TUARA Update, April 2022 – tuara.ua.edu | The University of Alabama

Join Us for TUARA’s Annual Spring Luncheon on April 27

Please join us for TUARA’s spring luncheon, hosted by UA President Stuart Bell, at the Capstone Hotel at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 27. Dr. Bell will provide an update on news and activities at the University. TUARA’s annual business meeting, awards presentations, and election of officers and executive board members will follow the luncheon. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 20 by calling 205-348-9237 or sending an email to specialevents@ua.edu.

Books for the Black Belt

As part of the annual luncheon, we will collect books for the UA Center for Economic Development’s Books for the Black Belt project. Books for the Black Belt collects new or gently used K-12 books and distributes them to school libraries in Alabama’s Black Belt. In 2020 UACED collected and distributed more than 2,100 books to 29 schools in 13 counties. UACED strives to help children develop a love of learning and reading.

What kinds of books are appropriate to donate?

Any classic literature texts and other award-winning schoolbooks (fiction and non-fiction). See below a reference list of appropriate books.

Special Need for Books Appropriate for Middle School Readers

There is currently a specific shortage of books appropriate for middle school readers.

Can’t decide?

Sites like The Book Bundler or O3 Books offer bundles of gently used books at affordable prices. Checks made out to The University of Alabama will also be accepted if you prefer to donate funds to the project instead bringing books.

Vote in TRS Board of Control Election

All education retirees should have received a ballot in the mail from the Teachers Retirement System asking you to vote for a candidate to represent retired educators on the TRS board of control. Please participate by returning the postage-paid postcard or by voting online per the instructions on the ballot. This is an important position for retirees, and a large response is another way that we can show our elected officials that retirees are active and paying attention to what is going on in Montgomery with our pensions and healthcare. Ballots must be received by April 15. More information about the TRS Board of Control is available at https://www.rsa-al.gov/trs/board-of-control/.

Renew Your Membership Today

TUARA’s membership year runs from Oct. 1-Sept. 30. If you haven’t renewed your membership for 2022 yet, please go to Membership Application at www.tuara.ua.edu, print the membership form and send it with your $25 annual membership dues to Box 861493, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486-0013. If you prefer, you can pay your dues by PayPal or credit card by clicking here. Click on “Check out as guest” to pay by credit card. Not sure if you’ve renewed or not? Send an email to tuara.ua@gmail.com and we’ll check and let you know. Invite retired friends and colleagues to join as well!