Or so the saying goes. Have to say though there are times when I am definitely not too sure if time on the NEC is fun- but time is definitely flying. It seems really odd that as the same week that the SWD Key Campaigns for 2005/06 were being launched at Liberation 2005 thoughts are turning to motions for swd conference and what to mandate the new officer and new committee to do for the next year. How weird that seems- that even before the first term of the academic year is over thoughts is turning to next year already.

Now the 2 reasons for this is because that the deadline for motions to SWD Conference 2006 (which is happening Feb 21st in Blackpool by the way) is Friday November 18th- yep just a whole month away, which is all a bit scary. Especially as this year we really want some good debate and motions at conference. And the second reason for this is because the close of nominations for the NUS SWD Officer is Friday December 2nd.

So first of all what the hell is this motion process?

Basically every Students’ Union who is affiliated to NUS can submit 6 motions to NUS SWD Conference and they can be submitted on all things relating to disability and the issues that are affecting students with disabilities. Last year we had motions submitted about changing the name of the students with disabilities campaign to disabled students campaign, assisted dying, disablism, cannabis therapeutics, HIV & AIDS, sport, student activities, mental health, sexuality and stem cell research (these are the ones that I can just about remember- hell it is 930pm on a train heading back from Chester to London!!!!! Have been at Liberation 2005 and LED training but instead of sitting on a train thinking decided that I would sit on a train and write yet another blog- hehehehehehe- well you know have to keep up the fact that I blog at least twice a week!) These motions are then debated on and voted on by those delegates at swd conference and then what has been voted on becomes policy of the swd campaign and sets the work of the campaign for the next year. The work that we have been doing on activities, swd sport, disablism, assisted dying and the mental health bill has all been because it was what students with disabilities mandated us to do through motions at swd conference. So as you can see the motions process is vital and a very important part of the democracy of the swd campaign. And each Union can submit, 6 yes 6 motions to the conference- but last year we only got 12 motions submitted- this year we really want to change that and do the work that you the students want us to do. But this can only be done by you the students and the students’ unions submitting policy. There is so much happening in the disability movement we really need some strong policy on the things- but that has to come from you- students and students’ unions must get involved in the democratic procedures of their national union. Many people say that NUS does not do anything for them well it is through the motion process that you can ensure that it is and it is through this process that you can mandate NUS to do work. So here is a little plea from me. Instead of saying that the NUS SWD Campaign does nothing for your students, get out there- ask you swd what they would like us to do, what are the issues that affecting them and then submit a motion to NUS SWD Conference that will tell the campaign what work we should be doing and how we can make a difference to SWD in your Unions.

Ok that is great Sian but how do we actually submit a motion?

Every Union can submit up to 6 motions and they can be up to 500 words long. You need to get each motion photocopied 3 times and attach a motions form to each photo copied motion (to get one just send me an email and I can get it emailed to you. And yes this whole motions process seems very complicated and time consuming to me too- maybe you need to submit a motion in to change it!!!). Once you have photocopied your motion 3 times you staple it to a motion submission form and then you make sure that on each motion form you put the name of your motion, the word count (remember motions CAN NOT be any longer than 500 words), sign it and date it. Then you need to stick it in the post and make sure that it reaches NUS SWD Steering here at NUS HQ by 1pm on Friday November 18th.

That is all well and good Sian but what does a motion actually look like?

Basically most motions follow this format: -

Conference Believes (what we think/facts about the issue) Conference Further Believes (more facts and thoughts) Conference Resolves (what we should be doing about the issue)

To make it a bit more obvious here is a very basic and simplistic motion (hell it is now nearly 10pm and my brain is starting to go into switch down mode).

Example Motion: Disability Equality Duty

Conference Believes:

1. That in April 2005 the disability discrimination bill was passed in parliament that has bought in the disability equality duty/disability discrimination act part 5.

2. That the disability equality duty will affect all public authorities including colleges and universities.

Conference Further Believes:

1. That the disability discrimination will change the culture of the UK and place the responsibility of changing things from the disabled person and place them onto society.

2. That students should be fully engaged in the process of the disability equality duty in their universities and colleges.

3. That students’ union have a crucial role to play in the writing and implementation of the disability equality duty.

Conference Resolves:

1. For the NUS SWD Campaign to run a campaign raising awareness about the disability equality duty that will include workshops, training days, briefings and ideas how students unions can get involved in the work of the disability equality duty.

2. That the NUS SWD Campaign should work closely with the disability rights commission on the disability equality duty.

3. For the NUS SWD Officer to write to all presidents and SWD Officers of Students’ Unions informing them of the disability equality duty.

Word Count: 198

So that is it- how and why you should submit motions and what a motion looks like. If you would like to know more or do want to submit a motion but want some help please do get in touch with me.

Hang on you also mentioned standing as NUS SWD Officer

By Friday December 2nd nominations for SWD Officer have to be. Basically any Student with a disability can stand for election as the NUS SWD Officer. It is a full time elected sabbatical role that goes from July 1st 2006 to June 30th 2007. It is paid and based in London.

To stand for election you need to get 15 nominations from students with disabilities- three of these must but from 3 different colleges. The nominations can be done either by signing the nominations form (which is available from NUS. To get one get in touch with NUS events department) or by someone sending you a letter on Students’ Union headed paper with the following words:

To Whom It May Concern:

I, __________________________of __________________Students’ Union nominate _________________________ to the position on NUS SWD Officer.

Signed

You also need to make sure that you sign your nominations form yourself, submit evidence that you are eligible to stand and also submit a manifesto outlining to people why you are standing, why they should vote for you and what you would do in your role.

Again if you would to know about this process then please do get in touch with me.

Right it is now 10:30- I am going to have a little sleep before the train gets to Euston. But hopefully this blog has motivated you to submit motions to NUS SWD Conference or maybe to stand as NUS SWD Officer. Remember rather than complain about the darkness- light a candle. You start lighting the candle by writing a motion or standing for officer or committee. Come on- get involved- you know you want to.

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