INTRODUCTION TO INTEREST GROUPS

Thank you for agreeing to lead or organise an interest group. We are sure you will find it very rewarding, however, it might seem a bit daunting initially. This handbook is intended to provide advice and support, both for new leaders, and those who have been organising groups for a while. In St Ives u3a, our Group Support Team is available to help any group leader.  Feedback and questions are always welcome, whether via our Website, by email to the Group Support Team, or at the Support Desk after each Members’ Open Meeting.

A list of contacts and documents is included at the end of this Handbook.

A primary responsibility of any Group Leader is to ensure that membership data is protected and held securely, and that careful attention is paid to any health and safety aspects of the group activity. Please read Sections 8 and 9 of this handbook carefully to ensure that you understand what this means for the way you run your group.

Interest groups are the life blood of the u3a, but groups are very different and what works for one may not work for another.  However, it is important that your group follows the u3a ethos of shared, participative and self-help learning. The result will not only be an increase in knowledge, but a supportive and friendly atmosphere which enables everyone to participate.

The u3a principles

• Membership of a u3a is open to all who are no longer in full-time work.
• Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a u3a.
• Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a u3a can do so.

The self-help and mutual aid learning principles

• Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire.
• Learning is by the members, for the members.
• No qualifications are sought or offered. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards.
• We are all u3a members, whether we lead or attend a group.
• Each u3a is a mutual aid organisation, operationally independent but a member of the Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the national u3a movement.
• No payments are made to group leaders or members for services to any u3a.
• Each u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions kept as low as possible.
• Outside financial assistance should only be sought if it does not imperil the integrity of the u3a.