U3A Southland Chairperson’s 19th Annual Report

For the Year Ending December 2923  I am pleased to present my annual report.

The year seems to have flown by and better weather hopefully beckons. We have completed 6 very varied series in 2023 and the 2024 series are already known. From 2024 we will move to a four-term year, mirroring the school year, with 3 2-week breaks. This will reduce the number of speakers required by about 6.

Our new web site is now up and running. It can be reached at u3a.nz/south. It currently has one page (information for potential members) and in time will also carry our newsletters and current series brochure. We have 3 pages available. Anybody will be able to access it by entering U3A Southland in their browser and following directions in the CAB site.

 In 2023, there was an exploratory meeting with U3A Invercargill, looking at information sharing. It has been agreed that we exchange our series brochures. This will give additional ideas for series and speakers. For instance, a speaker we used this year in the Crime Justice and Forensics series, Rosemary Riddell, came from information provided by U3A Invercargill.

In 2023, our small interest group, called The Socratic Café, came to an end. It thrived during 2022, and then faded. Small groups are used in some clubs, which then have fewer large group meetings.

The national U3A website has excellent info on U3A history and aims and each of the roughly 90 clubs in New Zealand are shown, in some cases with their programmes. It is a real feast. The site’s address is u3a.nz

Our Committee has worked tirelessly during the year, producing 6 series, a number of one-off speakers, meeting monthly, managing good relationships with our venues, doing a bus trip, Christmas luncheon, afternoon teas, managing our finances , purchasing a new computer for the Secretary, producing a newsletter(s) , producing a calendar of events for the Committee members and keeping the badges in good shape (no small task) and managing the membership database.

The Committee will lose 2 members at the 2024 AGM. Lyn Henry, who has produced series and contributed well at the monthly meetings. Frances Ruston, who was our previous excellent Treasurer and has skilfully eased Ann Marie into this job. She has overseen afternoon tea arrangements this year. Other Committee members are: Maurice Rodway, Vice Chairperson, who has generously accepted the role of Secretary for 2024, in a sense saving our bacon. He is also a member of the IT team and often arranges the links with ZOOM speakers. The IT jobs require a cool head. Maurice has that. He produces on average 2 series a year. Maria Keppel, our hard-working Secretary, will retire at the AGM after 3 years of selfless service, including doing prep work during the ‘holidays’. Sorely missed. Ann Marie Andrell, our current Treasurer, has been working hard, preparing the annual financial statement, ready for presentation to the auditor. Wendy Creurer produces series, manages relationships and bookings with our venues, manages the Committee calendar and looks after the badges. Noel Matthews produces series, handles the mic during question time, adjusts lighting, helps with IT and arranges our annual and great bus trip. Des Collins has produced 2 series, after quite a brief time on the Committee, and has offered to edit the newsletter. Interested in music and history. Chris Powley is, like Des, new to the Committee. He Is producing his first series on the Third Age in 2024. He has considerable experience in IT and kick started our new website.

Series 2023

    Housing                               Average attendance       53

    Atmospheric Rivers / Kakapo                                     56

    Music                                                                                     66

    Predator Free 2050                                                         53

    Crime, Justice and Forensics                                     74

    Universal Basic Income and Equity                         48

Series 2024

    1. Lesser-Known Histories

    2. 3rd Age (Challenges and Opportunities for retired people.

    3. River Management and Flood Mitigation

    4. Wilding Conifers: A Pest Par Excellence.

    5. A Quartet of Mid-winter Treats

    6. Literacy.

    7. New New Zealanders

Christmas Luncheon

This was a real delight. Great food, company and music

Memorandum:

The Committee extends our condolences to those members who have lost family members during the year.

A Challenge 

During 2024 we will need to work together tirelessly to produce a new Secretary for 2025 and onwards. This vital cog in the machine will help us prosper into the future. If a person puts their hand up during 2024, they can be co-opted on to the Committee and receive practical training then. Please think carefully about doing this vital job. 

“Those who teach shall also learn.

Those who learn shall also teach”

Peter Laslett - U3A Cambridge, 1981

Thanks from the Committee…..

For coming along to talks and series and other events.

For enjoying learning amongst a supportive group and being patient when we have an IT issue….

Our next important date is the AGM on Friday 2 February, 2024 at 1.30pm in the Legends Lounge.

Till later, thank you all

Paul Morris 4/1/2024