SHARING GOOD IDEAS Friday 22 nd November 2019 St Georges Centre, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SHARING GOOD IDEAS

Friday 22nd November 2019 St George’s Centre, Leeds

HOUSEKEEPING

• Emergency exits and fire alarms
• Toilets
• Refreshments
• Mobile phones – please turn off, or to ‘silent’

NB the Powerpoint slides will be on the website after the event

The AIMS of the day

SHARING OUR GOOD IDEAS

THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND WORKED WELL We welcome ideas from all participants, as well as from presenters. We can also share – problems, issues, challenges etc – shared ideas might help.

Please ensure that your name badge also includes your U3A and role

FLIP CHART

Ideas for new, interesting and/or unusual Interest Groups. In addition to the subject, please give your U3A and possible contact info

Programme this morning

10.00 Arrival, registration, coffees etc 10.30 Welcome, Introductions and ’Housekeeping’ Mick Richings Angie Grain 10.40 Reading Helpers Project U3A members supporting young readers in schools Geoffrey Howard 11.15 Regional Volunteers & the national U3A/Volunteers day 2020 Sue Stokes 11.35 Short Break 11.50 Walking Sports and the U3A The health benefits (physical, mental & Social) of keeping active Mac McKechnie 12.30 Any general questions or issues for discussion Angie 12.45 LUNCH BREAK - Please let the vegetarians and vegans go first

)

READERS HELPERS PROJECT

Geoffrey Howard (Ilkley & District U3A)

Walking Sports and the U3A

Mac McKechnie U3A Walking Cricket Adviser 22nd November 2019

The health benefits(Physical, mental & social)

• f keeping active.

YAHR Regional Workshop November 2019

Being in poor shape can lead to Specialist Appointments and ongoing medication or worse.

I’m not old, I have just been young for a very long time. The trick to aging gracefully is to enjoy it.

Walking Sports! Do you ever look back on your younger sporting days, and wish you could re- live those golden moments? Or perhaps you’ve never been very sporty, but you’ve often watched others experience the camaraderie of being part of a team and felt a little envious? Or maybe you’re recovering from an accident

• r illness and have been encouraged to exercise more, but just don’t feel

very motivated and have no idea how to get started? Yes, you’ve got a few more years behind you now. Yes, you’ve got a few more aches and pains to commiserate about. But that doesn’t have to stop you enjoying the physical, mental and social boost walking sports can bring. Staying active as you get older can help you live a happier and healthier life, as exercise is proven to do all kinds of good things for your body and mind – from decreasing cholesterol and preventing osteoporosis to reducing stress and helping with the onset of dementia. In fact, there are remarkable walking sports players living with dementia who find they benefit from the exercise. Walking sports especially are a fun way to keep your energy up, make new friends, and look after your

• health. And after a session, it will be the best tasting slice of cake and a

cuppa with friends that you’ll have all week!

Walking Groups Walking Football Walking Cricket Walking Netball Walking Hockey Walking Basketball Walking Touch Rugby

There are many types of Walking Sports available – including walking groups.

Walking Cricket Walking Cricket is the sport you love, just played at a slower pace – so it’s perfect for people who are older, or less physically able, but who still want to enjoy the thrill

• f the game. Walking Cricket involves a

team of six to eight players (three to four pairs). Everything is walking, including the ‘runs’ and fielding, and a match lasts about an hour and a half. A soft ball is also used. Why play Walking Cricket? Whether you’re batting, bowling, or fielding, it’s a great form of cardio

• exercise. Plus it improves both agility and

hand-eye coordination. If you ever enjoyed playing rounders at school, you’ll love a game of Walking Cricket. Get a group of guys and gals together, as Walking Cricket is a very social sport, filled with team spirit and fun.

