The Center for Learning in Retirement University of Connecticut Storrs

CLIR Annual Meeting    June 6, 2025   Vernon Cottage, UConn Mansfield Depot Campus

Present: Council members

Blanche Boucher, Elizabeth Dougherty, Steve Kenton, Sean Kennelly. Ann Kouatly, David Lenihan, Kathy McKee, Valerie Pritchard.

Present: CLIR members:

Margaret Colvin, William Marut, Richard McKee, Adreana Scussel, Susanna Thomas, John Veiga.

Absent Council Members : Cathy Belanger, Bonnie Burr, Frances Champagne, Amber Guillemette, Ellie Lowell, Pat McDougall, Lee Terry

Steve called the meeting to order at 12:20 p.m. after the ice cream social.  David Lenihan moved the acceptance of last year’s minutes. Val Pritchard seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s report: Treasurer David Lenihan distributed copies of the annual report. He noted that our fiscal year runs from July through June, and although the present report only includes data up through May, the report is accurate for our discussion.  David’s good news was that CLIR has received an unsolicited donation of $29,797.74 from a donor unknown to us. Steve Kenton has written a letter of gratitude to the lawyer of the benefactor. David’s bad news is that we have not recovered from COVID’s impact on our membership.  PreCovid we had 400 members, we now have 220. Steve Kenton pointed out this is a drop of 24%. We could meet our expenses with 300 members. To cut expenses the CLIR Executive Council substituted a less expensive brochure which was not mailed to members.

Discussion of the report included reinstitution of the previous format for the brochure, both David Lenihan and Steve Kenton supported the discussion of this possibility. David also suggested raising our modest registration fees and brought to our attention other similar Lifelong Learning programs with much higher fees. Steve Kenton, who has much grant writing experience, answered a suggestion about applying for grants that financial need is the variable we no longer have because of the donation. Several members suggested more extensive marketing of CLIR.

Curriculum Report: Chair Kathy McKee reported on the past year. All the presenters showed up unlike last year and there was universal approval of them all. There are already 21 speakers for the fall semester with several more possibilities. Applause for Kathy rang out and she thanked her committee: Val Pritchard, David Lenihan, and Ann Kouatly.

 Nominating Committee: Adreana Scussel and Jack Veiga presented the list of nominees for the Executive Council of 2025-2026:

CLIR – EXECUTIVE COUNCIL NOMINATIONS – 2025 -2026 Officers

• President:        Steve Kenton
• Vice-President     Pat McDougall
• Treasurer         David Lenihan
• Secretary         Ann Kouatly

 

• At Large

• Cathy Belanger
• Margaret Colvin
• Elizabeth Dougherty
• Sean Kennelly
• Val Pritchard

Committee Chairs

• Curriculum    Kathy McKee
• Social         Lee Terry

Extension Liaison (non-voting): Bonnie Burr

They were elected by acclamation.

Elizabeth Dougherty described two potential speakers. Kathy McKee asked her to forward their names to her.

President’s Report: President Steve Kenton discussed his many efforts to increase our funding and cooperation with other Lifelong Learning programs. His efforts have included cooperating with the national program Road Scholars. His contacts with them have resulted in Road Scholars giving us publicity in our Zip Code areas. The connection with Road Scholars brought us the well-received Doris Kearns Goodwin presentation which was moderated by CLIR Council member Elizabeth Dougherty.  He has also contacted the Osher Foundation and other Lifelong Learning providers.

Steve ended his report by speaking highly of Blanch Boucher’ extensive, and much-appreciated work on the CLIR Council since 2009. Not only was she secretary during this time, but she has also worked closely with Kathy McKee on proof reading and editing CLIR materials.

Sean Kennelly made a motion to end the meeting, seconded by Val Pritchard. The meeting ended at 1:33 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Ann Kouatly Secretary