Last updated on 10th June 2025
GENERAL GROUP INFORMATION
Please always send out a reminder to your group approximately a week before your group is due to meet, either face-to-face or on Zoom and ask them to confirm their attendance.
Pease keep a waiting list if your group is full up. That way you can invite someone from your waiting list if you then fall short of your optimum numbers, just for that session. Obviously, it doesn’t matter how many members join in on Zoom.
If someone doesn't come for 3 consecutive sessions without notifying you, then give them a call to find out the situation. You can then take them off the register if you feel that is appropriate and invite someone from the waiting list on a permanent basis. If you do have a waiting list, you could suggest that this could be the nucleus for a new group?
If your group meets at Oaks Lane, please advise Deborah directly at Oaks Lane by telephone if you WILL NOT be attending your session so she can cancel your room booking. Be aware that Oaks Lane will be closed on certain Jewish holidays - please check here if in doubt.
Please let me know if any member of your group is in hospital or sick so we can send them a get-well card.
Now that we can also pay online, some members are asking about their membership cards. As long as members keep a note of their membership number, they don’t need a physical card. So do ensure each member of your group knows their membership number and you have made a note of their number on your attendance register. Or, they can pick one up at our open meeting.
TEA/COFFEE
There is tea/coffee/biscuit charge of 50p whether you meet at Oaks Lane or in your own home. This money is for you to keep in payment for the tea, coffee and biscuits that you kindly provide. Any surplus money should be used for the benefit of the group.
If needed, such as at Oaks Lane, please remind members to bring their own cups.
Some groups do not offer tea/coffee in which case remind your participants they can bring their own. I also strongly suggest that you still stop for a break even if you don’t offer tea/coffee because this gives members the opportunity to chat and get to know each other.
NEWSLETTER AND FACEBOOK
If possible please write a description of exactly what your group does and when and where you meet and send it me on groups@u3aredbridge.org.uk for insertion on the website and also in the newsletter.
This will help give members an understanding about your group and encourage more to join. If your group is full up, it would be helpful to write a description of what would be involved in setting up a new group and that you would be happy to support them.
If you are also able to send me just a few lines and some photos of your meetings. I know members would enjoy seeing your group in action on our Facebook site.
TIMETABLE
A timetable is e-mailed out with the monthly newsletter so all members are kept up-to-date with new groups and activities. It is subdivided into sections for easy viewing.
PAPERWORK
Please keep a record of everyone in your group which should include their full name, phone number(s), email address and u3a membership number. This will be needed to forward to the membership secretary at renewal time. I have attached a template attendance list for your convenience. Please note that any format
is much better than no format at all.
Please keep a waiting list. This will enable you to invite members on that list not in the group to attend when any of your regular members can’t make it.
I will send you a Risk Assessment Form. Please confirm you have shown this to all your group members (either by email or in person) and they have all replied agreeing to the conditions.
Please let me know if you have any issues or problems with these forms. There are different types of risk assessment forms such as: Walks and Outings, Oaks Lane and Home.
You can download the relevant risk assessment form for your group here:
Home based groups
Oaks Lane based groups
Cinema and Theatre groups
Walking and Outings groups
Pubs, Restaurants and Café groups
Finally, we desperately need more members on the Committee with computer skills. We are a fun and friendly bunch and I hope you will consider joining us.
Marilyn Hendleman, Groups Coordinator
E-mail: groups@u3aredbridge.org.uk