Barnsley U3A Walking Cricket Group

Certainly for Yorkshire, our main partner YCF (Yorkshire Cricket Foundation) – the charity arm or YCCC have so kindly donated an engraved annual shield the “Yorkshire Walking Cricket Shield” which should lead to walking cricket groups in Yorkshire playing knockout matches culminating in a final for the “YCF Shield” at the end of the summer annually. This year (2019) this final was between Barnsley U3A V Doncaster U3A In late September. Next year it is anticipated that at least “Wakefield Warriors”, and hopefully Sheffield, and Huddersfield U3A’s and Notton C.C. will take part as well. Barnsley U3A. - Winners of the YCF Walking Cricket Shield Final 2019

“At the ECB, we have recently launched our new five-year strategy called ‘Inspiring Generations’. Within that strategy it is very important to us that All generations are inspired, and Walking Cricket is one way in which this can happen. For people who are aged 50 and over to have the

• pportunity to access our great game through the walking

cricket format is truly inspirational! The obvious benefits of sport for all is just as important for people as they get older. Playing walking cricket has physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits as well as social engagement for people, some of whom may not see other people from week to week. The work being done by Mac and the U3A is fantastic and again, inspirational!” Regards, Richard Hill MBE ECB Disability Cricket Support Officer

Richard Hill MBE Disability Cricket Support Officer England and Wales Cricket Board Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood, London, NW8 8QZ, England

Kendal James the Participation Manager of Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the charity arm of Yorkshire County Cricket Club is our so enthusiastic partner in our Yorkshire Walking Cricket growth plans. Kendal writes: “The Yorkshire Cricket Foundation (YCF) is the official charity and community arm of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. We are a registered charity that delivers charity that delivers community projects across the county. Using the power of cricket, the

• f cricket, the Foundation aims to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of those living in
• f those living in Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Cricket Foundation has 4 key themes, Participation,

themes, Participation, Health & Wellbeing, History & Heritage and Education. The Yorkshire Cricket Foundation are currently working towards developing a Walking Cricket Walking Cricket model for the county. Walking Cricket aligns well with both the Participation the Participation and Health and Wellbeing themes, facilitating more opportunities to more

• pportunities to more people physically active in a social wellbeing capacity. Walking Cricket

Walking Cricket is an ideal game for the older generation as there is no physical contact physical contact involved like there can be in walking football, therefore we feel it meets the feel it meets the needs of the older generation who may be in fear of getting injured. injured. We are aware the average living age on the rise, it is important to consider the well-being and the well-being and care of adults who are living longer and ensure that their social and social and psychological needs are

• met. We feel Walking Cricket is the perfect way to remain involved with the game and meet

game and meet new people whilst staying active”

Kendal James

Participation Manager Yorkshire Cricket Foundation

“Hello any group considering Walking Cricket. I cannot be with you to endorse Mac’s presentation, but would like to add something, although it is from a distance from the cricket loving County of Surrey. Walking Cricket has brought cricket back to people who thought their playing days were long behind them. It’s low impact exercise, social, and most importantly a lot of fun! Mixed genders, mixed abilities, it has something for everyone. It has been a pleasure working with Mac to get the Barnsley U3A Walking Cricket off the ground. Progress has been amazingly swift and the work they have done there has set a strong base for Walking Cricket to expand throughout the country. We look forwards to continue working with Mac and the U3A to make this happen.”

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Darren n Talbo lbot Managing ing Dir irector

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Mac McKechnie Walking Cricket Group Co-ordinator Barnsley U3A, and National U3A Subject Adviser for Walking Cricket. mckechnie31@btinternet.com

“At our very first match, I had the privilege of bowling the very first

• ver of walking cricket ever played in Yorkshire. As the sport grows,

which it will (just look at walking football) I will look back on that first cold slightly damp Wednesday morning in January 2019 with deep affection. My vision for the future is a network of other walking cricket groups across our area, forming in effect a mini league, that we can play each other occasionally to add interest, although our main aim is as usual to have fun! One knock on effect from press coverage is that I get individuals from outside the U3A who are ex cricket players a bit long in the tooth like us, ringing me up wanting to join, so it is a good feeling to be able to steer them through U3A membership first”.

