You may not have noticed, but it’s been Election season. For this report I’m going to be discussing not only my mandates through my job role but also the manifesto pledges I made last year. I bet you can’t wait.
Vice President Development:
1) Be responsible for the running and management of student media
Junction11 work: I’ve been sorting out the new Mixing Desk, and helping with the Mixaphon. This is basically lots of chatting to people (Dave Wiley, Sam and Martin mainly) and then running around trying to do bits and pieces.
Spark work: I was an election candidate so couldn’t check Spark for a few weeks, which is a shame as I rather enjoyed the couple of weeks I did so am looking forward to resuming this with Manuela and co. I’m also looking at getting things like Press passes and contact cards for the Editors on Manuela’s request. At this point it’s appropriate for me to thank Manuela for her patience in a fairly turbulent time and commend her and the Editorial team for the way they’ve worked this term.
2) Be directly responsible for the running and management of other student development groups
Nightline – helped with Training and been doing some handover work with the new Co-ordinator Rachel. I oversaw committee elections and I think there’s some absolute stars coming up the ranks so will be a very exciting year.
RAGs – well where do I start? It’s got to be a colossal thank you to Julia and all of the committee for the hard work and innovation that went into RAGS week. It was volunteering and student participation at its very best and they did us proud. I was generally chatting to staff about stuff beforehand, helping with flyers and writing press releases with Julia. During the week I helped with the RAGS raid in Reading and collected £50 in an hour, was locked up but made £65, attended the Traffic Light Party and of course was covered in Baked Beans live on 3Sixty stage. It was a huge amount of fun and I really enjoyed the whole caboodle.
3) Be responsible for all student development matters of a collective or individual nature, paying particular attention to split site provision.
AND
4) To promote student development opportunities within the Union
There were three major events which promote and celebrate volunteering this term.
Re-Fresher’s Fayre was very successful, we had more people attending then last year and I know some groups had lots of sign-ups. Many thanks to all that came down and were part of a great day.
I ran a ‘Pledge Day’ which was a brilliant success and one I’m going to suggest that my successor Emily looks into running next year as well. Over 200 people put in pledges and, despite being covered in graffiti from the Debating Society it still looks pretty impressive. The NUS has used it as a case study on their website.
The Societies and Volunteers Bash was really good fun, the awards went down well – especially Martin Butt’s outstanding achievement to Junction 112 (sic) which I don’t think he wants to have changed! Big thanks to all those that made the evening possible, especially the calm and organised Naomi, who I couldn’t have coped without and the constantly energetic Gudgin.
5) Be responsible for all student citizenship matters both inside the Union, and in the local area.
There’s been a lot of work on getting a combined Volunteer strategy to the University tying in community Volunteering, the MASIV scheme and aspects of the careers’ transferable skills stuff. This is very exciting and will actually put volunteering on the University’s agenda as well as our own.
6) Chair a Volunteering Committee and report the decisions and recommendations of this committee to the Activities and Support committee.
This is planned for week 9.
7) To maintain editorial independence for student media within the Union.
Yep, including an interesting discussion about whether a Trustee can be a section Editor.
8) To ensure that equal weight is given to Bulmershe.
There’s still nothing for me to do on the satellite campus I’m afraid – but according to the Bulmershe chair the students there all know who I am and what I do. I went to Breeze Bar the other week and almost pulled so it’s all good.
9) Attend all relevant meetings as set out in the meeting regulations.All the relevant ones and also some that are completely irrelevant too.
10) Ensure that the website is always up-to-date, and update their minisite at least once every fortnight with a run-down of what they’ve been doing
My Blog has been updated but not very regularly over Election period. Mea Culpa.
Other work…
I attended Regional Conference in Bognor Regis which was good fun, though getting up early the day after Hustings wasn’t much fun. When I’m at Regional Conference I have to fulfil my obligations to RUSU as one of your representatives but also to the region as part of SEANUS and SE Rep to National Council. Along with my fellow representatives I reported back my actions from the last National Council and was also mandated to put in an emergency motion to make NUS accounts more transparent and to censure Joe Rukin the national treasurer. Which brings me nicely on to…
National Council which I attended on Valentine’s Day (no cards from any councillors, I was so upset). A full report will be up on my Blog soon (probably by the time Student Council meets) but the emergency motion I wrote was successfully passed (with one part) and the censure against Joe Rukin was one of 3, but the only one which went through. Wahey!
