Beacon - our u3a membership system
Our membership system is called Beacon and has been specially developed for u3as. It is web based and can do much more than just keep membership records. An important feature is that records such as email addresses are kept in only one place. Restricted areas of the records can be accessed by relevant committee members and coordinators, for example to send emails to group members.
Use by Committee members, coordinators etc.
Those with particular roles in the u3a can access some or all of members records to check membership, send emails etc. In order to comply with the GDPR the principle applied is that access is limited to information that the individual requires to carry out their role, for example coordinators can only access information that allows them to contact members of their group.
If you have such a role and want to use Beacon, contact the Membership Secretary via the Contact tab for a Username and Password.
Our use of the system is subject to Beacon users terms and conditions (access using the button below). In turn any of our members who is allocated a password to become a user of the system must abide by the conditions set out in the seven numbered points in this document.
The membership portal - checking your personal data
You can access the Beacon system to check and correct your own personal data via the Members Portal by clicking on the button below. An example of the screen showing personal data is shown below with personal details brushed out.
The first time you access the portal you will be asked to enter your membership number, your name and postcode and your email address. If you are rejected at this point it means that the details you have put in are not the same as we have recorded for you, so contact the Membership Secretary. If it works, click on 'Register for a membership account' underneath the white boxes and this enables you to get a password, which you use for subsequent logins.
If you are having problems there is a YouTube video which explains all the steps.
You can both check the personal data we have recorded for you and change it yourself, for example if you change address or email address. However the Membership Secretary can also change these for you if you send the details (via the Contact tab above).
