COVID Safety

• Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 either by using a RAT test or by phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.

 

• Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions may choose to wear a face mask indoors.

 

• Convenors are asked to ensure ventilation is maximised and room furniture arranged to enhance social distancing.

 

• Hand sanitisers are available at each entrance to the Seniors Building.

 

• Should pandemic situations escalate, government requirements, arrangements for Council buildings and U3A Network Victoria advice will be drawn upon and Covid Safety Plans developed and posted on the notice board outside the U3A meeting room.

Margaret Jenkins, President,
​4 January 2023

1. In line with U3A Network requirements it is mandatory for U3A Benalla members attending face to face U3A activities to produce evidence of being vaccinated.
2. Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 either by using a RAT test or by phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.
3. An Attendance record for each class will be located on the table inside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue will be ticked off on this attendance record which contains the COVID-19 immunisation status of members. 
4. Persons not currently enrolled for a particular group or class or who have not had their COVID-19 immunisation status recorded, are required to give their name and produce evidence of their COVID-19 immunisation status to the Convenor who will record it on the attendance sheet. 
5. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions may choose to wear a face mask indoors.
6. It is suggested that members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions keep 1.5 metres apart at all times.
7. Outdoor groups such as Bushwalking or Bird watching do not have to wear masks, but U3A members may choose to do so.

Margaret Jenkins,
President,
​8 July 2022

At the recent Convenors Meeting held in February 2022 there was a question concerning use of the Defibrillator which is stored in the main Auditorium of the Benalla Senior’s Centre.
 
Following this question we are pleased to announce that we have invited Ambulance Victoria to give us some information about use of the Defibrillator at our May Meet and Mingle which will be held on Wednesday 18th May 2022 at 10am in our U3A room.
 
In the meantime we have been sent the following information from Ambulance Victoria called Call Push Shock FAQ which we are adding to our Website with their permission. The information is available to our Convenors and other U3A Members if required.
​

The Committee of U3A Benalla met yesterday and would like to invite all Convenors to an Information afternoon on Friday 25th February 2022 at 2pm in our U3A room.

Our U3A groups could not function without the valuable input and guidance of our Convenors.  At this Information afternoon we hope to hear of any problems or concerns that Convenors have, and to answer any questions that may arise.

During the holiday break the Committee organised better written information regarding the running of the computer/TV in our U3A room, and also worked on the smoother running of the computer equipment in Room 2. It has been great to see both rooms in operation at the same time since the year commenced.

It would be appreciated if you could let me know if you can come to this information afternoon. My Email is margaretjenkins@bigpond.com.

Margaret Jenkins

This message is a reminder to Convenors of our Enrolment Day on 12th January 9:30 to 11:30am. at the Senior Citizens Centre.   Convenors are asked to attend or have a representative attend on their behalf to explain the content of their program.
 
Convenors may also be asked to certify that they have sighted a COVID-19 immunisation certificate of members who have not already had their immunisation recorded as ‘YES’.  You do this by signing the appropriate section of their form. 

This certification can be done by any convenor or committee member.
 
Looking forward to successful 2022 for U3A Benalla.

Happy New Year!
 
Len Jeffers
Membership Coordinator

As you will be aware it is now mandatory for U3A Benalla members attending U3A activities to produce evidence of being Covid-19 fully vaccinated.

As a Convenor you will have the additional responsibility of making sure all members of your class or group have the documentary evidence of full Covid-19 vaccination.

On viewing the class members documentary evidence of vaccination, you will need to mark the appropriate column on the class roll with a ‘Yes’.

This information will be transferred to our database and all subsequent rolls and records will show that member as Covid-19 vaccinated.

Unvaccinated persons are unable to attend classes.
 
Please see attachment to see how it is recorded on rolls.
 
Thanks for your cooperation
 

Len Jeffers

Please note that this is an updated version of  Covid Safe Plan V6 published 1 November.  

