This blog is only just over 2 weeks from my last (I’m supposed to update fortnightly), but I’ll admit that I’ve not done a ‘what I’ve been up to’ style account for a little while now – really about a Month or so. For most of this time it was the Holidays – highlights of which included finishing off the ‘RU ready… for Events’ and ‘RU Ready… to Promote’ online packs (available at www.rusu.co.uk/nslp), the 2nd SEANUS Executive (detailed below) and a rather enjoyable Christmas party with staff and Exec, though I did lose my duffel coat and glasses at this social so I’m wearing my old (and less funky) pair. The majority of my work time during the Holidays was spent updating the Constitution and Regulations in line with the Governance review (more of this later) but I will admit that I only worked a 40 hour week and not a 55 hour one as I tend to work during term.

Aside from an eye infection I had a very pleasant Christmas break and a relaxing New Year.

I’ve been doing a fair chunk of work with Junction11 concerning their new desk, including finding some more money for them so they can get a better model then they could otherwise afford. I’m also incredibly impressed with their ‘Jukebox Junction’ where you can text in a code to the station and the computer will automatically play a song for you. Martin Butt and the rest of the Tech team at Junction11 have done an amazing job on this – so fair play to them!

Another group that needs congratulating is the new RAGs committee. Headed by Julia Horne they have brought a huge amount of enthusiasm to the RAGs group. It’s really nice to attend their meetings and so on as they have so much energy – it reminds me of why I love my job and feel so passionately about volunteering watching them in action! I really hope many students get involved with RAGs week (week 6 13th – 17th February) as their plans look fabulous.

I held a Volunteers Committee to update everyone with plans for RU Ready, M.A.S.I.V. and the Community Action Volunteering we’re doing as well as giving volunteer groups a chance to talk about what they’re up to and their plans for the rest of the term.
I did “RU Ready… to Promote” training last week which I really enjoyed having done a stint as head of Nightline Publicity in my second year at Uni.

Student Council on Thursday 19th January was an important meeting and one which, through passing the Governance motion with the attendant new Constitution and Regulations, has changed the way the Union is run. The Governance webpage will be up and running soon but the changes will mean a clearer structure for defining Portfolio roles (such as being responsible for Welfare campaigns like safe drinking) and trustee roles (such as being responsible for the financial well-being of the Union and drinks sales). The non-portfolio positions will open up the Union to less traditional students, just yesterday a post-graduate student with a family was discussing the possibility of her candidacy with me. The new meeting structure is cleaner and easier to get involved with. Council eventually voted unanimously for the motion, with 3 out of 4 proposed amendments (including one for spelling changes) being passed as well.

This term includes the Union Elections. 2006 will be a difficult year for RUSU, a challenging year with variable fees and a new extension, a year of change and of adaptation. It is my hope that all students bear this in mind when at the ballot box and choosing who they want to support.

If anyone has any questions give me a shout!

Nickers