ones. Changes in health, vision, and certain medical conditions or injuries may
also impact a person’s driving skills. However,
there are things you can do to help you stay on the road and make safe choices
about driving. Find tips to help keep you safe on the road as you age.
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Meditative Moment
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Pleasure and Pitfalls of Retirement
“I also
realized how much I had been defined by my job. Retire and that evaporates. But
that makes way for a new identity.”
Andrew
Jones, Financial Times Journalist for FT Globetrotter, June 2, 2025
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AROHE members are encouraged to submit stories that reflect activities, news and events from your retirement organization and campus that support retirees and highlight the value retirees bring to their colleges and universities.
The September issue of AROHE Matters will focus on retirement organizations’ welcoming retirees back to campus. What activities do you find rewarding and informative as you welcome retirees back to fall semester activities on campus and opportunities for engagement?
Articles are limited to 250 words in a Word file, noting the contact person for the reader's follow-up. A relevant picture (jpeg or png) and web links are valued additions to any article.
Share your story for the November issue of AROHE Matters by Friday, August 15, 2025, to Patrick Cullinane, editor, at pcullinane@berkeley.edu.
We would love to learn topics of interest from our members! Please fill out our future topics survey!
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Come Join Us in Transforming Retirement
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Since 2002 AROHE has supported both institutions and individuals by transforming the experience of retirement – the preparation, the transition, and post-retirement programming – into a smooth and productive life-course change.
To renew, join or learn more, visit arohe.org or contact AROHE by emailing info@arohe.org.
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AROHE's mantra is "Transforming Retirement."
At AROHE, we know that higher education retirees are assets of society who reinvent, NOT retire from, life; positively impact their communities; and contribute to the greater good.
AROHE champions transformative practices to support all stages of faculty and staff retirement, their mutually beneficial engagement, and continuing contributions to their academic institutions. By sharing research, innovative ideas, and successful practices, AROHE emphasizes the development and enhancement of campus-based retiree organizations and programs which support this continuing engagement in higher education.
Privacy policy: AROHE will never sell or give your personal information to sponsors or partners without your expressed permission. This permission is typically done as a part of an event registration where members and registrants "opt in" to receive email notices from a partner or sponsor. In this case a member or registrant's email address is provided to the sponsor or partner.
Copyright © 2020 AROHE. All rights reserved.
Contact email: info@arohe.org
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