u3a Health check

These questions are designed to help u3a committees reflect on the health of their u3a.

We suggest that this is done together as a committee, or by a group of both committee members and non committee members at your u3a.

If the answer is 'no' to four or more of the questions below, we recommend you seek support from the Council Representatives for your region/nation or from u3a Office by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Retaining new members is key to future of your u3a. Low retention rates suggest that your u3a is not meeting the needs of new members. This is worth investigating if retention rates are low.

Analysing membership statistics will aid your understanding of how your 3a is performing. It is helpful to collect data so you can review year on year changes in total membership numbers and changes in retention rates, especially for new members.

Static or declining membership could imply that your u3a is not attracting new members. A lack of new memebrs can make it more difficult to find new committee members or set up new groups. Attracting new members is important to keep your u3a vibrant.

The financial health of your u3a impacts your ability to invest in the resources and equipment that you need to keep your u3a healthy. Unplanned losses will inhibit investment.

It is important to bring new members onto the committee every year, if possible. This helps avoid a situation when most members of a committee have to step down at the same time.

To be effective in communicating with members you should be using a variety of different methods such as

• regular monthly meetings
• emails, including a regular newsletter
• your local u3a website
• telephone and post as needed

You may also decide to use social media channels, such as Facebook. This can also be very effective in attracting new members to your u3a.

Doing this calulation gives you a ratio to use as a benchmark. Research has shown that vibrant u3as have a ratio of one group for every ten members.

If you have a higher ratio, eg. one group for every 12 or more members, then you have fewer groups than is ideal.

This is likely to lead to more groups becoming full. This can be discouraging for new members who cannot take part in the groups that they'd like to join.

Groups are the life blood of 3as. Creating more groups gives members more choice and widens their opportunities for learning.

New members are the source of new ideas, new group leaders and new committee members. Are you encouraging all sections of your local community to join your u3a and making them welcome to join in?

Volunteers are anyone who contributes to your u3a. This includes

• committee members
• group leaders and their teams
• meeters and greeters
• tea and coffee makers
• people who help put out chairs
• etc.

As u3a's are run by volunteers it is vital that enough members are actively volunteering. When not enough members actively volunteer, the u3a may be at risk.

Indications show that u3as should aim to have at least 20% 'active members' who volunteer in a way that is best suited to their interests and abilities.