Happy 2019!

January events expand ARRUF's exploration of transformative retirement

On January 9th, the Memoir Writing Group meets at 10:30 a.m. in Fondren 412 and on ZOOM

to enjoy anecdotes about memorable holidays--everything from first chemistry sets to bringing gifts to others in need, Red Rider BB guns, and baking cookies. Bring along your holiday story or listen to others' accounts.

Want to join us on ZOOM? Here’s how:

1. Set up your ZOOM account first by going to ZOOM.US on your browser.

2. At the appointed day and time (Jan. 9, 10:30 a.m.), go to the ZOOM site and find the JOIN MEETING tab on the menu.

3. Put in the ARRUF meeting ID 271-570-0281 to join the session with June Ferrill, the project leader.

On January 11th, come to Fondren 412 to talk about BOOKS WE LOVE: Ones that influenced our lives.

ARRUF members are invited to bring up to ten books to contribute to our FILL THE BOOKSHELVES PROJECT or to give us the Fondren Call Numbers for these books. Each month we will discuss two members' contributions. You don't have to discuss the works the day you deliver them--we'll make a list for the next few months at our first 2019 meeting on January 11th. Discussion begins at 3 p.m. Wine and soft drinks or coffee and tea encourage a fluid discussion.

What's ahead just over the hill? The future's not what it used to be!

Join three sessions to discuss The Power of Positive Aging and the Longevity Economy (January 17, 24, 31).1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fondren 412.

This semester ARRUF is challenged to reimagine the future. Retired faculty members’ lives in 2020, 2030, 2040, will change as longevity enables more and more of us to continue the activities we like best as faculty. Change can be faster than we realize: Remember that the iPhone was introduced only eleven years ago, and now everyone uses one—practically all the time. Our discussions will be a preparation for the Second ARRUF Colloquium on the Future Role of Retired Faculty in the University on March 22. We will also focus on how this changing economy will impinge on the University and its past ways of defining retirement.

1. On January 17th, bring to the discussion your notes from Paul Irving's The Power of Positive Aging (download your copy). It is published by the Milken Institute's Center for the Future of Aging. It's not long, but it is provocative as it envisions a world in which a much larger proportion of the US population is older and possibly, thriving.

2. On January 24th, we will explore key insights from Susan Lieberman's Growing Old Is a Full-Time Job. We will have ten free copies of the book to hand out out the 17th and a scanned excerpt available (with permission) in the next e-mail.

3. The January 31st discussion will reprise insights from Roger Baldwin's study of other universites' retired faculty organizations and emeritus colleges (Download here).

All three of these discussions are on Thursdays, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Fondren 412.

IN PROGRESS: Summaries and Discussions of ARRUF Members' Ongoing Research and Scholarship. January 24, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fondren 412

Live outside of Houston? Here's a session that's easy to attend with ZOOM:

Rounding out January, our rechristened Baker Institute series, "In Progress," will feature summaries and discussions of ARRUF Members' Ongoing Research, Bob Curl and Bob Brito give us a peek at their current work and Curl's recent trip to China. In Progress will feature all ARRUF members' scholarly work and research, regardless of your affiliation in the University. The idea for this series bubbled up from conversations at the October Conference among Thad Logan (left, above) and Rosemary Hennessey (center), shown with Bob Curl (right).

Want to use ZOOM to connect on-line? Here’s how:

1. Set up your ZOOM account first by going to ZOOM.US on your browser.
2. At the appointed day and time (Jan. 24, 3:30 p.m.), go to the ZOOM site and find the JOIN MEETING tab on the menu.
3. Put in the ARRUF meeting ID 271-570-0281 to join the session.

The Holiday Reception and Luncheon: A Festive Setting, A Large Crowd

On December 6th ARRUF members gathered in the Faculty Club's decorated lounge to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.Thirty-nine people registered for the event, one of our largest yet. Conversation and good cheer continued into the afternoon as people shared holiday plans for travel, guests, and parties. If you weren't able to be there, we hope you'll plan to join in the spring events and become an active ARRUF participant.

Thanks for Your Suggestions!

We have received additional ideas for the spring schedule and the Activities Committee will meet this month to expand our schedule. Please participate in the archives research projects, the discussions, and the memoir writing and think of additional activities we could enjoy together. Send your new ideas to ARRUF.invites@rice.edu. We welcome them.

Here's to good friendships and fun in 2019!