August 2009 - Issue 004

WELCOME TO MEMBERS & GUESTS TO OUR FOURTH NEWSLETTER.

I do hope that our members are forwarding this newsletter to the chair of their local U3A groups as I have discovered that many have not heard of vU3A and consequently are not aware of the help we can give. We are not trying to recruit their active members but reach out to those unable to be active. We are the vU3A that is an online U3A operating entirely on the Internet, with the objective of serving the needs of those who are unable to attend a local U3A by reason of location, health, disability, caring for others, other commitments, or those working unsocial hours. 

THIRD AGE TRUST (TAT)

Although we opened our doors to new members on
1 January 2009, we had to satisfy TAT that we were responsible organisation fulfilling the objects of the University of the Third Age and we had temporary membership whilst undertaking the examination that all new U3A's suffer. We are now officially affiliated to the TAT and have paid them our capitation fee.

COURSES

Members of vU3A are now able to partake in formal online courses and I recommend a visit to www.u3a.org.uk (not to be confused with our website www.vu3a.org.uk).

COPYRIGHT LICENCE

I have been worried that I have not obtained permission to use some photographs in some submissions but membership of TAT resolves the problem. From 1st August we have signed up for a copyright licence with TAT that will allow us to put copies of articles and pictures from journals and magazines and sections out of books into our interest group pages without violating the copyright – but see small print at foot of next page. For all the above our thanks are due to Linda linda.clark@virgin.net.

LEADERS - A CHALLENGE

Here is a challenge to any leader, we plan to offer one off or a series of talks in the autumn and we invite members and non-members to make a presentation to a vU3A. You will need a computer and access to the Internet, a microphone and speakers. You will be able to give your talk over the Internet to our members scattered around the country with similar kit to yourself. They can see you and you can see them. You have control over speaking and are able to respond to the questions. Your talk will be recorded so that members unable to attend the meeting, possibly from New Zealand can listen to talk at their convenience.

For those up to the challenge, please contact JohnMW. E-mail wariner@waitrose.com

REACHING OUT TO MEMBERS

No sooner do we decide that Chatzy meetings three evenings a week are not attracting members, and can be discontinued, than we have a complaint from a member who did turn up.
Sorry folks, but we are now introducing what can be described as an appointment system for Chatzy whereby you contact by email vu3achat@vu3a.org suggesting a time for a chat and Joan, Peter and JohnMW will respond. Full details are available to members under the heading “Join us for a chat” in the wiki sidebar and acknowledgements to Charlie who proposed this scheme initially.

For the past five weeks, Duncan has been running a Skype-based session on Monday mornings, based around the coffee shop concept of some friendly banter, but offering as a live group under a "Coffee 'n Skype" header. It is necessary to have Skype and link yourselves with Duncan through skype as ‘duncantribute’ or make preliminary contact by (e-mail duncantribute@btinternet.com) and he will then contact you on a Monday morning at 11.30 GMT. Duncan is ambitious and plans to try to link up members in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, so do make contact with him at the above address.
Cecilia is available by e-mail, letter, or telephone ( 020 7794 8567) to discuss any aspect of vU3A and most members should have already received a personal welcoming letter shortly after they join. E-mail her on  clnorman@btinternet.com

INTRODUCING YOUR COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES –

Honorary Treasurer, Chris Salter.

Chris was born in Ilford, Essex in 1934 and spent her childhood there.  She started work in the civil service in London at the Treasury, and then moved to financial work. After a career break to raise 4 children, the family moved to Brighton where she had a business.    Children grown, she and her husband moved to Pembrokeshire where she worked as book keeper for a firm of Solicitors, and became treasurer for the local WI.   In 2005, a widow, she moved to Angmering , near to two of her children, and joined the Arun U3A.  Interested in crafts and computers, she now runs classes for Novices in computing and is very happy now living in West Sussex.  In 2007 she joined the Steering Committee for Virtual U3A, and became involved in drafting the  Constitution and  organising the accounting and banking arrangements, and is at present acting as Treasurer for vU3A .

Finally this is your the newsletter, so that your comments on any subject will be appreciated.
Editor: JohnMW. E-mail wariner@waitrose.com.  Skype johnmichael1800

What will the CLA Licence allow me to do?

The CLA “blanket” licence permits the blanket copying and scanning of copyrighted print material for educational purposes without having to approach the individual rights holder on each occasion. This CLA Licence offers the following rights: Right to photocopy from any publication (book, journal or magazine) published in the. UK (and other countries). Extracts up to 5%, one chapter, or one article – whichever is the greater. Right to copy onto acetate or enlarge copies. Right to digitally copy (scan or retype) and to use these digital copies with digital whiteboards, within Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), email and so on. Right to store copies for one year. Copying entire works for visually-impaired students. One fee per annum for all licensed copying. No records to maintain.