I've had an amazingly hectic few weeks, with many high points and one big low point shorly after the 2nd November with the election of George W. Bush in the United States.

I’m just positing this after the close of amendments for LGB Conference. I’m so relieved it’s all over and can now look forward to the delights of compositing on Wednesday! See everyone there.

As with the majority of weeks, I’ve done lots of travelling and met lots of students, officers and members of external organisations that I hope to be in contact with as the year progresses. Most worthy of note were the regional conferences, which took place during this week. As you may already know, members of the national executive are divided, with half including myself travelling up the eastern side of England and the other side travelling up the western side. Next term I'll be on the eastern stream and will look forward to meeting all the officers I met at the summers regional receptions. The regional conferences this week were very interesting and at time very entertaining. It was very interesting to hear some of the legitimate and constructive concerns and comments delegates raised during both the formal and informal parts of conference. Before I forget, congratulations to all those student officers who got elected at the various regional conferences, I was very impressed to see so many people standing.

Whilst I was at conference the administrative and case based work of the LGB campaign has to continue and I must apologise if at times I had to leave conference sessions in order to deal with issues from LGB students and officers. I am currently engaged in one very pressing piece of casework with a FE college in the England which is currently facing an extreme amount of homophobia from fellow students as well as a neglectful attitude from members of teaching and management staff. As you can imagine, much of my day to day work involves fielding calls from people, and it takes a great deal of time to either action these enquiries or signpost relevant individuals or organisations that can officer more detailed and appropriate help.

I've also been engaged in a great deal of presswork. I recently did an interview with an LGBT community magazine in Spain and have been fielding calls from members of the student press in the UK. If you are a student officers or from the student press, please contact the NUS Press Office, who will be happy to provide support and assistance in any article you are writing, whilst also putting you in contact with either myself or Kat (depending on areas and special interests).

Unfortunately, due an accident in the family I was unable to attend the Wolverhampton regional conference.

LGB Campaign events in the short term future

LGB Winter Conference 2004, Leicester, 26th-28th November
Many people have been making specific enquiries about the forthcoming LGB Conference to be held in Leicester on the 26th-28th November. It is still possible to register. All unions have been sent registration forms, however, if you have lost your form or its somehow managed to got lost in the post (these things do happen), please contact the NUS events department. As this is a democratic event the convention means that you will need to supply a letter on headed note paper stating your wish to have the registration documents reissued, and send it either by fax or post. Once you send this off, the events department will be happy to mail you a copy of the registration document. If at any point you are having problems with registration, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Rep Training, Coventry, 12th - 14th November
Registrations are also still being taken for LGBT reps training. This is usually a highly successful event and well worth attending. Please tell your LGBT Officers.

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.

All links in blogs will open in a new browser window.

The permanent URL for this specific blog entry is: http://www.officeronline.co.uk/blogs/benmiskell/270074.aspx