Get Involved Fair roundup and Employability and Development

Get Involved Fair:

702 people came through the doors, nearly 200 more than last year.

53 students became members of societies on the day, 465 expressing an interest and giving email addresses for further information.

Get Involved Taster Sessions:

1192 non-members attended society taster sessions/workshops

83 students became members of societies on the day of their taster session, a further 62 students became members in the following two weeks after the taster session.

Overall I think the Get Invovled Campaign was great, it was another opportunity for groups to recruit members to those who may have not got involved at Welcome Week, which is what we are here to help you do. On the whole, feedback suggests groups did not feel it was well advertised outside of the Guild. This is something I am very conscious of (advertising to the converted), so I worked really hard to get the message outside of the Guild. Here’s a quick run-through on what was done to promote the Get Involved Fair and taster workshops:

Know Your Guild booklet – a full two page spread of all the Get Involved taster workshops that we were given information on. This went out to every halls of residence with the Mentors (thank you mentors!) and were also distributed on campus for a week by the Sabbatical team (thank you Sabbs!).

Redbrick – a Know Your Guild pull out included a full page Get Involved Fair advertisement, and two page spread of Get Involved workshops. Redbricks are available from various outlets across campus, and are also delivered to halls of residence and Selly Oak.

Lecture Shout outs – The Sabbaticals did lecture shoutouts and presentations about Know Your Guild and the Get Involved Fair in the week running up to the event

Posters – posters were put up in departments, the Guild, and at halls of residence.

My.Bham portal – Get Involved was advertised on the main my.bham portal in the week running up to the fair

Guild E-Newsletter – the Guild e-newsletter that goes out to all students included the Get Involved Fair.

Facebook – A Get Involved campaign Facebook event was created from the Guild of Students Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=18490018344&ref=ts).

University electronic display boards – We advertised the Fair on the board around campus

Guild of Students Website – The fair was a prominent feature on the website, and the individual taster sessions were also advertised for each society.

I'd be really keen to hear any more feedback, so please do get in touch with any suggestions for next year :)

Development and Employability

‘Dinner with a Dozen’ or ‘Dinner with 10 strangers’ (based on numbers) is an idea that has come from the USA and enables students, alumni and staff to share different experiences of University life with one another. The format of the evening will, usually, be a dinner for 10-12 guests with no set agenda but may have a theme for conversation. The value in the dinner is encouraging open conversation between groups who wouldn’t usually have the opportunity to meet with one another and to share stories which will add value to the student experience. The dinner also offers alumni an added opportunity to interact with current students of their University.

I felt my role was two fold: an alumna of the University of Birmingham, and also as a Sabbatical who promotes personal and professional development through extra-curricula activities or part-time work. It was an excellent event, and I really hope the students found some benefit from it.

The key things that I felt were important to highlight were:

· What makes the University of Birmingham different to all the other Universities? For me, it is the wealth of opportunities that are available to students here. From part time work, student ambassadors, volunteering, societies, sports, wardens, mentors, workshops, student reps and much, much more –this University is fantastic. The opportunities are there on a plate, ready for students to enhance their student experience and personal development.

· Key message: Do something. Anything. We all have interests, so pursue them whilst you have the opportunity to do so. Employers want to know you are interested, in anything, and you demonstrate commitment and passion through pursuing it.

· This is a safe environment to learn. One of the best ways of learning, is through making mistakes and having the self awareness to realise what the mistake was, and how to act/do something differently in the future. Whether in part-time work, or in volunteering, if you never fail or get something wrong, you will never succeed or know you are doing something right.

Guild Awards 2010

Guild Awards 2010 - Sunday 21st March 2010

The Guild Awards are now in their third year and are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and recognise the contribution students make to the Guild of Students, University and local community.

If you think your contribution should be recognised or know someone you think should be rewarded, nominate an individual or group for an award. The awards this year are:

• Most Improved Group
Recognises a strong and pro-active committee that demonstrate their commitment to increasing and diversifying their membership and effectively promoting their group and its activities.

• Best Event
Recognises an original, innovative or creative student group event which successfully achieves the groups’ aims and objectives.

• Community Impact/Achievement
For an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution via the local, national or international community through a project, event or relationship.

• Outstanding Contribution
For an individual who has made an outstanding commitment and contribution to the University of Birmingham or Guild of Students, by considering new initiatives or innovative ways of working to improve student life.

• Outstanding Society
For a society who have made a significant impact to the Guild of Students and its members.

