Historians are sometimes accused of repeating themselves.  But sometimes we are victims of our discipline because history itself can also be quite repetitive.

When I first ventured onto the State Council (whenever that was) a major topic of discussion was a California ballot initiative that was designed to "reform," and thus of course weaken, the retirement system for state employees.  Later during my year as Vice President and then three more as President we seemed always to be preparing for that same issue or recovering from it.  This unappealing history has changed this year in that we may be confronted with two pension attacks rather than one from the usual source.

The good news as I soon become Past President is that we are far better equipped to organize defensive efforts because of our valuable website, a treasure trove of information on higher education and countless other issues vitally important to our retired population.  The Reporter is always valuable but unless crucial news arises at just the right time it may no longer be news by the time the printed version arrives in your mail box.  Fortunately we are now able on a timely basis to reach those of you who have had the courtesy of providing an email address.  There have been few occasions when we had to utilize Listserv to spread the alarm, but it is comforting to know it is there when the need is urgent.  This year cooperation of webmasters Mark Shapiro and Steve Gregorich has also facilitated the process for affiliate websites to access the CSU-ERFA website.

We have responded promptly to the will of the vast majority who this year adopted a constitutional amendment to encourage northern meetings when it is fiscally and logistically feasible.  The Executive Committee met in San Jose in February to test facilities and happily scheduled a Council meeting in the splendid new combined campus and city library for October 17, 2009.  That Council meeting will give us a better conception of the added expense of a northern meeting and the level of attendance.  Dave Elliott conducted significant research that will help us hold the budgetary line.  The second constitutional amendment that you recently approved will also hopefully help to assure fiscal stability for more northern trips through enhanced membership.

From previous northern meetings we are familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of San Francisco and Sacramento although things may have changed in these “interesting” budgetary times. If anyone out there chooses to contribute the legwork that Dave did for San Jose, we are ready to listen to arguments for other northern sites for future meetings.

Donald O. Dewey (Los Angeles)
CSU-ERFA President
March 2009.

(Webmaster's note:  This is a slightly edited version of the "From the president" column that will appear in the March 2009 issue of the Reporter.)