JETT KODA, recipient of the RAPS Robert Vogelsang Scholarship in 2021-22, speaks to RAPS members in February on the sensitive topic “Facing the Mortality Reality: An Open Conversation Discussing Death as a Means to More Deeply Appreciate Life.” Her presentation will be offered Thursday, February 16, at 12 noon over Zoom. Koda earned a master’s in social work from Portland State in 2022 and currently works as a medical social worker with Care Partners Hospice & Palliative Care. She is also a Clinical Social Work Associate Retirement Association of Portland State Portland State University—RAPS Post Office Box 751 Portland OR 97207-0751 Campus Public Safety Building Second Floor, Room 212 SW Montgomery at Broadway Office Manager Eben Yemoh Telephone: 503-725-3447 Email: rapsmail@pdx.edu Office hours: Remote: 10 am-2 pm Mon, Wed & Thurs. In office: noon- 4 pm Tues, 10 am-2 pm Friday Campus mail: RAPS Web: www.pdx.edu/raps Board Members Co-Presidents Janine Allen & Bruce Stern Secretary Brian Lewis Treasurer Ansel Johnson Members-at-Large Kris Kern, Cheryl Livneh & Michael Taylor RAPS Sheet Editor Doug Swanson Website Editor Steve Brennan RAPS Representative to Regional & National Retirement Associations Larry Sawyer Committees Awards Steve Brennan, Chair History Preservation Eileen Brennan, Chair Membership Pati Sluys, Chair Program Pat Squire & Dawn White, Co-Chairs Scholarship Sherwin Davidson Social Nancy Eriksson, Chair The RAPS Sheet The newsletter of the Retirement Association of Portland State FEBRUARY 2023 Jett Koda RAPS AWARD NOMINATION FORM SEE PAGE 6 RAPS scholarship recipient speaks on ‘mortality reality’ February 16 (CSWA), the first step toward licensure in Oregon. Koda’s interest in working with death and dying deepened after losing her first daughter five days after her birth, leading her to pursue both traditional and nontraditional forms of healing. At the age of 19 she faced “mortality reality” herself with a cancer diagnosis. Her approach to death and dying addresses grief work, trauma, loss, intergenerational healing, and ancestral work. The February 16 meeting begins at noon with a few announcements, followed by Koda’s presentation. RAPS will provide the link to the Zoom meeting several days in advance of the event. SEVEN HARDY MEMBERS of the RAPS Hiking Group brushed off the January weather to hike the Springwater Trail, crossing the Willamette at the Tilikum and Sellwood bridges, and lunching at Elephant’s Deli. Pictured left to right are Tom Dieterich, Mary Lane Stevens, Tom Hard, Deve Swaim, Cilla Murray, Terrie Britton, and Pati Sluys. You’ll find more Hiking Group news, as well as the group’s 2023 schedule, on page 3.
2 RAPS SHEET n FEBRUARY 2023 CO-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Invite a friend to the opera on March 16 TO SAY THAT the last three years has had no effect on RAPS would be an understatement. Indeed, like many organizations, RAPS has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, unlike many organizations, under the adept leadership of its board, RAPS was able to continue to offer high-quality programs to its members. Nevertheless, over the past few years RAPS has experienced a reduction in its membership. Since assuming the role of copresident a few months ago, I have asked fellow PSU retirees who are not members of RAPS why they have not yet joined the organization. The answers I most often get are: • I have not gotten around to joining. • I did not know about the association and/or its benefits to members. • I did not realize RAPS was still able to offer so many excellent programs. On behalf of the RAPS Board, I ask that each of you help keep our organization strong by letting others know that RAPS successfully managed the COVID-19 storm, is very much “open for business,” and continues to offer high-quality programs to its members. Furthermore, a great way to make prospective members aware of the benefits of RAPS is to give them an opportunity to experience firsthand what the organization has to offer. One of our most popular programs occurs with the spring potluck when PSU opera students perform excerpts from the upcoming opera performance for RAPS members. This year, under the direction of the new opera program director, Kelley Nassief, students will sing selections from The Magic Flute for RAPS members on Thursday, March 16. Please feel free to invite friends and colleagues who are prospective members as your guest to this event and let RAPS sell itself to them. We will have membership information and applications available at the event. Alternatively, if you will not be able to attend the event, but have someone in mind to invite to the opera, just let me (allenj@pdx.edu) or Eben Yemoh (rapsmail@pdx.edu) know the person’s name and contact information. The RAPS Board will reach out to the prospective member with an invitation to join us for the opera performance. As a reminder, RAPS membership is open to: • All retired PSU personnel and their spouses • Current PSU personnel ages 55 and over • Retired personnel from other accredited colleges and universities • Widows or widowers of members of any of the other groups I hope you will bring a guest on March 16 and give RAPS a chance to showcase itself. —Janine Allen Larry Sawyer photograph WILLIAM COMER, professor of Russian and director of Portland State’s Russian Flagship Program, spoke at the RAPS monthly general meeting on January 19. Using 11 maps, Comer wove the long history of Ukraine’s conflict and discord with various external powers before it gained independence in 1991 as the Soviet Union disintegrated. See page 1 to learn about the RAPS February program.
