The Newsletter of Harrogate
Registered Charity no. 1038457
Issue 31
Web Edition
Autumn 2008
The Chairman’s Message
Welcome to our new members, many of whom will not be aware that they are part of a meteoric rise in our membership over the last two years.
We must harness the talents of the growing membership if we are to ride the wave. New members should mean potential group leaders, organisers, IT experts, “people- people” and helpers, who can contribute now.
At present a membership of 815 plus is relying upon the phenomenal voluntary efforts of just 46 members to run the groups, administration, communication network and social activities.
This balance is not sustainable.
Our aims, that is the aims of the membership helped by the Committee, for 2008/2009 must be:-
1. To get rid of waiting lists. Every over subscribed group needs members, with similar
interests to that of their own, to set up new groups. Help is available via the Chairman
(Janet Coatman) and Group Co-ordinator, (Eileen Davies).
2. To ensure that each officer/ committee member has a person to share the task, and
sub-committees recruit volunteers from the membership.
3. To put a progression strategy in place ensuring that the Chairman and Secretary
and any other committee members who retire at the next AGM will be replaced.
4. To ensure that those who run our vital Communication Network (Chris Rush, editor
of Stray News, Val Cooke, editor of Stray Bits and Brian Graham, webmaster) are
supported/shadowed.
5. To promote and foster the ethos of the U3A movement. It is a learning co-operative;
a self help organisation, open to those prepared to share their knowledge, skills and
experience in a wide variety of learning and socials contexts, and for whom this kind
of organisation is the right organisation.
I look forward to receiving your ideas in response to the consultation document, “Food for thought for the Committee and every member of Harrogate U3A”, sent out to all groups.
Thank you to all those who contribute, or have contributed to making Harrogate U3A the success it is today.
Have a great year.
Get involved, make new friends and help move Harrogate U3A forward.
1. To get rid of waiting lists. Every over subscribed group needs members, with similar
interests to that of their own, to set up new groups. Help is available via the Chairman
(Janet Coatman) and Group Co-
2. To ensure that each officer/ committee member has a person to share the task, and
sub-
3. To put a progression strategy in place ensuring that the Chairman and Secretary
and any other committee members who retire at the next AGM will be replaced.
4. To ensure that those who run our vital Communication Network (Chris Rush, editor
of Stray News, Val Cooke, editor of Stray Bits and Brian Graham, webmaster) are
supported/shadowed.
5. To promote and foster the ethos of the U3A movement. It is a learning co-
experience in a wide variety of learning and socials contexts, and for whom this kind
of organisation is the right organisation.
I look forward to receiving your ideas in response to the consultation document, “Food for thought for the Committee and every member of Harrogate U3A”, sent out to all groups.
Thank you to all those who contribute, or have contributed to making Harrogate U3A the success it is today.
Have a great year.
Get involved, make new friends and help move Harrogate U3A forward.
Janet Coatman,
Chairman.
Chairman.