2 RAPS SHEET n OCTOBER 2022 CO-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Joan Shireman makes a difference. Volunteer, and so can you. THANK YOU, Joan Shireman! Over the years, Joan Shireman has dedicated considerable time and effort to RAPS. Among other things, she has served as president of the organization, chaired the Book Group, been a longtime member of the Scholarship Committee, and served as chairperson of the Scholarship Committee for the last three years. We are very grateful for Joan’s service to RAPS. At the beginning of this academic year, she announced she would be stepping down from her leadership position on the Scholarship Committee. Under her leadership, the Scholarship Committee has successfully raised funds each year to support a student studying at PSU in some aspect of gerontology. This past year, in collaboration with Pat Squire and as a result of a generous donor who matched gifts given to the scholarship fund, she oversaw the establishment of a quasi-endowed RAPS scholarship. The additional funds also enabled RAPS to increase the amount of the scholarship it awards so that it more closely aligns with the cost of attending PSU. Named after a long-term member of RAPS who was instrumental in the establishment of the scholarship, the RAPS Robert Vogelsang Scholarship is now a permanent resource for PSU students. In reflecting upon Joan’s accomplishments, I am reminded of how important the volunteers who work on the committees are to RAPS. Indeed, it is through these committees and the work of those who serve on them that RAPS is able to accomplish all that it does. Serving on RAPS committees is a great way for members to become involved and help RAPS continue its valuable work of keeping its members connected to the University and to one another. I encourage you to consider participating in one of our standing committees, which include: Awards Committee. RAPS gives two awards annually. The Outstanding Retiree Award recognizes recipients for their professional or career achievements and service to RAPS, Portland State, and/or the community. The Special Recognition Award recognizes recipients for their service to RAPS and Portland State. The Awards Committee solicits nominations for these awards and selects their recipients. Election Committee. The elected officers of RAPS are: two co-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and three members-at-large. The Election Committee oversees the election of these officers, including nominating a slate of candidates for open positions, preparing a ballot and distributing it to members, and counting returned ballots. History Preservation Committee. The RAPS History Preservation Committee focuses on ensuring that key aspects of Portland State University history are collected, preserved, reported on, and made available to our organization and other individuals and groups. Special projects of this committee include the development and distribution of historical records of Portland State University, periodic brief reports to RAPS members of historical highlights, and collaboration with the University Archives to fund, conduct, and record historical interviews with key personnel, and preserve key photographs. Membership Committee. The Membership Committee recruits new members, and encourages current and past members to engage with the organization. It also maintains an updated membership database—ensuring contact information of members is current. Program Committee. Throughout the year RAPS offers many excellent programs to its members. Generally, these programs are presented on the third Thursday of the month during the academic year. The Program Committee is tasked with planning and arranging for these programs. Scholarship Committee. RAPS funds the RAPS Robert Vogelsang Scholarship. The committee raises funds for this scholarship and serves as the liaison between RAPS and the PSU Foundation and the Financial Aid Office. The committee also communicates with the scholarship recipient on behalf of RAPS. Social Committee. A major aim of RAPS is to keep its members connected and engaged with one another. To this end, the Social Committee plans and arranges several events every year for members to gather and socialize with each other. These events are often coordinated with RAPS programs and include the summer picnic, holiday party, and spring potluck. If you would like to like to know more about our committees or would like to participate in one of them, please feel from to contact me at allenj@pdx.edu or our co-president, Bruce Stern, at bruce@thesternfamily.net. —Janine Allen
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