1. There is a QR code at the Benalla Senior’s Centre which must be used when entering the Centre. There will be a manual sign in sheet for those members who require it. The Convenor or a person designated by the Convenor will act as Sign in Marshall to ensure all U3A Members are signed in. 
2. In line with State and Local Government requirements it will be mandatory for U3A Benalla members attending face to face U3A activities to produce evidence of being fully vaccinated.
3. Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 after phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.
4. Attendance Records. An Attendance record for each class will be located on the Table inside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue will be ticked off on this attendance record which contains the Covid-19 immunisation status of members. U3A Benalla will hold in another location the address and phone contact details of all members attending groups or classes. Persons not currently enrolled for a particular group or class or have not had their Covid-19 immunisation status recorded, are required to give their name and produce evidence of their Covid-19 immunisation status to the Convenor who will record it on the attendance sheet.
   (*Attendance rolls are held inside in both venues)
   (**Phone numbers are not listed on new rolls – only the Covid-19 immunisation status)
5. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to keep 1.5 meters apart at all times.
6. The maximum number of people allowed in the Benalla Senior’s Centre is 30 if all members are fully vaccinated or 20 if any member attending is not vaccinated. U3A members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions must be at a density of not more than 1 person per 4 square meters of floor space.
7. Outdoor groups such as Bushwalking or Birdwatching can gather in a public place such as a park with up to 29 other people.  Masks are no longer mandatory outdoors, however, masks must be carried unless there is a lawful reason not to, and members are encouraged to wear one outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
8. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to wear a face mask when indoors if currently mandated by the Victorian State Government.
9. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance to the U3A Benalla room and any other venue being used by U3A. Members of U3A Benalla are requested to use the hand sanitizer when entering the room.
10. Hand wipes will be provided for Convenors or their assistants to wipe down furniture such as chairs, tables and door handles after each class held in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla.  

 
Dorothy Webber President, 8 November 2021  

1. There is a QR code at the Benalla Senior’s Centre which must be used when entering the Benalla Senior’s Centre. There will be a manual sign in sheet for those members who require it.  ​The Convenor or a person designated by the Convenor will act as Sign in Marshall to ensure all U3A Members are signed in.     
2. Attendance Records. An Attendance record for each class will be located on the Table outside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue will be ticked off on this attendance record. U3A Benalla will hold in another location the phone number and address of all members attending groups or classes. If a person is not currently enrolled for this particular group or class, they are to write their name and phone number legibly on the attendance sheet.
3. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions  are required to keep 1.5 meters apart at all times.
4. The maximum number of people allowed in the Benalla Senior’s Centre is 20.U3A members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions must be at a density of not more than 1 person per 4 square meters of floor space.
5. Outdoor groups such as Bushwalking or Bird watching must have a maximum group size of 10.
6. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to wear a face mask when indoors if this is currently mandated by the Victorian State Government.
7. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance to the U3A Benalla room and any other venue being used by U3A. Members of U3A Benalla are requested to use the hand sanitizer when entering the room.
8. Hand wipes will be provided for Convenors or their assistants to wipe down furniture such as chairs, tables and door handles after each class held in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla.
9.  Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 after phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.

Dorothy Webber, President
09 September 2021  

1. There is a QR code at the Benalla Senior’s Centre which must be used when entering the Benalla Senior’s Centre. There will be a manual sign in sheet for those members who require it. The Convenor or a person designated by the Convenor will act as Sign in Marshall to ensure all U3A Members are signed in.      
2. Attendance Records. An Attendance record for each class will be located on the Table outside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue will be ticked off on this attendance record. U3A Benalla will hold in another location the phone number and address of all members attending groups or classes. If a person is not currently enrolled for this particular group or class, they are to write their name and phone number legibly on the attendance sheet.
3. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to keep 1.5 meters apart at all times.
4. Maximum group size for U3A members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions is 10, at a density of not more than 1 person per 4 square meters of floor space. Each group of 10 must stay the same and cannot change or mingle.
5. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to wear a face mask when indoors if this is currently mandated by the Victorian State Government.
6. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance to the U3A Benalla room and any other venue being used by U3A. Members of U3A Benalla are requested to use the hand sanitizer when entering the room.
7. Hand wipes will be provided for Convenors or their assistants to wipe down furniture such as chairs, tables and door handles after each class held in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla.  
8. Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 after phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.

 
Dorothy Webber, President
30 July 2021  ​

1. There is a QR code at the Benalla Senior’s Centre which must be used when entering the Benalla Senior’s Centre. For those unable to use the QR code someone from the group will sign them in using the QR code on their phone. 
   
2. Attendance Records. An Attendance record for each class will be located on the Table outside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue will be ticked off on this attendance record. U3A Benalla will hold in another location the phone number and address of all members attending groups or classes.
​
If a person is not currently enrolled for this particular group or class, they are to write their name and phone number legibly on the attendance sheet.

3. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions  are required to keep 1.5 meters apart at all times.

4. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to be at a density of not more than 1 person per 2 square meters of floor space.

5. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to wear a face mask when indoors if this is currently mandated by the Victorian State Government.

6. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance to the U3A Benalla room and any other venue being used by U3A. Members of U3A Benalla are requested to use the hand sanitizer when entering the room.

7. Hand wipes will be provided for Convenors or their assistants to wipe down furniture such as chairs, tables and door handles after each class held in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla.  

8. Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 after phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.

9. Close contact of members in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla is to be avoided due to COVID restrictions.

Dorothy Webber
President

4 June 2021

The Convenors' A-Z has been updated again for 2021 and includes changes following the AGM, the inclusion of QR Codes in the COVID Safety Plan in addition to highlighting where particular changes or regulations need to be considered in delivering our courses and activities.

