Members Page
This page contains information for members and Group leaders of Southwell u3a including advice, documentation, forms, our insurance and how to renew your membership. There is also information relating to this website such as how to submit articles for inclusion on this site, and our monthly newsletter - Newsline.
Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
U3a members are expected to conduct themselves in line with the u3a Movement’s Guiding Principles.
- Members are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect at all times.
- Members are expected to know, follow and promote the Principles of the u3a Movement.
- Members must always act in the best interests of Southwell u3a and the u3a Movement, strive to uphold its reputation and never do anything which could bring their own, another u3a or the u3a Movement into disrepute or expose it to undue risk.
- Members are expected to use Southwell u3a’s resources responsibly and only to further its stated charitable objects and purposes.
- Members are expected to abide by Southwell u3a’s constitution (Our Constitution - SOUTHWELL u3a), policies (Our Policies - SOUTHWELL u3a) and procedures, regardless of any conflict with their personal views.
Renewing membership
Contacting Members of the Committee or 'Other Postholders'
The 'Contact Form' on this website is intended to be used for initial contact with a Committee Member or other Postholder, if you already have the contact e-mail (or telephone number) on your computer and/or smartphone then please use that for contacting the person you require.
If you haven't their contact details on your computer and/or smartphone then by all means use the contact form on this website. The person should respond to you and from that point you will have their contact details for further correspondance.
The contact form for the Treasurer or Membership Secretary are available by clicking the appropriate link.
General
Membership renewal is due on our fixed renewal date of 1st March each year.
Annual subscrition for 2026/27 is £15 per person, £12 for an Associate membership (if you are a full member of another u3a)
Any queries relating to renewal should be addressed to the Treasurer (Please see comments above).
Gift Aid
If you haven't yet signed a Gift Aid form, please consider doing so. Download a copy from the link below, fill in, sign and send to the Treasurer or hand it in at a Monthly Meeting
If you are a UK taxpayer, signing a Gift Aid form enables our u3a to recover tax on your subscription (£5)
Membership Cards
These are printed once a year and can be collected at the Monthly Meeting from March onwards.
You can also print your own Membership Card via your Beacon Members Portal.
Upon request the Membership Secretary can send a digital copy for you to print out.
Renew Online
We would prefer you to renew your membership using our online system, Beacon.
You willl need to register your email address with the system and then you can renew your membership using PayPal or a debit/credit card.
If possible, please register and use the Members Portal to renew your Membership.
Standing Order
You can also set up a Standing Order (SO) with your bank. Please ensure that this is set up in time to pay on March 1st.
Please message the Treasurer for the bank details in order to set up the Standing Order. Also please notify the Treasurer of any payment.
Cash/Cheque or Card
Pay by cash, cheque, debit or credit card at the Monthly Meeting administrator table.
Cheques should be made payable to Southwell u3a and have your membership number on the reverse of the cheque.
Cheques (only, no CASH please) can be mailed to the Treasurer. Please contact Treasurer for the address.
Documentation
Policy and Procedures
These are the latest Policy and Procedure documents for Southwell u3a.
Committee Role Descriptions
If you'd like to consider joining our committee then please have a look at the 'model role descriptions' published on the National u3a website. (Opens in a new tab)
Other Documentation
Our Constitution, please have a look.
Guidance/Help if you've volunteered as a welcomer.
Insurance (Members)
SUMMARY
- A person who is not yet a member, but is a "qualifying non-member" is covered for two (or three) ‘taster’ sessions, for example at an interest group or monthly meeting.
- Insurance covers pubic attendance to events, exhibitions, concerts & meetings.
- Insurance does not cover personal accidents – i.e. if you damage yourself or your belongings.
- Individuals requiring Personal Accident insurance should arrange cover independently.
Risk Assessments (Members)
Information relating to Risk Assessments is found in the Risk Assessment FAQs
Each Interest Group has been requested to complete risk assessments appropriate to their group. Once completed they are stored on the website in the Interest Group Page.
There is also a risk assessment for the monthly meetings at Southwell Leisure Centre (see the document on this page).
