u3a Council meet for the first time
Standing (L-R): Chris Bulford, Pat Collard, Nicky Lee, Marian Luck, Ian Mathews, Barry Appleby, Colin Luker, George Cleland, John Lewis, Kathy Clegg, David Blanchflower, Sally Ingledew, Rob Rowberry and Valerie Cobain.
Seated (L-R): Gillian Russell, Susan Parker, Jenny Wilson, Sue Russell, Jean Cubbin and Jean Jackson.
The new u3a Council came together in London last week to meet for the first time, to discuss how they will work together with the Board and engage with members in their regions and nations.
The Council will act as a conduit between u3a members and the Trust, feeding members' thoughts, ideas and concerns into the ongoing development of the u3a movement.
“I am honoured and excited to have been given the privilege to Chair the Council,” says Sue Russell. “The Council Representatives are all enthusiastic but also thoughtful about their new roles. They will be actively seeking out the ideas of members and making sure that their priorities are to the fore. They will also disseminate news and information from the Board to their regions and nations. In this way, Council Representatives are the conduit between the Board and the wider membership.”
Jean Cubbin, previously Trustee for the North East, continues her representative role on the Council. About her hopes for the Council, she said: “I would like to see the Council add value to the organisation and for members nationally to see that it represents them. I want people to care about the Council and what we are trying to achieve.”
She added: “Going forward, I would like to see a society where a person believes, the moment they have time to spare, that becoming a member of the u3a is a natural step in their lifelong learning.
“Whatever your ethnicity or social class, you should see the u3a in your area as an organisation that you would be proud to be a member of. The potential is waiting for us to be the go-to member organisation for policy makers to approach about positive ageing, and as an organisation of active volunteers we are in a prime position to do just that.”
With many former regional Trustees moving across to the Council, they are joined by a new cohort of elected representatives.
“When the new Council opportunity arose, I thought I could help fill what I think of a perceived gap at the heart of the u3a movement that I believe the Council will address,” said George Cleland, who put himself forward for election in Scotland having found huge satisfaction as Chair of Edinburgh u3a.
He added: “I’m excited by the opportunity of working with other Council members from across the UK to help develop a shared vision and purpose for the movement. But also working as a representative for Scotland to help our u3as work together, developing a culture of mutual support, and a feeling of belonging which goes beyond just a local group or u3a.”