Message from the Trustees Team - June 2026
Communications Coordinator/Newsletter role
Ensuring that the membership is aware of what is going on is a key foundation of running any effective organisation. For the last three and a half years this function has been undertaken by Sue Parker, who has been producing and circulating our monthly newsletter, producing our recruitment pamphlets and handouts, creating any publicity material we need and ensuring that our mobile noticeboards are available and up to date for member events, as well as looking after our Facebook pages for our flourishing organisation.
Although Sue has continued to write the newsletter since she stood down from being a Trustee last November, she gave up the other tasks involved with being a Communications Coordinator, and as yet no-one else has stepped forward to fulfil these tasks.
It is time to find someone new who can add their own creativity to these activities. And this includes the newsletter as Sue fears that after four years of writing it she is in danger of becoming stale. Fresh ideas are needed.
We are now looking for someone, or a small team of people, to take on the Communication tasks. If no volunteers come forward, then it is likely that the flow of information to members will become spasmodic.
If you have the time and would be interested in helping with these tasks and would like to find out more, then please contact either:
Sue Parker: sueparker5@yahoo.co.uk OR Graham Friday 07982424533 or treasurer@crawleyu3a.org.uk
Thank you.
Other Roles still requiring Volunteers
In the meantime, and whilst the Trustees continue to get to grips with making sure the u3a is legally and financially compliant, what goes on within the organisation is down to the membership. There is still the need for some key volunteers to help within the Events team. Without volunteers to take on these tasks we will be looking at not being able to provide some important elements within what we currently offer the membership. The tasks that need to be covered are:
Speaker coordinator. We have got used to having excellent speakers at our monthly meetings, but the current coordinator is stepping down, so we need this task taken on. The role consists of finding and booking the speakers. We have speakers booked up until October 2026, but after that, without Speakers, we will have to look at the future of providing the Monthly meetings.
Seasonal Outings organiser. Over the years these have been very popular trips; with recent visits to Windsor, Greenwich, and Romney Marsh. If you feel you could contribute to organising an outing please get in touch with one of Trustees listed below.
Coffee morning organiser. This involves setting up and organising these key meetings. Without this being done then the current programme of these meetings will have to be phased out.
Small Teams rather than one person undertaking the Role
The benefits of working in small teams is something that we are always keen to promote, so although each of these tasks can be undertaken by an individual, they can also be undertaken collectively by a group of two or three.
So, if there is a group of friends that would like to take one on, or you feel you could undertake the task yourself and would like more information about what’s involved, then either contact one of the following, or have a chat with them at one of our monthly member meetings.
Tricia Newell (chair@crawleyu3a.org.uk) 07873 315414
John Williams (jovwilliams@yahoo.co.uk) 07770 833771
Graham Friday (treasurer@crawleyu3a.org.uk), 07982 424533
Kim Robinson (kmdrobinson@hotmail.co.uk) 07941 844452
Last Updated: 3 June 2026