My Election Pledges 2005
Set up a new Modular Training Scheme - Yep
Increase MASIV participation – I know at Hustings someone described the rise as ‘steady’, we’ve quadrupled the numbers since last year, which I think is pretty good.
Make democratic events better publicised – Still some work to do on this, because the governance review shuffled things around a bit the work I’ve done on democratic awareness has shifted. There’s plenty to be done with the Campaigns Convention next term.
Set up a Group of Volunteers to do web design work – This hasn’t been forgotten, and I always intended it to be a summer term job which it will be. Since I was elected for VP Welfare next year I’m also going to be setting up the “Freshers’ Angels” volunteer group as well.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Nickers Report to (the last) Student Council
Thursday, March 16, 2006
NUS Lobby of Parliament on March 1st
1st of March was a great day for me as I took part in the NUS’ lobby of MPs. The focus of the lobby was the 2010 coalition to keep the cap on Tuition fees. This would be achieved by asking MPS to sign an Early Day Motion and join up to the coalition itself. Myself, Andrew Lewis and VP Development Elect Emily Beardsmore talked to our three Reading MPs – Martin Salter, Rob Wilson and John Redwood.
Emily and I had a long discussion with Martin Salter on campus first thing in the morning, and as well as agreeing to sign the Early day Motion we had a long chat about the idea of respect being towards young people as well as from them, youth provision in Reading (both Emily and I were or are youth workers) and the possibility of RUSU working with Martin on a relief project for the Tsunami.
A journey into London (and another chat with Martin whom we bumped into on the tube) and we walked into the Houses of Parliament. Andrew came along after a meeting and spoke to Rob Wilson who decided not to support the campaign on the grounds that he ‘might not be an MP in 2010’. Mr Wilson’s certainly keeping in the public eye (it was him who called for Ian Blair’s resignation recently) and I have more belief that he will be still around in four years time; hopefully he can support it then.
The day was full of very interesting speeches from members of the 2010 coalition and the NUS National Executive Committee. We had discussions about the affect Top-up Fees would have on minority background students, such as LGBT students or Black and Minority Ethnic students and also the concerns of lecturers and other academic staff.
The last event of the day was a parliamentary panel debate, with Bill Rammell (HE and lifelong learning minister), and the two shadow ministers for HE, Boris Johnson (Conservative) and Edward Davey (Lib Dems). I couldn’t stay for all of the discussion as I had to go and talk to John Redwood, but highlights before I left included Warwick reporting their MP said “You won’t her many Conservative MPs say this, but I approve of widening participation as it allows students from lower social and minority groups to mix with their superiors”, all three of the speakers completely avoiding a question on SE Weighting and whether SE students should pay a higher percentage of their loans for accommodation and living than anyone else and Boris… well being Boris, including the suggestion that lectures didn’t care about study for academic worth only for pay. Brilliant. John Redwood (MP for Wokingham) was unsure what his stance would be in 2009 and so was uncomfortable with signing the Early Day Motion.
So one out of three MPs signed the EDM, but we got soem really good face time with our MPS and also a lot of information about the issues around variable fees and the 2010 cap. There's work to be done, battles to be fought and a campaign to be won.
1st of March was a great day for me as I took part in the NUS’ lobby of MPs. The focus of the lobby was the 2010 coalition to keep the cap on Tuition fees. This would be achieved by asking MPS to sign an Early Day Motion and join up to the coalition itself. Myself, Andrew Lewis and VP Development Elect Emily Beardsmore talked to our three Reading MPs – Martin Salter, Rob Wilson and John Redwood.
Emily and I had a long discussion with Martin Salter on campus first thing in the morning, and as well as agreeing to sign the Early day Motion we had a long chat about the idea of respect being towards young people as well as from them, youth provision in Reading (both Emily and I were or are youth workers) and the possibility of RUSU working with Martin on a relief project for the Tsunami.
