- St Heliers - 

October         November

Newsletter    Newsletter

 

 

February 2020 Newsletter

General Meeting - Wednesday 5th February 2020 at 9:30 a.m

                 St. Heliers Church Community Centre - Centennial Hall -  100 St Heliers Bay Road 

 

 

THIS MONTH, WEDNESDAY, 5th February   - MAIN SPEAKER – Hilary  Arrowsmith – “The Treasures Inside your Libray Card : eResources for You On The Move”.   This is a look at all the eResources that Auckland Libraries give to customers as part of their membership.  We will look at Books and eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers.  We will look briefly at interesting developments in the Heritage side of Library databases (Kura), Lynda.com and the very new Beamafilm app which streams movies and documentaries.  This will be a demonstration of the resources and an opportunity to ask any questions members might have.

Hilary has worked in Libraries since 2001, mostly as a Customer Services Librarian at Remuera Library and more recently as the Senior Librarian of the same.  In this role she has looked after two book clubs, organized countess events and author talks as well.  Since 2011 she has initiated a very popular iPad and now iPhone range of classes for Aucklanders and this has awakened an ongoing respect and interest in teaching people to use their mobile devices properly and with care.

 

Study Group Presentations:  No presentations on this first meeting of the year.

Mini Speaker:    No speaker this month.

Kitchen duty:    The Travellers;  Poetry and Prose

 

NEXT MONTH – Wednesday,   4th March

 

Main speaker:  T.B.A.

Study Group Presentations:  Poetry and Prose;  Global Issues

Mini Speaker:  T.B.A.

Kitchen Duty:  Classic Films;  Modern History

 

President’s Message: It does not seem 20 years ago when I recall all the negative technological possibilities that were associated with welcoming in the new Millennium but the world survived and nothing of great moment occurred when the clocks welcomed the New Year.  However, since then the world has experienced major technological development elements and many of these have impacted on our own lives, the majority of us now having access to and using email and forms of communication (other than telephone) with loved ones and friends – forms of communication that were considered scientific dreams, or nightmares, 40 years ago.  The world has also experienced political upheavals resulting in changes to government philosophies and practices, and dissent in physical formats that could never have been envisaged.  Our own lives have changed with personal joys and sorrows but while 2020 may not be the measure of our visual capabilities, we can look forward to enjoying the friendships associated with being a member of U3A St. Heliers and know that by the end of this year we will have learned new knowledge and be certain that we can participate in a range of dinner and after dinner topic discussions with a level of confidence.

 

Treasurer’s Message:   February is the last month at which I will be collecting 2020 Subscriptions. If any of you are unsure whether you have paid, please feel free to contact me so that I can confirm yes or no.  An additional form is attached to this Newsletter giving payment details just in case you have mislaid the original.

 

Study Groups:  Meadowbank U3A are running a “Basic Te Reo” course which will be held on the second and fourth Monday of the month, late February, either morning 10-12 or afternoon 1.30 -3.30 p.m. at Remuera Gardens. This will be run by Valerie Boyes.  If you are interested in joining this Meadowbank U3A Study Group please contact their Study Group Co-ordinator, Jocelyn Goodman, at u3ameadconv@gmail.com  indicating if you prefer morning or afternoon.

 

Your Committee is always keen to learn of any subjects or topics for Study Groups that members would like to be considered for inclusion in our Schedule.  Please contact our Study Group Convenors, Gary Preston gcwpreston@gmail.com or John Hole johnhole2011@gmail.com with your ideas.

 

​

 

Membership Contact Details:  An updated membership contact list will be sent out to members shortly.  If you have changed any of your contact details please advise our Membership Secretary at janicefigge@gmail.com  as  soon as possible.

 

Morning Tea arrangements:  A reminder that we have two morning tea outlets; one at the back of the hall and a second one in the Welcome area.  Those in the front half of the auditorium are requested to go to the outlet in the  Welcome area and those in the rear half should use the tea outlet at the back of the hall.  However, once you have your tea or coffee please feel free to circulate to either area and socialize with other members.

 

St. Heliers U3A  Website:  Our website www.stheliersu3aauckland.com is updated every month by Kathy Slater.  Newsletters, recent photos, relevant information on study groups and much more can be found on this interesting site.

 

U3A On-line Courses:  These are available to all members. The online contact details are:  www.u3aonline.org.au

There is no requirement for payment to access the course content.  Access will enable a review of the study content and further details relating to independent or supervised study.  If you are interested in any of the papers, please let Kathy Slater know,  kathyslater@xtra.co.nz  or phone 5783232, and she will download the material as Auckland U3A network has already been registered and paid.

 

Name Badge:  A reminder to all members, and especially our new members, that you should put the name and contact details of your preferred contact person on the back on your name badge in case of any emergency.  Please ensure that you wear your Name Badge to all U3A meetings.  

 

U3A St. Heliers History Booklet:  This interesting booklet was updated and reprinted for our 25th Anniversary and is available for purchase for $10. Copies will be available at the February meeting.   Highly recommended especially for our new members.

 

U3A Lapel Badges:  We are now able to offer ‘pin’ as well as ‘magnet’ lapel badges.  These will be available for purchase ($5 each) at the February meeting.  See Heather Baigent.

                                                                                                      

Travelling Overseas:  If you are planning to travel this year, please do remember to register with the Safe Travel website, operated by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  If anything happens while you are travelling - floods, earthquakes, terrorist attacks – and the Ministry know you are in the area, the local NZ Embassy will look for you and check that you are OK.     Go to www.safetravel.govt.nz.

 

Almoner:  If you are aware of any member who is ill or incapacitated, or suffering bereavement, would you please contact our Almoner, Jocelyn Sadler phone: 528 6173 or  email raeandjoc@hotmail.com or mobile: 021 872570

                                                                                                                                         

Monthly Meeting Protocol:  Please ensure that you register at the Greeting Table when you arrive.  Please send any apologies to Robin Bowkett, at robin.bowkett@gmail.com  tel. 521 1953 or 021 956 909.  (Not to the Newsletter Editor)               

 

New members:  We warmly welcome the following new members:

 

                                      Sally Challinor – sallychall@gmail.com

                                      Larissa O’Connor – zlobina2001@yahoo.com

                                      Michael Gourley – michael@hsnz.co.nz

                                      Robyn Dann – robyndann@xtra.co.nz

                                                                                                      

DEADLINE for March  Newsletter & Study Groups Update:  email to  jill.thom@xtra.co.nz  by Sunday, 23rd February  2020 (or earlier).

 

 

 

The Aim of U3A

Those who teach shall also learn and those who

learn shall also teach.

 

Peter Laslett, founder of U3A UK, 1981