• Outstanding Resident’s Association
For a Resident’s Association who have made a significant impact on its members through increased engagement, innovative events, campaigns and community action.

• Outstanding Volunteering Project
For a Volunteering Project who have made a significant impact to the Guild of Students and its’ members, in addition to the wider community.

• Outstanding Student Rep
(Sponsored by the Academic & Quality Unit)
For a pro-active Student Rep who has made significant improvements for students through effective communication, wider engagement and lobbying.

• Outstanding Student Staff member
For a Student Staff member who has shown dedication to improving services for students, by excelling in their role and supporting and motivating others.

The closing date for all nominations is Friday 19th February 2010. Please download a nominations form from the Guild Awards website: www.guildofstudents.com/guildawards. At least three photos must be submitted with each application, either by email or on a memory stick or disc. You can either email nomination forms and supporting items to studentgroups@guild.bham.ac.uk or hand in copies at the Student Development counter.

The theme is Rainbow Formal/Black Tie.
Tickets will be on sale soon, and are just £10. This includes a meal and entry to an after party at the Guild. Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you there!

I hope that you’re keen to get involved with the Guild Awards and good luck with your nominations! Please email vpsad@guild.bham.ac.uk or studentgroups@guild.bham.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Best of luck,

Emma Packham
(Vice President Student Activities and Development)

Ever thought about being a Sabb??

Running to become a Sabb is one of the best things I have ever done, yet I didn't have it planned from the moment I came to University as others may do. Just because someone hasn't been heavily involved in the Guild, doesn't mean they can't do a great job in office, so have a think...is this something you would love to do? By no means is it too late to think about it, and if you would like an informal chat, please let me know and I can answer your questions, or simply talk at you if you don't really have anything planned!

Nominations to become a Sabbatical Officer open Friday 5th Feb, and close on 22nd Feb. Campaigning will then start on Friday 5th March, and voting opens Monday 15th March - Friday 19th March.
Results will be on the 20th - Very Exciting!!

Even if you don't fancy running, then consider being part of a campaign team - it is great fun and you will even learn some new skills along the way! Most importantly though, is exercising your right to vote - it's very simple through the my.bham portal, and means you have a say as to who will represent you.

I remember last year I asked my predecessor what an average day was like, his response was that everyday was different and it's pretty impossible to give an example of what you may do day to day. This couldn't be more true, but I have put together a handout of five days from last term and this term, which outline what I have done hour to hour. I don't expect to have another day identical to one of these, and neither will you, but it gives an idea of the sort of thing you may be expected to do as a Sabbatical Officer.

Day 1
9:30-11:00 Student Development Team Meeting
These happen weekly, and I attend as many as possible. They are a great way to catch up with the staff, and update on issues or upcoming campaigns.
11:00-14:00 CV Skills workshop preparation
This included finishing any handouts and organising work booklets, as well as completing the presentation. I also emailed/facebooked groups to remind them of the workshop.
14:00-15:00 Santa Fun Run
I was asked by Carnival RAG to start the Acorn Santa Fun Run on campus which raises money for a local children’s charity. As well as talking to participating students and the organisers, I caught up with Redbrick.
15:00-15:30 Room Bookings meeting
I met with the Room Bookings coordinator to discuss student group issues and how to move forward.
15:30-18:00 Deliver CV Skills workshop with Careers
18:00-19:00 Guild Officer Group
This involves all full time and part time Sabbatical Officers, and meets to discuss recommendations for Guild Council motions. This meets roughly once every 3 weeks, the week before Guild Council.
19:00-19:30 Proof-read Redbrick
Fabian and I head down to the Redbrick office every Wednesday to discuss the articles with the team. As a Trustee of the Guild of Students, we have a legal, financial and reputational responsibility to the organisation. Along with the editor, we have received Media Law training.
19:30-22:30 Pakistani Cultural Society Charity Dinner Dance
Fabian and I were invited to the Pakistani Cultural Society event as guests. It was fantastic to see such a successful and lively student group event.

