You may recall that in our March CRA Newsletter there was an article updating possible changes to our programming and future organization. We shared that particular issue would be the last printed copy to be mailed to retirees. The CRA Board had voted to support a monthly electronic newsletter sent by Human Resources. The money saved by this action will be used to provide more (lower cost/free) events and activities of interest to retirees.   

We agreed that Human Resources (HR) and CRA have the same goal to serve retirees of Cornell University with programs and activities for all. We also agreed that we need to find a better way of doing this for the current and future retirees. The current CRA Board has found it difficult to interest retirees in serving in leadership roles. After months of discussions and searching for solutions, we decided it was time for the board to evolve. The following motion was introduced: “The CRA Board will reorganize in the form of a CRA Steering Committee for the purpose of planning activities and programs for Cornell University retirees.” This steering committee will be a smaller group of new individuals who are eager to help guide the future of the Cornell Retiree Association. The motion was passed unanimously.   

We are very hopeful that this newly created committee will be able to work with others in finding many new and interesting things for retirees to do and enjoy! If you are interested in volunteering and/or have suggestions for this new committee, email [email protected]. 

Our first event for the upcoming academic year is the Annual George Peter Memorial BBQ scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 2017 at the CRC Park with Bingo or other games at 11:00, lunch at noon and no RAIN we hope!! Details and registration information below. Please sign up early as seating is limited. See you there! 

Human Resources Thanks CRA Board

Human Resources thanks the CRA Board for their commitment to serving Cornell retirees. A vast majority of the board members have served multiple terms, some serving a decade or more! These individuals gave Cornell many years of service during their employment at the university and then continued well into retirement through CRA. We would especially like to thank President Jeanette Miller and Vice President Dominic Versage for their leadership during a time of reflection and transition.  

In addition to the new steering committee that CRA President Jeanette Miller has noted, and the new retiree seat on the Employee Assembly, HR has formed the HR Retiree Engagement Advisory Committee, which is comprised of representatives from campus departments (Benefits, Cornell Wellness, etc.) and retiree representatives. The charge of this group is to provide relevant expertise and insights to inform Human Resources on issues related to the retiree experience and engagement. The goal for the group is to provide information and input to help HR (particularly the Work/Life department) establish priorities and make recommendations related to programs and services to foster a “retirement-friendly campus.”   

Please send questions, suggestions, and concerns to [email protected].

Note: For those of you that missed the May Retiree Newsletter, Hurf and Peggy are sharing the newly designated seat on the Employee Assembly, representing Cornell retirees. 

We were warmly welcomed at the two May meetings of the Employee Assembly. We were formally seated at the first June meeting, the official start of our two-year term. We are pleased and honored to represent a group that likely represents 100,000 years or more of service to Cornell. 

President Martha Pollack attended one of these meetings. President Pollack spoke very briefly and then asked for the concerns of the EA members going forward. She was very sincere. We were able to mention parking for the retirees as one issue that had been raised. Support for retiree community concerns going forward was also discussed. We explained that retiree representation was new to the EA and as such we did not have specific items from the community. This is a long winded way of saying, "To be effective, we need feedback from the retiree community!" so please praise, point out needs, and/or ask questions whenever the spirit moves you. Email us at [email protected].

Ready to take your career to the next level? Going up! The Division of Student and Campus Life is now hiring part-time elevator operators in historic Willard Straight Hall location. Apply now - positions are available immediately! Our elevator operator team will support students, faculty, staff, and visitors by providing access to the freight elevator in our Willard Straight Hall facility. Elevator operators will be trained on freight elevator operation and safety compliance, and will be responsible for monitoring and managing access to the main freight elevator and creating a welcoming and safe environment for all who use the elevator. The position is currently advertised online through the careers page. Apply online now. Direct Link to Job Application and Posting: Elevator Operator - Part-time Positions

We value any former staff members or retirees who would be interested in fulfilling this role. The work schedules will likely vary, and are flexible based on availability and business needs. We’re likely looking to make some hiring decisions in the next few weeks, so we are staffed and ready to go for the upcoming fall semester.

• Managing the Chair’s calendar
• Assisting with travel coordination, meeting plans, and reimbursements
• Providing administrative coordination for departmental meetings and events
• Assisting in facilitating administrative processes on behalf of the Chair, may include working communications, facilities, HR, and other college functions
• Providing general administrative assistance as needed  

Hello--My name is Mariana, I am a PhD student at Cornell's Policy Analysis and Management Program. I am currently collecting data for my dissertation, which is focused on mature blended families. I want to understand what are the challenges faced by older step-parents, how they manage their relationship with adult step-children, and how much support they receive from their stepchildren. I am currently recruiting seniors (age 60+ who are step-parents) who live in upstate New York to participate in this study. Each volunteer participates in a 90-minute interview and is compensated ($30). All their information is kept confidential, and I can meet them wherever is convenient for them. I am interested in recruiting men and women, from age 60 to 85, who have high or low income. Right now, I am having trouble recruiting low income step-fathers and older step-parents (age 75+). I am looking forward to hearing from you. Please contact me.

• Sept. 22, 11:59 p.m.: deadline for all photo submissions (note: date is earlier than recent previous years)
  
• Oct. 13: winners for each category announced; voting begins for People’s Choice among these winners. Deadline for voting: Oct. 20
  
• Oct. 27: People’s Choice and Grand Prize winners announced
  
• Oct. 30-Nov. 17: prizes available for pick-up or delivery

It’s time once again to prepare for a new class of Cornellians! 