3 RAPS SHEET n FEBRUARY 2023 RAPS MEMBERS UNDERSTAND very well the importance of funding students through scholarships. We know firsthand the stories of students and their patchwork of funding. Because of our view of the struggle of paying for college, RAPS members knew the difference increasing the scholarship to $9,000 would make, and the RAPS Board went for it! Enabled by an anonymous donor and a match opportunity for the second year in the row, last year offered the chance to continue our momentum. Many of you responded again in response to the donorsponsored opportunity. RAPS is working closely with the PSU Foundation to have a report on the outcome at the February meeting. We are enthusiastically grateful for the donor’s generosity. The February meeting will feature the 2021-22 recipient, Jett Koda, and the announcement of the new recipient, selected on our behalf, will come in the next RAPS Sheet. It’s a lovely opportunity to be inspired about how scholarship support translates to making a difference in the larger world. With much help, particularly from Joan Shireman and Barbara Alberty, I’m learning the ropes as the new chair of the Scholarship Committee. Both Joan and Barbara spent extensive time on the phone with me, and Joan gave me a wonderful set of notes. Pat Squire, who works closely with the donor, is also providing guidance. I will be in touch with committee members—Barbara Alberty, Priscilla Blumel, Nancy Chapman, Brian Lewis, Terry Rohe, Larry Sawyer, and Joan Shireman—to thank each and hopefully hear the willingness of each to continue. Scott Burns will be a new member. Transitions risk something being lost, so if I’ve left out anybody’s name from my list of members, I welcome correction and, of course, input on building the scholarship semiendowment from everyone in RAPS. —Sherwin Davidson At long last the new, improved RAPS website is up and running YOUR RAPS BOARD is proud to announce the launch of the new RAPS website (psu-raps.org). RAPS has been without a website for the past year, following Portland State’s major updates to its site (pdx.edu). The goals for the new RAPS site were to simplify and streamline the way members search for and access information related to our retirement association. The new website features an intuitive design that allows users to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. The website can be viewed on any device, from desktop computers to tablets and smartphones. The board believes the new website will make accessing information easier and more enjoyable for our members as well as others interested in RAPS. The new website is up and running. It includes an event calendar, past editions of The RAPS Sheet, and information about RAPS activities. More information will be added in the future. The site has online forms for contacting the RAPS office manager, donating to the scholarship fund, becoming a member, and renewing membership. —Steve Brennan NOTES FROM THE NEW SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR Scholarship support makes a difference in the larger world Enabled by an anonymous donor and a match opportunity for the second year in a row, last year offered the chance to continue our momentum.
