Registered Charity No 288007

                                                                     Newsletter Extracts

Chairman's Message

Dear Members,

Since the last Newsletter, the Committee have had a meeting with the Group Conveners to review the ways in which our Study Groups work and to consider any problems which they face at the moment. Some of the aspects which emerged are echoed in reports that one hears from the wider U3A field, in particular the fact that not enough people are prepared to take a really active part in their U3A. The majority of members just want to enjoy the social learning activity of their chosen groups but not to help in the running activities. As we are a relatively small U3A branch this problem affects us more than larger Branches with a bigger pool of people to draw on. So it was gratifying that we did have two volunteers for the vacancies that are arising for Social Secretary, and Treasurer; Kay Chordia and Terry Legg have already joined the Committee for these posts. In addition Dorothy Shipperlee has taken over as acting Membership Secretary, Graham Martin is filling the Role of Publicity Officer and Jenny Waterhouse, stepping down as Treasurer after six years, is going to provide the Welfare coverage.

As a result of the Convener’s meeting, I have suggested that each Group should have, once a year, a mini-AGM to sit down together to consider what the group’s objectives are, how their programme is formulated and how to share out the tasks involved. This can of course be part of one of the regular meetings. I look forward to hearing how this process works out in practice. We are also looking at the possibility of arranging a short course to assist members in the art of making presentations which is so fundamental to the way U3A operates.

In my first Chairman’s letter in the Summer Newsletter I commented on how few members supported the committee by attending the AGM and I hope we will see more members for the next AGM in March. It is one of only three occasions in the year when there is a chance to meet a wider range of members and to feel that we are part of the same organisation. This year we have an excellent speaker in Dr.Janet Pennington a local historian with a very entertaining style of presentation.

You will see elsewhere in this Newsletter information about welfare matters which the Committee have been considering and also a plan to help the introduction of new members. Together with the future Programme events, telephone numbers and email addresses the Newsletter is a vital Document for use during the forthcoming term so it is surprising how many members seem to lose it!! Any practical suggestions on how to keep tabs on your Newsletter?

As I write this Message we are looking forward to the Christmas Party and indeed to the whole Christmas celebration, and on behalf of the Committee I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and rewarding New Year. 

John Shipperlee

Miscellaneous Notes

KEEPING IN TOUCH.

We try to keep in touch with Members who are ill or otherwise in need of friendly support, but we cannot do this if we don’t know about the problem. So PLEASE give me (or any committee member or Group Convener) a ring if you hear of any one who might appreciate a contact from us.                   Jenny Waterhouse  Welfare Office.           

NEW MEMBERS.                                          Jo Phelps has proposed a “meet and greet” new members scheme and has offered to be the Welcome” Secretary for this. She would be delighted to welcome new members to her home, for a tea or a coffee, to meet Conveners of the Groups which interest them, and perhaps to arrange for them to be taken to their first meeting.

REFRESHMENTS AT GROUP MEETINGS.

The Committee have agreed that, to remove any confusion, a sum of 20p. per person is appropriate when Refreshments are provided in a members home.

TRAINING COURSES OUTSIDE OUR NORMAL GROUPS

To assist those members who regularly present topics to groups, or would like to try presenting topics, it has been suggested that we look at ways of helping presentation skills or providing access to courses such as first aid which might be especially useful to outside activity groups.

There are courses available free or at very low cost to members of registered charities like the U3A. Penny and I recently updated our first aid qualification for free on a locally provided course.

A course on ‘Power-point’ or similar skills might be useful for presenters. This could be a day course, a couple of mornings, and could be for individuals taking part on courses from outside providers, or if there was sufficient interest we could run one ourselves for members.  Let me have your ideas or suggestions if interested.

Graham Martin. Reply to Penny at bussec@arunvalleyu3a.org.uk

Arun Valley U3A Constitution

An updated format for a local U3A constitution has been submitted to the Charities Commission with the recommendation that it is adopted by U3A groups with minor changes to suit individual needs and circumstances.

The committee will agree the minor changes and the final draft will be put to the AGM in March. We will then lodge our new copy with the Charities Commission. If anyone would like to see a copy before the meeting please contact Penny:-       

 email   bussec@arunvalleyu3a.org.uk.

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