I feel very fortunate to be joining the NUS NEC at this exciting time of change. I stood for election to the Block of Twelve because I believe that I can make a positive contribution during this period in which NUS, and students' unions, have to adapt in order to survive in the rapidly changing Higher Education sector.

Through my blogs I intend to communicate the work I have been doing in meeting my manifesto pledges and fulfilling the responsibility allocations that I have been given. As a former students’ union Vice President, I appreciate the time restrictions of students’ unions officers in holding NEC members to account. With this is mind; I will endeavour to keep my blogs as short, concise and as regular as possible.

The mandates that were decided upon at annual conference in March provide the NEC with a unique opportunity to bring about real and lasting change in reforming NUS to reflect the nature of its membership; fulfil our potential in making an impact on the lives of students across the UK and to become an organisation that all members can be proud of. NUS has embarked upon an exciting journey in undergoing a ‘root and branch’ organisational governance review.

As part of my NEC portfolio of responsibilities, I have been allocated a position on the Governance Review Steering Group. The policy passed as this year’s conference mandated the group to be set up by May. To date, the Steering Group has met twice and has begun an extensive consultation phase, following the commissioning of the Governance Review green paper. The green paper offered members and stakeholders the opportunity to feedback their views on the five strands (areas of the organisation that must be addressed in the review): conformance, performance, democracy, liberation and nations. The membership of the steering group boasts a promising balance of skills, knowledge and experience.

I have been involved in consultations on behalf of the Governance Steering Group, attending the consultation at NUS-USI in Northern Ireland. I am very pleased with the format the consultation is taking. If there are to be constructive recommendations from this group that the membership will buy in to, then the ethos of an open and honest approach must be continued, which I have not doubt, will be the case. I will be proactive in engaging with CM’s (Constituent Members) throughout the process of this review, acting as a first point of contact for unions in the North West region. I have the responsibility of being the first point of contact (NEC) for CM’s in the North West.

NUS has been slow to respond to the challenges of our outdated and inefficient governance model, however this has not been the case for NUS in supporting students’ unions in reforming their governance models.

NUS has pioneered research and support for students' unions in adapting to the changes in legislation bought about by the Charities Act. NUS has a commitment to continuing this support if it is to succeed in meeting the proposals set out in the new draft of the mission statement: that is – promoting, defending and extending the rights of students; and developing and championing strong students' unions. We have won the case for the right for students' unions remaining autonomous (through the support of an independent QC report); this has again demonstrated the value of NUS in defending the rights of students’ unions to exist as separate legal entities to their parent institutions. I intend to work within the strong and active unions zone, to ensure this support is continued and developed. Changes in the law will require students’ unions with an income of over £100,000 to register with the Charity Commission by 2009. It is crucial that the National Union provides support for unions undergoing this process to ensure shared best practice and utilised resources.

The first meting of the society and citizenship zone produced responsibility allocations for specific campaigning work within this zone. I have been allocated lead role in coordinating the Protect Darfur campaign nationally. I very much look forward to working with students and students’ unions in developing national student voice to speak out against the ongoing crisis in Darfur, Sudan. This is an issue many student groups have been quick to mobilise and campaign on. NUS must build on our ongoing relationships with Aegis Students in giving a voice for those people in Darfur who do not have one. Yet again, the words ‘Never again’ have fallen upon deaf ears- I know the student movement in this country is not prepared to look the other way as the first genocide of the 21st century continues before us. I will blog updates as the campaign unfolds.

I am contactable on adam.mcnicholas@nus.org.uk and 07968356811.

Summary duties so far:

• Governance Steering Group meetings
• Governance Steering Group consultation (NUS-USI)
• National Executive Committee meetings
• National Executive Committee Residential Training
• Action for southern Africa (ACTSA) delegation to southern Africa- Blog will be posted soon
• Society and Citizenship zone meeting
• NEC representative on interview panel (for RO London, RO Midlands and East and Learning and Development Officer Midlands and East)
• Communications in Action- Officer Development Programme

The Blogs on this site represent the individual views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies or practices of the National Union of Students.

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