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.