The last few weeks have been so hectic I’m a bit behind with my blogging, so I will endeavour to give a concise overview of the last few busy (but exciting) weeks.

W/c 20th February

Monday 20th February- Meeting at Unicef regarding a lobby they are holding in October on sex education in schools. Discussed getting NUS on board and mobilise sixth form FE’s to the event.

Tuesday 21st February- Chaired Plymouth’s AGM (so spent most of the day travelling to Plymouth!) was a lively and challenging AGM and even more exciting by the fact that we were being beamed live to the 2 satellite campuses in Exmouth and Exeter, making, the first time this has ever been done by a student union. Can’t say I was loving see my face on the big screen, but it was certainly groundbreaking!

Wednesday 22nd February- travelled back to London from Plymouth and did some catching up in the office and prepared for Saturday’s MSNC meeting.

Thursday 23rd February- I was at a Sixth Form in London, talking about the new student finance arrangements for 2006. As I write this blog I’ve now delivered that presentation about 5 times, and I’m still getting my head round the technicalities of next year. The government have introduced an incredibly complex system, and as far as I’m concerned the bottom line is that people are going to miss out on what they are entitled to. If student finance experts can’t get their head around the new system ( and the ones I’ve meant in the last month have agreed that they can’t) then what hope do actual students stand? The system is not only offputting, but utterly unfairly and very poorly communicated by the government so far.

Friday 24th February- I was in Newcastle for an Aldwych meeting where we were discussing accommodation, in particular private providers and UNITE. Along with the officers at Sheffield, we’re going to have a meeting in Sheffield (post conference) on this issue with officers from across the country, so keep your eyes out for more details.

Saturday 25th February- we had a fantastic Mature Students Committee Meeting, really positive and productive, with a to-do list the length of my arm for me by the end of it- but at least it feels like we’re being active and getting somewhere with this campaign. Whilst on the topic- Mature Students Conference is on 24th & 25th April- if your union hasn’t registered a delegate please do so today!

Monday 27th A rare office day. I did a 30 minute telephone interview with a company doing market research with UNITE, as someone whose perceptions of them they were interested in! I jumped at the chance to raise some of my objections and issues about them so hopefully it was time well spent...time will tell if NUS’ views are taken into consideration though! Then it was up to Birmingham in readiness for the day of action.

Tuesday 28th- West Midlands Area NUS Regional Day of Action- As part of the education campaign week of action, WMANUS had organised a comprehensive day of action. This included a march through Birmingham city centre, and a rally (I don’t understand why some people go on marches and don’t sing and shout!), some education activism training at Aston (though I fear the NEC may have piped up too much there- sorry Joe!) , presidential hustings at South Birmingham College the first time we had seen the presidential candidates ‘head to head’, (which I found riveting, but that may something about me….). All in all it was a good day for both NUS and WMANUS in particular to be proud of.

Wednesday 1st March- Coalition 2010 lobby. Another exciting day of action. Fascinating to see Bill, Boris and Ed up against each other discussing education policy and I think the student represnetatives there spoke really well. Central lobby was packed and many people I spoke to got their MPs signed up to the EDM, and almost more importantly went and spoke to them about 2010, topup fees and HE funding. Sending out an important message- we haven’t gone away, our fight for a free education hasn’t gone away, and that MPs will do well to remember the students they serve in their constituencies. Well done to Kat Julian and everyone else involved for all their hard work.

Thursday 2nd March- I’d been due to go to Oxford for their referendum, but it was cancelled so spend day in office instead, catching up.

Friday 3rd March- Annual Leave

Monday 6th March- Annual Leave

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