I am 72 years old, and retired on Christmas Eve 2018, and tried to get used to retirement. I live in Barnsley in the beautiful County of Yorkshire, and since retirement had settled into a routine of not doing all that much, rather than spending quality family time at home, and getting all over the place with my wife using the off-peak public transport system, and using the family car rarely. In my younger days, I was very much into rugby, and played cricket extensively in Leeds and West Yorkshire in leagues. My wife spotted an advert in the Barnsley U3A quarterly magazine “The Buzz” about Walking Cricket and thinking I might be interested contacted the Walking Cricket Group Co-ordinator Mac Mckechnie, and gave my details to him saying I might be interested. When she told me, I said “You must be joking!! Walking Cricket, surely, it’s some kind of joke! I think she did this to try to get me out and about, (or from under her feet), I think the latter may be the case. I said I’d give it a go after all the trouble she had gone to. And I went to my first “match” with the intention to show my face and not return, (Walking Cricket what a joke!) And then I found how wrong one can be! I was met by an array of ages all probably at least 60 years old, and mixed gender. Without going into detail about the actual game of cricket being played, I was amazed at the amount of fun being had and thoroughly enjoyed myself. – Everyone playing to win, but it didn’t really matter! – It’s the fun, the people involved, the banter, and the fun everyone seemed to be having as well as the gentle exercise. I was amazed at the enthusiasm everybody gave, the ladies with their vicious underarm bowling, and hard- hitting batting showing no mercy! After the game everyone shakes hands, and then a cup of tea/coffee and a chat. I found it all so very enjoyable. The game, meeting the other players, it really opened my eyes. Walking Cricket is certainly no joke! – And now I look forward to the next, and every game.

Paul Shevill Barnsley U3A and Wakefield Warriors Walking Cricket Teams

After receiving a cancer diagnosis in August 2017, my life took a definite downward turn. Surgery, followed by six months of chemotherapy and finished off with 15 sessions of radiotherapy was my life until May of 2018. It was a very difficult time, though I had so much support from my local hospital and my family that I got through it with my sanity intact. Another source of support came from friends who I have met through Barnsley U3A. I had company during chemotherapy sessions and offers of lifts when I had to go to Sheffield for radiotherapy. Support came in other ways such as from our Face Book members keeping me occupied when I was in hospital for a week and very, very bored. I am not a good patient. By the end of last year, I realised that I was now expected to get back to normality. Mmmm! My life had a ‘new normal’ so I wasn’t sure what it should look like. I never thought that my new normal would involve cricket though. Mac McKechnie was just starting Barnsley U3A Mixed Walking Cricket and after a conversation with my 11 year old grandson I took the plunge and joined. My grandson is wise for his age and after my comment that I needed to be fitter to join the cricket he told me that I would never get fit if I didn’t do something about it. He was correct of course. What do I get from walking cricket? There isn’t a short answer to that because I get so much. First

• f all, there is the company. What better than to spend a couple of hours each week in the

company of lovely people. We are a very mixed bunch with total novices such as me and experienced cricketers who are always willing to help with support and advice. Along with that comes the banter, which I love. Secondly, there is the exercise. Nothing too strenuous but much better than sitting alone at home reading- or worse watching daytime TV. Oh the horror of that thought! It is helping me to continue with my recovery after a harsh treatment regimen, not just physically but mentally too. Depression is a real danger after the shock of cancer but being with

• ther people and joining in with the game has helped to keep that at bay.

Lynn Maloney BU3A Walking Cricket Team

Inside,………. Sept - April

• Minimum size of 5 a side football pitch required.
• Each “group” has it’s own co-ordinator and treasurer.
• We pay £40.00 for a two hour session
• Each participant pays £3.50 per meeting to cover costs
• Softer plastic ball (Windball) is used: (one pictured is orange, we also use white)
• Can often get two matches in within a two hour period as quicker game than outside.
• We play once per week on a Thursday morning 10.00am – 12.00pm
• We have one group of 47 member (average attendance about 16 – 20 on matchdays.)

Outside, ………. April - Sept

• Minimum size of an AstroTurf five a side football pitch required.
• We pay £30.00 for a two hour session
• Each “group” has it’s own co-ordinator and treasurer
• Each participant pays £3.00 per meeting to cover costs
• Harder plastic ball (aeroBall) is used:
• Can normally only play one match within a two hour period as slower game than inside.
• There are two groups, The Wednesday group, (29 members) and the Thursday group, (24 members) – Each group meets

fortnightly, so in theory, it is possible to play on either a Wednesday or Thursday morning once per week.

• Everybody plays for “normal” matches – We also have a “first” team for matches, 5 men, 3 ladies.

Advertising ……..

There is free advertising out there if you seek it out, caution needs to be used as reporters report what to them is newsworthy, which might not be exactly what we hope to get out

• f the advert, …… but working on the belief that “Any Advertising

is good advertising” as the following newspaper and magazine cuttings show, it is a mixed bag of results, but 90% fairly accurate, and has brought new members into the U3A as a result.