Members are encouraged to assess their own health, fitness and mobility before taking part in any activity. Members are asked to let the Group Leader know of any health issue that could potentially cause them a problem during activities or during meetings.
Documents
The following blank forms are available as Word files for group leaders to download and personalise:
Workshop Activity Risk Assessment
The following pdf documents may also be helpful:
Information for Group Leaders
Advice for Group Leaders
Handbook
As either a new or an established Group Leader, you will find a great deal of useful information, advice and help in our specially written "Group Leaders' Handbook".
There is also a List of Venues in the Southwell area currently used by groups, that should be extremely helpful to new leaders.
Group Finance
In addition to the Handbook there are financial notes and forms, intended to help Group Leaders manage the finance of their Group. Group Finance Management
Webpage and Beacon Checklist
If you're already running Group, there are a few things you need to be reviewing on a regular basis, Webpage and Beacon Checklist is intended to help you with this review.
Blank documents/forms are linked below:
Risk Assessments
Information relating to Risk Assessments is found in :
Each Interest Group has been requested to complete risk assessments appropriate to their group. Once completed they are stored on the website on the Interest Group Page.
Example checklists are provided below:
Sport (Outdoor/Indoor) Risk Assessment
Advice for Trip Organisers
This section contains information regarding the organisation of Social Events, Day Trips, Group Bookings and Overnight Trips.
Blank documents/forms are linked below:
Trip Contact and EM contact Details
Insurance
Details of the insurance and FAQs are available in the Insurance (Members) section.
If an accident occurs in a group meeting associated with Southwell u3a, then it is essential that details of the incident and action taken are recorded and passed on to the secretary. The form is available below.
Submitting Articles
If you want to post news or other information onto Newsline or this new website then please follow these instructions:
Newsline
In the first instance contact the Newsline Editor, via the contact form on the Contacts page. They will send you an email, reply to this email with your article. Any subsequent articles can be sent directly to the Newsline Editor's email.
Please use the Guidelines in this section for your article.
Website
In the first instance contact the Webmaster, via the contact form on the Contacts page. He will send you an email, reply to this email with your article. Any subsequent articles can be sent directly to the Webmaster's email.
If you are a Group Leader and would like to edit/modify your own Group page, then please contact the Webmaster as above.
Documents
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Newsline Article - Guidelines
V2 13-Apr-2026 Newsline Guidelines for Articles
Annual General Meetings
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Southwell u3a 19th AGM - 5th August 2025
Our AGM was held during the monthly meeting we had our usual notices followed by a speaker, then over 200 of us attended the AGM. As a small thank you, we offered free pizza, salad and tea or coffee to attendees, and over eighty of us enjoyed this opportunity to socialise and meet our committee and
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Southwell u3a 18th AGM - 6th August 2024
Our AGM was held during the monthly meeting we had our usual notices followed by a speaker, then over 200 of us attended the AGM. As a small thank you, we offered free pizza, salad and tea or coffee to attendees, and over eighty of us enjoyed this opportunity to socialise and meet our committee and
Join or Start a Group
Starting a New Group
Sharing your interests with others is one of the best ways to truly enjoy them! If you have skills or hobbies that aren’t already covered, and you’re eager to share them with fellow members, please contact the Groups Coordinator to explore the possibility of starting a new group.
Our national u3a organization boasts over 80 subject advisers for various interest groups. Take a moment to check if there’s a national adviser for your area of interest. If there is, you’ll likely find them to be a fantastic resource and very supportive if you’re considering stepping up as a group leader.
Many groups have been born from this initiative, and the sheer variety of groups available shows that it’s not hard to rally others to join you. So, why not take the plunge and share your passion?
We have produced the following checklist to help you start a new group.
Starting a new Group - Checklist
How to Join a Group
Select the group that interests you from the lists displayed above and message the dedicated Group leader for more information and to check whether there is a vacancy. You can contact the Group Leaders directly from the Group page by clicking on their name.
You can attend two meetings before deciding if you wish to join the group. If you decide not to continue attending, please inform the leader that you have decided to withdraw.
Please note that, in order to join the group after the initial two trial meetings, you must be a member of Southwell u3a. You can join via the join u3a page.
There might be a small fee to cover room rentals or other incidental expenses.