What is the Beacon System?
The Beacon system is some software that National u3a has developed
over several years to help u3a groups to record and maintain their
membership, groups and finance information. It has been developed by
volunteers of u3a in association with a software developer to comply
with the Data Protection requirements of groups so that the information
is as secure as possible. There are nearly 500 area groups like Settle
District u3a using it now and it is being continually developed to
include new features. Settle District u3a has been using it since 2017 for
membership and groups information but has not yet used it fully for
financial information.
What does the member need to know about Beacon?
When you become a member of Settle District u3a your information is
loaded onto the system. By logging onto the system as an individual
from our website you can see the information stored and, if necessary,
alter it; for example, if you need to change your email address or
telephone numbers or add an emergency contact person. You will also
be able to see the groups that are available and join them if there is no
waiting list, otherwise you will join the waiting list. If you have any
questions on how to use Beacon as an individual you can contact the
site administrator for Settle District u3a, Keith Waterson by email at
sdu3a.beacon@gmail.com.
What does the Group leader need to know about Beacon?
If you are a Group Leader, you will have been given extra access to the
data for your group so that you can contact them by email and attach
files or links to the email through the Beacon system. As a Group leader
you will be issued with a document when you are given access to the
system which should help you to use the system but any questions could
be sent by email to sdu3a.beacon@gmail.com or contact the Group
Coordinator.
Officers of Settle District u3a will also have been given access to some
of the data depending on their Office.
Keith Waterson November 2024
To Summarise