Headline News: We are going to the Kent Show 4-6 July 2025!
- Welcome and updates
• York festival 2024 was great but apparently quite an effort to organise! Next one will be 1-4 July 2026 at York; information in current ‘u3a Matters’ mag.
• We have moved our Network website to the new platform. Please do check the link to your u3a. https://kentnetwork.u3asite.uk/
• Beacon details for your u3a. Please can we very kindly remind you that every time you have a change to your committee, please inform Jenny Akehurst our Beacon Administrator. Our Treasurer Angela Howe will be sending out the annual form for you to update with details about your u3a.
• Don’t forget other free resources including free national online talks, free support from subject advisers etc. Also “Interest Groups Online” is available at £12/year. By sharing this type of information with your members, you are giving them even better value for money! - How does the network support you?
a) MEETINGS: One in person and 2 on zoom per year for chairs + invitees. Often have our Trustee Susie Berry present so great opportunity to hear what’s happening and ask questions.
b) SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT Facebook group – for committee members and WhatsApp group – just for chairs. The Kent u3a Network website points enquirers to your u3a website.
https://kentnetwork.u3asite.uk/
c) PEER TO PEER GROUPS: we react to where there is a need. 3x year Treasurers and Secretary groups meet as there is ongoing need. Chairs when helpful – often attracts new chairs, but need some experienced people there to help! Speaker secretaries meet as needed, and to update the list. Invites go to the people in the network Beacon database that chairs give us after your AGM each year. If you want to know more just email the secretary by replying to a network email. - Susie Berry – updates
Susie gave a detailed report and answered questions. These notes give the gist:
• There is new guidance about members who develop dementia, which will be developed further over coming months.
• The adverts on Boom Radio are considered successful so there will be another round this autumn.
• The Trust gave consideration to responding to the removal of the Winter Fuel Payment, but decided it was not appropriate as we are not a campaigning organisation.
• The Trust has simplified its committees to just two strategy groups: governance and finance. They will report to the new council if formed, or the Board. The Trust wants greater transparency on how to serve on these committees in order to get the best people. Both will include members and staff.
• Our new CEO Iain Cassidy will take over from Sam Mauger at the end of the AGM this month. This is a paid post. Our volunteer leaders are:
Derek Harwood, Treasurer (continuing)
Allan Walmsley, Chair
Margaret Fiddes, Vice-chair.
• The AGM is in 2 weeks and there are several u3as in Kent who have still not registered to vote – please check! We need a 75% majority to switch to the new Council, so please don’t take it for granted that it will happen. Your voice counts.
• Gift Aid. The challenge from HMRC is ongoing. The Third Age Trust is in negotiation and has submitted its evidence. - Finance for the Network in the future
Our Treasurer Angela Howe explained that Networks can no longer have grants in order to run Network Days. Susie explained that grants were now reserved for events that engaged the public, ie to gain more members. We have used grants and our reserves in the past to run the annual day at The Friars which supports and inspires committees. Angela outlined the options of raising a subscription against charging the real cost of attending the Network Day.
There was a clear feeling that subscriptions would not be effective, and Susie said there was currently no Network in the South East that ran on subscriptions.
Other ideas that were generated included:
• Offer more free support through a buddy system, as experienced chairs have a lot to offer.
• Look at lowering the costs eg use a cheaper venue. However, some people said they really valued the lovely venue and would be sad to lose it.
• Having a face-to-face meeting is really valuable and more effective than zooms
- Kent Show 4-6 July 2025, setting up on 5th
Our secretary Eleanor Brooks outlined what our bid had included, including purchasing a gazebo that would then be available for future events across Kent. We need a planning team with volunteers for a wide range of roles, from staffing the stall to setting up and taking down the stand.
Our first planning meeting is on 1st November and all u3as are welcome to publicise this to see if there are enthusiastic members who would like to be on the team. Action all chairs.
- Question of the meeting:
We have a group leader who invites people to his group, who are not members of the u3a. What should we do?
Answers:
• It is not fair on those who pay subs if this is allowed.
• Have a policy that says how many, if any, sessions a visitor can have and get group leaders to enforce it.
• Some u3as encourage a visitor so they can see what a group is like.
• It makes the insurance invalid.
FUTURE DATES to be confirmed.