May has arrived and this will likely be the last E-News until September. The last Board meeting of this academic year was held earlier this week and we had very good attendance, including all five of the new Board Members which might have been a first. The two most interesting topics at the meeting dealt with the recent Annual Meeting and the results of a survey sent to members whose membership was lapsed, i.e., they had not renewed.

Committee Reports

• Seminar Committee – Pat Schneider, Chair, reported on the March seminar (Caregivers) presented by speakers from the Area Agency on Aging. The first speaker presented material to help grandparents raising their grandchildren. Pat also introduced Karen Moses who will be taking over as chair of the committee.

   

• Travel Committee – Tara Roesler, committee member, said the committee is trying to gauge interest in theater events for next year in both the east and west valley locations. See the travel survey below.

   

Annual Meeting

Kay Faris, the Immediate Past President, talked about her disappointment in the low attendance at the Annual Meeting. It is an embarrassment to invite a respected speaker and have them present to a small group. I completely agree and feel sorry that she had to experience this, especially since she had planned such an interesting program.

Survey Results

As mentioned last month, a continuing problem that we are facing is the low rate of renewal primarily of the Introductory members after their one free year ends. To better understand the issues, a small ad hoc committee of Kay Faris, Tara Roesler, Pat Schneider, and Mary White developed a survey which was sent to those who had dropped their membership during the past three years. 

Kay discussed the results. Fifty-two ex-members responded. A few of the committee’s observations were:

• the members were mostly local,
• most had not attended any event,
• sadly, six indicated they had not felt welcome or engaged, and
• of ten reasons for not renewing (multiple reasons could be selected), thirty-four percent checked “Membership was not of value to me”. Only four percent checked “Membership fee is too high, which matches the results of a survey taken ten years ago.”

The committee came up with a boatload of new activities to try; so, stay tuned, you may see some new events in the upcoming year.

Membership Renewal

It is membership renewal time and the email notices went out this morning. If you did not get the notice, check your spam folder and if you cannot find the notice, please call the ASURA Office (480-965-7668 between 10-1:00 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

Please renew your membership even if you don’t attend any of our events or use any of the services. Your renewal supports the idea that there should be an entity, e.g., ASURA, that looks out for retirees. If you don’t need the things ASURA has to offer that is great, but that does not negate the importance of having an ASURA for those who do need what it has to offer. Your renewal helps ensure the continuance of ASURA.

Travel Committee Survey

The Travel Committee is interested in your interest in the following possible activities for next year. If you see a show(s)/activity you are interested in attending, send Tara Roesler an email with your interest.

Hale Theater (Gilbert)

Please identify which shows, if any, you would be interested in seeing. Also, if yes, would you prefer a matinee or an evening performance?

1. Holiday Inn| Musical Comedy October 11 - November 23, 2024
2. A Christmas Carol | A Play with Music November 29 - December 24, 2024
3. Cash on Delivery | Comedy - Farce December 31, 2024 - February 8, 2025
4. The Marvelous Wonderettes | Jukebox Musical January 21 - April 8, 2025
5. Anything Goes | Musical Comedy February 14 - March 29, 2025
6. Camelot | Musical April 4 - May 10, 2025
7. The Scarlet Pimpernel | Musical Comedy May 16 - June 28, 2025
8. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Musical Comedy July 5 - August 16, 2025

Arizona Broadway Theater (Peoria)

Which, if any, shows would you be interested in attending? If you want to attend, would you be interested in a matinee (lunch at noon followed by show at 2pm) or an evening show (dinner at 5:30pm; show at 7:00 pm).

1. Million Dollar Quartet Oct 4 - Nov 2, 2024
2. The Beauty and the Beast Nov 15 - Dec 29, 2024
3. Hello Dolly Jan 17 - Feb 21, 2025
4. Phantom March 7 - Apr 10, 2025
5. Beautiful - The Carol King Musical Apr 25 - June 5, 2025
6. Cinderella June 20 - July 26, 2025
7. Tootsie Aug 8 - Sept 13, 2025

Silver Star Theater (East Mesa)

Silver Star music performance for next Fall in East Mesa.  Which shows, if any, would you attend?  Also, if you would attend, would you prefer a matinee or an evening show?

1. Variety Show
2. Jukebox Old Time Rock
3. Sold Gold Rock and Roll Hits of the '70s and '80s
4. Elvis and Friends
5. True Country

Local Tours

Which of the following local tours, if any, would you be interested in attending.

1. Local Tour of the Wrigley Mansion. Cost $20.
2. Local Tour - Lavendar Farm in Gilbert.  Beautiful historic mansion.  Cost $20.
3. Local Tour - Tovrea Castle for the Fall.  Cost $25.

Barry McNeill, editor