NEWS

VP' CHATTER BOX

I took my own advice from my last column and attended the opening of Senior’s Week at Fed Square and was really surprised at how many U3A’s participated. In fact without the U3A’s there would not have been much of a show! And they did put on a show. There were groups playing table tennis and cards, demonstrations of Tai Chi and line dancing, artists drawing and painting, choirs singing and many crafts on display. All the marquees were handing out course lists and coloured brochures promoting their U3A. Not all the demonstrations were perfect but everyone was having a go and enjoying themselves. It was a really busy scene. Besides showing people how much fun we have there was the opportunity to gain new members, the best result I heard was 30 members and that included three new class leaders. I think we should start planning now with a view to participate next year.
By the time you read this our Enrolment and Open Day will be in the past and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those volunteers who helped on the day. There are so many jobs that have to be done to make the day a success and without you smiling helpers it would have been a mess. It’s that degree of enthusiasm again!
This is an opportune time to remind you all that unless you re-enrol you cannot expect your place in any class to be held for you. I understand that this may not have been strictly enforced in the past few years, but we are now growing to such a size that these rules must be properly applied so that it is fair to those who have paid and are seeking a place in a particular class.
If you were unable to attend enrolment day you can renew your membership at the U3A office during weekly office hours or you can post it in with the re-enrolment form sent out with October’s newsletter.
It is also time to remind you to wear your badge to class. Not only does it identify you as a member but it also provides the class leader with important information in the case of an emergency. Your class leaders have been told to look for pink from the beginning of 2010. A person without a pink badge will be told they cannot attend until they have one and there will be no guarantee that the place will still be available in some classes that have limited numbers.
Finally in the wash-up after Enrolment Day please let the office or one of the Executives know if you were unable to enrol for a class you want to do. We cannot guarantee to find a solution but we will see if one can be found.
If you were unable to visit the Croydon Bowls Club on October 25th but would still like to give it a try come along from 9-11am on November 18th or 25th (or both!) as these days are just for us.
The Maroondah Festival is on November 8th in the grounds around Keystone Hall. Our office will be open so if you are enjoying the fun of the festival pop in and say hello to whoever is in the office.

 

NOTES FROM YOUR CLASS CO-ORDINATOR

 I hope all leaders that attended the luncheon enjoyed themselves. We had a few first time leaders which was great to see. I hope they also had a nice time with us. 
There are still Term 4 Class Lists in the pockets at both the Scout Hall and the Keystone Office.         
Leaders can put a "Show of Interest" list on the Office Notice Board to recruit new members for 2010.       
After a lot of time busy organizing the Open/Information Day on Thursday 29th October by the Committee and Volunteers, it is now over. We hope it has been successful in drawing in a lot of interested people and they will come along and try a class themselves. 
The Secretary and I met with the leader who takes a woodwork class at Monkami for U3A members and a couple of people from Monkami. I will be making a visit there and will be shown around the place, as they appear to have a lot of activities happening.   
I will let you know how it goes after my visit. That's it from me. Cheerio.

OTHER NEWS

MAROONDAH FESTIVAL - IMPORTANT
There will be no parking behind our Office during the week preceding the Festival.

We have received the following from the Council.
This is an overview of the proposed use of the Keystone Hall facilities during the festival weekend.  The main stage will be located on the eastern side of the U3A rooms. We will be utilising the change rooms for backstage which we will access through the door to the left hand side of the athletics canteen. The existing athletics club rooms will be used as a first aid room by St Johns on the Sunday. Set up of the stages and marquees will commence either on Thursday 5th or Friday 6th November and will be completed on Saturday 7th with pack down on Monday 9th November.
I am assuming that you will require access to your rooms during this time. Can you please ask all of your members who may come to the U3A rooms during this time to park in Civic Place near the library rather than in the athletics car park as this area will be the main access to the site. There will be stages and marquees placed all around the building can you ask your members to be extra vigilant when accessing the rooms.