A journey into London (and another chat with Martin whom we bumped into on the tube) and we walked into the Houses of Parliament. Andrew came along after a meeting and spoke to Rob Wilson who decided not to support the campaign on the grounds that he ‘might not be an MP in 2010’. Mr Wilson’s certainly keeping in the public eye (it was him who called for Ian Blair’s resignation recently) and I have more belief that he will be still around in four years time; hopefully he can support it then.
The day was full of very interesting speeches from members of the 2010 coalition and the NUS National Executive Committee. We had discussions about the affect Top-up Fees would have on minority background students, such as LGBT students or Black and Minority Ethnic students and also the concerns of lecturers and other academic staff.
The last event of the day was a parliamentary panel debate, with Bill Rammell (HE and lifelong learning minister), and the two shadow ministers for HE, Boris Johnson (Conservative) and Edward Davey (Lib Dems). I couldn’t stay for all of the discussion as I had to go and talk to John Redwood, but highlights before I left included Warwick reporting their MP said “You won’t her many Conservative MPs say this, but I approve of widening participation as it allows students from lower social and minority groups to mix with their superiors”, all three of the speakers completely avoiding a question on SE Weighting and whether SE students should pay a higher percentage of their loans for accommodation and living than anyone else and Boris… well being Boris, including the suggestion that lectures didn’t care about study for academic worth only for pay. Brilliant. John Redwood (MP for Wokingham) was unsure what his stance would be in 2009 and so was uncomfortable with signing the Early Day Motion.
So one out of three MPs signed the EDM, but we got soem really good face time with our MPS and also a lot of information about the issues around variable fees and the 2010 cap. There's work to be done, battles to be fought and a campaign to be won.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Elections - thanks, congratulations and NUS Conference
I was unsure whether to post about the elections – but it’s only right for me to thank everyone who supported me, campaigned for me and voted for me during them. Also I must say a huge thank you to Hayley who was a brilliant opponent, fair and supportive. I think the closeness of the result shows that there were two strong candidates in that election.
I hope that I can follow on the legacy of strong Welfare provision that we have seen at RUSU.
Congratulations to all the other successful candidates; my successor and better Emily Beardsmore and Ryan who will join us in the RUSU nest and allow Education to soar next year.
I was unsure whether to post about the elections – but it’s only right for me to thank everyone who supported me, campaigned for me and voted for me during them. Also I must say a huge thank you to Hayley who was a brilliant opponent, fair and supportive. I think the closeness of the result shows that there were two strong candidates in that election.
I hope that I can follow on the legacy of strong Welfare provision that we have seen at RUSU.
Congratulations to all the other successful candidates; my successor and better Emily Beardsmore and Ryan who will join us in the RUSU nest and allow Education to soar next year.
Thanks to Elections Committee who saw through a difficult period (shame on those who received formal warnings) and a very close count night.
I’m still not happy about NUS Conference though.
Nickers dances and has a great time at the Societies and Volunteers Bash
The Societies and Volunteers Bash this year was the first of its type, as we moved from an evening that recognised just the volunteering aspects of the Union (admittedly including Sports and Societies committees) to this year’s event that also paid homage to the social and development aspects of being part of a society. The events run by societies and the atmosphere that they create upon campus are really important to the community at Reading University.
The awards and bands section of the evening went really well – it was a good idea from the Volunteers Committee to intersperse the wards sections between bands to keep the audience involved and give lots of ‘nipping to the bar/loo’ breaks. Also for the first time ever the Welfare volunteers were fully recognised at the event – Jenna did a great job at getting Peer Supporters, Nightliners and Welfare Reps involved in the evening and fully acknowledged for the valuable work they do.
There was much dancing and singing – with some scary renditions at Mojo’s Karaoke (the only place to be on a Thursday night) and a 3Sixty dance floor with enough room to boogie, to glide and to slide.
Huge congratulations to all who won awards and many thanks to Sam Hibbs, Jenna Roebuck, Anthony Gudgin and Naomi Tomblin who did so much for the night. But ultimately, the night was a success only because Student Activities at Reading is a success – and that’s all down to everyone who gives so much to the community on campus. So the biggest thanks of all go to all of you.
