Telephone number for Secretary Geraldine McCorkell is 5762 2134 Mobile: 0408 522 662, email [email protected]
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 [email protected] by this date.
Telephone number for Secretary Geraldine McCorkell is 5762 2134 Mobile: 0408 522 662, email [email protected]
0 Comments
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 [email protected] or to [email protected] 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 [email protected] or sent to [email protected] Terry Case will provide editorial liaison and support to the acting editors. An Enrolment Bulletin has been sent out prior to enrolment day and can be downloaded below.
It includes the 2017 Program of Courses and Activities and the Semester I timetable, both an overview and version with dates. It also includes a Membership Form for new members or members posting their enrolment documents or leaving them at the RedB4 Bookshop. If you are a renewing member and are attending enrolment day you will receive a printout of your current membership details when you arrive on which to record changes in details. The Course/Activity Enrolment form on which to record the courses you wish to complete in 2017 is also included. Please note that enrolment documents are also available on the Join Us page. I would like to thank all those who have forwarded information to me for inclusion in the Newsletter (and therefore the website) during 2016. The reports have been interesting and I often find that half the fun is reading them as I compile the Newsletter each month.
The Benalla U3A certainly has some highly motivated convenors who put together a stimulating program for those who attend and contribute. I look forward to reading more about the groups and their activities in the 2017 Newsletter. All the best for Christmas and the New Year, Freida 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.
Freida Andrews, Newsletter Editor
Bev Lee, Website Manager 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 [email protected]. Freida Andrews, Newsletter Editor Bev Lee, Website Manager
Freida Andrews, Newsletter Editor
Bev Lee, Website Manager
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 The February newsletter has now been posted, with Freida Andrews, our new editor, already proving a worthy successor to Judith. Just a reminder of newsletter arrangements:
The deadline for the newsletter is now the 4th Monday of the month – it will be emailed to arrive by the beginning of the following week. Items for the newsletter are to be emailed to Freida Andrews [email protected] or delivered to Bev Lee at 61 Monds Avenue, Benalla. The newsletter is also available on the U3A website http://u3abenalla.weebly.com The next newsletter deadline is on Monday 28 March at midday. Please note that due to recent changes in Australia Post procedures, posted newsletters will take up to 5 days to arrive. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year.
This will be my last newsletter as editor as I am handing over to Freida and Bev in the new year. I will still be involved in U3A and next year will convene Collectors and continue with most of the programs I have been involved in for several years. Many thanks to my husband, John. I could not have done the newsletter without his cooperation. He was always willing to deliver it to be printed and collect it and when necessary fold and post it. Best wishes Judith Borthwick 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. I will be away for a week in June and so not available to edit the newsletter. Lorraine and Geraldine have volunteered to do this while I am away.
Please forward emails to be included, to Lorraine by the third Wednesday of the month. (June 17th). [email protected]. Hand delivered items to be delivered to Lorraine at 51 Bridge Street West, Benalla I will be back in July so please forward newsletter items to me by the third Wednesday which is July 15th. Judith The newsletter has now been printed, folded, and posted to those who get their newsletter by mail. It has also been emailed.
The April newsletter was not able to be posted to the www.u3abenalla.com website because of technical difficulties but is available on the side menu of this website.. As you will notice the newsletter has been printed in colour which is very attractive and the pictures are sharp. I can't guarantee this will happen each month but was much appreciated.. Thanks to Steph Ryan's office for printing the newsletter The January Newsletter is available on the drop down menu and side menus, as are the November and October newsletters.
Members elect to receive their newsletter by post or email so will generally be able to access previous newsletters. The listing of newsletters on the side menu will expand over the year. Welcome to the January 2015 newsletter. Items from groups are always welcome. Please send your photos also - minimum size.
The January Newsletter is now available |
About the NewsletterThe regular U3A Benalla and District newsletter is a rich resource which is highly valued by members. The Newsletter feeds into and complements this website. The current edition is available through this website - it is also supplied by email or through the post. . EditorHeather Wallace 0418353244
Newsletter Deadline25th day of month - please email to [email protected]
Newsletters2024
2023
December 2023
November 2023 Christmas Lunch Flier October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 2022
December 2022
November 2022 Christmas Lunch Flier October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 with Nomination Form February 2022 January 2022 2021
December 2021
November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 2020
December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 2019
December 2019 w 2020 Timetable overview (pdf) November 2019 (pdf) October 2019 (pdf) September 2019 (pdf one-column) August 2019 (pdf one-column) July 2019 (pdf one- column) June 2019 (pdf one-column) May 2019 (pdf) April 2019 (pdf) March 2019 (pdf) February 2019 (pdf) 2018 December 2018 (pdf) November 2018 (pdf) October 2018 (pdf) September 2018 (pdf) August 2018 (pdf) July 2018 (pdf) June 2018 (pdf) April 2018 (pdf) March 2018 (pdf) February 2017 (pdf) Mid Feb 2018 (pdf) 2017 December 2017 (pdf) November 2017 (pdf) October 2017 (mobile) September 2017 (pdf) August 2017 (pdf) July 2017 (pdf) June 2017 (pdf) May 2017 (pdf) April 2017 (pdf) March 2017 (pdf) February 2017 (pdf) January Enrolment Bulletin 2016 November 16 (pdf) October 2016 (pdf) September 2016 (pdf) August 2016 (pdf) July 2016 (pdf) June 2016 (pdf) May 2016 (pdf) April 2016 (pdf) March 2016 (pdf) February 2016 (pdf) 2015 November 2015 with Enrolment Inform. 2016 November 2015 (pdf) October 2015 (pdf) September 2015 (pdf) August 2015 (pdf) July 2015 (pdf) June 2015 (pdf) May 2015 (pdf) April 2015 (pdf) March 2015 (pdf) February 2015 (pdf) January 2015 (pdf) Blog Archive
July 2024
|