- • u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions kept as low as • u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions kept as low as possible.
- • financial assistance should only be sought if it does not imperil the • financial assistance should only be sought if it does not imperil the integrity of the u3a.

## The first steps to forming a new group

Recommended steps to undertake:

- • the development of your group with the Group Coordinator/u3a • the development of your group with the Group Coordinator/u3a Committee.
- • with the Group Coordinator/Treasurer regarding the financing of the • with the Group Coordinator/Treasurer regarding the financing of the group and how this needs to be reported – where relevant.
- • what interest there might be in the subject perhaps by some informal • what interest there might be in the subject perhaps by some informal soundings.
- • what the aims of the group are – what are you hoping to • what the aims of the group are – what are you hoping to learn/achieve/share by offering the group?
- • there an existing Subject Adviser who can support with ideas for the • there an existing Subject Adviser who can support with ideas for the development of the group? An alternative to Subject Advisers might be to contact neighbouring u3as to see if they have a similar subject group and then talk to the group leader to get some first-hand knowledge. It may be that you could sit in on a group meeting.
- • interest by promoting your group using as many different methods • interest by promoting your group using as many different methods as possible. This could include developing publicity in the form of a flyer, poster, promotion via existing groups, via the u3a newsletter, talking to members in groups that you attend. The more methods you use, the more successful you are likely to be.
- • the activities benefit from having a risk assessment completed for the • the activities benefit from having a risk assessment completed for the group? You should consider whether there are any risks that might occur as a result of the group’s activities and, if you identify any, talk to the Group Coordinator who will advise you on risk assessment procedures.
- • what you want to achieve from your first meeting. • what you want to achieve from your first meeting.
- • an initial meeting and invite people to attend. • an initial meeting and invite people to attend.

### The first meeting

Recommended steps to take at the first meeting:

- • yourself and the purpose of the group as you see it. • yourself and the purpose of the group as you see it.
- • about the skills within the group. • about the skills within the group.
- • the tasks that need doing to run the group and who is willing to support • the tasks that need doing to run the group and who is willing to support these – who is willing to help with the programme or keep the register.
- • if relevant, the level that the group will be aimed at – beginners, • if relevant, the level that the group will be aimed at – beginners, improvers, advanced.
- • how the group will work – discussion, instruction, presentation etc. • how the group will work – discussion, instruction, presentation etc.
- • when and where the group will run. • when and where the group will run.
- • any accessibility needs that group members may have. Refer to the • any accessibility needs that group members may have. Refer to the U3APlus website for advice and guidance: https://plus.u3a.org.uk/.