Chair’s Message: We are in need of new committee members, please come and join us
The failure of our recent call for a member to take on, or even assist, the role of event organiser reminded me of the U3A report published last year “Learning not Lonely”. Based on a literature review, a questionnaire and focus groups, it seeks:
“to identify the impact of lifelong learning and, in particular, the impact of informal lifelong learning on participants.”
The benefits of participating in the activities of the U3A and in the workings of the U3A were described in detail as are the benefits of members taking it in turns to contribute to the actual operation of the U3A.
“One member described the U3A as being like a bank: you can take things out regularly but, to keep it vibrant, you need to put things in now and again.”
“The value of giving time and energy was seen as important. “I started with serving the tea – people remember you as the guy who served the tea – then you can progress to the committee. You need to ask yourself, have you made a difference?”
We are a participating group with members taking it in turns to contribute to the actual operation of our U3A. In the past we have found that if a member has been asked by the committee if they would consider taking on a particular role, it has encouraged participation. However, Committee Members don’t know all our U3A members sufficiently well to know who may, or may not be responsive to an approach. To help with this the Committee has an arrangement for potential participants to attend Committee meetings, or its sub groups; which do a lot of the practical work. There members can see that that Committee membership need not be too onerous and can be fun. We are a friendly and mutually supportive committee. This has encouraged some members to take on a role. As Chair I would like to invite members to talk to me, or other Committee members about participating in the running of our U3A.
Chris Leamy, Chair