A Guide for New Committee Members

by Editor

The aims and objectives of the Network are:

  • To provide information, advice and relevant services to member U3As, and to encourage their involvement in the wider community, while recognizing their autonomy;
  • To encourage co-operation and networking between member U3As, and as far as practicable, with other U3A organizations in Australia and internationally;
  • To support the formation of U3As within the State of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory;
  • To promote the U3A movement by publicizing it through various media;
  • To represent member U3As at State and National levels;
  • To establish and maintain links with educational and Seniors’ organizations;
  • To co-operate with and seek support from relevant sources for applied research into life-long learning and related aspects of ageing; • To do all such things as may be conducive to the attainment of these objectives.

Principles of the Network

Based on the philosophy of the UK co-founder of the ‘British Model’ of the U3A movement, Dr. Peter Laslett.

The principles of the Network are:

  • To provide affordable learning opportunities for older people, using the skills and abilities of the members themselves.
  • Those who learn shall teach and those who teach shall learn, and there shall be no distinction between the two.
  • There shall be no qualifications for membership, and no awards, degrees or diplomas shall be given.
  • The emphasis shall be on learning for the love of it, and shall include an emphasis on the values of making things and improving skills of all kinds.
  • Learning shall take place in a friendly, supportive, social environment
  • Those joining a U3A shall pay for its upkeep.
  • There shall be no payment to any person (member or non-member) for teaching or providing a service to members except in the case of reimbursement for such expenses as travel, photocopying, etc.
  • The curriculum of a U3A shall be determined by the needs/preferences of its members and according to the resources available to it.
  • To be at all times, non-political and non-sectarian in our approach.

The Services of the Network

  • A comprehensive Group Public Liability Insurance Policy covering the majority of all U3A activities.
  • Copyright Agency blanket licence (again at reduced cost per member) and APRA and Screenrights licences, for those U3As which request them;
  • The Resource Library, an online repository of lesson notes and reference materials to assist would-be tutors preparing their courses;
  • Sub-domain website access and assistance in website management;
  • Generic promotion and publicity for the U3A movement in NSW, including a DVD, leaflets and press releases;
  • Developing links with government, and other organisations (such as COTA) in respect to policies relevant to U3A groups in NSW;
  • Representing NSW U3As within the national body, U3A Alliance Australia;
  • A quarterly newsletter, Newslink, with news and information for U3A management committees;
  • An Annual Conference;
  • Advice and assistance on request, about all aspects of U3A management
  • Facilitation of networking between U3As