At the AGM held in March, I offered to edit the Newsletter for U3a.    I have been a member of U3a for 3 years and am very impressed with the variety of areas that members can enjoy, learn and discuss.

I love to receive my Newsletter and I know I have a hard ‘act to follow’ from how Judith Borthwick and more recently Freida Andrews and Terry Dillon have produced it in the past.
As with many things, a change of Editor can also be a time for changes to be made in the production of the Newsletter.   The basic format of the Newsletter will not change.

Previously Convenors reports were due in the day after Meet and Mingle activity, which could be the 15th of the month to the 21st of the month.   This was ideal when the reports were handwritten and were required to be typed up.    However, in these days of computers that is not necessary.

I would like to receive the Convenors’ Reports on the 28th day of the month, which means that Convenors can give a full month’s report.

This will enable me to look at the reports and place them into the Newsletter in similar format, ready for forwarding to members in the first week of the month.

The Calendar for the upcoming month will also include the first week of the following month’s activities so that you will have up to date information.

We will give this change a try over the next two months and, if it works, look at adopting in the future.
​
Heather Wallace, Newsletter Editor

We are very pleased to welcome Heather Wallace to the busy role of Newsletter Editor.  Heather is already in the midst of producing her first newsletter, bringing to the role many years of experience working with businesses and organizations and skills in producing documents and newsletters.  We really appreciate Heather's willingness to take on this role.  Thank you Heather, and 'Good Luck'! 

Terry Dillon has played a key role as acting editor of the Newsletter since May 2017.  During this time, in addition to immersing himself in newsletter production and meeting deadlines in a very timely way, Terry has developed a style sheet to assist in the formatting of the newsletter by future editors and instigated the 'What's On' listing of events for the coming month on the last page.

It has been enjoyable working with Terry checking details, suggesting photographs and proofreading as I update the website calendar and upload reports to the website.  It seems that producing the newsletter is rather like having a baby, we forget how much focus and energy is required as soon as we give birth - until next time!   

Terry is already very busy as U3A membership officer and in computer and equipment roles. Hopefully relinquishing the acting newsletter editor role will give him more time to pursue his many other hobbies and interests, including 'The Year of Music' he and Meg are pursuing.  

Thank you so much Terry for filling in and for working so thoughtfully and effectively as our  acting newsletter editor.  
​
Bev Lee
​
​Website Manager
Newsletter Team Member

With the Newsletter not due until the last Monday of this month, a News Page was sent out earlier this week with information about sessions coming up before the next newsletter is mailed.  

A shorter Newsletter is being sent out this month which contains the President's report; some reports from late November early December activities and a number of notices to members.

Accompanying this is the detailed Program Guide; a New Membership form and the monthly overview of the timetable.  

We look forward to seeing you at one of our Enrolment Days - 15th January 9.30 - 11.30 at Cooinda; 17th January, 9.30 to 11.30 am at the Benalla Senior Citizens Community Centre.

Geraldine and Lorraine are the editors of the August and September newsletters, with Terry taking the helm again supported by Lorraine later in the year.  It was almost complete - then seemed to disappear, twice!  Bev helped out in the final stages.

Convenors and newsletter correspondents are now almost all in the swing of sending their reports and photos to the new newsletter centralized address - newsletter@u3abenalla.com . Next  newsletter deadline - 20 September at midday.

Terry Dillon and Lorraine Knox have produced the May and June newsletters and will produce the July Newsletter.  Terry has been working on developing a style sheet which Lorraine will be able to use while he is away in August and September.  He's also set up a new newsletter email address, newsletter@u3abenalla.com.  

Terry's new style sheet is producing a fine looking newsletter and this month there was less confusion with clear instructions about the use of a single email address.  However, as some convenors will be aware there have been some teething problems which have required patience!
The team has  already or are working to resolve these in a commitment to 'continuous improvement'.  Please let Terry know about any problems you have come across - 5762 6558.

​Bev Lee

​

Our Newsletter team is expanding.  Thanks to Bev for editing the February Newsletter, to Judith for the March and April Newsletter, and to Terry and Lorraine for the May and hopefully the June and July Newsletters.  

Terry has emailed members providing information about formats emailed and is keen to hear back from anyone who hasn't been able to access a version which meets their needs.  Phone Terry on 5762 6558 if this applies to you.  