The Societies and Volunteers Bash this year was the first of its type, as we moved from an evening that recognised just the volunteering aspects of the Union (admittedly including Sports and Societies committees) to this year’s event that also paid homage to the social and development aspects of being part of a society. The events run by societies and the atmosphere that they create upon campus are really important to the community at Reading University.
The awards and bands section of the evening went really well – it was a good idea from the Volunteers Committee to intersperse the wards sections between bands to keep the audience involved and give lots of ‘nipping to the bar/loo’ breaks. Also for the first time ever the Welfare volunteers were fully recognised at the event – Jenna did a great job at getting Peer Supporters, Nightliners and Welfare Reps involved in the evening and fully acknowledged for the valuable work they do.
There was much dancing and singing – with some scary renditions at Mojo’s Karaoke (the only place to be on a Thursday night) and a 3Sixty dance floor with enough room to boogie, to glide and to slide.
Huge congratulations to all who won awards and many thanks to Sam Hibbs, Jenna Roebuck, Anthony Gudgin and Naomi Tomblin who did so much for the night. But ultimately, the night was a success only because Student Activities at Reading is a success – and that’s all down to everyone who gives so much to the community on campus. So the biggest thanks of all go to all of you.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
RAGs week - When Reading was made immensely Proud
The Raise and Give Society need huge congratulations sent their way. This blog will essentially be another opportunity to sing the praises of Julia and the rest of the committee for all their hard work, work which really paid off and led to a RAGs week I think Reading can be truly proud of.
The Exec gave as much support as we could – as well as generally supporting the group for things like making sure stalls were available and chasing up leaflets, I was personally involved with two events – the Wednesday night Beaning and the Friday Lock-up.
On Wednesday I raised money to try and get Jenna beaned, with limited success because unlike my fellow Sabbs I didn’t stand outside by the queue cheating… As it happened it was academic as all three of us got covered in beans live on stage. My Mum was proud. We raised about £400 over the evening though which was obviously excellent. Only £66 was raised to bean me – which just shows how lovely and loved I am…
Friday was the Lock-up. Cries of “Release your Nickers” echoed across the campus and bemused open day visitors, but I did manage to collect the £50 bail target, as well as an extra £15 – which I think shows how unjustly imprisoned I was. A lot of fun and hopefully something I’ll be able to do again next year.
All in all the week raised £3,560.99!
So well done RAGs – you were awesome!
The Raise and Give Society need huge congratulations sent their way. This blog will essentially be another opportunity to sing the praises of Julia and the rest of the committee for all their hard work, work which really paid off and led to a RAGs week I think Reading can be truly proud of.
The Exec gave as much support as we could – as well as generally supporting the group for things like making sure stalls were available and chasing up leaflets, I was personally involved with two events – the Wednesday night Beaning and the Friday Lock-up.
On Wednesday I raised money to try and get Jenna beaned, with limited success because unlike my fellow Sabbs I didn’t stand outside by the queue cheating… As it happened it was academic as all three of us got covered in beans live on stage. My Mum was proud. We raised about £400 over the evening though which was obviously excellent. Only £66 was raised to bean me – which just shows how lovely and loved I am…
Friday was the Lock-up. Cries of “Release your Nickers” echoed across the campus and bemused open day visitors, but I did manage to collect the £50 bail target, as well as an extra £15 – which I think shows how unjustly imprisoned I was. A lot of fun and hopefully something I’ll be able to do again next year.
All in all the week raised £3,560.99!
So well done RAGs – you were awesome!
Playground Politics as NUS National Council 14th February 2006
The NUS is a political body, but there are several types of politics at work within it. There are the ideological politics, those that strives to help students, represent them, develop and protect their lifestyles. Then there are the petty politics, more akin to discussing who can come to whose birthday party and far more in love with the ideas of processes and structure than responding to the student body. National Council contained both of these, but far and away the majority of it was the second type, a type that will only hinder the movement and seed disappointment and disunity among us.
