THAMES VALLEY NETWORK
Network Representatives Meeting
22nd September 2009
Present: Anthony Burdall (Chairman), John Brandis (Haddenham), Agnes Budagowska (Swindon), Susie Berry (Ridgeway),Ted Chapman (High Wycombe and District), Sue Chainey (Ridgeway), Ian Clarkson (Faringdon), Jeannie Dickie (Swindon), David Fotherby (West Oxford), Wendy Griffiths (Princes Risborough), Peter Jarvis (Thatcham), Pam Jones (Witney), Martin McBride (Carterton), Bob Meredith (Chiltern), Peter Metcalf (Chiltern), H. Mintern (Chess Valley), Pam Palmer (Bracknell), Charlie Pelling (Carterton), Mark Phillips (Thameside, Wallingford), Mark Price (Greater Thame), Jenny Sakonoto (Banbury), Isobel Sheppard (Goring), Len Smith (Wokingham), Joan Thomas (Banbury), Patsy Thornton (Wokingham) (25)
1.0 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Adam Cave (Newbury), Pat Davey (Maidenhead), Marilyn Dyer-Lynch (Wallingford), Andrew Gordon (Bicester) , Colin Mitchell (NEC Trustee, S.E. England), Colin Sear (Chinnor & District), Brand Sharpe (Wendover), John Whitwell (Banbury) Geoff Young (Aylesbury Vale).
2.0 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
2.1.Comments on Minutes of May 13th 2009 – none.
2.2.Actions arising – none.
2.3. Any other matters arising – none. John Brandis congratulated Pam Jones on the conciseness of the Minutes. Minutes agreed as correct.
3.0 REPORT OF NETWORK COMMITTEE
3.1. Chairman’s Report: Anthony commented that matters for discussion will arise on the agenda. He confirmed that all U3As previously affiliated had paid their fees for this year. Since the last meeting, two Study Days had been planned – Art History, which had been a great success with excellent speakers. There is obviously a huge interest in this type of topic. Thanks go to all concerned in its organization. ‘Creative Writing’ to be held in November in Witney. Applications are now coming in for this day. The ‘NIMBY’ debate had had to be cancelled. There were only 14 applications when it was cancelled (nearly all men – just one woman had applied). There had been a few more since but no more than 20 in all. Perhaps the lesson to be learned is that Study Days in September are probably not a good idea as far as timing is concerned. Questions were asked as to what is an ideal number. In this case, Anthony felt that there had to be 40 to make it a worthwhile debate. Isobel is hoping for 60 people for the Creative Writing Day. The debate had been cancelled at that particular time to avoid cancellation charges.
3.2. Secretary’s Report: Speaker Database and Contact List to be discussed later.
3.3. Treasurer’s Report: Martin reported that the balance in the bank account is just over £3,000. He asked representatives how much they felt should be retained as a ‘cushion’ and how they felt it should be invested for the members. It was felt that £1,500 - £2,000 should be kept as cushion for unforeseen events. It was proposed that the balance should be invested in a Training Day in February 2010, for the benefit of members. Mike Price felt that it was difficult to specify the size of a cushion as a deposit might be needed for the Oxford Summer School next year. Merton College would reserve the dates for us and we would have to pay a deposit. If no deposit, they could pass the booking to someone else. If we committed ourselves and could not then get enough people, we might incur cancellation charges. It was agreed that £1,500 - £2,000 would be an adequate cushion for our purposes.
4.0 REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
Colin had sent a report concerning the National Conference in Edinburgh. The resolution worded,
“We are pleased that the constitution approved in 2008 gives the U3As in each region, the right to
elect their own representative and trustee. In democratic elections there are various procedures for
ensuring that, as far as possible, each vote carries equal weight on electing representatives. We feel
that the elections to the Third Age Trust should give appropriate weight to the distribution of U3As
across the regions. We propose that the NEC should re-examine the situation with a view to
increasing representation of the largest regions and bring appropriate proposals to the 2010 AGM”.
Colin went on to say that the NEC now has to agree what will be presented to the next AGM and he
would not be surprised if he is the only person on the NEC in favour of change. This is because
nearly all the other regions have accepted the new arrangements and developed regional
associations to support the U3As and their Trustee/Representative. This was very noticeable in one
of the conference discussion groups where some members of regional associations spoke strongly in
their favour. Some of these associations are also lobbying the NEC to get control of the funds that
are available for regional support. The U3As in the South East cannot benefit from these funds
because we do not have regional events, e.g. conferences, study days and summer schools (even
though many events organized by some networks and the S.E. Forum are available to members
across the region). Colin is currently in discussions with the new Chairman of the Third Age Trust
and the treasurer in an attempt to get some regional support money released to the south east for
events organized on a county basis (networks are specifically excluded from financial support
because they do not necessarily include all U3As and some U3As belong to more than one network).