The timetables were included with the posted version and as attachments/links in the emailed versions.  Website viewers can open the links to the timetables hereon the updated links in the Join Us page.  

The next newsletter deadline is midday on Wednesday, June 21st.  

​

Thanks go to Judith Borthwick, who came out of retirement after seven years of editing the newsletter,  to edit the March and April Newsletters.    

​Geraldine McCorkell has agreed to be acting editor for the May newsletter.

Please forward newsletter items for the May newsletter to Geraldine by Wednesday 17th May at midday.  Email:  gmccorkell@activ8.net.au  Phone:  5762 2134 or 0408 522 662.

The deadline for articles to be in to Newsletter Editor has been brought forward.  As from next month the date will be the third Wednesday of the month (Meet and Mingle Day).  Next month this will be 19th April, at noon.  Items for the April Newsletter to be forwarded to jlborthwick@bigpond.com by this date.

Telephone number for Secretary Geraldine McCorkell is 5762 2134 Mobile: 0408 522 662, email gmccorkell@activ8.net.au

The Publicity/Media team has made the following arrangements for Newsetter Editor until Jane Parris, who happily agreed to be the editor, is able to take up the reins.  We will keep you updated about future arrangements.

The February Newsletter will be edited by website manager Bev Lee, who assisted Freida with the Newsletter in 2017.  Send reports to bevlee47@gmail.com or to u3abenallanewsletter@gmail.com by midday on Monday February 27th.  Reports sent to Jane or to Freida's email address will be forwarded on. 

The March Newsletter will be edited by Judith Borthwick, our Publicity Officer, who regularly writes our articles for the Ensign and was editor of the Newsletter for many years.  March Newsletter reports can be sent directly to Judith at jlborthwick@bigpond.com or sent to u3abenallanewsletter@gmail.com 

Terry Case will provide editorial liaison and support to the acting editors.

​At recent executive meetings the committee has considered whether there is a need for expansion in the priority given to member ‘welfare’.   Inspired by guest speakers at a recent regional U3A meeting, president Terry Case asked the question ‘Do we need an expanded role for welfare – with a procedure written up relating to following up and visiting members who are unwell, support provided in assisting them to gain transport to classes, and more?’ 
 
Executive currently has a portfolio for ‘welfare’.   The role includes meeting our ‘hunger’ needs during coffee breaks by stocking copious supplies of biscuits and other supplies in the cupboard in W4 and the sending out of get well, condolence, congratulations cards to members who are experiencing ill health, grief and loss or positive acclaim.  
 
Executive considered Terry’s question from many angles – the need to be conscious of member privacy and independence was paramount.  At the same time there was awareness of a duty of care and concern to prevent members ‘falling through the cracks’.  
 
There seems to be general agreement that U3A is at the ‘preventative’ rather than ‘acute’ end of the welfare or ‘social health’ spectrum – that our mission is to foster wellbeing through encouraging social connectedness through learning and shared activities rather than setting and meeting expectations of higher levels of care.  At the same time there was clear concern that we need to look out for one another & awareness that convenors play an important role in watching out for & following up newer members who may not have established friendship networks in Benalla.  
 
At this stage the committee would like to remind members that Pat Gardiner is the first point of call if any of us feel that a member would appreciate a card if they are unwell or have either sad or happy news to report.  Pat will arrange for a card to be sent to them from U3A.  Pat’s phone number is 0407 848 534.
 
The committee would also like to reinforce the important role individual convenors and tutors play as ‘front line’ workers in promoting and monitoring social health, as some members come to U3A to follow up particular interest areas in activities such as Lifeball and Singing for Fun which do not meet in W4.  
 
Executive is still discussing the issue and would be interested in hearing feedback from members. 
 

Last week’s Census was somewhat limited in the way in which it considered the question of voluntary work.  There was one question which required a simple Yes/No answer related to volunteering –‘In the last twelve months did the person spend any time doing voluntary work through an organisation or group?’  with a note which indicated ‘voluntary work for sporting teams, youth groups, schools or religious organisations’ could be included.
 
Many U3A members don’t just do voluntary work, we do quite a lot of voluntary work, often across a number of organisations!  Our U3A executive and convenors put in many additional volunteer hours, particularly those who are both on the U3A executive and convene one or more course activities.   It was therefore most surprising to find there was no opportunity to estimate the number of volunteer  hours we do. 
 
