So this term I learned a few crucial things about the job. The true value of the blackberry during the elections should not be underestimated; waking up first thing in the morning to answer texts and emails from candidates was always a pleasure. RAs are some weird species of banterous folk. Sugarfree red-bull is the world’s best creation. One must always be on the lookout for missing apostrophes.
Rumours of life outside the Guild are spreading like wild-fire but I am still looking for tangible evidence and I am also becoming much better at understanding what Fabian is saying.
Here is a summary of some of the main super-cool things I’ve been working on, in no particular order;
Officers and Staff Away Day
After a stressful term 1 the officers scurried off for 2 days to get away from the Guild and plan for term 2. The term was panning out to be the most exciting yet with Know your Guild, the referendum, elections, don’t rush housing campaign and much more. So it was really important to get away as a team and plan properly. It was also nice to spend time planning with core Guild staff who would help deliver our projects. It snowed lots!!
Pound a pint night
Pound a pint night is something we’ve tried in a lot of different ways this year. In term 1, we had a stand alone special night after Vale Fireworks which was really well attended. We then attempted a stand alone night for a month in November on a Sunday. This did not go well. So it was back to the drawing board.
In February we created pound-party, with the help of the RAs we had a really great turnout with new DJs and the usual drink offers. Feedback I got was positive and I thought the night was amazing. It has taught me though about the need to sometimes be flexible with manifesto promises, especially when it comes to commercial activity. I think the future of pound a pint nights in the Guild is that it will be used more as a special one off event. I think the event attracts a different crowd and it’s important to diversify.
Vote for Students
Early in term one the NUS launched its Vote for Students campaign. With the knowledge that the General Election was fast approaching it was important for student unions to support each other and encourage students to get involved and excited about the election.
I attended a planning day in London, hosted by the NUS, to exchange ideas about the best way to get the campaign moving. We prepared for activity on campus, in halls and online. The campaign centres on the pledge for candidates who promise to vote against a rise in tuition fees. Students can sign up as well and receive information about their local candidates in both their home and term-time address.
What’s great is that it is accessible and allows student unions to do what they want with the campaign, so we’ve been able to engage a completely new group of students who have no history of political interest and it is amazing to see them talking about the election and getting excited about the vote for students campaign.
Fab Security Shift
Every week I get incident reports from our security team. These are usually about various misdemeanours caused in our venues. I was invited to shadow the security team during Fab in February and although it was an unusually quiet night it was a great chance to get to know the team more and find out how the respond to various issues. It was an incredibly useful experience which I wish I had done earlier in the year. I am encouraging the VPDR-elect to do the same thing, either before the end of the year or at the start of next year.
Democratic Structures Review
With term 1 focussing on creating a consultation model on a new method of democratic decision making in the Guild, term 2 focussed on garnering opinion from all sections of students. Consultation lasted about 6 weeks and included online submissions, questions in the Guild’s “Your Voice” research survey, several focus groups and larger meetings with student groups, student reps and Guild Councillors.
Changes were made to the model based on the consultation process. As a VPDR it was incredibly rewarding to hear students actively talking about democracy and the way they felt they should be engaged in the Guild. I was pleased to finally get a model to be taken to the wider student body via a cross-campus referendum.
NUS Delegate Elections & Officer By-Elections
We held elections for 7 delegates to NUS conference and also by-elections for vacant non-sabbatical positions. We were able to fill the positions of Home Students Officer (Jahmahl) and Disabled Students Officer (Claire).
The announcement of the results was delayed by twenty-three hours. The cause of delay in the announcement of the NUS Delegate Results was due to the complex calculations that are required to determine the winner in an election like the NUS Delegate Election, where multiple positions are available. It was felt necessary to double check these calculations through conducting an exploratory paper count of Rounds One and Two. This exploratory paper count confirmed the original e-count. There was never any problem with the voting system and the measures taken were simply precautions.
Officer Elections
The Officer elections were quite simply the most fun I have had so far this year! It was also the most stressful and tiring but the record turnout we achieved, in votes and in candidates made it all worthwhile.
It was also amazing to see so many more campaigners than ever before and a lot more excitement on campus about the elections, particularly from first years. I only hope that enthusiasm continues.
I want to make a big shout out to RedBull who got me through the elections as well as eat natural bars. Staple food products of any political activist!
Referendum
The referendum gave a clear steer of approval for the new democratic decision making structure. I am gutted I won’t be around next year to see it in action but the VPDR-elect is more than capable of ensuring its success.
The work is not yet complete. The new bye-laws need to be approved by Guild Council, the trustee board and the University and the Guidance and Strategy documents also need to be written. These will be done in consultation with incoming officers as well. So there is still a big project to finish and I won’t let you get rid of me until the work is done! J
New Bar & Guild Build
Following on from the difficulties of the redevelopment we faced in October/November. I and Katie have put extra focus on building meetings this term. The build on the bar began in January and since then there have been very few minor issues. The new kitchen has been a priority, getting the menu right, recruiting full-time and student staff to prepare the meals.
I am really excited to hear your feedback. It’s a new venture for the Guild so let us know what you think. It can only get bigger and better, and these are early days so if there are some issues then come forward.
Whilst this has been going on we’ve also been working on plans for the next phase of the redevelopment, the most important and exciting part – the brand new membership area. Work on this is progressing well and we hope for everything to be finished June/July. It’s been designed and built by the same companies that have done phase 1 (retail) and phase 2 (the bar) so it will all fit in nicely and should give you a good feel for what it might look like! Expect the new membership area to give an even better “wow” factor.