Day 2
09:30-11:30 Housekeeping, Emails and Blogging
Following a two day residential course with the Guild, there was a lot of housekeeping and emails to see to. An action plan and list of priorities was needed. I also took the time to blog, which Sabbs are mandated to do once a month, although we all try to blog more often than this.
11:30-12:00 Volunteer Recognition
A staff member drops in to discuss volunteer certificates and branding.
12:00-14:00 Sabbatical Officer Group and Team 10
Weekly meetings which allow the officer group to catch up with each other, and discuss papers put forward by the team (for information or seeking support). The distribution of the Sabbatical campaigns pot is also discussed here. Senior Management join the team for the second part of the meeting.
14:00-15:00 Health and Safety Committee
This committee meets monthly, and discusses/approves items such as incident procedure and appeals, health and safety investigations or training, and updates on incidents/accidents and other relevant matters.
15:00-16:00 Discussion of Student Group constitutions
As part of the democratic structure review, Student Development staff and I meet to discuss the student group constitution. We actioned for the constitution to be updated by staff.
16:00-18:30 Know Your Guild
As Sabb lead, there are a number of tasks that need doing or following up with staff, such as promotion, Facebook events, Sabb roles during the campaign, press releases, organising lecture shout outs and kiosks.

Day 3
Sabbatical and Management Away Day
Agenda items include: Blue Sky thinking (long term strategy and use of Guild building), review of Officer Campaigns, Democratic Structure Review and Market Research presentation and discussion.
19:00-22:00 GMTG Sweeney Todd production

Day 4
10:00-11:30 Degree Congregations
Sabbaticals are asked to attend the degree congregations as part of the procession, Summer and Winter term.
11:30-12:00 Emails and housekeeping
Emails include: Alumni Office funding and sponsorship, the Student Disability Group at the University and the Disabled Students Association ,student group megaforum minutes and feedback, University request for volunteering statistics, and the Birmingham newspaper interested in speaking to the Womens Association.
12:00-14:00 Student Group Committee
This committee recognises and derecognises student groups, and talks to groups which have major issues, such as financial, or would like to amend their constitution. This also allocates the rolling grant to student groups. The VPSAD chairs this committee.
14:00-15:30 University community open day meeting and proposal
As the Sabb lead, I went to the initial meeting at the University about the reason behind putting on a community open day, and to see how the Guild of Students could be involved in this opportunity to showcase student groups and Guild community activities. Following the meeting, I wrote a proposal to put to Sabbatical Officer Group to determine how the Guild may be involved.
15:30-16:00 Proposal for Society Spotlight online
Following on from the GOS in Print society spotlight, I put together a proposal for a more frequent online version, which will allow groups a platform to promote themselves on the Guild of Students website in detail.
16:00-18:00 End of Term One Report and Blogging
One of the Sabbs created an end of term report, which I though was a fantastic way to report to groups what I have been doing since being elected in office. I blogged the report, which Sabbs are mandated to do monthly.
18:00-20:00 Guild Council
This takes place once every three weeks, and Sabbatical Officers are held to account and are able to make communications to Guild Councillors.

Day 5
10:00-11:30 Officer Training and Development Meeting
This meeting discusses officer training and handover for incoming full time and part time officers and also training for officers throughout the year. This meets monthly-fortnightly.
11:30-12:30 Chief Exec/VPSAD 121
An opportunity for VPSAD to catch up with the CEO, move forward with very high-level or strategic issues that may effect the organisation as a whole/Guild Constitution, and discuss any issues work issues.
12:30-14:30 Prioritising work, housekeeping, organising and preparing
Things can get very busy, very quickly, with new priorities appearing out the blue. It is very important to be organised, and know where things are in the office as ‘organised chaos’ can only last so long… This time gets easily interrupted with new emails, cheque signing/signatures required and phone calls. During this time, the two non-sabbs I mentor drop in to catch up, arrange meetings and run through their ideas for the term.
14:30-15:30 Potential Officer candidate chat
Thinking long-term in the Guild is crucial, which includes encouraging and supporting potential candidates in the upcoming officer elections. We chat through some questions the individual has, manifesto points and run through work that may need to be continued in the future.
15:30-16:00 Student Development Staff chat
A staff member drops into the office to talk about the Get Involved fair promotion, various society issues, and progress made on various projects.
17:00-17:30 Emails and Facebook messages
An idea of what a VPSAD may see in their email inbox: Emails from Campus Police, sponsorship contracts from societies, University Events team regarding an upcoming event, Get Involved promotional material from Marketing department, Guild Award meeting requests, and emails from Sabbaticals. I set up various meetings, such as community open day working group and officer handover with a staff lead. I email about end of term reports, organise sabbs on kiosks for Know Your Guild.
17:30-19:00 Handover preparation
To make a handover plan and write up these day diaries! A Sabb also drops in to catch up and share ideas.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment, email me at vpsad@guild.bham.ac.uk or pop into see me in my office (2nd Floor, above Spar and Guild Council Chambers)

If you are considering running for my position, or would just like to know a little more about what I have been doing for you, then read my End of Term One Report in my earlier blog.

Em