Retirees of MacEwan University (ROMU)
Dr. Rick Lewis and Margo Baptista | ROMU Volunteers
Like many organizations, MacEwan University had no program or strategies for
retired individuals to continue their relationship with the institution and one
another. In November 2014, several retirees expressed interest in creating a retiree
group. Coincidentally, a question was raised at the December 2014 meeting of
the President’s Group, a cross-section of institutional leaders. As a result, an
institutional task team was asked to develop a retiree engagement strategy.
Various elements were identified
including a definition of retiree
(faculty, staff, administration),
retirement offboarding and
transition, services, events,
activities, database management,
a web portal, etc. The strategy
and a name (Retirees of MacEwan
University – ROMU) were
presented to and approved by
the Board of Governors on
May 28, 2015.
In June 2015, a focus group
gathered ideas from retirees. By
September, sixty-four membership
applications had been received.
The first major social event held
in November 2015 included a
reception and musical theatre
production on campus. This
occasion has become a coveted
annual gathering. Soon after, a
newsletter and various electronic
advantages were established: a
retiree portal, email, Google Drive,
library and technical support, and
links to external retiree resources.
The first of an ongoing coffee
social was held in February
2016 with the seventieth
member acknowledged.
Two travel information events
have been held, one on East Africa
and one on Vietnam. In May 2018,
ROMU hosted a special event for
retirees and university colleagues
with Dr. Max Foran presenting
on the Honourable Dr. J. W.
Grant MacEwan.
ROMU members enjoy various
benefits, from free access to the
Microsoft suite of products and
anti-virus software and eligibility
for the staff rate for the Sport &
Wellness Centre. Along with
other organizational activities,
the first AGM is scheduled for
October 2, 2019.
As of July 2019, there were 189
members. In July 2019, ROMU
held its first out-of-province
get-together in Victoria. Looking
ahead, ROMU is exploring a
travel-abroad program to take
place in the spring of 2020 and
participating in planning for the
institution’s fiftieth anniversary
in 2021.
In what has been a very
short time, ROMU has created
an independent, yet affiliated,
organization and become a
vibrant community of retired
colleagues, connecting and
communicating with one
another and the institution,
and participating in social,
cultural, and educational activities.
If you are interested in
learning more about ROMU’s
story, reach out to us at
retirees@macewan.ca
or call 780-497-4034.
This article has been trimmed
in order to meet news&views
submission guidelines. For
a more detailed article, visit
arta.net/romu. ●
Dr. Rick Lewis serves as the
ROMU Leadership Group Chair.
He was the Director of MacEwan
International as well as a faculty
member in Biological Sciences.
Margo Baptista, MA Lead, is
the ROMU Portal Information
Manager and Archivist. She
served as the institution’s
University Secretary.
ROMU is an affiliate ARTA group.
news&views AUTUMN 2019 | 49