The audience arrived for the performance from the NEC (with appropriate seating) only to find that the compere was ill. Joshi from Kings was elected as chair for the day – he’s a top bloke who I’ve known for a few years now so was very happy to have him guiding the proceedings.
After apologies from everyone apart from Flick Cox, the minutes were accepted, and we also accepted the byelaws that improve Council’s accessibility and caused so many problems last time (see my last report), with the additional change that the Chair can be overturned.
The first National Council began with re-arranging paperclips, this one began with re-running an NEC meeting and playing Campaign Top-Trumps, with most Councillors left confused, bored and frustrated. The NUS accounts and estimates were discussed, but this became a heated argument between Benson, who felt the international students campaign was unfairly under funded, and other NEC members. The co-op housing project was slammed and the rants escalated. Benson at one stage declared; “Why should I encourage international students to support the 2010 coalition?” which caused my mouth to drop in amazement. Ellie “Secret Weapon” Russell was immensely sensible, and she calmed things a bit by pointing out that there wasn’t a “campaign Hierarchy” and Kat Fletcher reminded NEC that they worked collectively and that budgets were set together at the start of the year. There was talk of zoning the estimates in line with the rest of the movement in future, which seems very sensible. I turned to Bubble and asked why on earth he wanted to be on the Block of 12 after events like this, where playground politics are all too evident and it seems we’re a National Union of Primary students not FE and HE ones.
Commission Sessions
I attended the Society and Citizenship commission group, but there wasn’t much to discuss, though we touched on international twinning.
We broke for lunch and a much needed pint.
In the afternoon Katie and I went to the Welfare commission session. We discussed the Co-operative Housing project, which I think looks wicked, the support of Loughborough students who are being discriminated against by being told they couldn’t live in certain areas as well as Sexual Health and the BNP.
Katie, Clare and myself went with London and the SW group to discuss how we can support the priority campaigns in our region. This aspect of being a National Councillor is often forgotten, not least by national councillors. Essentially I think the areas need to be doing this as much as the councillors (I know I’m on area Exec so this doesn’t excuse me) but it’s all about making things relevant. Education Funding and SE weighting, the Participate campaign and the 2012 Olympics – there are so many ways to make priory campaigns mean something in real terms. If I’m still active in the region next year (which I’m sure I will be) this is something I want to work on.
After some coffee and jam rings we moved on to the motions, where the two types of politics I described at the start both reared their heads, and I saw some members of the NEC who I’d previously had a huge amount of respect for in a new light.
Motion 1 – Supporting students in challenging unfair college practices
I thought this was a pointless motion – it’s my understanding that what Students’ Unions (and the NUS) generally do is support students in challenging unfair practices from their institutions… Parts were taken to remove a big chunk on ID cards, which I supported as I felt the debate was too big to have anywhere other than Conference. I voted FOR with the parts and the motion PASSED.
Motion 2 – National Directory
This was a motion to change the National Directory back so it’s put into regions. I voted FOR, but I think this motion was far removed from the type of political debate and direction we should be having at National Council. It PASSED, but I wasn’t fussed either way.
Motion 3 – Timing of National Conference
Making sure that National Conference is held outside of term-time whenever possible. Considering the huge numbers of FEs this is quite a task, and Kat gave us some background on the bookings (Winter Gardens are booked 5 years in advance). I voted FOR and it PASSED.
Emergency Motions
Motion 1 – The BNP in Blackpool
A motion to oppose the BNP in Blackpool and pressure the Winter Gardens into not accepting a booking from a fascist group in future. Kat Fletcher suggested we contacted other organisations who use the venue and get them to do the same. It PASSED.
Motion 2 – Transparency of NUS accounts.
This was our motion, which I wrote and Katie spoke very well for. It basically asked that NUS management accounts be presented as Regional Conferences and National Council. Parts were removed to take out a line where I said “That National Council and Regional Conferences are excellent ways at directing the national movement and its campaigns”. I spoke against this, because these meetings are designed to do just that, even if they aren’t always successful. The parts were removed. I’ve always said that National Council should be more than just an opportunity to profile for the next year’s Block of 12, but looking around the room and in light of these parts it’s clear that the majority of National Councillors do just use it for that. This was playground Politics to be ashamed of, and several Block candidates fell down my voting list. The motion PASSED with the parts.
