Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I ENROL IN UPPER BANN U3A?

To enrol in Upper Bann U3A you must first complete an enrolment form which is available on line or from a member of the committee.  When the enrolment form is completed it must be returned, along with the enrolment fee of £10, to the Membership Secretary

HOW DO I ENROL IN AN ACTIVITY?

To enrol in an activity you must be a fully paid up member of Upper Bann U3A.  Members wishing to take part in an activity should phone or email the Group Convenor.  In the event of a group being over-subscribed your name will be put on a waiting list.  Should there be sufficient names on the waiting list a second group may be formed, provided a second group convenor is available.

IS THERE A CHARGE FOR THE ACTIVITIES?

Many of the activities are free of charge.  However some activities do have costs but these are kept to a minimum.  For example the ‘Bridge Group’ meet in Portadown Golf Club.  The weekly charge is £3.00 per person.  This fee covers the cost of the room and the cost of tea/coffee, cake and biscuits, served during the bridge session.

WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE?

For details of activities currently on offer please click here.

WHERE DO THE ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE?

There is no set venue for all activities.  For example the Walking Groups, the Cycling Groups, the Luncheon Group and the Genealogy Group meet at a range of venues.  Participants are advised by the Group Leader or by email, the location of the next activity.  Lurgan Minor Town Hall, The Hub in Craigavon and Portadown Golf Club are venues frequently used.  For details of other activities click for the Activity Sheet.

HOW DO I BECOME A GROUP CONVENOR?

Group Convenors are the lifeblood of U3A and potential convenors are welcomed.  If you would like to share an interest with other members, a description of your proposed group should be given to a member of the committee.   Interest in the activity will be assessed and if three or more people express an interest, a suitable time and venue will be arranged.  Support in the form of literature, videos and CDs is available from central office.

WHAT IS THE BEACON SYSTEM?

U3A Beacon is an on-line facility for managing Upper Bann U3A’s membership, finance and groups. It is a secure web-based system accessed by username and password, allocated by each U3A site administrator. Membership data is entered on the system by the Membership Secretary and Group Leaders/Convenors can use the system to update members about activities either using the on-line calendar or via email. The Treasurer will use the system to record all financial transactions and produce end-of-year reports while the Secretary will use it to reclaim Gift Aid from HMRC. To read more about U3A Beacon click here.

‘Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC100619’.

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