What's inside the July issue
This is the monthly bulletin for the University of Waterloo Retirees Association, sent to all UW retirees. Here’s what you’ll find in this issue:
UWRA events: Bidding adieu to University Club
UWRA news: AGM brings changes to governance and board, MS365 storage limits for retirees
Volunteer opportunity for retirees: Move-in day
Resource of the month: An alternative to X and Truth Social?!
Volunteer opportunity: Board of Martin Luther University College
Martin Luther University College in Waterloo, Ontario is seeking candidates to serve on their Board of Governors for a three- year term beginning September 26, 2025 (renewable once). Applications should be received by August 15, 2025.
Please see "Callout for Board Members" at https://luther.wlu.ca/about/governance.html
UWRA Events
AGM
At the Annual General Meeting on May 14, 2025, the UWRA Board of Directors presented updated governance documents to members. A motion to repeal the 2016 Constitution and Bylaws and adopt the 2025 Bylaw was passed. You can find a comparison of the old and new bylaws on our website.
President Ron Champion thanked retiring directors Rose Vogt, Sue Fraser, Jim Ashworth, Christine Wagner, Trevor Grove, and David Matthews, who collectively have dedicated more than three decades of service to their fellow retirees. The Board welcomed three newly elected members: Katrina Di Gravio, Duane Kennedy and Caryl Russel.
You can view the complete list of directors and their responsibilities on our website.
MS365 Storage Limits for Retirees - Microsoft has implemented a significannewly electedn cloud storage for Higher Education institutions, affecting the University of Waterloo. As a result, we must adjust storage limits across campus for all employees, students, alumni, retirees, and generic accounts.
Key Details:
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Impact: Your University email account (Outlook) will be affected.
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New Storage Quota: As a retiree, your revised storage limit is 25 GB.
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Deadline: These changes took effect on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Action Required: Ensure your Outlook data remains below the new limit. If you exceed this quota, you may encounter error messages when sending or storing messages.
For tips on reducing your storage usage, please refer to these linked resources:
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See a list of FAQs regarding the change to storage limits
Volunteer for Move-in Day!
Volunteer for Move-In Day!
Join The Campus Housing Move-in Committee in welcoming new students during Campus Housing move-in days from August 28 to August 31, 2025! Your help can make a significant difference.
Volunteer Details:
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Sign up for a few hours or multiple shifts—every bit helps!
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Visit the volunteer sign-up form for available roles and shifts.
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New to Vome? Register for an account before signing up.
Volunteer Highlights:
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As a general volunteer, share how you'd like to help, from guiding students to welcoming families in parking lots.
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Sign up with a friend or team for a fun group activity!
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Each parking lot will have a Campus Housing staff member to support you during your shift.
We appreciate your past support and look forward to seeing many of you return to help make this event a success!
Questions? Email movein@uwaterloo.ca
Canadian Social-media Platform
Tech leaders ready launch of Canadian social-media platform Gander to buck U.S. dominance:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-tech-leaders-ready-launch-of-canadian-social-media-platform-gander-to/
With summer now here, we want to take a moment to wish you a season filled with joy. Please remember to stay safe and take care of yourselves during the warmer months. We look forward to reconnecting soon!
Watch the UWRA Events Calendar for all events and activities taking place this summer season.
Travel with us!
The UWRA is hosting a 17-night trip to Spain from April 11 to April 28, 2026, with a special rate of C $3,499 per person (double occupancy). The adventure kicks off in Fuengirola, a lively Costa del Sol town, featuring guided tours to amazing spots like Granada, Gibraltar, Ronda, and Setenil de las Bodegas. Enjoy comfortable accommodations with fully-equipped apartments and a sunny terrace. An optional 6-night extension to Madrid and Seville will also be available. Want a longer stay? Begin your Spanish adventure with six nights in Madrid and Seville. To get all the details, create a free Trip Merchant CURAC account, and if you have questions, reach out to Trip Merchant or the UWRA. Learn more about this trip.
Member discounts!
This from a UWRA member: “Because we work in education, we can buy car and home insurance through OTIP. I did not know that so this year I called, and the quote was 50% cheaper than what I had been paying. Note that I am a CAA member, and the quote is with them. I thought you all might be interested in this and maybe our members as well.”
Remember that UWRA membership gives us full rights to CURAC’s benefits and discounts. One member switched to Johnson (CURAC's affinity partner) and it was 1/3 the cost. It pays to be a member of UWRA! There are other benefits and discounts available to us- check out the UWRA discount partners.
Now hear this! 10% off hearing aids, etc. from HearingLife.
Now look here! 60% off lens upgrades from Specsavers.
Community events!
JM Drama is presenting “Harvey”, a Pulitzer prize-winning comedy by Mary Chase at the Registry Theatre, Kitchener this summer. This is being directed by Tim Farrell, a 43-year veteran of UW staff and almost 2-year-old retiree. Tickets: online kwtickets.evenue.net/events/RT or Centre in the Square box office.
Read the current CURAC newsletter. Did you enjoy reading the CURAC newsletter? Send your feedback to our UWRA president.
Resource of the month!
The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and care for older adults through research, education, and practice. They bridge the gap between research and real-world applications, addressing the critical challenges faced by an aging population. Their innovative research methods are transforming the way we approach aging in Canada. We encourage retirees to subscribe to the RIA's monthly newsletter for valuable insights and updates.
Feedback
Wishing all UW retirees a safe and happy summer season! May this time be filled with joy, relaxation, and new adventures as you thrive in retirement.
If you have any feedback on this bulletin or would like to contribute to the next edition in September, please email the UWRA Communications Coordinator.