Well its been a long time I know, I really apologise but I have been quite literally in a whirlwind since winning my election for National President. I’m not going to say a lot about Annual Conference as it has been too long really and so much happens good and bad that no matter what I write down I don’t think it will reflect the four days we spent in Blackpool. One thing I will say though is that no matter what happened at Conference, who you supported or who you didn’t support, whether your policy was accepted or rejected, whether you won or lost your election I feel that its vital to leave your anger, upset, frustration, revengeful thoughts and grudges in Blackpool and come away with the good memories knowing that sometimes democracy means not getting your own way!

For now I’m going to list the events, meetings and conferences I have been to, adding in where I can speeches I have made. I know there are a couple of events I want to reflect on in greater detail but I need to get all of this down first!

Where no clear meetings are down I spent time in the Office.

April:

5th – management team

9th – Steering Meeting

10th – NUSSL Convention

13th Speech to AMSU conference (another Blog entry) and attended Islamic Relief Concert at the Royal Albert Hall

19th – management team

20th – Interviews for Regional Organising Managers

21st – 22nd NUS-USI Conference in Enniskillen

24th – Meeting about Trade Union Partnership work

25th- Lunch with Frank Dobson MP

26th Management team meeting

27th- Joint negotiating committee with our staff trade union and meeting with NUJ about Venezuela

28th – AoC bilateral meeting

29th – Speak at the Love Music Hate Racism Rally in Trafalgar Square (another Blog entry)

May:

4th – NUSSL Board Meeting Macclesfield

5th- 7th – Handover weekend with Kat

8th – NEC Meeting

9th – Events and National Training Programme meeting and Interviews

10th – Strategic plan meeting, meeting Andrew Thompson from QIA

11th – Meet Peter Anwyl Director of International Students House, AUT Council Scarborough

12th – Leeds University Union Pride event

15th-18th Regional Conferences

19th – STADIA and networks meeting

22nd – Wolverhampton SU to discuss NUS and Amnesty International Meeting

23rd – Campaigns creative day then up to Endsleigh

24th – Office then NUS-USI dinner

25th – NUS-USI Bilateral, Meeting with Brendan Barber Gen Sec of the TUC

30th – National Council which was inquorate so day wasted

31st-8th HOLIDAY!!!!

June:

8th – UCU Launch

9th – Management team away day

10th – Essex Summer Ball (thank you for the fun!)

11th – Manchester SU in house Training ( thanks for invite – really enjoyed it)

12-14th- NUSSL Induction

14th – round table discussion with Chief Rabbi

15th – Met with Workbank and then attended the STAR parliamentary reception

16th – FE Essentials in Weymouth

18th – Spoke at FOSIS Conference (another blog entry)

19-21st – Endsleigh Board, Press Officer interviews and FE Essentials in Wigan

22nd – Belfast to talk to NUS-USI about NUS Extra

23rd – Campaigns planning meeting, Lunch with the Guardian and met the accountants!

24th – Justice for Columbia BBQ

26th – Deputy National Directors interviews – Congratulations to Matt Hyde

27th – SW regional reception

28th – WM regional reception

29th – Conference call with NUSSL and AMSU about the Diversity Seminar in November and Westminster SU building opening

30th – Coalition 2010 meeting, meet with Issahaku Kotomoah the new international students officer, lunch with Frank Rhodes, meeting with Ian King. Then kat’s leaving party! Where I got so drunk I lost my phone!

1st – become National President!

Thank you to Kat for a great handover – good luck at CEL!

More detailed blogs to follow just had to catch up.

Gemma x

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