1. Trustee Induction

2. New Committee Members Thank You!

3. Third Age Trust Network Network Region/country Your U3A Network
Average size of a U3A is around 400
There are over 1000 U3As and over members
Network are local groupings of U3As who come together to offer shared networking and educational events
Network Link meeting offers consultation with the Trust and feedback
What is the Third Age Trust – brief explanation of makeup and responsibilities
The Third Age Trust’s members are the U3As.
Summary: The Third Age Trust is the national representative body for the Universities of Third Age (U3As) in the UK. U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun.
Member
Member
Member
Member

4. To Note!
U3As are member led
Each U3A is operationally independent and affiliated to the Trust – there are no branches
The Third Age Trust offers advice, support and guidance. It is an administrative National Office not a Head Office.
Over 1000 U3As and more than members
U3A is NOT a “top down” organisation.
Each U3A is operationally independent (not autonomous) and is NOT, therefore a branch!
The National Office deals with the day to day administration of the Third Age Trust, however it is NOT a Head Office, we don’t have one!

5. The Guiding Principles
The Third Age Principle
The Self Help Principle
The Mutual Aid Principle
Provide handout of the Principles
The Third Age Principle a) 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 and parenting duties completed i.e. children have reached independence.
b) Members should promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a U3A.
c) Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a U3A can do so. The Self-help Learning Principle
Members self-mobilise into learning circles covering as wide a range of interests as they desire. It is by the members, for the members.
No qualifications are sought or offered. It is learning for its own sake, as an end in itself, with sheer enjoyment being the prime motive, not qualifications, awards or personal advancement.
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, independently managed but in a confederate relationship with the Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the guiding principles of the U3A Movement.
b) No payments are made to members for services rendered to the university.
c) Each university should be self-funded with membership fees kept as low as possible. d) Outside financial assistance should not be contemplated if it imperils the integrity of the mutual aid principle.

6. Committee Members are Trustees
In England and Wales this applies regardless of registration
Charitable objects – contained within the Constitution

7. Trustee Responsibilities
The Essential Trustee
Code of Good Governance
Trustee eligibility declaration form
Trustee Code of Conduct
Legal compliance
Charity Trustee Management Liability Insurance
Access a copy of the Essential Trustee and the Code of Good Governance – ask NO if unsure
Remember your U3A is a charity.
All committee members are trustees of their U3A
Constitution – you must adhere to it and changes can only be made with approval
Fit and eligible persons
Requirements of code of conduct and implications of breach
You should:
Ensure your U3A is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
Comply with your U3A’s constitution, any appendices and the law .
Act in your U3A’s best interests
Manage your U3A’s resources responsibly
Act with reasonable care and skill
Remember all discussions within a committee meeting are confidential.
Refer to the advice section of the website for additional and general information about Running your U3A and Governance
All U3As are unincorporated charitable organisations.
Not being registered does not alter this fact, simply the U3A will not have a charity number.
U3As cannot use the Trust’s charity number.
Be aware of what the Trust Insurances cover.

8. As a Committee Member As a Committee member: Be collaborative
Works as a team
Be proactive
Maintain confidentiality
Be open to change and learning
Plan for succession to different committee roles
Be accountable and transparent
Work with integrity
Remember that you’re part of a national U3A Movement
Make sure those who want to can join
Support the growth of the Movement and neighbouring U3As

9. Committee Roles Officer Roles - outlined in your constitution Chair
Vice Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
Discuss with the delegates the Officer roles:
What do you consider are the responsibilities of each of these roles?
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Treasurer
Secretary
Refer to your constitution

10. Other Roles Membership secretary Publicity officer Newletter editor
Web manager
Secretary
Other possible committee roles:
Membership Secretary
Publicity
Groups Co-ordinator
Web Manager
Newsletter Editor
Can tasks be divided up to make roles more accessible?
Any others?

11. Discussion​

12. Feedback
Feedback
Thoughts
Ideas
Comments
Feedback

13. Your U3A What do you need to know? Staying Healthy
Provide copies of the health check
What do you need to know about your U3A?
Number of members?
How many groups?
Who are the group leaders?
Who is responsible for group monies?
Are there any issues with the groups?
If members have a problem do they know how to manage it in your U3A?
e health check

14. Equality and Accessibility
Keeping it Legal
Safeguarding
Equality and Accessibility
GDPR
Conflict resolution
Insurance cover
Trustees have a responsibility to ensure that the U3A remains compliant
Safeguarding policy
U3APlus – reasonable adjustments
GDPR – member information
Resolving disputes – complaints, disciplinary and grievance procedures
Insurance cover – public, products, tour operators, charity management trustee liability
National office website – advice section

15. Advice, Guidance and Support
National Office website
Regional Trustee
Trust Volunteers
National Office Advice Team
National Office website – advice section, general information, Trust newsletter
Regional Trustee – regional website
Trust Volunteers
National Office advice team – telephone, , national programme of workshops

16. Questions?​

17. Good Luck!​