I am so pleased to be able to communicate directly with Presidents and Management Committee members through this communique, which provides a great opportunity to tell you about some of the many Network Committee activities. While Network News offers some news of Network activity, the communique is an opportunity to discuss the more strategic directions being pursued by the Network Committee.

An important facet of our work is making the U3A movement and its value better known. If the value of U3A is recognised at state and local government levels, by potential and actual stakeholders and in the wider community the derived benefits could be increased membership, a greater possibility of partnerships and strategic relationships and the opportunity for the establishment of U3As where currently there are none.

The Network Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025 focuses on five principal objectives – membership; communication; support; sustainability and innovation.
Work is proceeding towards achieving the actions set down in each objective area and details of some projects and strategies are outlined in this communique. For this issue I’d like to highlight actions being taken to build the brand, communicate more effectively and increase awareness of the value of U3A.

You may have noticed that the Network has adopted a brighter, fresher looking logo. The logo is outlined in the Brand Guidelines which can be found on the website. From now on, all Network presentations will follow the branding set down in the guidelines. While the branding was developed for the Network it is available for any U3A in Queensland to adopt.

The Network website is undergoing change as well, with the idea of it becoming more of an interface with U3A associations and stakeholders and a primary communication tool. While it will continue to carry the resources developed to assist U3As, expect to see news and events right up front.

It is essential that all who know and love U3A promote it widely. Brochures to assist in promotion have been produced by the Network Communication Sub-committee and all U3As will have received or are about to receive a bundle of them for their own promotion. Each brochure has a space on the back of it where a U3A can place their stamp or sticker to show their contact details.

Please have a look at the 2021 Communication Plan within this communique.

Network has a number of strategic partnerships in place, one of which is with COTAQ, the organisers of Seniors Month. At Network we saw Seniors Month as an opportunity to celebrate with an activity to highlight the talent within our U3As. The Network ran a competition for short story writing and photography which all U3As and members of the seniors community could enter.

Network secretary Alison Taylor was the competition organiser, ably assisted by a judging panel comprised of U3A members with judging credentials.
Substantial prizes await winners in both categories, announcement of which will be made at a Zoom event on 3 December.

Of course there is much more happening than that outlined above but in the interests of keeping this column to a readable length I’ll save those for the next time.