U3A Walking Cricket Rules in partnership with Twenty20 Community Cricket

• 6 or 8 players a side – depending on available space
• A standard non-match weight “incrediball” should be used - https://tinyurl.com/y8uozh8o
• The wicket should be 16 yards long between stumps.
• Plastic bats recommended (size 6)
• Batters bat in pairs, facing 4 (6 a side) or 3 (8 a side) overs each pair – 12 overs innings total.
• Matches should last around one hour and there should be a tea/drinks after the game for both teams
• Batting teams start on 200 runs and lose 5 runs every time one of the players is out
• The fielding team rotate clockwise in the field so everyone gets a chance to bowl
• Fielders must walk after the ball
• 5 penalty runs shall be applied if a fielding team member, after a single warning, runs after the ball
• Runs are scored as per normal cricket except:
• Batters must walk not run
• When playing indoors or in an enclosed area, e.g. 5 a side court ▪ 1 run for hitting the side and wicketkeeper’s end walls

▪ 4 runs for hitting the bowler’s end wall along the ground, not hitting any other wall or ceiling first ▪ 6 runs for hitting the bowlers end wall in the air, not hitting any other wall or ceiling first ▪ Players may be caught off side and wicketkeeper’s end wall plus ceiling

• 2 runs shall be awarded for a wide or no ball and no extra ball bowled (so maximum 6 balls per over) except in the last
• ver when they should be re-bowled until 6 legal deliveries have been bowled
• Otherwise normal cricket rules apply, - including LBW penalty – Umpires decision is final.

U3A Walking Cricket Rules in partnership with Y.C.F, E.C.B. and Twenty20 Community Cricket

Below are the basic scores for the match “Scorer” to be aware of. Each ball should be marked on the score sheet. - If no runs are added (or deducted) then the score is the same as the previous ball. (It is more complex than outlined below, but they are the basics) Scoring starts at + 200 runs A batter who is out, - deduct 5 points, and put circle round the score at that point in the

• ver.

Add 1 run if a batter walks from one crease to the other without being “out” Add 1 run for hitting a NON boundary fence. - If the batters have crossed that will therefore make that 2 runs. A boundary wall is the one wall behind the bowler, the other three walls are considered non boundary. If the ball bounces before hitting the rear boundary wall add 4 runs. If it doesn't bounce before hitting the boundary wall it is a maximum - add 6 runs. (in both cases the batter cannot be caught out off the boundary wall). Wides and no balls (called by the Umpire) - add 2 runs. A scorer doesn't have to overly worry about the above points, as in this game it is normal for the umpire to call out the score for the ball being played.

Walking Cricket Group Simple Guide

“Walking Cricket is not critical in life, - it’s far more important than that”

Batter Bowler Assume Batter is Right handed Off side On Side

Pitch = 55 mtrs long 36.5 mtrs wide

Balls - https://www.sportsballshop.co.uk/acatalog/Incrediball-Trainer-Cricket-

Ball.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6-zH7MXE3gIVhuJ3Ch16oA9mEAQYASABEgIdP_D_BwE Stumps & Bats - https://www.sportsdirect.com/slazenger-academy-cricket-set-junior- 859099?colcode=85909999&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoeX13MXE3gIVheJ3Ch2NAQlFEAQYASABEgLwh_D_B wE

Markers - https://www.networldsports.co.uk/forza-flat-disc-markers-all-colours-

pink.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4J-Vz8XE3gIVk-J3Ch0lDQOzEAQYBCABEgLR9vD_BwE

Team colour Bibs - https://www.networldsports.co.uk/training-bibs-10-pack-orange- adult.html

Walking Cricket Equipment

Clearly some specialist equipment will be required. Twenty20 Cricket were able to supply me with all necessary leads as to where things could be readily obtained, (listed below in red/blue). I guess most of you will wish to know “what’s the bottom line?” – well in Barnsley we were fortunate, a grant of £140.00 was given from BU3A, which purchased a complete kit set for our first group. And I was awarded a grant (very gratefully received) from YCCB for identical kit (different colours) for our second

• group. (I added extra’s later like old Cricket bags to carry everything in from eBay – (other auction sites

available!). So as a rough guide:- 20 bibs (10 of each colour) £27.80 Bats/stumps £27.76. - 6x aero “incrediballs” £33.69. Coloured marker discs £15.00.Misc: keepers gloves, tape measure, mesh bags for kit etc.

