How quickly time passes here at U3AM when we are gainfully occupied in meaningful activities. This allows us to draw together as a close-knit community able to enjoy lifelong learning and to value the warm friendship among members. In the blink of an eye we are already in the middle of Term 2. It gives me great pleasure and pride to see our members collaborate in learning that encourages social connection.
Transition to Member Wizard
Thanks to our Member Wizard Support team, Foong Sim Chin, Gabrielle Jang, Olive Lee and Dick Wong, we have experienced a smooth transition to Member Wizard. The support team has conducted many in-person and online seminars for our members. Thanks to the training team Foong Sim, Chin Olive Lee, Colleen Danaher, Gabrielle Jang, Dick Wong and Dorothy Di Battista for making available the many training sessions on Member Wizard. I would like to draw our members’ attention to the Quick Reference Guides and the User Guides that are under Member Wizard Admin on our website.
When I was overseas last April/May, I was able to login as a member, a tutor and president. I did this to navigate my way through Member Wizard and found the application very user friendly. When I looked randomly at the list of members and their enrolment into courses, I discovered that a few members had paid for their membership but had not enrolled for any classes. To these members may I say that if you were unable to get into courses that are not your first preference, there are many other interesting courses with some vacancies that you will enjoy for this year. I would like to remind members about our priority system in which you receive points for volunteering. At enrolment time these points will enable you to enrol for courses at an earlier date ahead of others. This is something to think about leading up to enrolment for the next year. It will enhance your chances of getting into your preferred choice of courses
Signage and Health Alerts
Previously when we needed to call the ambulance to attend to medical incidents at U3AM, Ambulance Victoria could not readily locate us. U3AM has applied for improved signage. Thanks to Andrew Barnett our Equipment Manager, the application has been granted. A clearer sign has been placed outside our U3AM building.
At the time of this message our membership stands at 1726. The safety and wellbeing of our members is our highest priority.
When there is a medical incident at U3AM firstly we call for an ambulance to attend. Secondly, we check the member’s name tag for emergency contacts that could be notified in a timely manner.
It is therefore important for all members to ensure the information about their emergency contacts and medical conditions are updated. Member Wizard allows us to edit and print our own name tags. If unsure, members can seek assistance at the Office. If there is not enough space to list medical conditions on the name tag, please write the additional information on a separate piece of paper which can be slotted in together with the name tag. I would emphasize that this is a matter of urgency and urge our members to attend to this without delay.
Dates to remember
22nd July: Thank You Luncheon for Tutors (including Assistant Tutors, Associate Tutors and Migrant English Tutors)
2nd September: Combined Volunteers Thank You Luncheon.
We have many new and exciting courses and seminars coming up. We try to include courses that are interesting and voice current knowledge that will benefit our members. For example there will be a two-session AI seminar that I am certain we would all want to know more about, especially relating to what is real and what is not. There will be more courses of this type later this year and into next year, so remember to look out for them.
I wish our members another enjoyable term of sharing learning experiences together.
Shirley Fung
President