Report Motions
These motions basically hold NEC to account or praise them.
Joe Rukin had three motions of censure against him
1 – from the SW concerning how budgets were put together. Joe explained his starting position very well, and considering how clear the accounts were I voted AGAINST the censure. It FELL.
2 – from the SE with me speaking for. Kingston received an e-mail from Joe at a time where they may potentially disaffiliate where he described them to a member of staff from NUSSL as ‘awkward and hostile’. Kat Fletcher agreed with the motion and it PASSED. I think this shows that occasionally National Council can do what it needs to, and hopefully persuades Kingston that when NUS do things they shouldn’t they get slapped on the wrist.
3 – from the NE about comments made to the National Press. These were taken out of context and had been dealt with. I voted AGAINST and it FELL.
Commendation of Sian Davies and Veronica King.
The playground bell ran and the NEC showed themselves in an appalling light, and I lost a lot of faith and respect in some officers because of the way they acted. Policy exists saying that NEC shouldn’t have a vote at National Council, but in the constitution they still can. The principal that they should be unable to hold each other to account through censures or vote against their own censures is clear. Sian and Veronica were praised for acting in the spirit of this and abstaining from all votes last council. Several other members of the NEC behaved appallingly, and it felt to me like Sian and Veronica were being condemned for their actions. At one stage there was table banging and raucous applause from the NEC as the Councillors looked on in disgust. I hope the NEC were pleased with themselves as it became clear at that point the gulf between them and those holding them to account and being the ‘foot troops’ among the region expanded. The motion FELL, mainly due to NEC voting against it and Block of 12 candidates avoiding any conflict. I voted FOR as did Katie and Bubble.
It’s clear that I can’t do a proper commendation for these people, but well done to Gemma Tumelty, Sian Davies, Ellie Russell, Veronica King and Kat Fletcher for Dan Chilcott for abstaining from all votes and being led by current students not forthcoming elections.
When I first ran for National Councillor I said in my speech that the NUS’ upper echelons dissuaded student officers from getting involved. This is still my view. I wish I could say that I am proud of all the National Executive, but this number is getting smaller the more events I go to, and that is simply wrong.
Nickers
n.a.smith@reading.ac.uk
The NUS is a political body, but there are several types of politics at work within it. There are the ideological politics, those that strives to help students, represent them, develop and protect their lifestyles. Then there are the petty politics, more akin to discussing who can come to whose birthday party and far more in love with the ideas of processes and structure than responding to the student body. National Council contained both of these, but far and away the majority of it was the second type, a type that will only hinder the movement and seed disappointment and disunity among us.
The audience arrived for the performance from the NEC (with appropriate seating) only to find that the compere was ill. Joshi from Kings was elected as chair for the day – he’s a top bloke who I’ve known for a few years now so was very happy to have him guiding the proceedings.
After apologies from everyone apart from Flick Cox, the minutes were accepted, and we also accepted the byelaws that improve Council’s accessibility and caused so many problems last time (see my last report), with the additional change that the Chair can be overturned.
The first National Council began with re-arranging paperclips, this one began with re-running an NEC meeting and playing Campaign Top-Trumps, with most Councillors left confused, bored and frustrated. The NUS accounts and estimates were discussed, but this became a heated argument between Benson, who felt the international students campaign was unfairly under funded, and other NEC members. The co-op housing project was slammed and the rants escalated. Benson at one stage declared; “Why should I encourage international students to support the 2010 coalition?” which caused my mouth to drop in amazement. Ellie “Secret Weapon” Russell was immensely sensible, and she calmed things a bit by pointing out that there wasn’t a “campaign Hierarchy” and Kat Fletcher reminded NEC that they worked collectively and that budgets were set together at the start of the year. There was talk of zoning the estimates in line with the rest of the movement in future, which seems very sensible. I turned to Bubble and asked why on earth he wanted to be on the Block of 12 after events like this, where playground politics are all too evident and it seems we’re a National Union of Primary students not FE and HE ones.
