Welcome to New TUARA Executive Board Member
Robert “Roots” Woodruff has been appointed by the TUARA Executive Board to fill our open member-at-large position (a 2025-2028 term). Roots retired in December 2022 after 30+ years with UA Athletics Communications. At retirement, his title was Associate Director Athletics Communications. Roots will begin serving on the TUARA Executive Board immediately. Welcome, Roots!
You’re Invited to Participate
We are looking for TUARA members to fill these spots on the Executive Board: Vice President for Programs/Arrangements, Vice President for Membership, and Recording Secretary. We also invite TUARA members to participate in TUARA committees: Constitution and Bylaws, Legislative, Membership, Programs and Arrangements, Publicity, and Volunteer Activities. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please send an email to tuara.ua@gmail.com.
Upcoming TUARA Events: Save These Dates!
Monday, September 23, 2 pm, Bonner Development Center
Presentation by Erica Shumate, Executive Director, Benefits and Wellness, University of Alabama
Wednesday, October 16, 2 pm, Bonner Development Center
Presentation TBA
October 31/November 1, exact date and time TBA, Campus Drive Parking Deck
Meet Us at the Deck! to renew your membership, update your parking tag, etc.
Tuesday, November 19, 10 am, Bonner Development Center
Presentation by Erica Thomas, PEEHIP
Wednesday, December 11, 4 pm, location TBA
Holiday reception
Service Opportunity: Reading Allies
Reading Allies is looking for about 200 additional volunteers to work with school children for two 30-minute sessions per week. For more details, see this story in Tuscaloosa Patch. You can volunteer at the Reading Allies website at https://readingallies.org/volunteer.
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. | |
| OLLI | Taking a class or a trip, teaching a course | |
| 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.