This is the third in our series of articles by previous Chairs of Southwell u3a, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary year: This time we travel back to 2012 - 2015. What were YOU, dear reader doing then? Who
was the Chair?
Think of a Word.
Frustrating, dutiful, tedious, joyful, demanding, interesting, annoying, supportive, satisfying. There may be others but these are some of the emotions that were evoked in me during my time as Chair of your u3a.
I went to my first committee meeting in April or May. By August I had become Chair. We had a new Treasurer, Howard Godrey, who was destined to play a key part in the developmental process.
Southwell u3a at this time was in a state of flux. It had started about five years earlier, and the early chairs and committee had, quite correctly, concentrated on getting group activity, trips and socials to as high a level as possible. It was successful, there were already about 400 members and it was growing.
Frustrating…….because we were a large and successful u3a which needed to be organised and given a structure to work in. Being typical of all members of the human race, change was not always welcomed. I had quite a few heated discussions with group leaders and social organisers.
Dutiful….because I felt that I was giving back to the organisation and local community.
Tedious…..because some of the structure that we were trying to impose, was resisted. Our argument that this was for individuals’ protection was washed over. We had to go back and reiterate the need for an integrated system that protected organisers and participants alike.
Joyful…..It was a really happy experience despite the resistance to change. Everyone was polite and helpful, if not always agreeing with what we were trying to do.
Demanding…..There were occasions when it seemed like the telephone would not stop ringing with enquiries from group leaders and committee members. Adding the extra duties of Chair to my group leader commitments kept me quite busy. As caravanners, my wife and I certainly spent less time away in the caravan during my three year stint.
Interesting…As Poiret would say, ‘my little grey cells were exercised’ from time to time, trying to solve the problems that were thrown up by the organisation.
Annoying….Usually by an external organisation, such as our bank. The committee, guided by our new treasurer, decided that it would be a good idea to open a new account for the group leaders to use. The groups account. Simple. Our bank had a branch in town, at the time. Let’s go and do it - multiple forms, visits to the bank almost weekly, replacement forms because the bank had lost the originals, and SIX months later we had the Groups account up and running!
Supportive…I never came across anyone in the u3a who was not helpful. Criticism was rare and always constructive. We had a diverse group of people on the committee who complemented each other. Discussions often threw up opposite views and it was sometimes difficult to reach a consensus. However, no one ever held up the result and we worked together to implement what was decided.
Satisfying…This is the most important attribute in this list. I had a sense of achievement from my time as Chair of your u3a. Things did change, slowly, and by the time I handed over the reins to Lesley Elkington, I felt that my
time had been well spent. It’s a great job. Join the committee and have a go!
Peter James, Chair 2012 - 15