Page updated 29th October 2025
Chair - Peter Collins
Role of Chair:
- To provide inclusive and democratic leadership of the board of Trustees (the committee).
- To ensure the committee fulfils its responsibilities for the overall governance, strategic direction, financial stability, administration and sustainability of the u3a.
- To ensure the u3a applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects/purposes, abides by its governing document (the constitution) and complies with charity law and other relevant legislation.
- To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the u3a.
- To set forward targets and direction, with the Committee, and manage progress towards delivering these.
- To represent our u3a externally
- To oversee effective two-way communication to all members
Vice Chair - Peter Atkinson.
Role of Vice Chair:
In the event of the Chair being unavailable act on behalf of him/ her as necessary.
• To take an active part in the running of the Committee.
• To advise the Chair impartially and objectively and support as needed.
• To be accountable for specific projects on behalf of the Committee or S&D u3a as needed.
• To ensure that S&D u3a complies with all aspects of its Constitution and any relevant legislation.
• To ensure that decisions taken at meetings are implemented and that S&D u3a is administered efficiently and is financially stable.
Treasurer - Martin Sutton
Role of Treasurer:
To oversee the finances of the u3a in line with good practice and in accordance with the u3a’s constitution, and charity legislation.
• The payment of all invoices received.
• Recording all financial transactions in Beacon.
• The provision of financial information to the Committee.
• Liaising with Group Leaders regarding the collection of Attendance Fees and the receipts and payments associated with trips/visits.
• The preparation and submission of annual Gift Aid claims.
• Liaising with the Independent Examiner and provision of documents and information needed for the examination.
• The preparation of the Annual Accounts and their presentation at the AGM.
Secretary - Dermot Roddy
Role of Secretary:
To organise the operations of the committee, to provide an administration and record keeping service, to handle external correspondence, and to maintain communication with members of our u3a
- To liaise with the chair, and Committee members to establish meeting agendas, to provide timely minutes of meetings, and monitor progress of agreed actions.
- To receive information, policy, procedural and legislative requirements from u3a Office, and circulate.
- To respond to incoming correspondence, consulting with the committee where necessary.
- To write letters on behalf of the u3a.
- To act as the custodian of the u3a’s constitution and the relevant policies and procedures.
To communicate all relevant information to u3a members, and receive their feedback.
Membership Secretary - Tracey Fox
Role of Membership Secretary:
- To liaise with prospective new members, and assist them through the application process. To provide information to members. With the Treasurer process, and record, membership renewals, including Gift Aid requirements.
- Responding to enquiries from prospective members and providing them with full information on the u3a organisation, costs, the membership application process, Gift Aid and the available space in the current interest groups.
- To arrange new members meetings.
- Liaising with the Treasurer on the financial aspects of membership, and oversee the renewal process.
Maintaining up to date membership information in line with GDPR requirements.
Monthly Meeting Organiser - Dr. Madeline Fisher.
Role of Monthly Meeting Organiser:
- To identify and procure speakers for the Monthly meeting. To liaise with all contributors, to deliver the Monthly Meeting
- Identify appropriate speakers for the Monthly Meeting, establish terms, and agree fees etc.
- Deliver the overall Monthly Meeting through consultation with the venue, the speaker, u3a volunteers and Committee members
To play a full part as a Committee member, in support of the priorities and aims identified for the Committee.
Beacon Administrator - Peter Atkinson.
Role of Beacon Administrator:
The Beacon Administrator ensures that the Beacon system is configured so that it can store members’, group’s and financial, details securely. They also train and help Beacon users.
- Providing new and existing users with usernames and passwords along with any training needed,
- Ensuring users privileges are appropriate to their role
- Re-setting passwords and unblock email addresses as and when required,
- Taking monthly backups of the Beacon data,
- Passing on to the Committee details of Beacon Newsletters and any information about forthcoming Beacon changes or training,
- Raising any queries with the central Beacon administration team.
Newsletter Editor - Diane Bush
Role of the Newsletter Editor:
- To assemble, edit, and produce the Newsletter, for its four editions per year.
- To play a full part as a Committee member, in support of the priorities and aims identified for the Committee.
Committee Member
Carol Rowntree
Committee Member
Karen Boddy
Committee Member
Ian McCulley
Committee Member
Hermione Wappatt
Group Leader Coordinator - Sue Tapper (Not a committee member.)
- To provide support, and communication to, and from the Group Leader group. To recruit, train and support Group Leaders.
- Recruitment, induction and ongoing support for new Group Leaders.
- Maintaining regular contact with groups and providing support with any challenges.
- Hold regular Group Leader meetings so knowledge, challenges and new ideas can be shared and discussed.
- To maintain accurate details of u3a’s interest groups.
- To communicate any relevant information to Group Convenors/Leaders from the committee, local networks, the region and or the u3a Office.
Website Manager - Stephen Rabone (Not a committee member)
Responsible for maintaining and updating the Stokesley and District u3a website
Photos: S&D u3a members.