It will be updated again when the small classroom in the previous Senior's Office is ready for use.    

If you have any suggestions to make for items which would be useful to include in or attached to the A-Z, please contact Bev Lee on bevlee47@gmail.com or 0407 607 838.
​

Following the April Meet and Mingle meeting on Wednesday 21st April, a meeting for Convenors will be held at the Seniors Building, commencing at approximately 11.45 am.
 
This meeting is to discuss the role of the Convenor, as well as giving Convenors a voice to bring to the attention of U3A any concerns that they may have.
 
It is beneficial to all Convenors to attend and keep up to date with changes, how to operate the photocopier and recording equipment etc.

​Convenors - please note the addition of #7.  

COVID Safe Plan for U3A Benalla Version 2

1. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions, are required to keep 1.5 meters apart at all times.
2. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to be at a density of not more than 1 person per 2 square meters of floor space.
3. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to wear a face mask when indoors providing this is currently mandated by the Victorian State Government.
4. Hand sanitizer is to be provided at the entrance to the Seniors Community Centre building, to the U3A Benalla room and any other venue being used by U3A.  Members of U3A Benalla are requested to use the hand sanitizer when entering the room.
5. Hand wipes will be provided for Convenors or their assistants to wipe down furniture such as chairs, tables and door handles after each class held in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla.  
6. Attendance Records. An Attendance record for each class is to be located on the Table outside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue is to be ticked off on this attendance record. U3A Benalla will hold in another location the phone number and address of all members attending groups or classes.
7. When entering the Seniors Community Centre Building:  There is a QR code for the building at the entrance and on the display board next to the door to the U3A Meeting Room.  If possible, please use this code, otherwise provide details on the form on the table next to the QR Code and hand sanitizer at the entrance to the building in addition to ticking the attendance record.  
8. If a person is not currently enrolled for this particular group or class, they are to write their name and phone number legibly on the attendance sheet.
9. Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 after phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.
10. Close contact of members in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla is to be avoided in accordance with COVID restrictions. 

 
Dorothy Webber and Margaret Jenkins, Monday 1 March 2021

With the upgrade at the U3A facility there has been a change in the air-conditioning system. There is a new controller installed in the U3A room. Barry O'Connor has written some instructions to assist convenors.  Thank you, Barry!

If you want to bulk email your class members a message, you can copy the contents of the text file into the BCC field of your email program.  The attached document may help you with that.

Len Jeffers
​Membership Officer

The following most informative article was written for the Benalla Ensign by Margaret Jenkins for Age Friendly Benalla.  Margaret is also Research/Grants Officer on the U3A Benalla & District's Committee of Management. 

“Mr Dom Testoni, CEO of Benalla Rural City Council has announced that Benalla Rural City Council are spending $130,000 to upgrade of the interior of the Benalla Senior’s Centre located in Fawckner Drive Benalla. The funding is from two sources: namely Drought relief funds as well as Federal Government funding.

The Benalla Senior’s Centre is a multipurpose facility which houses activities of the Benalla Senior Citizens, the Benalla Bridge Club and U3A Benalla.

The entire air conditioning unit is being replaced with a new system which has environmentally friendly refrigerant gas. The air conditioning machinery will be in the same place and use the same duct work. The work is to be completed mid January 2021 and will cost $70,000.

The switch board at the Benalla Senior’s Centre is being converted with a backup generator system, so that if the power goes out, the Benalla Senior’s Centre can be used as a Refuge point for Benalla.

The switch board of the Benalla Town Hall is being similarly converted with a generator backup so that it also can be used as a Refuge when required.

Internally in the Benalla Senior’s Centre building there are a series of alterations planned with the Stage in the main auditorium to be removed. This will allow for the building of a new office for the Benalla Senior Citizens. An area adjacent to this will become storage for the bowling mats used by the Benalla Seniors.

The Benalla Bridge club is to have slightly increased storage as their area will incorporate the area occupied previously by the steps to the former stage as well as their current storage facility.
U3A Benalla have been offered the use of the former Benalla Senior’ Office as a second meeting room.

Upgrades to the main kitchen area will see a new dish washer and the incorporation of the stove from the other small kitchen.  It is anticipated that a standalone glass double fronted refrigerator will allow storage for all groups using the centre.

These internal upgrades are estimated to cost about $60,000. The builder for the project has been selected and expects that the internal work will be completed by Monday 8 February 2020.
U3A Benalla expects to resume classes on Monday 15 February 2020 in their current U3A room. 

Due to the building works, Registration Day for U3A Benalla will be held on Monday 18 January 2021 and Wednesday 20 January 2021 from 9.30am to 11.30am in the Benalla Town Hall.
​
Further information regarding Registration Day can be obtained from Mrs Dorothy Webber on 5762 2116.”  

