U3A/COTA Tuesday Lunchtime Forums - Update

20 May 2020

RESUMPTION in a Virtual Format from 16 June

As members will be well aware, the suspension of face-to-face meetings within U3A has included the popular Tuesday Lunchtime Forums held by U3A/COTA at Hughes.

Based on government advice, particularly the continuing requirement for social distancing, it is unlikely the Forums will be able to commence in a public form until, at best, late 2020.

Given the popularity of the Forums, with their diverse range of speakers on an eclectic range of topics, they will resume, in a virtual format, on a fortnightly basis, commencing Tuesday 16 June . The Forums will be provided online via Zoom - a form of video and audio conferencing.

Many groups of U3A members are already making use of Zoom to hold "virtual meetings", and have found that it works well. Zoom can be obtained by downloading the Zoom app, and then is accessed via a computer or a mobile phone. Details on downloading and using Zoom can be found at zoom.us/download/ or its app can be downloaded free from the Apple/Android app stores. More information on Zoom will be provided nearer to 16 June.

Given the limitations on Zoom participant numbers (99), there will need to be a number of conditions/guidelines governing access, including for example, a pre-registration system for each Forum. More details will be provided on these guidelines and on the pre-registration system in early June.

The sessions will run from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, and the intent will be for the guest speaker to provide a 30 minute presentation and then to allow 30 minutes of Q & A. The plan, at this stage, is for questions to be provided in advance or via the Zoom meeting format during the meeting - again, more details will be provided before the start.

It is exciting that many of the speakers who had already agreed to speak at the the Tuesday Forums have now agreed to participate as speakers in the Virtual Forums.

A schedule of speakers for June and July will be provided in the eBulletin, and on the U3A website and Facebook from 25 May.