Cupar & District u3a was launched on 22 April 2009 and has members all over North Fife - from as far afield as Newburgh, Upper Largo, Tayport, Ladybank, Auchtermuchty - and all sites in between. We are one of two u3as in Fife - the other is based in Kirkcaldy.
Cupar u3a is part of a world-wide movement which was founded in 1972. The u3a was set up to encourage local people to draw together talent from among retired or semi-retired people who have an interest in sharing their knowledge, in widening their horizons and in learning, studying and researching topics. The Third Age refers to the period of time after the First Age of childhood dependence and the Second Age of full-time employment and parental responsibility.
We currently have over 300 members and there are more than 40 activity groups in which the members can participate. We also have an open meeting at monthly intervals with a range of speakers which are open to both members and the public. If you decide to attend regularly we hope you will become members.
Supporting our learning: the u3a, as a national organisation, has three parts: 1) the Third Age Trust, the executive body; 2) the National U3a Office; and 3) networks of local u3as which are grouped on a regions/nations’ basis with a view to facilitating collaboration within their areas.
The u3a in Scotland promotes this mission with the local Scottish u3as.
The National u3a Office provides central administrative and information services and manages a suite of support information services including the provision of the National website (u3a home).
Subject Advisors: worth noting, and of especial benefit for the development of the subject groups in local u3as, is the availability of subject advisers, volunteers who have extensive experience in the application within group contexts of subject knowledge.
Background: the Third Age Trust, the parent body of the u3a, has recently completed the elections of the Board and the Council. The latter includes representatives of the u3a Regions composed of local u3as. Scotland is one of the u3a regions and there are two Scottish representatives on the Council. The Scottish representatives are also now members of the committee of u3a in Scotland of which Cupar & District u3a is a member.
The Third Age Trust is a registered charity and all aspects of u3a activity and management at national and local levels are required to comply with the statutory regulations applying to charities.
The u3a National Office provides, in particular, the secure, digital information management system known as “Beacon”. This system records membership and financial activity. The National u3a website (u3a home) which is maintained centrally has a wide range of information about activity within the u3a body and relevant reading and links to sources of information and advice about approaches to adult learning. The National u3a website is a vital source of information for all members.