• ​Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions  are required to keep 1.5 meters apart at all times.
• Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to be at a density of not more than 1 person per 2 square meters of floor space.
• Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to wear a face mask when indoors providing this is currently mandated by the Victorian State Government.
• Hand sanitizer is to be provided at the entrance to the U3A Benalla room and any other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Members of U3A Benalla are requested to use the hand sanitizer when entering the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A.  
• Hand wipes will be provided for Convenors or their assistants to wipe down furniture such as chairs, tables and door handles after each class held in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A.  
• Attendance Records. An Attendance record for each class is to be located on the Table outside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue is to be ticked off on this attendance record. U3A Benalla will hold in another location the phone number and address of all members attending groups or classes.
• If a person is not currently enrolled for this particular group or class, they are to write their name and phone number legibly on the attendance sheet.
• Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 after phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.
• Close contact of members in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A is to be avoided due to COVID restrictions.   

​
Dorothy Webber and Margaret Jenkins

U3A has been offered assistance from CASI program to help us get back up and running.

We have been offered space outdoors at the Tennis Club and or the Racecourse, the benefit of the Racecourse is that it has undercover space.

Lightweight chairs we be provided.

With this in mind are you prepared to reconvene your group?

When we know how many are interested we will work out the details.

Please let me know no later than midday Monday 12th October at .
dotwebber2608@gmail.com.

Dorothy

 

Convenors Margaret Jenkins Investment, John Lloyd Sustainability and Jane Rushworth Demystifying Psychology  now regularly engage with class members by Zoom.  

“It has been a fun way to keep our minds active as well as offering social stimulation”. 

A number of other convenors are now dipping their toes into the Zoom environment.  Dorothy Webber has offered to help those who weren't involved in the earlier training and find themselves becoming more interested in doing so.  

It's not all about Zoom though.  Joy Shirley uses email to keep in contact with her groups Creative Writing and Film and Literature,  Music Appreciation convenor Bill Squire emails and distributes session notes with You Tube links, while As Time Goes By story collections on the ‘Our Stories’ page.  Pauline Bailey and Horst Gunther even set homework for the German class!  Finally,

Avid Facebook users and 'photographer/correspondents' Andi Stevenson and Bev Thornell regularly post news and photographs of Birdwatching, Easy Walks & Mid-Week Walks activities on our Facebook page - thanks Bev and Andi!  Our Newsletter and website also provide a wonderful way of keeping in touch. ​  Thank you  to the convenors who have been making contributions during the Covid break - hopefully it won't be too long before we are all able to write reports of activities each month, though this is unlikely to be this year.

​Media Team

Margaret Jenkins recently contacted convenors to gain expressions of interest from convenors keen to find out more about Zoom and explore possible applications in their classes.  A group already trialling Zoom are to act as mentors to around eight convenors who expressed interest in a 'first round' of training sessions. If there is enough interest, further training may be made available in future. 

The following YouTube video could be helpful for convenors/tutors who have participated in  Zoom sessions as participants who are now keen to trial offering Zoom sessions to class members.

Classes will continue with if Convenors are comfortable in doing so. If anyone does not want to lead their class that class will close down. Numbers will be down, but till the Council or Government close the building down we’ll stay operating. This may change at any time.

Please leave the two doors open (this means less handling) or use the self opening front doors. Council have recommended this.

The Library has stopped all group meetings and U3A will no longer have any classes at the Library. Let me know if you need a new venue (Mobile 0412 263 071..

As the situation is changing day by day, who knows what’s ahead.

Dorothy

The first classes have begun for the year and it's time to distribute the updated 'A-Z- for 2020.  The A-Z is produced each year and  provides useful advice for new convenors as well as updating past convenors about any changes.  

At the beginning of the year convenors are often keen to develop or update a group email list which targets class members.  It is possible to do this on gmail and outlook email accounts, and possibly also others.  

A key element of creating an email group is adding email addresses from the class lists sent to you by Len to your Contacts or Address Book beforehand.  There are many You Tube videos on You Tube about creating email lists - just go into You Tube and type 'create an email list in gmail' or 'create an email list in outlook' into the search bar.  Here are two Tube Resources found in this way which may help you on your way or refresh your memory about what to do!

or... for outlook users, try....

Try to remember to click bcc before you add the mailing list label to the To button... "If sending out emails to a list, select the ‘BCC’ blind carbon copy option so that individual member email addresses remain private.  If you unintentionally forget –try to remember next time.  (An enrolment form provision does make provision for sharing of such information between members.)"  Benalla U3A A-Z 

If you need some support to create and use a group email list for your class, make an appointment with Bev on 5762 8171.  You will be enrolled - albeit briefly - in Tech Savvy Community Projects and get one to one help in the U3A office.