Using the power of technology to stay connected with UFU members

Through the power of technology, staff have been able to stay connected with members in several ways helping to ensure business resumes as close to normal as possible.

Email/telephone

All UFU staff are active on their emails each day. If you have a concern or question that you would like to put to any member of the team, please do not hesitate to get in touch. All email addresses can be found on the UFU website at the following link, www.ufuni.org/about/staff.

Alternatively, you can also call 028 9037 0222, and our UFU receptionist will put you in touch with a staff member who will assist you with your query.

Microsoft Teams

The UFU use Microsoft Teams to conduct its policy chair and policy committee meetings. During the calls, members are given an update on the recent ongoings. They can ask questions (using the chat or raise hand feature) and this ensures that everyone has an opportunity to speak and raise issues that are concerning them.

You do not need to download the app onto your laptop, instead just join via Microsoft Edge or another browser.

Zoom

The UFU has hosted executive meetings since lockdown restriction were put in place, through Zoom. Zoom offers video and audio conferencing, chat and webinar features across mobile device, desktops, phones and room systems.

Webex

The UFU have used Webex to host committee and external meetings. Webex allows you to host and join online meetings from any device, including mobile, tablet, laptop or video device with HD video, audio and screen sharing.

To participate in a Webex session, you will need to install a Webex extension, which is free.

The Webex extension can be installed any time before the meeting starts. Once you download it for a specific browser, it will not need to be downloaded again for future sessions as long as you are using the same computer and browser.

For further information on how to download the video conferencing apps/software, the UFU have created a guide which is available on the UFU website https://www.ufuni.org/ (news tab).

E-bulletin

The UFU communications team send out the weekly e-bulletin every Friday evening at 8pm. The aim of the e-bulletin is to make it easier for members to know what the UFU is doing on issues big and small, that affect the prosperity of farm businesses across Northern Ireland.

The information is extremely accessible and easy to read on smartphones and tablets. It comes in the form of an e-mail, with the bulletin included in the body. It can then be read easily anywhere – on the computer or on your phone.

If you are a UFU member and wish to receive the weekly e-bulletin contact [email protected].

UFU Facebook group – community group

The UFU has expanded their online services by providing a member-only Facebook community group where members can keep up to date on the latest UFU activities and interact with one another.

Managed by the UFU communications team, the Facebook group contains more member focused content, including the latest Northern Ireland agriculture news updates, DAERA content, vital information that relates to your farm business, policy information, membership services, weekly beef price watch, milk price indicator every fortnight and more.

Joining the group is easy. Members can search for the ‘Ulster Farmers’ Union members community’ on Facebook and request to join by answering three simple membership related questions. If you have any queries just send us a direct Facebook message.