With an extraordinary conference announced and scheduled to take place on 12th November, it was all systems go. I was relieved that the reforms passed by such a significant margin at a well attended conference. But as I said at the time, it’s not over until the new Constitution is ratified. But, contrary to some expectations, we did listen, we did make real changes to the package, we had a vigorous debate and the timing of the ratification was left in the hands of our members.

Here’s what happened in November…

Wes

w/c 3 November 2008

3rd – Off sick. If I’ve learned one thing so far, it’s not to do so many seven day weeks and not to rush back to work when you’ve been off ill cos it just comes back to bite you in the backside!
4th – Visited Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union (http://www.hallamunion.com/), before attending an NUS reform debate at the University of Sheffield Union of Students. Did an interview with the paper and radio stations and attended the union’s AWESOME US elections night where I witnessed history with the election of Barack Obama and the beginning of the end of the error that was the disastrous and destructive reign of George W Bush.
5th – For the NUS Day of Action on fees, I joined Leeds University Union for an incredible stunt, which involved road closures and rolling a giant globe through town. Immense. I was delighted that so many students’ unions took part, mobilising thousands of students up and down the country!
6th – Spoke at a conference on admissions reform. Met with the registrar and students’ union at Warwick University before heading over to Coventry University Students’ Union to debate NUS reform.
7th – Visited the students’ unions at Lancaster University, University of Cumbria and Salford University (http://www.salfordstudents.com/).

w/c 10 November 2008

10th – Preparations for Extraordinary Conference
11th – Composting for Extraordinary Conference, followed by speech writing late into the night
12th – Extraordinary Conference, where I thought my counterpart from NUS Australia, Angus McFarland, did a great guest speech. One of the nicest things about the NEC, which people don’t always see, was that those of us who disagreed on the reform question were able to have a drink and a laugh on the coach home.
13th – Started my visit with Angus McFarland. After a morning in HQ, we went to Cambridge to look around Cambridge University before meeting senior officials. Then had dinner at my old College, Selwyn.
14th – Took Angus on a tour of Parliament and for lunch with ex-NUS President, Douglas Trainer, before travelling to Edinburgh for…
15th – NUS Scotland Council
16th – Met up with Dave Lewis and Susan Nash to take Angus on a sightseeing tour of London
17th – Attended the excellent Chain Reaction conference, where I chaired a panel on ‘education for social change’, after which we were hosted to dinner at the National Liberal Club, by Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of NCVO.
18th – Angus returned home and I spent the day in HQ before attending the Third Sector Awards where we scooped an award for best use of digital media in campaigning! Woo-hoo!
19th-20th – HE Academy Board away day, followed by UEL AGM on the 20th.
21st – Annual Leave
22nd – Attended UK Youth Parliament London regional meeting.

w/c 24 Novemeber 2008

24th – Youth Citizenship Commission meeting followed by a massively attended HE funding debate at Royal Holloway.
25th – Met with HEFCE Chief Executive, David Eastwood, followed by the NUS Parliamentary Reception.
26th – Launched NUS’ Student Experience research at a conference in London. Met with Jocelyn Prudence, Chief Executive of the Universities and College Employers Association (UCEA) ahead of their forthcoming conference.
27th – NEC meeting followed by an inquorate National Council in Birmingham, which was a wasted day and pretty soul destroying.
28th – Visited the students’ unions at Edge Hill University, Liverpool Hope University and Liverpool John Moores University before heading over to the Liverpool Guild of Students for a fees debate.
29th – Meeting with students regarding incidents on NUS summer training.
30th – Attended Nottingham Trent Students’ Union’s excellent fees demonstration!

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