Volunteers are needed for Cornell's Opening Day, August 18, when almost 4,000 new undergraduate students and their families will arrive on campus. We need your help directing new students in and around Barton Hall for New Student Check In, where students will pick up their Cornell ID card and learn about services and opportunities available at the university. This event wouldn't be possible without the help of our wonderful volunteers, which is why we need your help. There are many ways to be involved, from distributing ID cards to sharing directions and campus information with new students and their families.
Sign up today (and before Aug 5) to volunteer for Opening Day! All volunteers will receive a volunteer t-shirt and lunch. Thank you in advance for your participation.

Questions? Contact Marisa LaFalce, (607) 255-2373.

The Cancer Resource Center seeks Financial Advocates to help our clients sort through medical bills, manage complex insurance issues, complete applications, connect with resources, etc. Advocates gather monthly to discuss cases and receive specialized training. No experience necessary. Please contact Sharon Kaplan for more information or call 607-277-0960.

Cornell International Friendship Program (CIFP) needs the participation of more local Cornell retirees and other community members!

Hundreds of foreign students and scholars from all over the world attend Cornell each year and experience life in the U.S. for the first time. CIFP connects an international student or scholar with a local family or individual for the purpose of cultural exchange.  It’s sort of like having an exchange student, but they don’t live with you. They live and study at Cornell but get together with their new local community friend to enjoy activities or events such as Thanksgiving dinner, sporting events, museum visits, shopping, visiting the Ithaca Farmers Market or local parks, etc.

The problem is that there are fewer local individuals and families than there are international students and scholars that request to be matched. That’s why we’re letting you know about this wonderful program offered by Cornell. There is no cost to be in the program and no connection to Cornell is needed. 

For more information, call 607-255-3815.

Cornell staff, faculty, retirees and Ithaca community members are invited to serve as host families through Home Plate, a program started in 2015 by Cornell Student Assembly’s City and Local Affairs Committee.

Home Plate connects Cornell students with the Ithaca community by matching small groups of students with local families for regular meetups, usually dinners hosted by the families. Organizers said dinners offer a great opportunity for both sides to learn about one another and establish meaningful relationships.

The program has been well-received by students and families. Inspired by a similar program at Washington University in St. Louis, Home Plate allows students to get off campus, have a home-cooked meal and find a home-away-from-home in Ithaca, and families report they enjoy engaging in conversations with students.

Email [email protected] with questions.

Healthy Living Program for the Summer

•  Summer 2017 (May 30-Aug 11) Group Fitness Schedule

Presented by Robin Schwartz, Organizing Consultant.
Starting in July, August and September
Office in Center Ithaca, Ithaca Commons

This “Controlling Clutter Before it Controls You” workshop is for everyone who wants to begin a decluttering and organizing project! Four 2-hour sessions are spaced 1 or 2 weeks apart (which leaves plenty of time for decluttering homework) with a fifth session a few months after to compare success stories. For a detailed list of what this workshop covers, cost, and testimonials, visit the web. Dates and times are scheduled that work for those who sign up. Registration is required. For information.

Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services has been awarded an Access to Home Grant thru the NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation. These funds allow us to provide accessibility modifications for homeowners with disabilities and for those who are frail elderly and are encountering difficulties with activities of daily living due to aging. The program's aim is to provide home modifications to the physical environment that will allow residents to maintain their independence and age in place in a healthy, comfortable and safe home.

The program serves low- and moderate-income homeowners and renters (landlords must agree to terms of funding) throughout Tompkins County. The program is also able to assist homeowners in mobile home parks.

Examples of modifications

• Wheelchair ramps
  
• Accessible showers with grab bars and seats
  
• Comfort-height toilets
  
• Easy-to-reach work and storage areas and other kitchen modifications
  
• Widening doorways for walkers and wheelchairs
  
• Remedying trip hazards  and installing door levers
  
• Modifications for those with impaired hearing or sight
  
• Locating a bathroom or bedroom from the 2nd to the 1st floor and more . . .

Please contact Patrick Mitchell or call 277-4500 ext. 216 for more information or to obtain an application.

• Saturday, July 29, 2017, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
• Saturday, August 26, 2017, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
• Saturday, September 23, 2017, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
• Saturday, October 21, 2017, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Local composting experts provide information and give hands-on demonstrations to help you set up and manage a compost system in any setting! Each class of this FREE series covers composting basics, and a different focal topic is addressed each month (see below) to help you address any compost issue you may encounter. Stop by for one or all classes, and bring your composting questions!

• July 29 - "Troubleshooting Your Bin" - Covers what could go wrong and how to prevent / remedy the situation
• August 26- "Is it done? & Compost Uses" - How do you know when your compost is ready to use? And if it is ready, what are some of the ways that we suggest using it
• September 23 - "Indoor Composting" - How to maintain an indoor bin using a double bin ("stealth") system
• October 21 - "Winter Composting" - How to extend the composting season well into the cold months and the preparations necessary to ensure successful composting over the winter

Location: Compost Demonstration site is on the 'railroad side' of the the Ithaca Community Gardens, outside the fence. The Ithaca Community Gardens is on Carpenter off the 3rd St Extension (on the way to the Ithaca Farmers Market).

*Registration each Compost with Confidence class is not required, but helpful for our planning. Please register online. You may also call Cooperative Extension during businesses hours to register (607) 272-2292 or with questions.

Thursday, August 10, 2017, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

In this Consumer Issues Program, a NY State Attorney General's Office representative will make a brief presentation, then consult with individuals on unresolved consumer problems until 1:00 pm. Free and open to the public. No appointment is needed.

Individuals should arrive by 12:30pm for a consultation. Cornell Cooperative Extension is located at 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, New York. For more information call the Consumer HelpLine at 272-2292 weekdays from 11AM to 3PM.