U3A Network NSW E-Bulletin

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February 2021

Welcome from the President

2020 was the year that your U3As showed great resilience with innovative use of technology and we ask you to share your successes and challenges at the conference in Wagga. Our workshops and forums will give you the opportunity to express your thoughts and ideas helping us all face the COVID clouded future.

2021 is the beginning of a new decade with the COVID difference. I am cheered to know that almost every U3A in NSW has resumed classes face-to-face within COVID guidelines. We are finally able to attend classes, embracing the thrill of learning and enjoying our friendships with fellow members.

'Rekindle The Spirit' is the theme for our conference at Wagga Wagga in April and I invite you to join us and add your enthusiasm. The conference will give us an opportunity to renew friendships, revitalise our energy and refocus on important U3A matters.

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.

U3A Network Conference 2021

Learning, fellowship and sharing are all activities we value and experience in U3A. The members of Wagga Wagga U3A proudly offer you an opportunity to Rekindle The Spirit at the conference where everyone can meaningfully contribute to re-energising our future.

The Network is celebrating 30 years of service to all member U3As and we want to recognise the contribution of past committees with toasts and cake. I invite you to join the party.

Check out the Visit Wagga Wagga website and click the See + Do page for some great photos and places to visit.

The Network holds its Annual General Meeting during the Conference and you may click to view the Notice of Meeting and to download the Business Papers.

Options for attendance at the conference are detailed below:

Dinner (Monday evening) $50
Full registration $125
Full Day (Tuesday) $75

Click the button below to make your on-line booking to attend the conference, OR, if desired, you may Download a printable Booking Form for completion and posting.

Access TryBooking On-Line booking

Download Print Registration Form

NSW Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors

2021 Grant Program

The NSW Government is awarding $600,000 in grants ranging from $10,000 to $60,000 for organisations to deliver locally-driven projects, programs or activities that foster social inclusion for older people.
The grant program aims to support effective, self-sustaining projects that provide meaningful opportunities for older people to connect with each other and develop quality relationships.
For a project to be eligible, it must be aimed at older people aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over for Aboriginal people, who are socially isolated or at risk of isolation. Projects should focus on bringing older people together in person through small group activities where possible.
The program encourages projects, programs and activities that seek to actively engage new people, particularly harder-to-reach, socially isolated, older people.
Grants are open to all incorporated not-for-profit organisations and local government authorities based in NSW.
Applications close: 31 March 2021.
More information and application.
Contact: ageing@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Management Committee Meeting Matters

The Network Management Committee held a Zoom meeting on 12 February.
This is a review of the meeting - it excludes administrative matters.
At each meeting, the committee receives and considers reports from: -

The Executive, President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer (acting)
Regional Representatives, and,
Sub-committees and Working Parties - Newslink Editor and Web Administrator.

Pertinent issues discussions/decisions made: -

Conference details finalized and ready for distribution.
Annual Census update on results. The Network commended Phil, the Web Administrator and Geoff, the Treasurer, for the task they undertook to create and distribute the census. Support was given to all U3A enquiries resulting in successful outcomes.
Discussion of the resignation of Sydney U3A and Nepean Blue Mountains U3A from Network membership. Regrettably, the Network has not been fully informed of the reason for their decision.
Regional Representative for Metropolitan Sydney Region, Helen, has been asked to act on behalf of the Network to facilitate an improved relationship with Hawkesbury U3A .
Storage of Network files using Google Drive will be explored. It will be password protected.
Network is in negotiations with Third Age Trust UK to simplify usage of the new U3A logo the Trust has adopted.

ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

Aon, our insurance brokers have instructions to renew the Public Liability insurance on due date, 28 February A new Certificate of Currency will be available for downloading and printing when it is received from them. To achieve this end please log onto the Network’s website and on the home page select U3A Governance, then select Insurance for U3A Associations where you can select Certificate of Currency for printing.
From enquiries received there appears some confusion. We have one group Public Liability policy to cover all U3As who have taken up the policy and have paid the premium to the Network. One certificate of currency is issued not individual certificates. Network requires payment from U3As in order to meet the cost of the Public Liability Insurance and the various Copyright and One Music licences and the Network then pays the individual providers.

AGM can be a time for change of committee members. When change occures please remember to update your information on the Network's website. Select U3A Governance then select Member U3A Association Update Details. This site is password protected. The password can be obtained by emailing a request for this information to your Regional Representative.

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Until the next E-Bulletin,
Enjoy your retirement with U3A,

Laurene Mulcahy
President
U3A Network NSW Inc.

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