We had a very successful AGM on Monday with 63 members attending.
Members might like to know the outcome ahead of the formal Minutes being prepared and issued.
We heard from the Treasurer that our funds are in a healthy position; fully justifying the membership fee of 10€ covering a two year membership for those renewing. New members are still required to pay 10€ for the year.
It was reported by the President that we had nearly 40 active groups with two possible new ones in the pipeline. There is currently a vacancy for Groups Coordinator and this job is key to running the U3A. The President asked for everyone present to consider carefully whether they could volunteer for the job or failing that to think about whether there was another member they knew who might be interested to volunteer or could be pursuaded!
This year, more use has been made of JotForms for booking travel and other events because this makes light work of the task of collating bookings and menu choices etc. The form entries go straight into a spreadsheet removing the need for transcribing information from emails. This reduces the possibility of errors in bookings or missing one all together!
We have also introduced an online card payment system which is proving very popular and which gives the Treasurer exact information about who has paid for what, which isn’t always evident on bank transfers. It also makes any refunds a very simple process involving ‘one click’ on the screen rather than creating a bank transfer involving two people to execute. All great labour saving advantages for our hard working volunteers!
Whilst the card system is labour saving it does cost a bit extra but we feel it’s worth it for the savings in time and effort as well as convenience for members, especlally our non-resident ones who may not have Spanish bank accounts.
We presented of gift vouchers to John Hopwood on his retirement from the Art & History Group along with Peter & Pauline Griffiths who have retired from helping at General Meetings. All three have given tireless service to the U3A and we thank them heartily and wish them well for the future.
Our chosen charity of the year is HELP of Marina Alta who provide a wide range of assistance to people when illness strikes such a hire of equipment e.g. wheelchairs, walking frames etc. They also have a Help Desk at Denia Hospital, a number of interpretors for medical appointments and drivers to take people to hospital and doctor’s appointments.
A plea was made for volunteers to serve for a couple of hours in the morning at their shops in Teulada or Javea. If you can help contact Sheran Williams by email group-solos-amigos@u3amoraira-teulada.org
Finally we elected your new Committee for the coming year with many familiar faces standing again and the addition of two new faces (to the Committee) in Coral and Ray Guise-Smith.
We all look forward to an enjoyable and successful year!
