Before I outline what is essentially my diary over the past month, I have to admit that due to the stress of November I misplaced my diary so am doing this all from memory!

So the Big ticket events this month were…

Midlands and East Presidential Residential

This event is incredibly informative and rewarding. It’s so different to many other events we run. Instead of “group” work or workshops, it’s a group of Presidents sitting around a table for two days, moaning, complaining and seeking advice from others about a variety of issues. Now, this may sound like hell for many of you, but for most Presidents (and for me in fact) it was as good as any therapy session. And the feedback has proven that it’s an incredibly valuable event. Of course, in true NUS style it wasn’t all work and no play. We went off to Warwick SU for their RAG night, at which all Warwick sabbs were to be auctioned. Of course for all our efforts, NUS did not spend money on Brian Duggan, but someone did forking our over £200! Well done Duggan.

NUS Student Journalism Awards

Unfortunately back before I stated the Mirror Newspaper group who have paid and organised the event for us decided to pull out this year over financial constraints. This meant, that between the Press team and myself, we had to organise, fund and host the whole awards ceremony! But not to worry, we pulled together and pulled it off, with some substantial funding through sponsorship we were able to not only hold the evening at the Marriot Hotel in Canary Warf but also provide free drinks, amazing grub and Sheila’s Wheels (yes, form the advert…)

The night was a huge success and something I’m really proud of, congrats to Sheffield Steel for taking away “Best Newspaper”.

LGBT Conference

As always, good fun, great people and interesting debate. I chaired the political plenary, attended by a Lib Dem MP who seemed to use the opportunity to slag off all the huge legislative steps the Labour Party have taken and turn it into some form of party political bull. Luckily it didn’t wash with most of the audience who could see straight through this blatant opportunism.

STADIA

Then it was the six-hour drive off to Southport, luckily Kat Stark and Bubble kept me company. STADIA is an interesting event and although everyone enjoyed it, I think it’s kind of lost its purpose. I will be looking more closely at how and why we run events like these over the next few months and drafting proposals to make them more focused and streamlined for all officers involved in Activities.

Aston

Well what to say?! Not the fairest of elections I have to admit, and without trying to sound bitter, when you have an entire Sabbatical team against you, and many of the language they’re using is disingenuous at best, its hard to get the message across. I just hope they stay involved in whatever way they can and recognise the commitment from Gemma and myself (amongst others) to fully reform NUS.

Thanks to everyone who came to help and although the result was wrong, the commitment and enthusiasm couldn’t have been more right!

Mature Students Committee

I attended the Committee meeting to discuss and hopefully guide them through the Compositing process. It’s extremely difficult to get your head round and with so many political movers and shakers attending you can easily get distracted by the mind games played. I hope that in someway Rob Park (Steering) and I were some help!

Steering/Motions Deadline

As the NEC member with responsibility for Steering and the organisation and democracy of Annual Conference, I had the lovely duty of spending the entire weekend with Steering doing the initial composite of motions. As I don’t have a vote, my role is primarily to advise and oversee, answering any questions they may have. Not the ideal was to spend my weekend but it’s gotta be done!

Peaceful Protesting

Kat Stark and I both have policy around this area. So this week I completed a briefing in conjunction with “Liberty”. This will be going out in the next mailing.

NUS Affiliation Fee Review

It was great to speak to so many officers about the utter unfairness of the current formula. The examples of where it doesn’t work are ridiculous so the point of the day was to ensure we were all on the same page – that the Status Quo cannot remain. Luckily we were, and the day was spent discussing and debating new ways to calculate the affiliation fee. Some I liked, some I didn’t, but it was encouraging to see so many people engaging in the debate…even Aston! If you weren’t able to attend give me or Joe Rukin a bell, and we can fill you in.

Gloucestershire SU debate on Fees

I love Union debates, and this was no different. Between myself, Matt Bowman (Ed and Welfare) and the VC I think we could have jousted for hours. But it was an excellent debate and I’m sure inspired many people to continue their own involvement in Admission:Impossible.

After the debate Daisy, Matt and I attended the SU, which was hosting its first Urban night ran by the Black Students Exec. Although it was a lot of fun I did resist the temptation to get on down with my bad self…

Stephen x

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