Frequency and 'Part-Time'

As a 'part-time' member of the National Executive Committee I have been mandated to write 250 words a month on, from what I can glean from the policy and the concept of a blog, anything I feel like - but it has to include a list of certain things, like Union visits.

So, rather than a lot of infrequent and irregular postings I've decided instead to try and write a monthly round-up of my work, interspersed by random waffles (see Theme and Waffles post) about anything I feel like talking about at the time.

You might argue that could result in a lot of infrequent and irregular posts, but you'd be wrong. I'm not sure I mind what you argue about, just don't talk to the computer screen while you're doing it - it might not respond and then you'll be offended.

I should explain the quotation marks around part-time at the start of this post. Because, basically - a fair number of the Block of Twelve work full time for NUS and i've met a fair number of people who assume (grrr!) we do little and get paid a lot.

← Yes, all of the 'part-timers' get an honorarium of sorts for our commitment (£170pcm).

← Yes, it is difficult living below the poverty line.

← Yes, it is made easier by the fact that you can get two weeks food shopping from Iceland for £9.96 - you will only eat Bread, Sausages and Frozen Mixed Vegetables for those two weeks, but it can be done. Morrisons is particularly cheap as well.

← No, its not the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

← Yes, I do enjoy it immensely and we really do get to make a real positive difference to students' lives.

Many of the block don't have the option of working full time because of the financial constraints, studying or other commitments - but I can tell you from my experience that if at least some of us weren't doing it the ability of the NEC to deliver on the ground for Students' Unions and their students would be massively reduced. I think its important that NUS has the flexibility to enable people to volunteer a year of their time if they want to and I believe that in this time of change it is essential to the work of NUS that we continue to protect the concept and principles of the Block of Twelve - otherwise we lose one of our key methods of communication with our membership.

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