The full Monthly Newsletter is emailed to members.
Welcome from the New Chairman
I do feel honoured and not a little apprehensive to have been elected to take on the role of Chairman of the Stewartry u3a. Stephen has left very big shoes to fill, warm and appreciative at the general meetings and perceptive in committee, he has steered our u3a through difficult times and our experience has been enhanced by his steadying hand. I will almost certainly be different but am determined to succeed in continuing the organisation’s development. A few brief words about me – after a few years serving in the Grenadier Guards I went to college and then took up a position in the NHS working in supporting training and education in a large teaching hospital. My role evolved to include, initiating and maintaining the internet and intranet sites in the mid 90s. I seemed to find myself in roles that involved supporting communication, so my life experience has taught me that failures in communication are possibly the prime source of misunderstanding and then discord. I am relatively new to u3a so hope I come to be your chairman with fresh eyes, possibly asking the question – ‘What is u3a actually for?’, ‘What are our members expectations?” and “Do they match?”. To this end I would like to come and meet as many of you as I can on your home turf, within your groups where, in a relaxed atmosphere, we can talk about what your actual expectations are and from that what questions should be asked. On behalf of the Committee, I wish you a Merry Christmas and hope we all enjoy a peaceful New Year.
Rob Mitchell, Chair