SUN Study Days
The pink card listing all the SUN Study Days for 2018-2019, has an error. The meeting listed for March 10th should be for March 9th. (As also noted in the SUN panel below.) Some cards have been corrected by hand, but maybe not all.
Changes to the Chichester U3A Constitution
As you may know, last year’s Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) was adjourned due to an initial lack of a quorum, and the adjournment was over-subscribed due to a lack of space in the meeting room. In view of this, your Committee will be proposing revisions to the existing Constitution at the next AGM in May this year, and would appreciate feedback or questions regarding their proposals prior to putting the final version to members at that time. The following major changes are proposed:
• The introduction of proxy voting – this enables those unable to physically attend a general meeting, for reason of holidays, ill health etc., to appoint in writing another person to vote on their behalf at a specific general meeting, including the AGM.
• The reduction of the quorum – (i.e. the minimum number of members attending a general meeting to allow business to be enacted) from 10% of the total membership, to 5%.
• In the event of an adjourned general meeting, the quorum will be the members attending the adjourned meeting Other changes to the Constitution are generally minor and serve mainly to correct spelling mistakes and grammar. Anybody who would like to review the new proposed Constitution can find both the current and proposed Constitutions at www.chichesteru3a.org.uk. These documents will be available in hard copy form at coffee mornings and monthly meetings.
If you have any more specific or detailed questions or comments, contact Andrew Walker at chair@chichesteru3a.org.uk or any other Committee Member.
Quiz compiler(s) needed
Quiz compiler needed to compose questions on a range of subjects for the U3A monthly quiz suppers at the White Swan, Bosham. Two or more can apply jointly if you prefer.
Join the team of Angela, Jill and Pamela who make this event happen – not forgetting the White Swan staff who prepare the suppers. Please contact Angela for more information.
Committee Membership vacancies
There will be a number of vacancies on the Committee leading up to and after the AGM this year and if you would like to attend a Committee Meeting in order to see at first- hand what membership involves before committing yourself to serving, please do contact the Chair, Andrew Walker, through chair@chichesteru3a.org.uk. He will be able to talk you through the responsibilities and the areas of interest in which you might be asked to participate. He will also be able to put you in contact with the person who is currently holding the relevant post. At the time of writing we are particularly looking for those who would be interested in helping with Trips and Outings, Social Activities, Servicing the Committee and Membership, but we would also like to hear from members who have a general interest in charity organization.
Group Leader volunteers
The Committee has now begun to look at the results of the recent Membership Survey, with particular reference to Group activities, and has already identified some areas in which members have particularly expressed an interest – so if you would like to start a European language, Canasta or Gardening Group at beginners’ level we would love to hear from you. If you have an interest in, or knowledge of, any particular subject area – or if you would like to be put in touch with other members with a view to starting a Group activity together – please contact our Group Coordinator, Caroline Davis, at groups@chichesteru3a.org.uk, or any Committee Member.
GROUPS
Spanish for Beginners
Consequently, the start has been postponed until further notice.
Grid References & All That
If you would like to brush up grid references or other aspects of map reading, you can do so in central Chichester. All meetings take place on weekday mornings, except Tuesday. Contact the group leader, Elizabeth, here
U3A Home Group – 2019: Music from Machines
The topic of Bryan Somerville’s group for early 2019 is Music from Machines, covering the development of music boxes of all kinds. Attendees will be able to see and hear a number of instruments playing ‘live’ and learn about their history over hundreds of years, illustrated by photos, film and audio recordings. The next five meetings take place on 31st January, 14th and 28th February, and 21st and 28th March, from 10:15 – 12:15, in Whyke. There are some places free for new members. Contact the groups team for more details.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MONTHLY MEETING (Third Thursday every month except August).
Volunteer to set up projector and laptop at beginning of meeting and close at end of meeting. Training/shadowing as from next meeting. A volunteer needed to act as Safety Member, checking that fire exit routes are clear of obstruction and fire doors are kept closed during the Talk. Identify members with a disability who may need assistance in the event of an emergency exit. Another volunteer to join the small team of First Aiders: to call the emergency service in the event of a serious medical situation and, if holding a current approved in-date First Aid Certificate (help may be available with the cost of training), administer First Aid until the arrival of the emergency services. To look after and maintain the contents of the First Aid box.
These could be “job shares”. Please contact the membership team.
SUSSEX U3A NETWORK
Details of the next three study days of the 2018/2019 season are available via the links below. Some details of later study days have been released here.
- February 9th, 2019: Medieval Life Through Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales with Geoff Doel at Crowborough. How the pilgrims tales reveal the rich diversity of medieval life.
Those links are not working in Firefox at the moment, but seem to be OK in Chrome and Edge. If you are interested, please contact the SUN representative here . Or follow the links. Details of the later study days will be given here in due course.
NATIONAL U3A STUDY DAYS
- Monday, February 4th 2019 10:30 – 16:00:British Library – Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts & Book Art: A day at the British Library hearing from experts about the sophisticated art found in manuscripts from the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Tickets £24.
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Please send me a message via the usual channels if you wish to have some item of U3A news put in the Bulletin. Likewise if you have some constructive suggestions as to how to improve the Bulletin. Best wishes, David Rees 😎
Enquiries If you wish to write to the Chichester U3A, then the correspondence address is: U3A Chichester, Box 809, Mailboxes Etc., 26 The Hornet, CHICHESTER, PO19 7BB
If there is an urgent matter that needs to be discussed then call 07460 109600, or email memsec@chichesteru3a.org.uk.