Leila (Lee) Baker has managed the REV-UP program for nine years. She also serves as president of the Volunteer Administrators of Western New York.

What is REV-UP and how did it evolve?
REV-UP is an acronym for Retired Employee Volunteers-University Program. It is a program through which retirees can remain "connected" to the university while carrying out mutually worthwhile activities in support of active faculty and staff. The idea was the "brainchild" of Rosalyn Wilkinson, former manager of human resources development in Personnel Services, along with members of the university's Emeritus Center. One of the earliest projects was the 1986 Empire State Games, when more than 20 UB retirees helped out with all aspects of the games. Three years later, it was determined that this concept needed a coordinator and in February 1990, I became a part-time employee of Personnel Services. Under Rosalyn's able guidance and mentorship, I assisted in the further development and direction of this expanding idea.

What is the Emeritus Center?
The Emeritus Center is an organization of retired university personnel and their spouses which grew from the efforts of the late Professor Rose Weinstein. The favorable results of a survey in the spring of 1974, authorized by then-President Robert Ketter, led to the establishment of the Emeritus Center in 1977 to provide all retired university personnel with a means to continue their relationship with the university community. The center now is housed in the South Lounge of Goodyear Hall on the South Campus and has a membership of more than 500 retirees who may attend monthly meetings featuring a guest speaker or program, followed by a social period. In addition, members enjoy field trips and tours, and the opportunity to participate in REV-UP. Emeritus Center membership ($3 per year) is a prerequisite for REV-UP.

How many volunteers do you have?
During the past nine years, REV-UP has grown from an interesting idea to an exciting reality. At present, more than 35 university departments have benefited from the volunteer service of more than 90 retirees, both in short-term assignments and longer, ongoing situations. Retirees learn of the program during pre-retirement seminars; upon retirement, they are sent Emeritus Center membership information, along with a letter explaining the REV-UP program and an interest survey. Within this questionnaire, retirees can indicate their interests and the specific area or areas where they would like to volunteer. There is absolutely no pressure put upon the members of the Emeritus Center to participate, but for many of them, REV-UP service becomes an ideal way to stay connected to the place where they had been employed for 10, 20 or even 30-plus years.

What are the most frequent requests you get for REV-UP volunteers?
Three times a year I compile a Service Hours Report, and the volunteered hours for a given department or area often will change depending upon the period of the report. However, the most consistently high numbers of service hours are given to the music department, medical school, Center for the Arts and Athletics. The concert manager for Slee Concert Hall depends almost exclusively upon REV-UP for his performance ushers; similarly, much volunteer service at the Center for the Arts comes from REV-UP. The hours of service are greatly increased for the Division of Athletics during football season, when nearly 30 retirees maintain an important usher presence for home games, and during special athletic events, such as last summer's NCAA Track and Field Championships. Much volunteer service is rendered to medical school areas, including admissions, medical education, Office of Medical Computing and the mini-medical school program. Much of this is "ongoing service," when a volunteer comes to the department once or twice weekly, for an average of three to four hours, to support clerical staff on special projects.

Who has been the oldest active volunteer in REV-UP history?
I wouldn't begin to touch the "age component" of REV-UP. It is not a factor of the program at all. There is a quote from Samuel Sinclair Baker's "Conscious Happiness" which says it best: "You are as young as your enthusiasm, as old as your disinterest." REV-UP volunteers and all volunteers stay young at heart because they are focusing on helping others, finding ways to be needed and acting upon those ways. I have sent 80th birthday cards to numerous REV-UP members in the past nine years. There are 18 retirees who have been actively involved in REV-UP since before 1990.

Tell me something about yourself that most people don't know, but should.
After 24 years of active involvement in the UB Women's Club, nearly 10 years of association with the university's retirees and a personality that can hardly be considered shy and reserved, my life is pretty much an "open book." Perhaps this is the opportunity to answer one question I am frequently asked: My hair is not permed, but naturally curly! I also run 2-1/2 miles, three times a week, with my husband, Jack.

What question do you wish I had asked, and how would you have answered it?
You might have asked if I had a favorite REV-UP volunteer, and I would have had to answer, "yes, my husband, Jack Baker!" Jack retired from Exercise Science in 1995, currently is president of the Emeritus Center and is an ongoing volunteer in the Office of Medical Computing. Another question I would have liked is about the annual REV-UP Recognition held in May to coincide with the Emeritus Center meeting. Most of the volunteers would prefer no formal recognition and tell me that they volunteer because they want to and they enjoy it. But it is a lovely event with printed programs that list each REV-UP member and the hours served. Last year, 83 REV-UP volunteers gave 3,718 hours of service to UB; since March 1990, the total hours volunteered was 22,912, and counting! This is truly a wonderful program, but it is the wonderful, giving UB retirees who make it happen. I have said many times, I feel honored to be part of it with them.