Groups are at the heart of u3a and for Exeter u3a to be successful we need a wide range of groups led by Group Convenors. Whether you have been a convenor for many years, are a new convenor or thinking about setting up a new group, we hope the information below will be helpful.
Group Convenors
It is often said that interest groups are the life blood of the u3a, and each group will develop its own structure. However, it is important that your group follows the u3a ethos of shared, participative and self-help learning. “The teachers learn, and the learners teach.” The result then will be not only an increase in knowledge, but a supportive and friendly atmosphere which enables everyone to participate.
The convenor’s role within the group may include:
Administration - A Convenor will arrange meetings and maintain a list of members belonging to the group who will be invited to attend each meeting. They will usually act as a contact point for group members and those interested in joining the group. Therefore, convenors will need to have an email address.
Facilitation – A convenor may act as a facilitator for group meetings, if required, but this role may not be needed for all groups and, where facilitation is appropriate, it will ideally be shared amongst the members in accordance with the u3a self-help principles.
Enthusiasm – As aconvenor you do not need to be an expert, simply a member interested in learning something new. There is plenty of help available; Click here.
All Exeter u3a groups are encouraged to share the roles between several group members and to have two convenors wherever possible, to share the workload and to allow the group to continue if the convenor is unable to convene the group for any reason. Third Age Trust Group Convenors Handbook
Groups Coordinator
The Groups Coordinator’s role is to publicise and support all new groups to get started and to help and support Group Convenors. It is important that the Groups Coordinator is informed of a change in convenor, regular times or venues for meetings or when a group reaches capacity.
See the Groups Coordinator Job Description for more information on their role.
Click on the links below for information on
Organising Group Meetings (includes information on potential venue and recruiting new members)
Communicating with group members (includes information on the keeping the website up-to-date and Beacon)
Group Convenors Café
The Group Convenors Café is an informal group that meets bimonthly (usually the second Monday morning of January, March, May, July, September and November) to exchange ideas and support Group Convenors. It aims to be a useful forum to meet with other Group Convenors to share experiences / seek advice in a supported environment. All Group Convenors registered on Beacon will be sent an email inviting them to the Café approximately one week before the meeting. There is no formal agenda nor any need to send apologies.
Further information on the Group Convenors Café is available from the Groups Co-ordinator.