BEACON is a web-based membership management system developed by u3a, for u3a. It centralises key functions into one secure platform, with the following features:
Membership Management: Handles new joiners, renewals, subscriptions, address updates, membership cards, and GDPR-compliant data storage.
Group Coordination: Enables group leaders to manage membership, venues, schedules, view individual group ledgers, and to communicate with group members.
Secure, browser-based access (PC/tablet/smartphone) with three user roles: public, member, and system-user.
Built-in email tools for personalised newsletters and updates, with delivery tracking.
GDPR-compliant data protection with individual encryption per u3a and various permission levels.
There are 3 levels of access to Beacon:-
1. PUBLIC ACCESS
Click CID-Groups to see the public version of the Groups List. Click on any Group in the list for additional information about the group.
Click Meetings Calendar to see the public version of the Calendar.
2. SYSTEM USER ACCESS
Group Leaders and Committee members can click here to log into Beacon as a System User and update certain information within the site, depending on the access rights associated with their role, as described in the main Beacon User Guide (at the bottom of the Beacon Home page).
3. MEMBER ACCESS
If you are a current paid up member of CID U3A, you can click to login to the Members Portal where you can view additional Groups and Calendar information. You can also create your own personalised Calendar, update your personal details and renew your membership online.
Clicking Members Portal Guidelines will give you more information about the functions available to you after logging in to the Members Portal.
BEACON TRAINING FOR GROUP LEADERS
Please do not hesitate to email the Beacon Administrator if you have any problems or would like practical help at your home or elsewhere.