The U3As in Kent, Sussex and Surrey have started to work together to prepare a proposal that could be sent to the NEC for consideration as the resolution to be proposed to the 2010 AGM. Colin anticipates that they will consult with the Thames Valley Network and with U3AS in Hampshire, with a view to presenting a proposal that has agreement from across the region. He hopes to act as catalyst in this sharing and would welcome our views on the best ways of achieving a wide consultation. There will be a meeting for Hampshire U3As on October 20th and Colin will be chairing the meeting. He hopes that we can provide him with some ideas to share with our colleagues further south.
Colin was delighted that the motion had been passed. The feeling in the conference hall had been very strongly against the motion but the postal vote carried the day. Len Smith said how difficult it is for Colin with such a large number of U3As in his region. John Brandis sympathized, saying that it was not possible for Colin to adequately represent his region as things stood.
A motion was proposed by Peter Jarvis, seconded by Len Smith supporting Colin that “Thames Valley Network welcomes the NEC proposal to examine the situation and hopes that it will decide that there should be more than one representative for the South East Region”. Some representatives were not happy about the wording but it was felt that there could be a further amendment in due course. The motion was carried unanimously.
It was agreed that Colin should be asked how he would like us to use this motion. If he is happy, we would write a letter along these lines to the national chairman. Mark Phillips asked whether these discussions go on our website or are they confidential. Discussion ensued as to whether the minutes should be displayed. What about the accounts? General feeling was that publishing minutes might prompt a healthy debate. The meeting decided to leave it to the discretion of the Network Committee.
5.0. NETWORK INFORMATION
5.1. Contacts list: Pam asked representatives to inform her of any changes.
5.2. Database of speakers: as above. Pam would like to reduce the length of the list but can only do so if
members tell her about outdated information and update her on current speakers.
5.3. Network website: Len reported 125 hits in July and 113 in August. He asked that representatives publicise
the network address so that members can refer to Study Day plans. He asked members for suggestions as to what
other things he should put on there.
6.0 NETWORK ACTIVITIES
6.1. Programme for 2009. The Art History Study Day had been a great success.
The NIMBY debate had been cancelled due to lack of interest. Decision to cancel made at point where no cancellation charges had been incurred. It is not really known whether the subject was the problem or the date.
Mike Price pointed out that if we commit to the Oxford Summer School in 2010, there will have to be a cut-off date. This will need emphasizing as costs will be high Mike explained that Merton College will hold the date for us but if we have not fully committed, they will possibly give us 2 days’ notice and we would be forced to make an immediate decision.
Isobel felt that speakers had been a problem in the NIMBY debate but Len felt that the subject was the problem. Anthony had only received one application from a female. It was suggested that this could be a case for organizing ‘smaller’ days for subjects of ‘smaller’ interest. Once again, members talked of the importance of early publicity. Wokingham U3A published its brochure 6 months before their Summer School. Patsy and Agnes said that actual dates are needed as soon as possible for 2010 events.
Isobel appealed to members to enlist help from their U3As to organize Study Days with her. She likes organizing the days but needs to work with people interested in the specific subject.
Creative Life Writing – November 28th 2009 – Witney. Applications are now coming in. It is to be hoped that we will get 60 delegates.
6.2. Programme for 2010
Wokingham Conference – June 2nd 2010- Emmbrook School, Wokingham All is going well. There will be two very good speakers: Ian Searle, the new Chairman of the Third Age Trust and Alex McMinn. A number of workshops have been arranged and facilities at the school will be inspected at half-term.
Study Days: Wine Appreciation has been taken out of the programme as it presented too many difficulties. An Art History would replace it. Classical Music – Isobel suggests a famous composer with a significant anniversary in 2010. There are several. Historic Towns of the Thames Valley and Food Science day at the Museum of Rural Life, Reading re also planned. Bob Meredith offered to assist with the latter. Members agreed that it appeared to be a well-balance programme. A ‘Sharing Experience’ training day is proposed for February.
