Special TUARA Event
TUARA will host a presentation by Dr. Nicole Ruggiano, Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the School of Social Work at The University of Alabama, on March 27 at 10 am in the Judy Bonner Child Development Center, Rooms B and C. Dr. Ruggiano will discuss ways that technology can be used to support caregivers of people with dementia. Refreshments will be served. Be sure to display your hangtag when you park.
Dr. Nicole Ruggiano is Professor and Associate Dean of Research within the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She is also an affiliated scientist for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Her research focuses on developing and testing technologies that support people living with dementia and their families. Her work has been funded by several public and private sources, including the National Institute on Aging and the National Science Foundation. Dr. Ruggiano is committed to utilizing her research findings for advocacy, public health education, and informing policy. She previously was selected as an American Political Science Association Health and Aging Policy Fellow. She has also been appointed to the Alabama Governor’s Lifespan Respite Coalition. Dr. Ruggiano is the lead researcher for the Alabama Caregiver Connect initiative, which connects those impacted by dementia with information about dementia, caregiving, and available resources.
Save the Date: Spring Luncheon and Business Meeting
TUARA’s annual spring luncheon and business meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 24. Watch for further details closer to that date.
Changes to TIAA Retirement Plans
Changes to the 403(b) and 457(b) voluntary retirement plans from TIAA have been announced by The University of Alabama System. For details, please see https://hr.ua.edu/enhancements-to-voluntary-retirement-plans. Persons who are affected will receive information packets in the mail in early March. You are invited to attend a TIAA Town Hall for more information or to ask questions on March 21 (10 am, 11:30 am, or 3 pm) or March 25 (9 am or 10:30 am) in the Gorgas Library Camellia Room.
URCA Conference: Service Opportunity for UA Retirees
UA retirees are invited to serve as evaluators for the 2024 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference (URCA) on Tuesday, March 26. Over 400 students will be displaying their work at the Bryant Conference Center. To volunteer, use the form at https://universityofalabama.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3CzCIOV9h2m2MAe. You are also invited to view the presentations without serving as an evaluator. See the attached document for more details.
Nominations for TUARA Officer Positions
Nominations for the TUARA officer positions of Vice President for Membership and Recording Secretary are still open. Each position serves a two-year term on the TUARA Executive Board. Please submit your nominations to tuara.ua@gmail.com. If you are interested in serving, please feel free to nominate yourself.
Connect with TUARA
Follow TUARA on Facebook at facebook.com/tuara.ua.
Volunteer Hours
Whether you volunteer weekly or just occasionally, please report your volunteer hours to TUARA. We share reported hours with AERA. AERA, in turn, uses retirees’ volunteer hours statewide to demonstrate the value that retirees bring to Alabama’s economy and quality of life. It’s easy! Just email your hours, broken down by the categories in the chart below, to tuara.ua@gmail.com. Please report any previously unreported hours from January 1, 2024 through the present.
Service hours should include activities in Alabama for which you have not received financial reimbursement. Hours should also not include 1) Sunday school and church attendance, 2) Caring for family members, and 3) Participation in AERA activities on state committees or the Board of Directors. You may include hours spent on TUARA activities, except for attending board meetings.
| Categories | Examples | # of Service Hours |
| Arts | Children’s Hands-On Museum, theater, opera, arts | |
| Church | Church related service projects (not attendance for worship services) | |
| Civic | Organizational projects, civic and special interest | |
| Health | Bloodmobile, clinics, nursing home, nutrition, home care | |
| Education | Mentoring, literacy projects | |
| Transportation | Shopping, errands, escort services | |
| RSVP/Volunteer Programs | Shut-Ins, telephone, etc. | |
| Youth Work | Big Brothers Big Sisters, work related to youth programs | |
| TUARA | TUARA volunteer activities, administrative work, communications, etc. | |
| Other (specify) | ||
| Total Hours |
TUARA
• Advocates for retiree benefits on campus and in Montgomery
• Promotes retirees’ volunteer service
• Awards the Robert E. Witt First-Generation Scholarship
• Provides networking and fun with colleagues and friends
Annual membership is only $25! Visit www.tuara.ua.edu for more information.