So, what HAVE I been doing?

Hello all,
Again apologies for my lack of presence in blog-o-sphere. This is going to be a quick update on what I've been up to...

1. I took a weeks annual leave and went to the Canary Islands. Yes, Sabbs are allowed a break every now and then!

2. I've been working hard on elections. I think in the past elections have been seen to be too much of a process and administrative exercise, so we're moving to change that, so the whole process (for example, advertising nominations and promoting voting) is much more visible, not just the campaigns that candidates run. I'll be blogging more about elections soon...

3. Guild Council review has been taking up a bit of time - a very successful day was held where a group of students reviewed the purpose and effectiveness of Guild Council. I am currently developing some models for us to work with and then move to adopting....

4. One Water - this is now being stocked in bars and in the vending machines, but hopefully, fingers crossed, we will have a more permanent solution soon...

5. Chaired the first Finance Committee and went to a Trustee Board meeting.

6. I've been working a lot on the Redbrick feasibility study, something I was mandated to do in the December Guild Council. It's been interesting and hopefully I should be presenting my findings to the next Guild Council.

7. Went to NUS Extraordinary Conference and voted to change the structure of the NUS to make it more effective for students. Also went to an NUS democracy event - and it seems that all the ideas I have for elections this year get the heads up from the NUS. Interestingly enough, our candidate budget, at £90 per person, is more or less the highest in the country, with £40 being the average. Be lucky I didn't change that....

8. Went doorknocking, then participated in, the amazing Halls Fees campaign! Although I was stewarding it was amazing to see students getting so fired up about an issue. Well done to all who were involved.

As usual, any questions - email me on h.lazell@guild.bham.ac.uk

Cheers!

A quick "heads up".

Officer elections are on their way!

Do you want to get involved with how the Guild is run and influence the activities that it does?

There are seven sabbatical (full time) positions and eleven non sabbatical (part time) positions, all focused on a specific area. So if you are interested in something specific, such as welfare or ethical and environmental issues, then a position on the Officer Team should be something that you consider! More information about the Officer positions can be found here: http://www.guildofstudents.com/content/index.php?page=29225
All positions are fantastic experience and will make you very attractive to a future employer!

Nominations open on February 2nd and close on February 13th: campaigning starts on February 27th and ends on March 13th: voting takes place online from March 9th until March 13th, with results night taking place on March 14th.

If you don't have much experience but want to get involved, then don't be scared! Email h.lazell@guild.bham.ac.uk for more information.

RA training!

On the 13th-15th December, myself along with some other officers and staff members went away with the new RA's (Residence Assocations) to train them in the joys and responsibilities of being responsible for everything to do with running a hall!

Sessions included representation, event planning and managing differences....as well as the massively fun outside activities of low ropes and bridge building! All of the activities that the RA's did aimed to build their skills to enable them to make their halls the best ever for their residents.

It was a fun but tiring weekend, and I was massively inspired to see so many eager people willing to get involved - I'm looking forward to a great year ahead!

One Water

In October Guild Council passed a motion mandating me to get One Water (and One Condoms) stocked in the Guild - and this was further amended to spread it to the entire university.

One Water will be stocked in the bars in the Guild from the start of term, and we will also have vending machines selling One Water and other bottled fair trade products. My other challenge is Spar, and I have been in contact with their stock manager about it - but as it is a national company it will be much harder.

I have met with the University and they are also keen to sell ethical products such as One Water, but currently cannot get it through their stockists. However, they can get similar products made by companies such as Volvic which are going to be far quicker to get than One Water. Interestingly enough, One Water was actually stocked by the University recently as a trial, but it didn't sell....The University are also looking at how best to stock One Condoms.

On the One Difference website there are sample letters to send to your local stores to get them to stock it - I suggest that you all do that for both Spar, the University and your local shops! Go here - http://www.onedifference.org/home?intro=true