Well May has arrived; ASU had its virtual graduation; ASURA is still here; and the Governor is opening up the state. Let’s keep our collective fingers crossed.

May Board Meeting

The May Board meeting was a virtual meeting using Zoom. ASURA has had some previous experience using Zoom; Bev Buddy used Zoom last spring when one of the seminar’s attendance exceeded the room capacity and Trudy Perez has been using Zoom for her Pre-retirement seminars. The Board meeting went smoothly with between fourteen and seventeen in attendance; including Larry Carlson who attended while driving to California.

• The meeting attendees felt uncomfortable scheduling the Meet and Greet with the postponed Annual Meeting for next September and agreed to cancel this event. The future of other group events is on hold.
• The September Board meeting will again be a Zoom meeting. The Board meetings are open to all ASURA members and if you would like to attend this Zoom meeting just reply to this email to let us know of your desire and I will add you to the list of those receiving meeting announcements including Zoom links.
• The AROHE annual convention scheduled for Phoenix in the fall of 2020 has been postponed until the fall of 2021. Dave Scheatzle completed and submitted the Video History Project’s application for the AROHE Innovation Award which is awarded at the annual convention.
• Jeff Chapman mentioned an unfortunate situation he encountered with travel. He had booked an international tour with a reputable company for travel this summer. When the event was cancelled due to COVID-19, while initially being told he would get a refund, he eventually was told his only option was to rollover the payment for a trip next year. As Jeff pointed out, at our age postponing something for a year is not as trivial a matter as it used to be. Fair Warning: Since COVID-19 is now a known event, many travel/tourism companies & insurance plans will likely not reimburse for COVID-19 caused cancellations, delays etc.

ASURA Continues Working

While the ASURA Office remains closed and Nancy Lesko continues with her knitting, ASURA still continues to work for its members.

• Jeannette Robson completed the summer edition of Prime Times. When you’ve read your copy you might want to view a color version on the ASURA website. Note: Would you like to help us save some paper, printing, and mailing costs by reading Prime Times online (it’s in color there!)? If so, replay to this email saying you no longer want to receive the paper copy of Prime Times. I’ll take it from there.
• Jeri Meeks and Co are attending Zoom meetings of the Governor’s Council on Aging. The next meeting will address Corona virus testing. Look for Jeri’s write-up on the ASURA website in late May or early June.
• ASRS, through the procurement processes of the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA), sought proposals for the next five years’ health plans for active and retired members. The proposals are now being reviewed by a committee of ASRS members (of which Dick Jacob is one) assisted by the Segal Group (healthcare consultants,) and staff from ASRS and ADOA.
• Trudy Perez and Liz Badalamenti are getting the next Pre-retirement seminar ready to go in August.
• Bev Buddee and her committee are working on how to deliver the annual Open Enrollment seminar in October.
• Becky Reiss continues to process obituaries.
• Connie McNeill and Carolyn Minner are working to get the annual membership renewal letters out to you at the end of May. Hopefully you will see the good work ASURA is still doing (see above) and will renew your membership. 

COVID-19 Information Links

Jeri Meeks prepared the following list of COVID-19 Resources

• https://arizonatogether.org/
• What scams to watch during COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Coronavirus: Stressed, depressed, and feeling bad? You’re not alone. Where to get free help online
• Food banks 
• Arizona 211 has compiled a great list of resources in one place. Individuals can either call 211 from their phone or browse their website.
• The Senior Help Line is the top resource for Arizona’s seniors and elderly. 
• Domestic Violence Resources for Arizona
• NAMI COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide 
• CDC Household Checklist