ANY GENERAL QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS OR ISSUES ARISING FROM THE MORNING?

LUNCHTIME……

Please allow those with special dietary requirements to go first. We will reconvene at 1.15pm

The Programme this Afternoon

13.15 When is a Members’ Secretary, not a Members’ Secretary? Reflections on the ‘jack-of-all-trades’ nature of the role Anne Eady 13.50 YAHR Summer School 2020 (Samina Aslam sends her apologies) Mick 14.00 Beacon Developments Mick 14.10 Sharing Ideas amongst Delegates a) Encouraging ACTIVE learning within groups (avoiding teacher/student formats) b) Dealing with ‘Visitors’ to groups or monthly meetings (requested item) c) Encouraging and improving IT skills to improve communication d) Innovative ideas for exciting new groups – that really work e) Encouraging volunteering within Interest Groups, as Trustees or as Group Leaders f) Plus – other issues you may wish to raise….. Angie 14.45 General Discussion, Q&As, Summaries Mick and Angie 15.00 Closure

When is is a Membership Secretary not a Membership Secretary?

• Anne Eady
• Ilkley & District U3A

Plan of f presentation

• Background – our U3A
• Core aspects of a Membership Secretary’s role
• Evolution of the role in our U3A
• Managing transitions
• Key skills
• What we’ve got right (probably)
• Areas where we might improve and learn from
• thers

Il Ilkley & District U3A

• Draws ~50% of members from

Ilkley and ~50% from the surrounding area

• Growing by 50-100 members

per annum

• Maximum number of members

was 1758 in May 2019; now 1650

• Numbers fall by 200 – 300 at the

end of each renewal period

• Need to recruit this many just to

stay the same size

Core aspects of our Membership Sec’s role

To ‘manage’ the membership:

• Process new applications & renewals
• Maintain & update membership records
• Design/update enrolment & renewal forms
• Assemble new member information packs
• Liaise with Treasurer re payments, payment methods & Gift Aid
• [Bank cash/cheque payments]
• Send out renewal reminders & payment confirmation emails
• Monitor membership numbers & demographics
• Answer queries from new & existing members

Current scope of f the role in our U3A

Area of responsibility Within role description of Membership Secretary Recruiting new members NO Welcoming new members NO (apart from welcome letter) Supporting existing members YES, a responsibility of all trustees Maintaining membership records YES Maintaining group membership records NO Handling enquiries from non- members YES (if general), NO (if about availability of places in specific groups) Data Protection YES Gift Aid declarations YES Maintaining Gift Aid records YES

Core competencies

Good organisational & communication skills Attention to detail Awareness of the principles of data protection Willingness to delegate & trust others Good IT skills (if U3A is large) Able to use Excel spreadsheets Happy to work from home Friendly & helpful

Key message

The role of a Membership Secretary is not fixed

• It evolves according to the post-holder’s

skills and preferences AND those of other trustees

• It depends upon the local needs of each

U3A

More on this later

Managing transitions – handing over the role

• Put together a role description and a specific task list
• A role description isn’t sufficient on its own
• Specific tasks can be broken down into core tasks and accessory tasks
• The latter may vary according to
• the skills/preferences of the post-holder
• changes in the Management Committee
• the size of the U3A
• availability of skilled support and/or
• new requirements of the Charity Commission, Third Age Trust or an external organisation
• Generate a series of “How to…” guides for your successor
• Make sure they are kept up-to-date
• Hand over at a quiet time of year if possible

Evolution of f the role

MY PREDECESSOR

• Membership Secretary
• Webmaster
• Training to use membership

management software

• Led “Oiling the Wheels”

support team (mainly IT)

• Gift Aid

ME

• Membership Secretary
• Data Protection Officer
• Gift Aid

MY SUCCESSOR

• Membership Secretary
• Welcoming and Engaging
• Dementia Awareness

Strength: IT Strength: people skills Strength: flexibility

Managing transitions – the reality

PREDECESSOR TO ME

• Slowly learned to perform most of

the functions of the previous post- holder

• Over a 6 month overlap period before

fully taking over

• Became a trustee later on
• Predecessor retained webmaster

function

• Built an IT support team
• Gradually handed over responsibility

for specific IT functions to members

• f that group
• Team now has a new leader and

reports to the trustee responsible for communications

• Also have a new webmaster

ME TO MY SUCCESSOR

• Focus on transferring essential

functions to begin with

• Now is a good time as only a trickle of

new members

• Provide support for as long as required
• Non-core functions will be

transferred to volunteers/new trustees or retained for now

• Successor has her own plans to

develop the role

TRANSITIONS TAKE TIME!