4 RAPS SHEET n FEBRUARY 2023 RAPS Group Reports Book Group THE BOOK GROUP met on January 17 and discussed The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway. We had decided to read it because we knew very little about that part of the world, or that war. After an hour and a half discussing the book, we remain uncertain about both. The book has four characters—the cellist who is playing as a memorial to 22 people killed when they were in line waiting for bread; a young man who several times a week makes a dangerous journey to get water for his family; an older man who is trying to get to a bakery to get a loaf of bread; and a young woman who is a talented and accurate sniper. Each character is pushed into self-examination by the events of the novel. Each member of the Book Group seemed to approach the novel from a different direction. Some were intrigued by the history and meaning of the music, or by the cello itself. Some were moved by the author’s depiction of life in a city that is under siege and being starved. Some worked to tie the events in the novel to the history of the war. Our discussion was scattered. We did agree that the book was well written and in places very moving, and that each of the characters had moments of self-reflection in which they grew. We did not agree on whether we liked the book. In February we will read and discuss Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest by Suzanne Simard. This is an enthusiastically reviewed book; the Amazon content page describes Simard as “the world’s leading forest ecologist who forever changed how people view trees and their connections to one another and to other living things in the forest—a moving, deeply personal journey of discovery.” We are looking forward to it. The Book Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Traditionally we have met in the homes of various members; currently we are using Zoom for our discussions and plan to continue in this way for a time. All RAPS members are welcome to join the group. —Joan Shireman Bridge Group THE BRIDGE GROUP has begun playing in person, after a long pandemic hiatus. We need additional players; do you want to join us? We really could use some more players, and we promise not to bite any new players. We need to establish a suitable time to meet. Which days and weeks work best for your schedule? I would like to hear from any interested RAPS members, or others you know who might want to play in our group. The Bridge Group does not require RAPS membership. Your friends and relatives would be welcome to join us. Please rattle your social and family networks to see if you might be able to shake loose a bridge player or two. Please contact Steve Brennan, 503-889-0146. My email address is: the.steve.brennan@gmail.com. —Steve Brennan Hiking Group THE JANUARY RAPS hike took the seven-person group along the Springwater Trail, across the Tilikum Bridge, south along the waterfront, and across the Sellwood Bridge, with a stop for lunch at Elephant’s Deli at the west end of the Tilikum Bridge. The February 8 hike will be a Portland Hills walk (Laura Foster hike), Willamette Heights to Balch Creek Canyon Loop. The March 15 hike will be in Oregon City. If you are interested in being added to the hiking group mailing list, please contact Tom Dieterich or Cilla Murray at tgdieterich@earthlink.net. Notices about the hikes and their logistics are sent to the email group, usually at least a week to 10 days before the hike. 2023 HIKE SCHEDULE FEBRUARY 8: Portland City Hike: Willamette Heights to Balch Creek Canyon Loop MARCH 15: Oregon City Hike APRIL 19: Catherine Creek/Coyote Wall MAY 17: Chehalem Ridge (unless moved to geology hike in August). Alternative: May 10 Wilson River JUNE 21: McIver State Park JULY 19: Elk Meadows (Mt. Hood) AUGUST: TBD; geology hike with Scott Burns SEPTEMBER 20: Wildwood Area, Boulder Ridge (Mt. Hood) OCTOBER 18: Steigerwald NOVEMBER 15: Newall Creek Canyon (Oregon City) —Tom Dieterich
