HGS u3a Code of Conduct
We expect that all members will at all times respect and be courteous to all other members. Group Leaders may, after consulting with the trustees, exclude a member from their group if this is not observed.
Please remember that Group Leaders and others are giving their time and effort voluntarily for the benefit of other members.
A group will only function successfully if all the members show their commitment to it.
Please be ready to tell the group leader your membership number when you attend the first session of your group.
If you are a member of a group and you find that you can’t attend a meeting, please e-mail or telephone preferably well in advance. If you are prevented from attending at the last moment and can’t get a message to the Group Leader, please send an explanation as soon as possible afterwards.
Group Leaders may at their discretion remove a member from a group for not attending three consecutive meetings.
Please turn up in good time but not too early. There will be occasions when problems make this impossible but they should be few. Turning up late interrupts the flow of the group’s activities.
Where a group leader provides refreshments they may, if they wish, ask their members for a reasonable contribution to the cost; a member of the group could be responsible for collecting the money at the start of each meeting.
A good group member will, during discussions, be sensitive to other people and:
- listen attentively
- not talk too much
- avoid dogmatism
- be aware that some other members may be hesitant or less knowledgeable — u3a is a learning environment
- allow them time to contribute
- engage with others by responding explicitly to what they have said
Of course, Group Leaders have responsibilities too. A good Group Leader is a good group member, who learns from the group as well as contributing.
You will be asked to provide the Membership Secretary an up-to-date Emergency contact and telephone number to be called in case of accident or illness. A Group Leader is entitled to refuse to allow a member to participate if this is not done.
Where a group activity involves a degree of exercise or physical activity, each member should make sure that they understand what will be involved and that they are sufficiently fit to take part. Ask the Group Leader if in doubt. Group Leaders are entitled to refuse to allow a member to take part if they have a concern about this.