A message from the UFVRA President
The UFVRA celebrated the university’s 50th year in 2024–2025 by establishing the association! In 2024 a group of us began discussions with the university to establish the retiree association with a goal to launch the association in 2025. The university has been very supportive and is supported by the Office of Community Engagement.
When I began work at UFV (then UCFV), I saw that there was a 'family' quality about the institution. We liked each other (well most of us); we shared stories together; we spent time together. That is not always the case in your workplace. What makes a workplace special? The people in it, and the people who share with you. That does not have to end when you retire from UFV.
Our purpose is for connection – to maintain engagement with each other through social events, learning events, perhaps recreational events and tours. The association will also engage in discussions about how to connect and engage in meaningful ways at the university. This might be in a mentoring role and supporting students, staff, or faculty, by assisting where we can, and where we would be valued. There are many possibilities for us. When we say, "don’t be a stranger”, we mean it.
The UFVRA is committed to helping you, the retiree, keep in touch with your fellow friends and colleagues, and the UFV community. We strive to stay engaged with the university and support its mission and students. The UFVRA is an affiliate member of the College Pension Plan Retirees (CPPR) Association whose sole purpose is to ensure the retiree pension and benefits are maintained and grow at an appropriate rate. The UFVRA is a member of the College and University Retirees Associations of Canada (CURAC) whose purpose is to connect retiree associations across Canada to share information, stories, and resources.
The Board meets four times a year: roughly January, April–May (AGM), June, and October.
We hope to see you at some of our events. Some of our events will be hybrid to enable retirees who are 'away' from the Fraser Valley to participate.
Enjoy your retirement time!
Adrienne Chan
Professor Emeritus
President, UFVRA