5 RAPS SHEET n FEBRUARY 2023 Upcoming RAPS events FEBRUARY 8WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Hiking Group: Portland City Hike: Willamette Heights to Balch Creek Canyon Loop. Contact: Tom Dieterich/Cilla Murray, tgdieterich@earthlink.net 8THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9 RAPS Board: 12:15 p.m. via Zoom. Contact: Eben Yemoh, rapsmail@pdx.edu. 8THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 RAPS General Meeting: 12 noon via Zoom. Jett Koda, “Facing the Mortality Reality: An Open Conversation Discussing Death as a Means to More Deeply Appreciate Life.” See story page 1. Contact: Eben Yemoh, rapsmail@pdx.edu. 8TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Book Group: 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Contact: Joan Shireman, joanshireman@gmail.com 8TBA Bridge Group: Contact: Steve Brennan, the.steve.brennan@gmail.com or 503-889-0146. MARCH 8THURSDAY, MARCH 9 RAPS Board Meeting: 12:15 p.m. via Zoom. Contact: Eben Yemoh, rapsmail@pdx.edu. 8WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 Hiking Group: Oregon City hike. Contact: Tom Dieterich/Cilla Murray, tgdieterich@earthlink.net 8THURSDAY, MARCH 16 RAPS General Meeting: 12 noon, 333 SMSU. Annual Spring Potluck followed by presentation in 225 Lincoln Hall by Kelley Nassief, new Opera Program director, and PSU opera students singing excerpts from the spring opera, Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Contact: Eben Yemoh, rapsmail@pdx.edu. 8TUESDAY, MARCH 21 Book Group: 1:30 p.m., via Zoom. Contact: Joan Shireman, joanshireman@gmail.com. 8TBA Bridge Group: Contact: Steve Brennan, the.steve.brennan@gmail.com or 503-889-0146. APRIL 8THURSDAY, APRIL 13 RAPS Board Meeting: 12:15 p.m., via Zoom. Contact: Eben Yemoh, rapsmail@pdx.edu. 8MONDAY, APRIL 17 Book Group: 1:30 p.m., via Zoom. Contact: Joan Shireman, joanshireman@gmail.com. 8TUESDAY, APRIL 18 President’s Annual Luncheon for Retired Faculty and Staff. 11:30 a.m. Hosted by President Steve Percy. PSU Ballroom. Time TBA. Contact: Eben Yemoh, rapsmail@pdx.edu. 8WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 Hiking Group: Catherine Creek/Coyote Wall. Contact: Tom Dieterich/Cilla Murray, tgdieterich@earthlink.net. 8TBA Bridge Group: Contact: Steve Brennan, the.steve.brennan@gmail.com or 503-889-0146. MAY 8THURSDAY, MAY 11 RAPS Board Meeting: 12:15 p.m., via Zoom. Contact: Eben Yemoh, rapsmail@pdx.edu. 8TUESDAY, MAY 16 Book Group: 1:30 p.m., via Zoom. Contact: Joan Shireman, joanshireman@gmail.com. 8WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 Hiking Group: Chehalem Ridge (unless used as geology hike in August; alternative hike will be Wilson River Trail on Wednesday, May 10). Contact: Tom Dieterich/Cilla Murray, tgdieterich@earthlink.net. 8THURSDAY, MAY 18 RAPS General Meeting: 12 noon, room TBA. “The World of Changing Ice,” in-person presentation by Andrew Fountain, PSU professor emeritus of geology. Contact: Eben Yemoh, rapsmail@pdx.edu. 8TBA Bridge Group: Contact: Steve Brennan, the.steve.brennan@gmail.com or 503-889-0146.
6 RAPS SHEET n FEBRUARY 2023 2023 RAPS AWARD NOMINATION FORM Each spring at the President’s Luncheon RAPS gives an Outstanding Retiree Award to one or more PSU retirees. The awards are in recognition of outstanding accomplishments post retirement in two or more of these four areas: 1) service to the community, 2) service to the University, 3) professional or career achievements, and 4) service to RAPS. RAPS may give a Special Recognition Award to anyone who has aided both RAPS and the University. Award Type: q Outstanding Retiree q Special Recognition Nominee__________________________________________________________________________________________ Nominee’s position(s) at PSU__________________________________________________________________________ Please outline in the space below the accomplishments of the person you are nominating. Attach an additional page if needed: Nominator_________________________________________________________________________________________ Nominator contact information (phone and email) _________________________________________________________ Please send nominations by U.S. mail to: Retirement Association of Portland State—RAPS Portland State University PO Box 751 Portland OR 97207-0751 You may also submit a nomination by email (you don’t have to use the form) to Eben Yemoh, RAPS office manager, at rapsmail@pdx.edu. Deadline for receipt of nominations is Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Questions? Please contact Steve Brennan, chair of the Awards Committee, at the.steve.brennan@gmail.com or 503-889-0146.
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