Vice+President's+Message

 A big welcome to 2015. The festive season is now behind us and I trust you all had a joyous holiday with your family and friends. I know you are all looking forward to another year of continuing your regular courses, attending informative one-off groups and participating in exciting new events.

I am excited to present you with our new **Program Handbook** for January to June 2015. This change from the previous Term-based newsletter is intended to benefit our existing members, prospective members and most importantly those volunteers who work so hard to put together this information about our Program of courses and events. You can read more about this change in the 'From the Course Co-ordinator' article on page 2.

The first important date in 2015 to note in your diary is our **Registration/Information Day** on 21 January at Twyford Hall, Merimbula. Come along and meet your Committee members and find out what the Committee does. The Program Sub-committee and some course leaders will also be available with information about courses for renewing and new members. The Membership Team will have a table for new members who wish to join and renewing members.

The next important date is the **Annual General Meeting** on Wednesday 4 March at our Tura Beach Centre. This is a very important event in the year for all organisations when you, as members, have your voice in the running of your U3A through the elected Committee for the following year. Our membership climbed to over 600 during the past year. To enable us to manage the increase in numbers, we need volunteers for the Management Committee, Program Sub-committee and Course Leaders. Please consider putting your hand up to join in the running of your U3A – it is fun! Refreshments will be served after the official business of the afternoon.

Our **Seniors Week Event** will again be at Manna Park on Sunday 15 March. Come along and meet your fellow U3A members in the wonderful, relaxing recreational park.

In November 2014, Bermagui hosted the inaugural **U3A Regional Gathering** which was attended by our Committee and many of our Program Sub-Committee members, as well as other interested U3A members. A presentation was given by each U3A (Batemans Bay, Bermagui, Snowy Mountains and Sapphire Coast) identifying successes and problems encountered by each U3A. What asuccessful, informative day it was. Networking with our regional neighbours was a very useful insight into how other U3As are organised. Batemans Bay U3A has offered to organise the 2015 gathering and we will look forward to that.

The lease for our **Tura Beach Centre** has been negotiated. A three year term with a manageable rent was achieved which means we can continue to conduct our courses and events, store our records and equipment which Course Leaders have access to, and have a place to call home. The Tura Beach Centre survey which was circulated to members was very well received. Thank you to all those who completed them – your over-whelming support for the Centre was pleasing to know.

I look forward to meeting many of you at our upcoming events. Enjoy your U3A activities in 2015.

Sue Birks Vice President

Return to 2015 Program Handbook