Outgoing Beaudesert U3A President, Andy Fechner has been awarded honorary life membership of Beaudesert U3A in recognition of his service to this group as President over the past eight years.
Mr Fechner stood down from the President’s role at the AGM on 18 March 2022.
Incoming Vice President, Tina Jones presented Mr Fechner with his Life Membership and thanked him for his service to the organisation.
“During this time, Mr Fechner has put in regular 30 hour working weeks to take us to the position we now hold as the largest group for seniors in the Scenic Rim area, with established high-level connections with the local Council, Chamber of Commerce, media and other community groups,” she said.
“His leadership of the management committee has created a cohesive and supportive group which now has what is basically an organisational template to work by.”
“This includes financial, probity and financial compliance requirements in addition to encouraging individual personal growth with all commit- tee members taking on various responsibilities to share the load.”
“The culture of the organisation as a whole is forward-thinking and supportive, underpinning the ideals of U3A.”
Mr Fechner has overseen the growth of Beaudesert U3A from fewer than 100 to well over 340 in eight years.
This has been achieved in part through the active encouragement of individuals to take on the tutoring or facilitation of activities, expanding our list to more than 20 various sports, educational and artistic groups.
Being very aware of the importance of social connection, he instigated annual “thank you” lunches to group tutors and committee members, plus free or low-cost Christmas and Christmas-in-July events.
These events had such a high rate of success that they have now outgrown the largest town function centre and have changed identity to offer individual group members the opportunity to celebrate within smaller gatherings.
