Retirees invited to UFV Retirees’ Association AGM on May 6

After a successful event that saw many retirees return to UFV to reconnect and laugh together at a comedy show, the UFV Retirees’ Association (UFVRA) is now preparing for its annual general meeting on Wed, May 6 at 10 am in Room K180 on the Abbotsford campus. UFVRA launched in 2025 with great interest from the UFV retiree community.

UFVRA president Adrienne Chan invites all UFV retirees to attend the AGM. A zoom link is also available for online attendance.

Two speakers are scheduled for the AGM:

Gladys We, president of the SFU Retirees’ Association, and board member of CURAC (College and Universities Retirees Associations of Canada). Gladys is the chair of this year’s CURAC conference. The presentation will provide a view of what CURAC is and does and benefits of retiree associations.

Steph Brubaker, director of programs and operations, will speak about Elder College and its relationship and offerings with UFV.

Honorary memberships

The association will also introduce two individuals (Fran Vanderpol and John Pankratz) who have been approved by the board as honorary members. The honorary member designation is for individuals who have rendered distinguished service to UFV or the association, as nominated by a member and approved by the board.

February comedy event

UFV English professor Rajnish Dhawan entertained the crowd with jokes tailored to a retiree audience at the February 18 event.

Susan Mide Kiss, UFV Vice President of Community Engagement, also addressed the retirees at the comedy event.

She noted that it was significant and heartening to see so many retirees return to UFV for a social occasion, bringing their experience, wisdom, and community spirit.

“The UFV Retiree Association is more than a new initiative. It is a powerful expression of community. Of belonging that endures beyond a career, beyond a title, and beyond an office door. Community engagement at its core is about partnership and reciprocity. It’s about the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources.”

She noted that UFV’s 50th anniversary celebrations provided an opportunity to reflect on the past and look to the future.

“The recent 50th anniversary invited us to think about the history of UFV and the communities that we serve and lead, and about the community that we want to be in the next 50 years. Our retirees, all of you, have given so much.

“Your wisdom, your perspective, your generosity, and your lived and professional experience continue to build this community. Your continued engagement ensures that our institutional memory remains vibrant and that new generations feel rooted in something that is lasting and enduring.

“On behalf of the UFV community, I want to express my deep gratitude. For what you have built, for what you continue to give, and for the example that you set for all of us about lifelong learning and lifelong commitment and community.”

Current members of the UFVRA Board are: Adrienne Chan, Randy Kelley, Maureen Wideman, Ian McAskill, Deb Greenfield, Eric Davis, Virginia Cooke, and Betty Poettcker.

Find out more about the Retirees’ Association here.

See photos from the February 18 event and social here.