Commission Sessions
I attended the Society and Citizenship commission group, but there wasn’t much to discuss, though we touched on international twinning.
We broke for lunch and a much needed pint.
In the afternoon Katie and I went to the Welfare commission session. We discussed the Co-operative Housing project, which I think looks wicked, the support of Loughborough students who are being discriminated against by being told they couldn’t live in certain areas as well as Sexual Health and the BNP.
Katie, Clare and myself went with London and the SW group to discuss how we can support the priority campaigns in our region. This aspect of being a National Councillor is often forgotten, not least by national councillors. Essentially I think the areas need to be doing this as much as the councillors (I know I’m on area Exec so this doesn’t excuse me) but it’s all about making things relevant. Education Funding and SE weighting, the Participate campaign and the 2012 Olympics – there are so many ways to make priory campaigns mean something in real terms. If I’m still active in the region next year (which I’m sure I will be) this is something I want to work on.
After some coffee and jam rings we moved on to the motions, where the two types of politics I described at the start both reared their heads, and I saw some members of the NEC who I’d previously had a huge amount of respect for in a new light.
Motion 1 – Supporting students in challenging unfair college practices
I thought this was a pointless motion – it’s my understanding that what Students’ Unions (and the NUS) generally do is support students in challenging unfair practices from their institutions… Parts were taken to remove a big chunk on ID cards, which I supported as I felt the debate was too big to have anywhere other than Conference. I voted FOR with the parts and the motion PASSED.
Motion 2 – National Directory
This was a motion to change the National Directory back so it’s put into regions. I voted FOR, but I think this motion was far removed from the type of political debate and direction we should be having at National Council. It PASSED, but I wasn’t fussed either way.
Motion 3 – Timing of National Conference
Making sure that National Conference is held outside of term-time whenever possible. Considering the huge numbers of FEs this is quite a task, and Kat gave us some background on the bookings (Winter Gardens are booked 5 years in advance). I voted FOR and it PASSED.
Emergency Motions
Motion 1 – The BNP in Blackpool
A motion to oppose the BNP in Blackpool and pressure the Winter Gardens into not accepting a booking from a fascist group in future. Kat Fletcher suggested we contacted other organisations who use the venue and get them to do the same. It PASSED.
Motion 2 – Transparency of NUS accounts.
This was our motion, which I wrote and Katie spoke very well for. It basically asked that NUS management accounts be presented as Regional Conferences and National Council. Parts were removed to take out a line where I said “That National Council and Regional Conferences are excellent ways at directing the national movement and its campaigns”. I spoke against this, because these meetings are designed to do just that, even if they aren’t always successful. The parts were removed. I’ve always said that National Council should be more than just an opportunity to profile for the next year’s Block of 12, but looking around the room and in light of these parts it’s clear that the majority of National Councillors do just use it for that. This was playground Politics to be ashamed of, and several Block candidates fell down my voting list. The motion PASSED with the parts.
Report Motions
These motions basically hold NEC to account or praise them.
Joe Rukin had three motions of censure against him
1 – from the SW concerning how budgets were put together. Joe explained his starting position very well, and considering how clear the accounts were I voted AGAINST the censure. It FELL.
2 – from the SE with me speaking for. Kingston received an e-mail from Joe at a time where they may potentially disaffiliate where he described them to a member of staff from NUSSL as ‘awkward and hostile’. Kat Fletcher agreed with the motion and it PASSED. I think this shows that occasionally National Council can do what it needs to, and hopefully persuades Kingston that when NUS do things they shouldn’t they get slapped on the wrist.
3 – from the NE about comments made to the National Press. These were taken out of context and had been dealt with. I voted AGAINST and it FELL.
Commendation of Sian Davies and Veronica King.
