Herts Network of U3As Recruitment of Trustees and Study Group Leaders Questionnaire Feedback

1. Herts Network of U3As Recruitment of Trustees and Study Group Leaders Questionnaire Feedback

2. Question 1 Difficulties Too much like being at work, too little respect. Too many happy with status quo and don’t want to take responsibility Trustee role viewed with suspicion Too easy for leaders to continue leading Shortage of people willing to serve. Group Leaders already busy with their groups. U3A is now seen as ”…………..for pleasure” Members don’t get the U3A Philosophy of mutuality. Fewer problems recruiting for Study Group Leaders than Committee

3. Question 2 Reasons for lack of volunteers Older/longer-serving members have ‘done their bit’. Potential members are often already committed to work with Scouts, WI, Church Groups etc. People who want to be there are already there Five or six said that members want to retire and don’t want to go back to work Don’t want to accept responsibility Members feel they can’t do it. Intimidated by success of existing Committee Lack of confidence. (How do you get people who haven’t had real power or control or responsibility in their working lives to take that on now. AP) Fear of what the commitment would really mean. Can’t easily be quantified Committee seen as too onerous and time consuming. Don’t like Committee meetings “Minutes are taken but hours are wasted”!

4. Reasons for lack of volunteers (continued) Personality clashes. Either the ‘I hate him/her’ or ‘don’t like the philosophy of the Committee’ Apathy. “Nothing to do with me”. Take but don’t want to give. Happy to let others do the work. See the U3A as a ‘Service Provider’ I’ve paid my fees. Members want something for their subs. Don’t grasp the U3A ethos Lack of power to control miscreant members. The present increased workload because of the changes to finance, the tightening of the Charities Commission rules and the need for policies on safeguarding, complaints, equality etc and the problems with implementing GDPR have all had a negative effect.

5. Question3 Methods/Strategies Used Networking Appeals and communication with members via Newsletters and Monthly Meetings. Nuclear Option ie no recruitment no U3A Word of mouth appeals. One on one conversations. Coffee Mornings, Tea parties to explain roles Invitation to observe Committee Meetings. Shadowing Demonstrating what committees do, breaking down prejudices and showing that committees can be fun Explanation of roles, work load and support available Identify potential candidates and lobby by personal contact. Arm twisting

6. 4 How Effective? Networking worked Appeals either verbally or in Newsletters or emails generally failed. (Note; These are merely informative not persuasive) Nuclear option was successful in three cases Coffee Mornings etc had some success Talking to individuals and invitation to attend Committee meetings worked Identifying targets and ‘grooming’ them worked

7. Why do people volunteer? • Belief in the philosophy, values, principles • Like Challenge • Life-long volunteer • Like being useful • Enjoy meeting new people • Put something back • Use skills • Have time to do something • Enjoyment/Fun • Personal satisfaction • Love stationery! (paperwork) • Flattery • Climb the ladder - ambition/ego/power • To understand the organisation better.

8. Some Ideas and Thoughts about What to Do Have A Plan which includes an induction plan for new members and a strategy for developing committee members with a succession plan. Use Buddy and shadowing systems. ‘Each One, Reach One’ Make sure the website and all correspondence and direct contact with potential new members highlights the mutuality principle and why U3A is different to other organisations. Make sure all volunteers are publicly valued eg highlight their work, have tea parties, lunches. SAY THANK YOU Try to reduce the Study Group Leaders work. Make it ‘Leadership and Organisation’ not ‘A Leader’ Communicate what is happening to members. Use different committee members. Not always the same old voices saying the same old things. Train and educate members and especially Trustees. Widen their understanding. Use National and Regional Office resources like workshops. Use National Office for support

9. Some Additional Tips/Guides Have a PLAN. Includes ‘Succession Planning’ Start with your website. Does it talk about Mutuality and why the U3A is different Make sure your volunteers are publicly fully valued. ‘Thank Yous’, tea party, lunch Maintain communications about the work of the committee using a variety of people Work with Study Group Leaders to help manage their workload. Look at it as ‘Leadership’ not ‘A Leader’