Data Protection

Suddenly became a big job in spring 2018 due to GDPR Our Committee felt that the role of DPO sat best with the Membership Secretary! Steep learning curve – required an audit of our procedures No-one wants to take

• ver this role!

Use of data and cookies by our software provider is an issue we have yet to resolve

Gift Aid

• Post GDPR, revised our process for

collecting Gift Aid declarations

• Generated a huge amount of work
• Prospective changes introduced in

Sept 2018 for new members

• Retrospective collection of new

multiple donation forms completed Nov 2019

• Now have a stand-alone declaration

from all members whether they enrol\renew online or on paper

• Has to be cancelled by the member

Membership Management: one person or a team?

• Will depend on
• The scope of the role as defined

by an individual U3A

• The number of members
• The amount of IT support,

including provision of a payment interface

• The personal preferences of the

post-holder

• Operating a process vs looking

after members require very different skills

• In Ilkley, the core functions are

currently carried out by a single trustee

• Volunteers help with specific or
• ne-off jobs
• This year it has been to revise our

Gift Aid processes

• My successor may approach this

differently………

Using technology

• Our U3A, like several others, uses

proprietary software to manage the membership, process payments and host the website

• Requires willingness to learn and

apply new skills

• MS currently has full admin access

but only required to fulfill non-core functions

• Level of access has to be be justified

from a data protection perspective

• Software isn’t perfect – not easy to

customise

• Withdrew PayPal interface in June

due to MCoT concern that it doesn’t comply with Charity Commission guidelines on dual authorisation

• In consequence, renewals were

much more difficult!

• Many members were confused and

reverted to writing cheques

• Having taken advice from the Third

Age Trust, PayPal will be re-instated with some modifications in 2020

What we’ve got right

• Letting the role evolve
• Playing to the post-holder’s

strengths

• Using technology – but not

necessarily the best software

• Using volunteers to help out as

and when necessary

• Having role descriptions, task

lists and ‘How To’ guides

• Having a dedicated laptop

What we might do better/learn fr from others

• Choice of membership

management software

• Welcoming and supporting new

members

• Providing information to members

with sight problems

• Research
• Improved understanding of our

target group

• Obtaining feedback from existing

members

• 7995 people ≥60 live in LS29, our

main catchment area

• We have 1008 members from LS29

i.e. 12.6% of the eligible population

• Our nearest U3As are Craven,

Cookridge/Horsforth, Keighley and Bradford

• In other words………most people

≥60 in our area aren’t members! Why not?

Having fu fun wit ith statistics……

940 1046 1136 1284 1330 1487 1594 1642 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Number of members in October of each year

2 1 1 3 5 9 7 11 20 24 16 24 46 45 49 51 62 40 56 57 74 75 73 102

98

86 71 61 59 69 53 42 34 22 19 15 15 11 7 6 3 3 2 2 2 1

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105

100 97 96 95 93 93 91 90 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 50

Age in years

Number

Member age distribution Mean age = 74.2 Median age = 74 Modal age = 73

833 117 112 109 82 70 58 55 41 37 27 21 18 13 12 12 9 6 5 809 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

Where our members are drawn from (N = 1642, Oct 2019)

463 600 311 151 66 42 24 10 6 3 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Analysis of group membership

Number of groups Number of members All is not what it seems! Statistics can uncover problems

• Not all GL provide group

membership lists

• Newest members may have no

group membership shown

• Withdrawals from groups are

not always reported

Take home messages

Know your own and your successor’s strengths – they will be different

Know

Allow the role to evolve naturally

Allow

If the role gets too big, seek help

Seek

Invest time and effort in supporting your successor and volunteers who help you – share what you’ve learnt

Invest

What are your views

• n………..?

