Acting jointly, the RFA, SRA, Emeriti Center, and Emeriti College in 2004/05 developed a strategic plan for the continuing development of the USC retiree community. This plan was discussed with University administrators (leading to the EC budget increase by incoming Provost Max Nikias that made possible a full time EC Executive Director for the first time). It also led to the retreat of the retiree community attended by 80 persons in the fall of 2005 which worked to establish priorities. The single most important issue was clearly increasing the quality, frequency and reach of communications among retirees. Six of the eleven communication improvements identified have led to substantial developments in the 2005/06 year. Some examples:

USC Retiree Community Newsletter: Started and published three times this year, the newsletter will shift to four issues in 2006–07. RFA Board members are encouraged to spot and write brief (250 word) notes on people and things of special interest to RFA members.

RFA Web Site, List Serves, and Message Boards: With Bob Stallings leadership, immense progress has been made in making the RFA Web site fuller, more textured, more amenable, and more useful. Two list serves have been created that allow us to reach by email all RFA members who live either in Southern California, or in more distant locations. Development goes forward in how best to activate message boards and other interactive possibilities. Board members are encouraged to review the web site from time to time, and suggest additions or modifications to Bob Stallings.

RFA Phone Network: Begun this spring, each RFA Board member is encouraged to select 10-12 RFA members (perhaps that live in the same neighborhood or are long time associates) and call them three or four times a year to express interest and support, inquire how things are going, etc. Continuing Board members will be making our second round of calls this summer. New Board members are encouraged join this work and to select a set of persons (a roster of all RFA members organized by zip code will be supplied at the upcoming Board meetings to help in this process).

RFA Card mailing: The Board purchased two cards for the year (for a birthday, and for other purposes such as congratulations, recovery, condolence, or etc.). Each Board member uses the general purpose card as they wish. Copies will be supplied to new Board members at upcoming Board meetings. The Board agreed to mail a card to the 700+ RFA members with a birthday we know (and began on April 1). Each Board member handles the mailing of one month of cards (about 65 cards), writing a brief congratulatory message on each card. Continuing Board members have signed up for particular upcoming months through November 2006. We hope new Board members will each take one of the following months: December, January, March, April, May, and June 2007.