Meet Your Legislators
TUARA is cosponsoring the League of Women Voters’ Meet Your Legislators event. The event will be held on Thursday, February 23, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, with Kim Bailey moderating. It will be broadcast live on the League of Women Voters’ Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/LWVGreaterTuscaloosa) and YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@lwvtuscaloosa1433), and it will be archived for later viewing on YouTube.
AERA Offers Scholarships to Public Education Employees
The AERA Foundation is offering ten $2,000 scholarships to public education employees who are employed in a state public school system (K-12) or state public postsecondary institution. Among other requirements, an eligible educator must be a current Alabama Education Association (AEA) member. The application deadline has been extended to March 13, 2023. Recipients have two years to use their scholarship. For more information and the application form, visit https://www.aerainc.org/scholarships. Information about joining AEA is available here. Please share this information with current UA employees or others who may be interested in applying.
Nominate a Retiree
It’s time to nominate your fellow retirees for our two TUARA awards. Nomination forms are attached.
The Judy Bonner Award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies the leadership and service characteristics set forth during Dr. Bonner’s tenure at The University of Alabama.
The TUARA Community Service Award recognizes outstanding service to the West Alabama community.
See the nomination forms for more details. The nomination deadline is March 15.
Save the Date: President’s Luncheon and Annual Meeting
Mark your calendar! Our spring President’s Luncheon and Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, April 24. Watch for more information to follow.
Scholarship Recipients Named
TUARA has awarded two Robert E. Witt First Generation Scholarships for the spring 2023 semester.
The first recipient is Ahmed Alshariki of Homewood, Alabama, who is majoring in criminology & criminal justice with a minor in cyber-crimes. Mr. Alshariki states, “My career plan is to become an intelligence officer with the US Air Force. By doing that I’d be serving my country and do what enjoy.”
The second recipient is Asya Wright of Phenix City, Alabama, a sophomore majoring in psychology with a minor in human development. Ms. Wright states, “After earning a Bachelor of Science degree, I want to obtain the credentials to become a pediatric psychologist. I want to be an advocate for mental health that empowers families to face their insecurities and overcome the stigma of mental health in the African American Community. “
Connect with TUARA
TUARA has a new FaceBook page! Follow us 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 Jan. 1, 2023 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 |