Issue 31
Autumn 2008
STRAY NEWS
“Stray News, where now?” asks the editor
This is the sixth issue since I took over the editorship from Maurice Line when Stray News was the main way in which the membership was kept informed of Group and Committee activities. Stray Bits then as now was a monthly single or two-sided newssheet available by email or at open meetings and the web site was in its infancy. Currently, communication by email will reach less than half of the membership and of those many may not check frequently.
Although I took the decision to produce Stray News four times annually instead of three in the hope of encouraging more entries and diversity of content this has only been partially successful. With a few exceptions, the same people provide the copy for each issue. I am grateful however to all who have contributed.
This is the web site version of Stray News at www.stray-news.org.uk with a link from the Harrogate U3A web site. The format is slightly different from the printed version and excludes telephone numbers and unprotected email addresses.
At the time, I was concerned that the three forms of communication would be in competition for the same items and I believe that to some extent this is the case. Val, Brian and I try to liaise with each other and pass information between us. Members however might be unsure which of us to contact and they should not have to submit items to three different people. Should we perhaps have an editor in chief as a single focal point for all items for publication who would place them appropriately?
Following the committee’s decision to produce a postal circulation of Stray Bits after the AGM I believe a November issue of Stray News is less necessary since it is likely to incorporate the same news. The August issue that goes out with AGM papers is perhaps too linked to that event and may also be redundant.
Is it time to emulate Princes Risborough the winner of the U3A newsletter competition and only produce a magazine twice yearly to a higher standard of quality with images and interesting articles (if members participate)? Their magazine however is A5 and not A4 like ours.
What do you as members wish to have? Please let me know.
The Editor
Since taking over as Membership Secretary in December 2007 numbers have risen by over 200. Membership now stands at 839, in September alone we had 87 new members! I shall, however, be sending out 130 reminders for subscriptions: the records will be deleted on 1st December if the subscriptions remain unpaid.
Barbara Peel – Membership Secretary
Stray Bits. For the last four years I have been creating and editing Stray Bits. There are eight or nine monthly newssheets. I depend on the Chairman of the committee, Group Leaders and U3A members to give me items for inclusion by the 14th of each month. The copy is also adapted and loaded onto the web site by Brian Graham. I should like some extra help as leading two groups and my increased family commitments sometimes make my life very crowded. Would anyone, perhaps someone who has recently joined feel able to help, maybe by doing alternative issues and bringing in fresh ideas?
Please contact me by email:
Val Cooke