u3a

Kent Network

Kent Network Committee meeting 06.03.2025


Present: Frani Hoskins, Eleanor Brooks, David Murray, Angela Howe, MaryVenables, Rob White, Sue Edwards.
Apologies: Carole Dickenson, John Russell, Chrys Short.

  1. AGM Planning
    (a) Date and time: Subject to the availability of Sally Ingledew, our new Council
    member, we agreed that the AGM would be on 23 rd April at Detling Village
    Hall, with refreshments at 13.30 and the meeting at 14.00. Those who would
    like lunch would meet at the pub next door at about 12. ACTION: Frani to
    contact Chrys ,who will not be there , to see if she has contacted Sally and
    how she would like to participate in the AGM e.g by supplying the Chair’s
    report. ACTION Eleanor to contact Sally to confirm the date or look for
    alternatives and book the Village Hall when the date is agreed.
    (b) Agenda for the AGM would follow the usual pattern with reports from the
    officers and election of the new ones. There would also be items from Sally
    Ingledew on the new council and the progress on the Kent show stall. And an
    item on the future funding of the Network (see (d) below).
    (c) The roles of Chair and Vice Chair are vacant. We agreed that the minutes
    should include the date of the officers’ appointment. Eleanor has sent out an
    email asking for nominations for the vacant roles. So far 2 replies from people
    who might be interested but not this year. We agreed that all committee
    members would ask anyone who might be interested in taking on the roles of
    Secretary, Chair and Vice Chair. If someone was suitable we might fill the
    others from the committee. ACTION: Committee members
    (d) The future of the Network is compromised by members being reluctant to offer
    a contribution from their u3as for training days and other items which can cost
    a lot. There are no grants available for individual u3a support ; so they have to
    be self funding. Some u3as do not wish to contribute to the Network. And
    others just want to buy tickets for each event which makes planning
    impossible. An Agenda item will need to open discussion about how the
    Network is to continue to be funded. Angela produced a spreadsheet of all the
    u3as who have not yet replied to the annual return- they might be the ones
    who are reluctant. ACTION: Eleanor, David and anyone else who is available
    to discuss how this is presented to the AGM. Eleanor will set up a zoom.
  2. Kent Show Planning
    The meeting on 5.3.25 went very well. The budget is on track. The gazebo will be
    ordered and the stall supplied with bunting, banners, table, chairs, a map of Kent
    showing all our u3as and supplies of leaflets and “freebies” ordered from the Brand
    Centre. If money is available more supplies will be ordered. Volunteers are now full
    for the Friday, and we need some more to cover the Saturday and Sunday, and
    possible the Thursday to set up. The planning committee will report back at the AGM
    and ask for more volunteers to fill the gaps.
  3. Other business
    Summer School information has come from TAT.
  4. Date of next meeting: to be confirmed.