Plymouth University of the Third Age

Maintaining the lifeblood our U3A: our Groups

The Group Coordination role is one of the most important in any U3A. This has traditionally been undertaken by only one person in Plymouth U3A, but it is an onerous responsibility.

Following the Group Leaders’ meeting at the late January meeting, and the many useful ideas put forward by Group Leaders, it is proposed that the Group Coordination role should be simplified by dividing it up into subject areas, with a coordinator for the groups in each subject area, and that these subject coordinators would work as a team and elect one of them to take the committee Group Leader Coordinator role.

For example, we might have a subject area called “Arts” which could include History, Literature, Poetry, Shared Learning, Philology, Art, Art Appreciation,

Another subject area could be “Science and Technology”, perhaps addressing Maths, Digital Photography and any computer based activities like From Script o Screen, Science and Technology or Mathematics.

A big subject area could be “Health and Wellbeing” which could include groups in the physical and mental health-related fields such as walking, dancing, games, wine appreciation, cooking and crafts groups etc..

“Languages” is a further area which would probably include all the foreign language groups.

When the team gets together, it would sort out for itself its own way of categorising groups and handling the group coordination function and, especially, the best way of supporting people wanting to set up new groups. Very importantly, the team would also provide the main communications channel between the committee and the groups and would therefore be an effective way of keeping the committee focused on the general views, needs and preferences of the membership.

Please consider  how you could be a part of this stimulating movement. 

Please contact any of Richard Keoghoe, Marilyn Lean or Janet Vosper on the committee if you’d like to discuss this. Thank you.  groups@plymouthu3a.org.uk news@plymouthu3a.org.uk uniliaison@plymouthu3a.org.uk

Marina Litvinenko In conversation with John Dobson

In 2006, Alexander Litvinenko died from a mysterious poison in London. Marina tells her story about her husband with passion to Plymouth U3A.

The February Newsletter is now available in the Members Area.
See: Members Area (requires password for access)
Scroll down the page to find Newsletters

A limited number of paper copies will be available at the February meeting at the Crowne Plaza from Sandra’s table alongside the signing-in area.

Following the 2018 AGM, the following are members of the Plymouth U3A committee:-
Chairman: John Dobson
Vice Chairman: Marilyn Lean
Business Secretary: John Davis
Treasurer: George Stringer
Membership Secretary: Susan Parker
Equipment Officer: Chris Shorrocks
Group Co-ordinator: Richard Keoghoe
Minutes Secretary: Trish Hodge
Newsletter Editor: Marilyn Lean
Speaker Co-ordinator: Janice Cawthorne
Welcome & Promotions Officer: Sandra Richings
University Liaison: Janet Vosper