About the ASURA
ASURA was formed in 1991 after many meetings, much discussion and research, a few lunches – and a lot of coffee.
In “A Decade of Success: An Illustrated History of the Arizona State University Retirees Association,” ASU historian Dean Smith writes that the idea of an association for retirees first surfaced in the 1940s, when George C. Yates, then director of special services at Arizona State College, suggested forming such a group.
From time to time, over the next nearly four decades, other ASU employees talked about forming a retirees association.
In the early 1980s, Dick Murra, director of personnel, authorized a survey to determine whether there was a need for a retirees organization, but the idea was put on the back burner.
In late 1989, Brent Brown, then vice president for University Relations, decided the time had come to organize a retirees group, and put Bob Ellis, the recently retired general manager of KAET-TV, in charge of the project.
After much research and many meetings, the first letters were mailed on March 1, 1991, to all retirees whose addresses were available, notifying them of the proposed organization and asking them to join. The letter explained that the Arizona Legislature was in a budget crunch, and was eyeing the state retirement fund as a source for more income. The initiators, including George Morrell, retired Purchasing director, felt it would be disastrous for retirees if such a precedent were set. They were happy when 212 retirees sent in their checks for $10 to join.
That letter set the tone for what is one of ASURA’s main functions: to serve as a watchdog for retirees, lobbying for their best interests with the Legislature.
In addition to this major focus, the organization sponsors a number of programs that contribute to the community. There is a "Living History" video project that is documenting ASU's past, an annual student scholarship, and an Adopt-a-Family project.
ASURA also offers a range of activities for its members. There is a Retirees Day with a variety of speakers, and there are Fall, Holiday, and Spring luncheons, and local, state, national, and international trips.
“I think we’re doing an awful lot of good,” Elmer Gooding, one of ASURA's past presidents, says.
Val Peterson, retired director of Facilities Management and another ASURA past president, says he joined because of the organization’s “watchdog” role, but also as a way of maintaining his connection with ASU.
“I like the associations I have made with folks in that organization,” he says. “Some are individuals I knew and had interaction with while employed, and others are new and interesting friends. It is a happy and diverse group of people.”
Notes:
This article is an update of one that was published in Insight December 30, 2007. It was written by Judith Smith, Media Relations.
Copies of Dean Smith's A Decade of Success are available in the ASURA Office.