Issue 32 Web Edition
Winter 08/09
Looking for a Chairman – An Urgent Appeal
Ideally we need to be able to put forward for election in September 2009 candidates, with knowledge gained through membership of the Committee, a period of shadowing the present Chairman or relevant life experience.
Could I remind all members that the Charity Commissioners require any charity to have Officers including a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer supported by a Committee, without which Harrogate U3A would not be allowed to continue as a charity.
What might encourage you to consider shadowing the role of Chairman or acting as Vice Chairman?
Personal Interest: eg the ethos of the U3A – what it can offer you personally and what it can offer others; the value of the U3A in the community and to other people’s lives; an interest in informal adult education at a time when adult education places are being cut, and the retired population is growing, or simply wanting to give something back.
Enjoyment:
Meeting a wide variety of people locally, regionally, nationally and possibly internationally.
Working as part of a team. Making new friends.
Having a role in the community.
Expanding your horizons, using your skills and developing new ones.
Never being bored, doing something worthwhile, being able to make a difference.
Enjoying a challenge.
Personal life experience – will have enabled you to develop a wide variety of skills many of which could be used in the role of Chairman/Vice Chairman eg people skills – managing people, team building, advising, counselling; presentation skills; administration skills – planning, organising, meeting deadlines; creativity and problem solving……………
These are skills acquired from a wide variety of life experiences. These and your particular skills could be brought to the role. You could put your stamp on it.
If any of this rings true for you personally, please let me know!
There may be reasons why you feel you are not able to consider taking on the role even though you are interested, eg other commitments, lack of time, health concerns, lack of information, lack of confidence.
Ask yourself, can these barriers be overcome?
I would be very happy to talk through what is involved, and offer support and guidance should you decide that this could be the role for you.
I believe that there are members well qualified to take on the role of Harrogate U3A’s next Chairman. It is important that they are encouraged to come forward now. I look forward to hearing from anyone wishing to find out more, or anyone wanting to nominate a suitable candidate.
Janet Coatman, Chairman
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