What is UMAS?
UMAS (U3A Member Administration System) is software to manage our database of members, programs
and enrolments. U3A Port Fairy members will transition to UMAS for all their membership requirements, including joining or renewing memberships, enrolling in courses, viewing and downloading their enrolments and invoices, and updating their personal details.
The UMAS membership management system is widely used by over 50 U3As in Victoria over the past 10 years. UMAS is coordinated by U3A Network Victoria, where a committee of volunteers manage the enhancements and keep the product standardised.
Why do we need UMAS?
Running a U3A is a large undertaking. With over 260 members and over 30 courses, it has been increasingly difficult for the volunteers running U3A Port Fairy to manage the membership database and enrolments using the paper and spreadsheet model that was used in the past. Rather than changing data on members and courses on multiple databases and spreadsheets (with emails and bits of paper flying between course and membership coordinators), UMAS centralises all the membership and courses data in a single spot. Changes only need to be made once.
UMAS also makes the process of enroling in courses considerably easier to manage. Course leaders can download class lists and email members of their class from within UMAS (without having to read handwritten email addresses).
UMAS will guarantee the future of U3A Port Fairy by preventing burnout of volunteer members of the executive who spent a considerable amount of time managing memberships and courses in the past.
What can I do on UMAS?
In UMAS, you can:
• Renew your membership online or join U3A Port Fairy if you are a new member.
• Update your data if you change your address, phone number or email.
• Pay your annual membership online.
• See all the available courses online; when and where they are held; who is the course leader.
• Enrol in your chosen courses online. If the course is full, you will go on a waiting list.
How do I connect to UMAS?
You will need a password to connect to UMAS. If you do not have one already, see the How do I get a password? FAQ in this section.
Why do I need a password?
You need a password to access the UMAS system. Having your own password means that only you can access your data (except for the system administrators). No other member can access or change your data.
How do I get a password?
The first step towards using the UMAS system is for all current members who are considering rejoining next year to create their own personal password.
How do I renew my U3A Port Fairy membership for 2025?
Membership renewals for 2025 will open in December 2024. To renew your membership though UMAS, you will first need to select a password (Go to the FAQ on How do I get a password?) if you haven’t already done this).
You can then connect to your file in UMAS (See the FAQ on How do I connect to UMAS?) where you can renew your membership.
More details on this will be available soon.
How do I join U3A Port Fairy for 2025 as a new member?
Memberships for 2025 will open in December. To join, please follow the following instructions.
You will then be issued an invoice for the year’s subscription. You will be able to pay with a credit card through our PayPal account (you do not need a PayPal account of your own). You also have the option of paying by EFT, in person at the bank or with a credit card at the Course Expo/Enrolment Day.
Can I pay my subscription through UMAS?
When you join or re-join U3A Port Fairy, you will be issued an invoice for the year’s subscription. You will be able to pay with a credit card through our PayPal account (you do not need a PayPal account of your own). You still have the option of paying by EFT, in person at the bank or with a credit card at the Course Expo/Enrolment Day.
When can I enrol in courses for 2025?
You will only be able to enrol in classes for 2025 online through UMAS on 30 January 2025 after 9:30 am. You can enrol in person at the Course Expo/Enrolment Day function on 30 January 2025 between 9.30 and 12.00 at the Senior Citizens Centre, Barclay Street.
Will there be assistance if I need it?
If you need help, send a request to membership@u3aportfairy.org.au
Will there still be an Enrolment Day/Course expo?
The Course Expo/Enrolment Day will be on 30 January 2025 between 9.30 and 12.00 at the Senior Citizens Centre, Barclay Street.
Is my personal data safe in UMAS?
UMAS has been developed for U3As across Australia by Soft Sys, a company involved in the software development business for over 20 years. UMAS is endorsed by the U3A Network Victoria as having “strong security” to ensure the protection of member’s information. In UMAS, your data is certainly more secure than the previous system where data was held on Executive member’s private computers.