The u3a movement is non-religious and non-political and has three main principles:

The Third Age Principle

• Membership of a u3a is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by a particular age but by a period in life in which full time employment has ceased.
• 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 Learning Principle

• Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire; 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.
• There is no distinction between the learners and the teachers; they are all u3a members.

The Mutual Aid Principle

• Each u3a is a mutual aid organisation, operationally independent but a member of The Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the guiding principles of the u3a movement.
• No payments are made to members for services rendered to any u3a.
• Each u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as possible.
• Outside financial assistance should only be sought if it does not imperil the integrity of the u3a movement.

Rules

All members must:

• Abide by the Principles of the u3a movement.
• Always act in the best interests of the u3a and never do anything to bring the u3a into disrepute.
• Abide by the terms and conditions of the constitution.
• Treat fellow members with respect and courtesy at all times.
• Comply with and support the decisions of the elected committee.
• Advise the committee of any change in their personal details.
• Use u3a resources responsibly and only for u3a purposes.
• Abide by the u3a Dacorum Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  Policy.