Issue 29
Spring 2008
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STRAY NEWS
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The meeting of Group Leaders/Contacts and the Committee held on the 29th February was lively and fruitful. The focus was on providing help and support for Group Leaders who are the backbone of the U3A.
National Office has provided Part 1 of a Handbook for Group Leaders. This focuses upon Shared Learning and information about the support services available from The Third Age Trust, and reminds Group Leaders that “sharing learning means, that as a U3A Group Leader, you are not alone”.
Part 2 of the Handbook will focus on Local Matters, and following consultation with Group Leaders, it will be available at the Group Leaders’ Meeting on July 25th.
There was much positive feedback on Group activities and the enthusiasm of our Group Leaders is to be applauded. No other organisation provides so much intellectual stimulation and social interaction at such little cost. We cannot put a price on the time that many people give willingly for the benefit of others – Thank you.
The prime aim of the U3A is “To encourage and enable older people, no longer in full time employment, to share their knowledge, skills, interests and experience”.
The U3A is not simply a cheap alternative to LEA classes.
With a growing membership we need more people to share their knowledge, skills and interests in order that new members may benefit in the same way as those of you who have been supporting U3A activities for many years.
I have met with representatives of other U3As in the Ridings Region, as well as our Group Leaders and Committee, to discuss how best to move things forward, and some ideas are presented in “Moving Forward” – but ultimately the success of Harrogate U3A depends upon your response.
At the AGM we will need to elect at least two new Committee Members. We need Committee Members to shadow the Secretary and myself for the year, before we retire in September 2009.
Please give serious consideration to standing for the Committee. Do not presume that somebody else will volunteer.
If you would like to know more about what is involved in being a Group Leader/
Co-ordinator /Facilitator (you choose) or a Committee Member, do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Janet Coatman
Since taking over as Membership Secretary in December enquiries have been steady, and there has been an increase of more than 50 members, following a flurry after 1st March. Some people find the information about U3A in the library but a few have friends who are already members. The majority of new members, however, have joined after finding
Harrogate U3A via the website and down loading the subscription form.
On a ‘green’ note, all the used envelopes are recycled and the used stamps I receive will be donated to either St.Peter’s Church (they have a basket at the back of the Church) or the R.S.P.B.
Barbara Peel