The question relating to ‘Unpaid Work At Home’ distinguished between ‘No’, ‘Yes, less than 5 hours; ‘Yes, 5 to 14 hours; ‘Yes, 15 to 29 hours’ and ‘Yes, 30 hours or more’.  Perhaps volunteer work could have been measured in this way as well.
 
Then there is the question as to how the ABS would value each volunteer hour spent if they used an imputed cost to measure the value of the volunteer work by U3A members in the census.  A recent U3A related paper which looked at this issue imputed a value of $20 an hour.  
 
Most of the unpaid work U3A members do as volunteers is not routine work, however, with members of the executive in particular carrying out complex roles  requiring managing programs, budgets and carrying out a range of negotiations.
 
The past year has seen our committee members, in particular President Terry Case, Past President Geraldine McCorkell and Vice President Dorothy Webber, responding to the insecurity engendered last year when the Centre suddenly abandoned its Barkly Campus and the role it had played in relation to U3A.  Terry, Geraldine and Dorothy have spent many, many hours considering and engaging in negotiations looking towards a more secure accommodation for U3A Benalla over the longer term.   This has not been without complications, but hearing about accommodation issues facing other U3A’s at regional, statewide and national conferences, we are clearly not alone. 
 
Negotiations are continuing and have been complex.  Whatever the outcome, it is important to value the efforts which have been made by Terry, Geraldine and Dorothy (who are also convenors of course activities) in recent negotiations, and the long history of committee members who have worked on accommodation issues in the past.  If we imputed the value of their efforts in terms of a paid work amount, the amount in dollar terms would be staggering.
 
Even if the census hasn’t prioritized valuing volunteer work and the many hours spent across the organizational structure of U3A, we should.                                                              
 
Thank you Terry, Geraldine and Dorothy for all your hard work.                               
 
*Bev Lee prepared this editorial on behalf of the Newsletter/Website team. Terry Case will
return with his President’s Message next month. 
​

Please check your Newsletter and the calendars, group reports and timetables on the website for updates and changes to scheduled meetings.

The next newsletter deadline is on Monday 22 August at midday.

​Newsletter reports will be uploaded to the website at the end of that week. Additional photographs for the web can be sent to bevlee47@gmail.com.

Freida Andrews, Newsletter
​Editor Bev Lee, Website Manager

• The Semester II timetable complete with dates is included with this Newsletter. 
•  ‘Program News’, a new section in the Newsletter (refer back page) begins this month.  Next month it will include some exciting news about the short courses Terry mentioned in his report.   Check it out!
• The Newsletter contains important information regarding scheduled meetings.  Please check to ensure that you are aware of any changes.
• A message for convenors – while obviously desirable, it isn’t compulsory to submit a group report each month.  If reports are not received by the newsletter deadline it will be assumed that a report is not required for that month.
• The next newsletter deadline is on Monday 27 June at midday.

​

​Freida Andrews,
Newsletter Editor

‘Around the Traps—Community News’ is a new section in our Newsletter (refer page 8).  We hope to provide news of activities and other community happenings that may interest U3A members.  

A message for convenors – while obviously desirable, it isn’t compulsory to submit a group report each month.  If reports are not received by the newsletter deadline it will be assumed that a report is not required for that month.
 
The next newsletter deadline is on Monday 23 May at midday.

Freida Andrews,
Newsletter Editor

After six years I am relinquishing my role as newsletter editor and this will be my second last one.
My thanks to Freida Andrews and Bev Lee who will undertake this role in the new year.

Details will be included in the November newsletter as to how to contact Freida and Bev.

Thanks to convenors and contributors to the newsletter.  It is your articles and photos which make it the excellent newsletter that it is.  Please keep them coming to the new editors. 

The newsletter provides an important historical record of the activities and programs of U3A Benalla over the years. 

Judith Borthwick

Last Friday I attended the North East Region 'Enhance your Course with Digital Technology'.  This was a very informative day even though I am not a tutor or convenor I could see that there were applications which could be used in classes.

Benalla U3A was well represented with President Terry Case, Web Manager Bev Lee and Tutor Ian McLeod presenting sessions along with Glenn James from McPherson Media and other speakers from the Shepparton group.