The playground bell ran and the NEC showed themselves in an appalling light, and I lost a lot of faith and respect in some officers because of the way they acted. Policy exists saying that NEC shouldn’t have a vote at National Council, but in the constitution they still can. The principal that they should be unable to hold each other to account through censures or vote against their own censures is clear. Sian and Veronica were praised for acting in the spirit of this and abstaining from all votes last council. Several other members of the NEC behaved appallingly, and it felt to me like Sian and Veronica were being condemned for their actions. At one stage there was table banging and raucous applause from the NEC as the Councillors looked on in disgust. I hope the NEC were pleased with themselves as it became clear at that point the gulf between them and those holding them to account and being the ‘foot troops’ among the region expanded. The motion FELL, mainly due to NEC voting against it and Block of 12 candidates avoiding any conflict. I voted FOR as did Katie and Bubble.
It’s clear that I can’t do a proper commendation for these people, but well done to Gemma Tumelty, Sian Davies, Ellie Russell, Veronica King and Kat Fletcher for Dan Chilcott for abstaining from all votes and being led by current students not forthcoming elections.
When I first ran for National Councillor I said in my speech that the NUS’ upper echelons dissuaded student officers from getting involved. This is still my view. I wish I could say that I am proud of all the National Executive, but this number is getting smaller the more events I go to, and that is simply wrong.
Nickers
n.a.smith@reading.ac.uk
RUSU Pledge Day
I’m really pleased that NUS have been running a student activities campaign this year, and in a previous Blog I promised to support all three of NUS Priority campaigns as fully as I could. When I received an e-mail from the ‘Participate’ campaign about Pledge Day I thought it was a great initiative, but also wanted to adapt it slightly.
Pledge day’s concept was simple, creating a physical manifestation of the volunteer work and commitment to student activities that is so strong on campus. Students are not the drink obsessed, anti-social slobs that the media often portrays them as. They are active, interested and concerned. Over 200 students wrote a pledge on February the 13th, ranging from attending Society socials to doing a Junction11 radio show each week.
The NUS decided to use the work as a case study for the campaign and it can be found here
http://www.nusonline.co.uk/campaigns/participate/news/272066.aspx
I hope this event – easy to run and easy to be part of – is continued next year and beyond.
A general round up before some specific blogs
It’s been a while and I’m sorry – what I’ve decided to do is give a quick rundown here on all the things I’ve done and then do separate Blogs for Pledge Day, the Volunteers and Societies Bash and RAGs week. I hope to write up my NUS National Council report soon as well.
Since last time…
Lots of Work with Nightline helping with Training and overseeing their new committee’s appointment
Lots of work on the Volunteers and Societies Bash, including the awards and making sure it all ran smoothly
MASIV stuff – had a Board of Studies meeting to discuss future funding
Spark – had chats with the new Editor Manuela who’s coped admirably and very maturely with a difficult handover
Junction11 – Working with their Exec with getting the mixing Desk and also the Mixaphon
RAGs week – covered in beans, locked up and generally humiliated
All the day-to-day running around answering e-mails and trying to juggle queries about sweets in jars, Marathons, bands, governance reviews and all the other little things that take up a lot of time but are boring to write about in a blog!
And of course, I was at the Annual General Meeting for the RUSU Charity and the RUSU Business (the Nursery).
Individual reports to follow.
It’s been a while and I’m sorry – what I’ve decided to do is give a quick rundown here on all the things I’ve done and then do separate Blogs for Pledge Day, the Volunteers and Societies Bash and RAGs week. I hope to write up my NUS National Council report soon as well.
Since last time…
Lots of Work with Nightline helping with Training and overseeing their new committee’s appointment
Lots of work on the Volunteers and Societies Bash, including the awards and making sure it all ran smoothly
MASIV stuff – had a Board of Studies meeting to discuss future funding
Spark – had chats with the new Editor Manuela who’s coped admirably and very maturely with a difficult handover
Junction11 – Working with their Exec with getting the mixing Desk and also the Mixaphon
RAGs week – covered in beans, locked up and generally humiliated
All the day-to-day running around answering e-mails and trying to juggle queries about sweets in jars, Marathons, bands, governance reviews and all the other little things that take up a lot of time but are boring to write about in a blog!
And of course, I was at the Annual General Meeting for the RUSU Charity and the RUSU Business (the Nursery).
Individual reports to follow.
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