Course leaders – finding, servicing and rewarding convenors
by Frank Jennings
This article is a summary of the main points made in the workshop on this topic, led by Fran Tarbox of Kempsey-Macleay alley U3A, at the 2012 Port Macquarie Network Conference.
While every U3A operates in a different way, often depending on membership size, different methods of administration, and venues available, some of the following suggestions may be useful.
Finding course leaders:
- In application forms, newsletters and in media articles and interviews, ask people if they would like to lead a course
- List Network Resource Library courses in your newsletter, and ask for volunteers to lead them
- Rotating leadership responsibility within a group or class can develop new leaders as confidence grows.
- If a leader retires or take a break, ask their suggestions for a replacement
Servicing course leaders
- Provide each leader with a folder containing information such as the U3A year calendar, committee details, mentor list, accident or incident forms, advice on how to deal with difficult members, venue information, reports etc,
- Provide brunches at the commencement of Terms 1 and 3 with in-service training, eg a first aid course such as Life .. live It .. Save it (available from the NSW Ambulance Service), to explain course policies, or a Q & A session to share information and ideas
Rewarding Course Leaders
- Certificates of appreciation
- Polo shirts, lanyards, or other small gifts of appreciation for people who conduct courses over several weeks or terms.
- A brunch or lunch where leaders are guests but other members pay.
- Thankyou’s in newsletters, local media, etc
- Thankyou cards for one-off talk presenters
