Advice and Guidance for Group Leaders
As at 05 March 2024
Membership
There are some interest groups within Andover u3a, particularly where numbers are quite small, which contain regular attendees from more than one u3a (particularly Anton u3a). This is acceptable within the u3a rules.
However, apart from people attending for a “taster session”, group leaders should confirm that everyone in their group is indeed a member of a u3a. This can be done via the Membership Secretary.
Occasional visitors from another u3a will be accepted free of charge at our monthly meetings in the Fairground Hall, Weyhill, subject to space being available.
Insurance
All members and Group Leaders are covered by u3a insurance. This covers events, travel and the use of private dwellings for official u3a events. This cover only includes paid up members of the u3a. It includes participation in our u3a activities by members from another u3a and vice versa.
Financial Matters
In outline the financial requirements for Group Leaders are as follows:
Never process any u3a money through your own bank account or use your own credit / debit card, without the prior approval from the Andover u3a Treasurer. (Approval will only be given in exceptional circumstances where payment for an event / outing cannot be made in any other manner.)
The committee must be made aware of all contracts and agreements. Contracts and agreements incurring a cost of over £200 per year can only be approved and signed at committee level. Small value contracts or agreements, ie. those under £200, can be signed off at group level, but must be copied to the Treasurer.
For all other financial arrangements: where there is expenditure of more than £200, the committee must be informed prior to commitment. No u3a funding should ever be accrued to private bank accounts. No more than £200 in cash should be held by Group Leaders or event organisers. If necessary, a ‘one-off’ use of the Events Account can be arranged through the Treasurer.
More detail is provided in the Andover U3A Financial / Contractual Procedures for Running a Group dated 21 March 2019. This has been circulated to all Group Leaders. This document is particularly relevant to the Quester Groups, which involve larger sums of money and contractual agreements.
If they are unsure, Group Leaders should consult the Andover u3a Treasurer.
Communication, the Website and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
Encourage all members of your group to use our website www.andoveru3a.co.uk.
Encourage all group members to register with the Third Age Trust at www.u3a.org.uk, and gain access to the Third Age Trust's newsletter at www.u3a.org.uk/newsletter. (Note: your u3a Region is South East.)
Please keep the Groups Co-ordinator and the Webmaster informed of all your group’s information and especially the diary, which should be kept updated.
Health and Safety
There is a wealth of useful guidance information on the Third Age Trust's website, which is at www.u3a.org.uk
In particular Group Leaders should make themselves familiar with information available under the Advice area of the Trust's website. In order to access this information, u3a members must open an account. This requires setting up a user name and password. This is straightforward to do. All Group Leaders are encouraged to look at this information, in particular the sections relating to Risk Assessments and Incident Reports.
Click / touch to download these forms:
- E06 - Incident Report Form
- E08 - Venue Risk Assessment Checklist
- E09 - Venue Checklist (Day of Use)
- E10 - Walk Leader Risk Assessment Checklist
Group Leaders should always have a blank Incident Report Form available. It is advisable to complete this as soon after the incident as possible, when accurate information is memorable and readily available. Completed forms should be sent to the Andover u3a Secretary.
Where applicable and especially for the walking groups, all sensible Health & Safety measures should be applied and a first aid kit carried.
Next of Kin / Emergency Notification Details
All u3a members should be encouraged to carry their Next of Kin details (or the details of somebody they would wish to be contacted in the event of an emergency or accident). This is a very useful and important information to have available, especially for walking and activity groups away from home. It should also hold any relevant medical information. It is held by the individual and is only used in an emergency.