July arrives early

This year the month of July started in June as myself, Hannah and Martin headed over to Guildford on the 28th for the South East Regional Reception.

Rather frustratingly we discovered, after arriving, that it had been moved - something about a miscommunication of dates. These things happen though so we went in search of the Union (Surrey) and went on a quick tour while we were there. Met the sabbaticals who were all friendly and seemed to be on top of things; preparing for the Summer and Freshers' Week which looms inevitably closer and arrives very quickly indeed.

Back to London afterwards for a useful National Executive Committee (NEC) Induction Training course over the next two days, before the first NEC Meeting of the year on the 1st July. Among other things we allocated responsibility teams and the specific responsibilities for the year ahead. My primary areas of work will be as the new NEC Director on the Board of NUS Services Limited (NUSSL), and as a member of the Students' Union Development, Finance & Central Services and Education teams.

This month has been incredibly busy. Not only with NUS work but also the amount generated by the sabbatical handover period at Essex where I spent the last two years working as President of the Students' Union. Fortunately - my successor, Gareth Oughton (who I am confident will do a fantastic job), has been attending many of the same events that I have, along with time spent at National Convention we've managed to cover everything I can think of - and I know I leave the Union in a stronger position now - which is half the battle. Unfortunately - I've had to move twice in the last month. The first time, a mere 50 metres along the University campus to a different room, then again to my new home only last weekend; a hair-raising experience driving through London in the early hours of the morning and then back to Colchester again the following day.

The highlight of my year so far was my Sister's Wedding on the 11th. I'll never forget the look on her face as she walked down the aisle with my Dad. I cried too, naturally.

Key dates from my diary this month...

• South East Regional Reception 'blunder' (Surrey SU)
• NEC Induction Training
• NEC Meeting (University of London Union)
• North East Regional Reception (York St. John SU)
• East Midlands Regional Reception (Lincoln Co-operative SU)
• Education Campaign Planning Meeting
• East Anglia Regional Reception (Buckinghamshire Chilterns SU)
• British Youth Council Democracy Commission
• NEC Meeting (Leeds)
• NUS National Convention (Leeds)
• Summer Training - Lead and Change (TUC, London)

The Regional Receptions have been good fun, meeting lots of new officers - all excited about the year ahead. It was good to have the chance to return to East Anglia and see all the Unions I worked with so closely during my time at Essex; particularly Cambridge, APU, Bucks., Luton, UEA, Herts. and Colchester Institute. I don't think anyone ever really appreciates how much the relationships you build during your time as a sabbatical are worth until they're gone.

I took a few days off to go campaigning for the by-election in Birmingham Hodge-Hill - I really enjoyed talking to people on the doorstep about the issues facing them and how we can better help them to achieve their goals. Its so important to take people with you when trying to achieve political change; empower them to take their own choices, ensuring there is equality and social justice for the many, not the few. Its all about working together to make a difference; I think the wider world could learn a lot from the collectivist values of Students' Unions!

The first Summer Training event of the year for me - Lead and Change. The chance to do some fun role-playing in different characters during the week and to hammer home some of the important principles and thoughts behind leadership and the management of change in Students' Unions. Lead and Change is easily the most intensive course that NUS runs; training from almost from the moment you awake in the morning to the moment you go to sleep at night.

And while I'm on sleep - I've slept at home in my own bed for a total of 8 nights in the last 30 days; its been a non-stop month filled with trains, train platforms and training courses, interspersed by training rooms, accompanied by a wheelie suitcase which has followed me around the country from one training venue to the next.

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