Group Leaders are the lifeblood of Fife u3a - thank you for taking on the role of a Group Leader.

The Group Leader Handbook aims to provide you with useful information for your role.

The forms you need are also available here.

Group Income form. This can be used to keep a track of money collected and also gives details of how to send it to the Treasurer. Bank account details will be sent separately to you by the Treasurer.

A group should be self-sufficient, but there may be a need to purchase some equipment or service in advance and recover the cost from the members over time. A loan can be applied for using this online form.

Group Leaders’ Meeting 1st November 2024 in the KUSI club at 2pm.
Present:
Jean Black – Group Coordinator
Sadie Seath – Membership Secretary
Francine Hampton – Vice Chair
Marion Lackie – Travel Group
Vicky Duke – Local History
Irene Campbell – Local History
Sylvia Todd - Local History
Steve Petts – What the Papers Say
Laura King – Scrabble and Rummikub
Sheena Lawson – Craft n Cuppa
Ruth Cross – Walk in the Park
Val Robertson -Quiz and Reading Groups
Avril Carroll – Garden Group
Jackie Clark – French Group
Olive Inglis – Ten Pin Bowling and Lunch Club
Anna Bennett – Mindfulness and Meditation
Doreen Somerville – Scottish Heritage
Gillian Dooley – Out and About Group and Current Affairs
Helen Peedle – Film and Theatre

There was a very good turnout, and Jean opened the meeting and thanked all for coming.
Sadie then spoke about the online data system Beacon and how important it is to keep a tab on all
the group members and let her know of any changes. Also to ensure that all their members have
renewed their membership.
A few group leaders have access to the Beacon system themselves and if anyone else was
interested, to get in touch with Sadie with a view to some tuition on the system.
Jean then reminded them that the fee for any groups using the KUSI should be £1 each from their
members and this is then either deposited into our bank account or given to Susan at a monthly
meeting either in cash or by SumUp. Monies deposited online are acknowledged by Susan Kirkwood,
our Treasurer.
Group leaders should have all the forms necessary to operate the group, but they can also be
downloaded from our website including the one for listing monies taken to give to Susan at
meetings.
All members are asked to provide emergency contact information on their renewal form and these
contacts should only be used in an emergency and of course with the member’s agreement.
Under no circumstances should anyone feel they have to provide treatment such as CPR unless they
have the necessary certification. Nor should they put themselves in discomfort trying to help. Only in
critical circumstances should an ambulance be called and only if the emergency person noted cannot
be contacted.
Doreen Somerville suggested an entry into the newsletter and the website about the advantages of
joining the waiting list and has submitted info to Marion. (this can be found on the Groups page)
As far as Health and Safety is concerned, public venues will have their own certificates and need not
be checked but fire escape instructions should be given at the beginning of each group meeting.
Meetings in members’ houses do not need such stringent checks but just use common sense.
Leaders are advised of Data Protection rules and not give out member information without their
consent first.
A few people have more than one group and the group members should be encouraged to help.
Gillian Dooley has expressed that she feels the pressure and not sure if she will continue.
Some groups do not have a leader at all but in these cases each member should be encouraged to
suggest a topic for each month. The Garden group does this quite successfully.
The French group currently meets on alternate months at members’ houses and if a venue could be
suggested that would take the pressure off the members concerned.
The quarterly Newsletter depends on groups sending in articles and photos if available and Ruth
Cross, our secretary encouraged the group leaders to do so either themselves or their members and
send them to Marion who is our Newsletter person.
The X page needs some work and Sheena Lawson deals with this, but the subject will be brought up
at the next committee meeting.
Ruth also asked for ideas on how to recruit new members and again this will be brough up at the
next committee meeting.
Sheena is willing to distribute posters or leaflets.
A couple of event information had been omitted on the website so leaders must send updates to
Susan Kirkwood our Web Manager.
The meeting ended at 3.15pm and Jean thanked all for coming.