Membership cards/numbers Content of membership/starter packs Reduced fees for people who join part-way through a year Cheque and cash payments Welcoming & supporting new members

SUMMER SCHOOL 2020

YAHR SUMMER SCHOOL

By popular request, attempts are being made to hold this event on an annual basis subject to continued interest

YAHR Summer School – this year (2019

• 96 U3A Members, including tutors
• School run over 3 days (2 @ ½ days and 2 full days)
• Residential and Day delegates
• Not just from our region but also from Scotland, Stroud & Swansea
• Some of the workshops on offer:
• Climate Change
• Jewellery Making & Painting
• The Philosopher, Literature & Art History
• Final day: “Show and Tell”
• Venue: The Hawkhills, Easingwold,

The Hawkhills Easingwold, , YO61 3EG

• Beautiful surroundings

with lovely walks

• Full Board ( incl. 3 course

lunches and dinners)

• Tea/ Coffee available all

day

• Comfortable rooms
• Modern, state of the art, workshop rooms
• Helpful Staff
• Wheelchair access available

Proposed Summer School:2020

• Same venue and cost
• 27th – 30th July 2020
• Potential courses on offer:
• Drawing
• Wicked Women & Men of Mystery (Crime writers)
• 3 Yorkshire Battles
• The Philosophers
• Railway History
• Greek and Roman Mythology
• Talking about my Generation (The 60’s)
• Jewellery Making
• The Air that we Breathe (?)

Proposed Timetable

• Mid November 2019: All tutors and courses to be confirmed in

writing

• December 2019:
• Flyer on website
• Brief summaries of courses on offer
• emails of the flyer to the “YAHR mailing list” and Chairs and Secretaries
• January 2020: Open for applications (Application forms and T&Cs on

website)

Welcome to:

BEACON UPDATE

Mick Richings YAHR Acting Chair

BEACON

Is a membership system, Designed by members Developed by members Supported by members

Currently

Nationally There are 1057 U3As in the UK Of these 358 use Beacon

Currently

In Yorkshire and The Humber There are 58 U3As Of these 23 use Beacon

Benefits of Beacon

• No IT or technical skills needed
• Always available to authorised users
• Security for your records
• No duplication of data
• Simple operation
• Reduced workload for officers
• Easy continuity when officers change or are absent

Beacon Can and Will

• make your life easier
• keep all your data up to date
• give ready access to your data
• help you to be compliant with GDPR
• allow you to manage your time better
• let you do jobs more quickly and efficiently
• And (depending on how you feel!)
• It will change the way you work.

What is happening with Beacon

• Beacon has served us well for the last four years
• It is now time to upgrade and move on
• The Third Age Trust have appointed

a company called APT to provide that upgrade

• APT are part of the Clear Course Partnership
• APT provide the membership system for Unison

What does this mean to

US

• The Beacon upgrade is now being developed
• It will feel similar to the current Beacon but be simpler to

navigate

• It will incorporate some of the improvement features that have

been requested by U3As

• It will be more flexible and more interconnect able than the

present Beacon

When is this going to

Happen

• A Gap Analysis is being carried out now
• Presentations will be made to U3As and Networks in December
• A pilot rollout is planned for March 2020
• Following feedback it will be delivered to all Beacon users in the

year 2020-21

How is this going to

Happen

• We now have a 40 strong team of supporters
• U3As have already been asked for their best times to move over

and times to avoid

• A U3As data will be moved over on an agreed date
• A supporter will be assigned to each U3A to assist
• It is planned to have a Demo site and User manual available to all

U3As prior to their move

When is this going to

Happen

• A Gap Analysis is now being carried out
• Presentations will be made to U3As and Networks in December
• A pilot rollout is planned for March 2020
• Following feedback it will be delivered to all Beacon users in the

year 2020-21

The Beacon Upgrade

• Rollout will start April 2020
• It will be as easy to use as the present Beacon
• It will have improved features and better navigation
• It will have improved interconnectivity
• It will provide us with a more flexible platform to build on going

forward

The Beacon Upgrade

With thanks to Frank Bailey U3A Beacon National Support Lead

SHARING IDEAS – over to you…….

Encouraging ACTIVE learning within groups (avoiding teacher/student formats) Dealing with ‘Visitors’ to groups or monthly meetings (requested item) Encouraging and improving IT skills to improve communication Innovative ideas for exciting new Interest Groups Encouraging volunteering within Interest Groups, as Trustees or as Group Leaders Plus – other issues you may wish to raise…..

FEEDBACK

Thank you very much for coming – we hope that you have found it useful and have gained some new ideas for your U3A

(Remember the presentation + feedback notes will be on the YAHR website as soon as possible) Please complete a Feedback form and leave it with Angie

We hope that you have a safe journey home