Venues: this thorny issue was discussed. Anthony believes that the centre of the Network is just south of Oxford but Patsy and Len do not agree. Anthony suggested Oxford for the training day but a school is needed as classrooms are required. Patsy suggested Kendrick School in Reading as a possibility. It is within walking distance of Reading station. Pam Palmer from Bracknell felt that Witney was too far for members in her U3A. John Brandis suggested that Goring had worked well. Anthony suggested that we all put out a plea for venues. Sue Chainey asked what the requirements are. For a lecture type study day, a lecture theatre/hall is required holding 100 – 120. If there are workshops, then classrooms are needed. Churches/schools/colleges with catering/parking/public transport are most suitable. Anthony pointed out that at the very first study day based in Oxford, all U3As in the Network were represented apart from Oxford!
The Training Day in February would be in a school, either in half-term (13 – 20th February 2010) or on a Saturday.
Network Forum: discussion took place as to the value of ‘does size matter?’ as a Forum subject, especially as this will be one of the subjects at the Network Conference. An alternative suggestion ‘to discuss U3A’s role in the community’ was accepted and agreed.
Network Lunch: Anthony will investigate a lunch at a National Trust property. Head Office is in Swindon – it was suggested he telephone there first.
Summer School: Mike to book Merton College. He thinks they will hold the booking until the end of January. Once committed, the college will require payment. Len will advertise it on the website. Mike realises that it will be expensive but it will be an experience and Merton is reputed to have the best cuisine in the Oxford colleges. All single rooms with some en-suites.
6.3. Programme for 2011
Network Conference: Anthony asked for a volunteer U3A for 2011. It was suggested that smaller U3As could combine and would be welcome to join Wokingham’s planning team. Mark Phillips asked what facilities are required. A school with a main hall, 4 – 6 other rooms, coffee and lunch facilities, parking if possible. Anthony asked members to go away and discuss it with their members. Mike Price recommended the exercise. The four U3As who had co-operated last year had benefited enormously as a result.
It was suggested that there should be 4 study days, a Network Training Day , a Bridge Day and a Summer School in 2011. Peter thought we needed science subjects to be included somewhere.
Patsy asked that when we do Historic Towns of the Thames Valley, would it be possible to combine it with walking the long distance footpaths? Different groups e.g. birdwatchers, artists etc. could carry out their activities, record them and the whole thing could be brought together the following year. Could the Summer School 2011 take all these activities? Could all towns on the Thames, organize walks in their area? They could join together, having had a responsibility for one section. They could meet in a pub and get to know each other. This could happen after the 2010 study day and culminate in a summer school in 2011. This suggestion was very well received.
Another classical music day in 2011? There would be a network training day. Bob Meredith pointed out that some of the training matters would need to be repeated because of the changeover in committee members and officers.
7.0 LEARNING REVOLUTION
Peter Jarvis said that the government has now recognized U3A and has put £20 million pounds into the kitty to support informal learning as a whole. 1.4 million adult learning places have been lost. The government is asking organizations to give a pledge for learning. Some communities will have Learning Festivals/Fairs during Autumn 2009 where organizations show the public what they are already doing in informal adult learning. Swindon U3A obtained financial assistance for their Freshers’ Fair under this scheme. The deadline for applying to the Transformation Fund has gone but there will be more money available next year. Local schools have benefited and are offering free classes as a result. The ‘Open Space’ Movement has begun where organizations throw open their facilities for informal learning at low or no cost. ‘Extended school schemes’ have been funded. There is a new public document available called ‘Learning for Life’ – describing the state of adult learning in the UK over the last 10 years.
8.0. TVN RESEARCH GROUP PROPOSAL
Peter reported that we are the largest constituency in adult learning. We lack formal research into ourselves. The Open University formed a Senior Citizens’ Research Group to study those in OU. There is so much research on us by people who don’t really know us. Much of the research is anecdotal and is not conducted by people who understand what we are about. 2nd Age researchers comment on 3rd Agers. We should have our own group looking at 3rd and 4th Agers and our learning. National has talked of setting up such a group.
Peter would like to set up a group of interested members of U3As in the TV Network. They would be invited to a half-day meeting during which this proposal will be discussed and a Network Research Committee established. It is also suggested by Colin Mitchell that we extend this invitation to the whole of the South East Region.
Peter asked members to go away and talk to their committees and members about this and send names of interested people to him.
9.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Agnes reported that Swindon U3A had applied for government help under the Festival of Learning scheme for their ‘Freshers’ Fair’ and had received it very quickly.
10.0 DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
Goring on Friday 27th November 2009 at 10am for 10.30. Venue to be advised.
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