About the University of Victoria Retirees Association

Prologue

This page was designed to provide a background on the history and development of the University of Victoria Retirees Association, the current Constitution and Bylaws and minutes/reports as outlined on the tabs below.

History - How it all began

The University of Victoria Retirees Association (UVRA) began in November 1992, with an informal meeting of retirees from the institution. Annual dues were set at $10.00. Barbara McIntyre was drafted as the first President, and Peter Darling was drafted as the first Treasurer. Later W.G. (Bill Bender) became the prime authori of the Constitution and By-Laws. The association was incorporated under the Society Act on April 13, 1994. Its purposes were defined in the Constituion at that time as the following.

to provide a link between retired employees, the University, and each other;
to provide an organization through which certain benefits (such as medical or dental benefits and other benefits (perks) that may be offered to regular employees of the University of Victoria from time to time) might be arranged for its members;
to administer the financail affairs of the Association including, but not limited to, memberships, contriburtions (and the like), and other financial items appropriate to the purposes of the Association;
to offer to assist in the resolution of conflicts which may arise between the University and its retired employees or their survivors, or between the University and its retired employees or their survivors, or between the University and employees who are about to retire, and,
to offer to assist the University not only in the design, preparation and delivery of pre-retirement seminars, but also in other activities consistent with the purposes of the Association.

From 1993 to 1996, the Association focussed mainly on successful social programs, but subsequently it embarked on other initiatives, including liaison and outreach, and the establishment of a Benefits Committee. Benefits presently available to members include reduced-rate parking permits; free subscription (on request) to The Ring, a Travel Insurance Plan; Interlock Employee and Family Assistance Program counselling services, free Rec Plus membership card for the University's athletic facilities for all those who were employed at UVic, Internet access and e-mail; favourable employee rates at the UVic Computer Store, and a quarterly "Grey Matters" Newsletter. Group rates for exhibitions, theatrical and other special events are often available to the Association and its Program Coordinator.

In 1998, a Membership Chair was created, and, since then, an intensive campaign has been mounted to approach those UVic retirees who might not be aware of the existence of the Association. In 2000, in addition to a continuing focus on social events and benefits, the Association began moving towards service activities, specifically a Health/Wellness Initiative introduced by the Benefits Committee, and a Tutoring/Mentoring Initiative, a function that will benefit not only our own members, but also the larger community.