The next meeting date has now been confirmed: Friday 24th October at 5pm by Zoom

This report of the previous meeting was created by AI from minutes provided by the group.

Notts Network of U3As Publicity PSG Zoom Meeting – 8 July 2025
Overview
On Monday, 8 July 2025, the Notts Network of U3As Publicity PSG convened via Zoom. Present were P.M. (Carlton & Gedling), J.B. (Ravenshead), A. (Worksop), and B.H. and C.H. (Mansfield). The agenda covered branch updates, strategies for engaging younger members, revitalising interest groups, and improving digital-tool access.

Branch Updates
P.M. reported that Carlton & Gedling recruited 85 new members over the past year—bringing their total to 570—and has already secured a one-year replacement chair ahead of stepping down.
C.H. and B.H. described their new Bereavement Flyer, distributed through Co-op, Gregory, and Wass funeral directors, to support recently bereaved community members. Since becoming Publicity Officers last September, Mansfield has grown to 272 members; the leaflet will be circulated with these notes.
A. reflected on Worksop’s stability under new chairmanship, maintaining 497 members despite a small loss, and using Facebook and printed flyers for outreach. Recruiting committee volunteers remains a challenge.
J.B. announced plans to step down as Ravenshead chair in April 2026, with no immediate successor among the committee; two volunteers will assume the Speaker Finder role off-committee. Ravenshead’s 412 members benefit from Instagram, Facebook, local press coverage, and joint events with the Parish Council. In celebration of the branch’s 60th anniversary next year, J.B. will collaborate with the council and voluntary organisations on a funded, publicity-led event. The North Notts Network Facebook page he manages has accumulated over 5,000 views.

Engaging Younger Members
A. noted that Worksop’s Sunday recruitment event yielded limited interest and will trial a Saturday slot next year.
J.B. explained that venue constraints force Ravenshead’s open days onto Fridays, which underperform, yet their January renewal meeting and member-themed events have proved helpful. They continue to use TAT-supplied promotional photos and merge educational and social programming to attract newcomers.
P.M. hosts new-member coffee mornings twice a month, while Mansfield discontinued theirs due to low turnout.

Revitalising Interest Groups
P.M. admitted that some Carlton & Gedling interest groups feel stale and under-subscribed, and sought examples of group formation elsewhere.
J.B. described Ravenshead’s approach: inviting members to propose new groups, piloting each for two sessions, and appointing two co-leaders per group—one for direction, one for finance and publicity. Slides summarising current groups will be shared at their upcoming members’ meeting.
A. organises monthly “tester sessions” (juggling, sign language, crafting) at Worksop to identify and recruit potential group leaders.
B.H. outlined Mansfield’s partnership with the North Notts Neighbourhood group, which allows non-u3a members to join social activities and holidays—a scheme P.M. explored but found no local interest.

Digital Tools and Resources
P.M. reported that Carlton & Gedling’s application for Canva’s free Charity Pro account was declined—possibly due to “university” appearing in their name.
J.B. recommended framing the u3a as a “non-formal charity group” concerned with member development, ensuring consistency between application details and the Charity Commission register, and providing an HMRC charity certificate and dedicated u3a email address. With around 500,000 nonprofit accounts globally, Canva remains a valuable free editing tool. He also pointed to Bourne End u3a’s online guide for step-by-step instructions:
https://bourneendu3a.co.uk/canva

Future meetings will be scheduled via a Doodle poll, targeting the third week of August for maximum attendance.