What is the Members Portal?
The Members Portal is your access to Beacon, where you can renew your annual membership as well as updating any of your contact details.
There are instructions for setting up your account on the Renew Membership page. Do consider adding an emergency contact number so that your group leader knows who to contact if you fall ill when taking part in u3a activities.
Access the Members Portal here . You will also find a link to the Portal on the Welcome page of this website. If you have problems contact Bob Slader who should be able to help you.
I have moved house - how do I update my contact details?
Once you have set up your account you can access the Members Portal to update any of your contact details including your address, phone number and email address.
If you have problems contact Bob Slader who should be able to help you.
I am thinking of joining Bristol u3a - can I try a few activities before deciding?
Yes, you can attend up to three events as ‘tasters’ before deciding whether or not to join. Normally this would be a social group or the Bristol u3a monthly meeting. We hope you will then decide to join us. Incidentally, we do our very best to keep the annual subscription rate as affordable as possible and we hope you will agree it is excellent value for money in these expensive times!
I have a disability - how accessible are your activities?
Our monthly meetings are held at The Foundation which has level access, though it is recommended that you approach the entrance from St Georges Road rather than Deanery Road because of a steep slope. There is a sound system with a hearing loop.
If you are interested in joining a group you should find all the accessibility information we have on the group's website page - if it meets in a public venue, click on the name of the venue for full information including parking and public transport.
Do contact either Jo Corke, our Accessibility Officer, or the relevant group leader if you would like to discuss your needs and how they can be best accommodated so that you can participate in any group you are interested in, subject to a place being available.
Is it better to join/rejoin Bristol u3a online or by sending a cheque?
If possible please join online through our website. You should find this much easier, and cheaper, than printing and sending off an application form, cheque and stamped addressed envelope. It also means less work for our volunteers. Please don’t forget to tick the Gift Aid box, if appropriate. Just a reminder that our membership year runs from 1st September to 31st August.
Once I have paid my annual membership are there other costs involved in joining interest groups?
Most activities will be free once you have paid your subscription. However, there are several exceptions. Activities such as bowls, snooker and table tennis incur a cost - details are usually found on the website but do check this with the group leader. Some groups attend the theatre or cinema and then members would pay for their own tickets. Some groups meet in a cafe or pub in which case there would be an expectation that members buy a drink and if a group meets in a private home they may ask for a small contribution towards refreshments. Although groups that meet in hired venues do receive a subsidy, a small number of them also require a small contribution from their members to meet the venue hire costs.
Is there any limit to how many interest groups I can join?
No - as long as there are places available you can join as many interest groups as you wish. Most groups do expect a reasonably regular attendance, although with some groups it is fine to dip in and out. Do check this with the group leader. If you decide not to continue attending a group it is important to let the group leader know in case it enables another member to join from a waiting list.
I am interested in joining a group and have sent a message to a group leader through the website but haven't received a reply.
Firstly, all group leaders are volunteers and may only check their emails on a weekly basis so do wait 10 - 14 days for a reply. Have a look in your email spam folder in case a reply has been sent but ended up there.
Then contact the groups coordinator for your area. The three coordinators support the interest groups in their areas (N/NE, W/NW, and South). They are there to help and advise members as well as group leaders. They can be messaged through the website and their contact details can be found in the Annual Bulletin sent out to all members in August/September each year.
I have been told that the group I am interested in is full.
The group leader may offer to put you on a waiting list. Groups coordinators try to keep an eye on waiting lists with a view to starting another group if enough people are interested so it is worth contacting one of them. All groups need a leader so do think about whether you would be willing to help run a new group as this would make it more likely that a new group could get off the ground.
Can I bring ‘guests’ to events?
Unless they are deciding whether or not to join Bristol u3a (see above), you can’t bring ‘guests’ along to events as this would not be fair on members who have paid the annual subscription.
Can I see a copy of the Executive Committee meeting minutes?
If you would like a copy of the latest set of Executive Committee meeting minutes contact the Secretary.
If you have a question which is not covered here, do contact our member who deals with General Enquiries.