Some U3A groups are confused about the upcoming web hosting changes. This FAQ answers some of the resulting questions.
Why is U3A Net giving up the websites?
U3A Net is unable to source volunteers to support the websites. The committee is not technically experienced and does not feel able to support the websites.
Does this mean that U3A groups need to move their websites elsewhere?
No. Webhive has offered to take over responsibility for the websites as they are at this point in time, with no change to hosting fees. Webhive has managed the U3A Net websites since 2020. There will be no change to the websites’ technical infrastructure.
Who will invoice us for hosting?
This year, U3A groups will pay U3A Net for hosting in the census, as usual. U3A Net will pass the hosting income on to Webhive. Webhive will be responsible for paying service providers (hosting company, Wordfence security licences, AWS remote backups etc.). Next year, U3A groups will receive hosting invoices from Webhive directly.
What if we need support?
The hosting fee covers all support issues that affect the entire WordPress multisite. Most U3A websites are part of the WordPress multisite.
Webhive is offering special rates for other support issues, ie. problems that affect a single U3A group. Webhive offers 1-hour-per-year support agreements for a discounted rate of $69 (an hour is adequate for most clients), or 2 hours per year for $139. The support agreement covers technical help, advice, training, website editing and layout.
For U3As that do not wish to take out annual service agreements, Webhive will charge a discounted rate of $79 per hour for support. Most enquiries take no more than 15 minutes to resolve, ie $20.
What if we want a membership system?
Mike Hanlon offers a free membership and course administration system for U3As. Mike is a U3A member and professional coder, with a background in creating membership systems for commercial clubs. See u3admin.org.au.
Member Wizard offers a membership system and websites for U3A groups. The Member Wizard websites are less advanced than WordPress, and less flexible. U3A groups may take up the Member Wizard membership system with or without a website. You can view the membership system fees at memberwizard.com.au/subscription.
Multisite website editors have had difficulty with the Member Wizard code disappearing after editing a page. To fix this problem, please activate the MemberWizard Shortcode plugin. Then, insert a shortcode of this format into your page:
[memberwizard code=”<your 36-character code>” ]
eg.
[memberwizard code=”5c03f29e-0ce0-4879-98b0-95e21418f6f3″ ]
Your courses should now appear. For information on adding shortcodes, see webhive.com.au/wordpress-help/.
We’re struggling to hand over email accounts during committee changes. What do we do?
Webhive plans to register U3A Net for Google Workspace for Nonprofits. This will give committees access to @u3anet.org.au email addresses.
The email accounts will be centrally managed by Webhive, to facilitate committee handovers. The email accounts will be optional. There will be no cost to U3A groups for the email addresses themselves. However, Webhive will charge $5 per account to create the accounts and $15 per account to reset them, ready for the new committee member. (Resetting an account is a complex process that involves password change; updating two-factor authentication phone numbers and emails; deleting cookies; removing connected apps; disabling POP and IMAP; removing filters; resetting email signatures; and notifying the new user).
Who do I contact for more information?
For more information, please email [email protected], or phone 02 6189 6611.