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Welcome from the President
We have experienced the most challenging of years. COVID-19 has confronted us with a new world and forced us to navigate in the ever changing environment of 2020.
We have endured lockdowns with social distancing limiting the number of people able to meet in public places, no physical contact, mandatory hand hygiene at all venues and coping with the new QR card entry to social venues. So much to learn. When 2020 began we attended classes in the regular way and Zoom was a word we associated with fast cars. Now we have Zoomed into holding classes. Through all of this, U3As have found creative ways to maintain contact with members and present classes where possible, while following the current NSW Health guidelines.
I take this opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution that members have given to maintain the functioning of their U3As in 2020, for all us a year like no other.
The U3A Network NSW will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in 2021. I wish to acknowledge the strong foundations that past Network committees have established. We continue to use and add to their work, with the aim of delivering the best advice and support possible. This will be celebrated at the Network Conference, in April at Wagga Wagga.
Laurene Mulcahy
President
The vision of the Network is to promote the U3A movement, provide services to our members and represent them through partnership and collaboration.
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The Network held a Zoom meeting on 4 December.
This is a summary of that meeting. At each meeting, the committee receives and considers reports from: -
- The Executive, President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
- Regional Representatives, and,
- Sub-committees and Working Parties - Newslink Editor and Web Administrator.
Discussions and Decisions:
- The official address for U3A Network NSW Inc. remains at 59/502 Moss Vale Road, Bowral NSW 2576
- The resignation of Geoffrey James as Secretary was received. Geoffrey was invited to fill the causal vacancy of the Treasurer, which he accepted. He remains the Public Officer. Geoffrey is to be Special Advisor to the Management Committee, Governance and Policy & Procedures Sub-Committees.
- Roger Curran has filled the casual vacancy of Secretary. He is the Far North Coast Regional Representative.
- We have appointed an Assistant Secretary Joy Smith, the Secretary of U3A Northern Rivers Inc..
- Frank Beukers was invited to fill the casual vacancy for Mid North Coast Regional Representative. Frank has accepted that role.
- A new U3A logo has been introduced and implemented by the Third Age Trust in the United Kingdom but it is not yet available for use in Australia, but we are pursing this update.
- The Standing Orders (2014) updated references to the current constitution.
- Due to the effects of COVID-19 since March, on most U3A operations, OneMusic Australia has issued a credit, to be applied to 2021 Licence Fees which will be announced shortly. OneMusic Australia will continue the 10% discount received by the Network on the Blanket Licence held by the Network. A 10% discount for Screenrights Licence Fee 2021 has also been offered.
- Annual Census
The census is late due to delay from the Underwriter in quoting a premium, and negotiations with the copyright agencies. As a result, U3As will benefit from a reduction in cost in 2021.
This year, we will include further information on the Association Liability and Volunteer cover and indicative premiums. The census will be circulated as soon as possible.
The census needs be returned by 20 January 2021.
- The Network reviewed options and initiatives that may be available to assist U3A’s during the current COVID-19 pandemic, e.g. some U3As are providing their courses online for others to view.
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2021 Annual Conference Wagga Wagga
“Rekindle the Spirit"
The Network Annual Conference is to be held on 12th to 13th April, 2021. The theme is ‘Rekindle the Spirit’ – so appropriate after the shutdown of activities due to COVID-19. Registration details will be released in early February. The conference dinner will be held on Monday 12, followed on Tuesday by the AGM, Workshops, and review of Strategic Planning.
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The Network’s Websites
The Network provides services to Member U3As a total of 46 websites, of which 36 are set up in the new Multisite mode of delivery. A total of six of these sites are utilised by Interstate U3As. 23 NSW Member U3As have chosen an external website provider, while another 5 NSW Member U3As choose not to have a website. The decision taken in July 2020 to upgrade the provision of web-services has ‘hardened’ the security and reliability of this service to subscribing Member U3As.
We do work in challenging times with the term Cyber Security becoming part of the everyday lexicon - the buck stops with the Network to apply diligence to a service that may be readily accessed by any Member U3A that chooses to affiliate. The State website has four pages dedicated to the topic of cyber security.
The Multisite option has bedded in very satisfactorily with most issues being addressed before each transferred site went live. A few sites are seeking variations or greater functionality. These issues will be addressed individually. Significantly two new sites have taken up Multisite for their first use of this WordPress option - they are ‘neighbours’ from southern NSW - Griffith and Leeton. In both instances new volunteers took on the Web-Admin role and, as Multisite is less challenging in both site construction and editing than the standard offering, their takeup has been excellent. A one-hour Zoom session proved most helpful for both. |
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EXPERIENCED and SKILLED MEMBERS NEEDED
Like all volunteer organisations, the Network needs volunteers with particular skills. This is a call for help to assist in continuing and improving the services the Network provides.
Often, there is a request for a service that the Network should or could provide. The Network, like U3As, has very few people actually providing assistance.
A recent email addressed to the Accounts Department did raise a smile from our Treasurer. He wishes that 'the department' did exist.
These are the roles we are currently seeking to fill:
Independent of the Network Committee
Financial Reviewer.
Network Committee Positions
1.Treasurer
2. Regional Representative.
Delegations
Communications / Publications Coordinator
Website Administrator
Multisite Mentor & Support (40 sites)
IT Equipment Support.
Please contact u3answ.webadmin@gmail.com to supply a contact phone number so we can discuss more details.
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