For several years we, as members, had been happy for two individuals to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility for the running of Halewood u3a, putting in far more effort than should honestly have been expected of anyone. As a result an awful lot was taken for granted and it was unrealistically assumed that this situation would continue indefinitely.

Sadly, that situation changed drastically late last year. This has meant that much more demand is placed on the remaining committee members.

Liz was supported by a committee, the members of which had in the most part initially been co-opted and subsequently confirmed by the membership at the following AGM. Nominations from the membership were rare, if existent at all. Yet the u3a is an organisation which describes itself as being for the members by the members.

Our constitution states that the committee can have 12 members. It also states that each member should only serve for a term of three years, but it has not been possible to comply with that. We currently have 11 committee members, three of whom are not standing for re-election at the next AGM. We ideally need to have a full complement if this u3a is going to continue to flourish. (And it has been flourishing - in July 2021 we had 106 members, we now have 221, i.e. the membership has more than doubled in 5 years. There has been a similar increase in the number of interest groups).

We therefore need nominations for people who are willing to join the committee and add to what we are trying to achieve. Unless this support is forthcoming I fear that this u3a will no longer be able to thrive, but will stagnate and may ultimately perish.

So please consider whether you may be able to give some time and have some skills to offer, and hopefully we can have some nominations by the end of September, to put to the membership at October’s AGM.