We had a very successful 2020 AGM, with about 86 members attending over 72 zoom links. it was clear that many old friends and acquaintances were pleased to see each other.

Our President, His Worshipful Mayor Councillor Terry Douris addressed the meeting and congratulated us on the numbers present, going on to extol the virtues of virtual meeting technology. He expressed surprise at the breadth and depth of the subjects covered by our groups and wished us every success when Covid-19 abates.

The Chairman, Treasurer and Groups Liaison Officer all addressed the meeting and reported on events through the year. Covid-19, finances and resuming group meetings were discussed in some detail.

The personal liability of the trustees should the Third Age Trust insurance be invalidated by the actions of members was explained as the major reason why groups would not resume meetings until government guidance allowed it. Currently Dacorum was bordering on becoming a ‘hotspot’ and extra caution was needed.

Many halls were trying to pass their legal responsibilities for effective cleaning to the hirers and we will not accept this.

The subject of paid for speakers was debated with some passion. It was explained that Monthly General Meetings were held to be different from Group Meetings. It was also held that there was no good reason for some groups to be subsidised while others were not. An example of Dance Instructors was given. It was also explained that many of the monthly speakers did so for no remuneration, and an example of a group frequently using a free speaker was given.

Efforts to lessen the workload of committee members was mentioned – the adoption of the Beacon Membership Management System and simplification of our membership fees.

It was agreed by the meeting to remove the rebate for members whose primary U3A is another U3A. This will greatly simplify the administration of charges, but more importantly it will ensure that all members are insured in meetings without the admin burden of having to frequently check on the membership status of 95 members with other U3As.

Everything can be expected to change, and we can make no assumptions about when we will be able to resume meetings or how much meetings will cost.

THE FOLLOWING TRUSTEES WERE ELECTED OR ASKED TO STAND FOR ANOTHER YEAR:

• • Chairman – Tina Howard – agreed to stay for another year.
  • Group Liaison – Alan Osborn – agreed to stay for another year.
  • Members – Jean Sniders – was elected by a majority vote.
  • Vice Chairman – Peter Bolton – was elected by a majority vote.
  • Halls – Margaret Taylor – was elected by a majority vote.
  • Beacon Admin – John Dodkins – was elected by a majority vote.

TRUSTEES CONTINUING

• • Lesley Drake – Treasurer
  • Mike Sapsard – Secretary
  • Jenny Thirlwell – Speakers
  • Terry Thirlwell – Web Admin & Equipment
  • Tim Thompson – Trustee without portfolio

If you would like to help run the U3A through these interesting times, or want to know more in any way, please contact any committee member for  a chat. We have done a lot to spread the load and make things easy for the most heavily loaded people on the committee, including adopting a new Membership Management System.

Click here to email a committee member.