Just Do It! Activities officer 10/11

If you'd asked me in my second year if I wanted to be an officer of the Union, I would probably have laughed, told you I'd never have to confidence to do it, and that no one would vote for me.

I plucked up the courage at Christmas '09, people voted for me, and I won.

I have never looked back. I won't lie, the campaign is the most exhausting thing I have done - mentally, emotionally, physically. But I enjoyed every second of it. Being in this position is the best thing I have ever achieved, and will only lead me on to bigger and better places.

If you think you want to go for it, then go for it. Don't let anyone shake your confidence or talk you out of it - it doesn't matter who else stands, it's all about you.

Your ideas
Your campaign
Your passion

Being a sabbatical officer is fast paced, challenging but an incredibly rewarding thing to do. You fill lots of different roles but ultimately get to really make a difference doing something that you love.

My role is very diverse, but essentially I'm the representative voice to the Union and University for all things in the world of Activities. This includes Societies, Volunteering, Charitable fundraising, and the Communities project in the residence.

I help improve the way things work in this department and provide support for Societies. One idea that has been put into practice is the weekly Society Surgery which is working really well to support new, small and struggling societies.

I also help with problems as they arise. Like not having a music practice room for this year because of the building works. I have found a replacement room with a piano for use on Wednesdays, and have just secured a small room in Firth Court for people to practice their own instruments in.

As an officer, you don't only look after your area, you also act as a trustee of the Union, a managing director, and a general sabbatical officer. All of this is great experience - a big challenge, which can seem scary, but it's worth it.

So if you're thinking about it, stop thinking. Just do it.
It's your passion.

See you soon,
Claire Your predecessor, 09/10
Find out how

New objectives for 2010

So, as promised, here are my shiny new objectives fo 2010! Please make comments on them, I want to know what YOU think.


Love Claire

xxx


Student engagement

To do list:

* Making GIAG tickets available at the Hallamshire hospital for Medics and Dentists
* Expand the 'inclusion officer' role in line with the University's Inclusive learning and teaching policy to involve all students with a specific requirement, not just those with a disability.
* Increase the number of first years and post graduates involved in volunteering
* Introduce the new 'Online society sign up' method to societies for use at the start of 2010/11
* Increase society volunteering


Connections

Objective: Many societies use external venues and service providers. Where possible we should encourage them to use Union provisions and the services which can be provided by other student groups.

Why? This will increase the membership affinity in societies, increase the usage of Union provisions, and be lower in risk and cost to the student groups.

To do list:

* Provide opportunities for society networking
* Increase partnerships and discussion of all the faith groups. This will be through development of the faiths forum and a monthly interfaith cafe for all students
* Provide an index of internal services which can be provided by the Union and other societies
* Improve the relationship between Uni and Hallam societies to allow formation and increased effectiveness of joint societies
* Find opportunities for societies to volunteer to help other societies or student groups e.g Computer science society helping other societies to develop their websties.




Oiling the nuts and bolts

Objective: Improving the way things work in societies.

Why?: There are so may parts to running societies, but they don't all work that well. Areas for improvement always need to be identified to help the volunteers and staff which run them.

To do list:

* Develop a guide to explain how easy it is to spend A account money
* Work with ACS for free rooms and a more reliable booking policy to prevent last minute cancellations.
* Reduce society deficit through a targeted approach with the Society development coordinator
* Update the Union and society constitutions, and handbook. This is to allow students to be more informed in their roles, and increase awareness of democratic processes. This will also include the 'democracy handbook' which is being developed by Paul Tobin.
* Re-think the training process for new committee members in consultation with them at the next Activities Forum, and through discussion with Societies committeep>

A new year, new objectives

So 6 months have already passed for me as a Sabbatical officer.

It's been an eventful few months and I feel as though I've started to make a difference in the activities world. Last year I had a set of personal objectives which I came up with from my campaign ideas and issues which cropped up in the first month as your Activities Officer. You can read them on my objectives page.

So todays blog is all about how many of them I have achieved or am working on. I'll blog tomorrow on my shiny new objectives - yes I have already set myself more work to do!

1) Student Engagement in Activities

To do list:
1. Online society sign up all year round. - a work in progress for the Marketing department which should be ready to go after Easter.
2. Make sure meeting/practice rooms are available wherever possible. - still working on this, it's incorporated in my new objectives.
3. Set up RAG's adopt a charity scheme for societies and sports clubs. - up and running with great success!
4. Push the bespoke Give It A Go scheme to get those left out groups involved
such as medics, LGBT. - working on this term so in my new objectives.
5. Dance Your Socks Off! A massive dance/music GIAG and showcase day. - should happen after Easter with Jenni (welfare) as a MAKE A STUDENT SMILE day.
6. Make GIAG tickets available at the Hallamshire for medics and dentists. - In progress
7. Push the Sheffield Graduate Award to all our dedicated volunteers to get the
recognition they deserve - www.sheffield.ac.uk/thesheffieldgraduateaward - numbers have already increased and this will be an ongoing campaign of mine. If you're not signed up then why not?!

2) Help new, small and struggling societies

To do list:
1. Set up the Societies Surgery for advice and workshops on common problems. - It's up and running and working really well!
2. Make sure people know how easy it is to spend 'A' account money. - a task for the start of this term.
3. Reduce society deficit through a one-to-one targetting approach. - we now have a new Society Development Coordinator who will be taking this on after exams.
4. Improve the running of societies joint with Hallam. - I am meeting with Hallam's activities officer in the next few weeks to resolve this for next year.

3) Show Off The Great Things Students Do!

To Do List:
1. Open events up to the public such as Showcase. - I'm continually suggesting this to societies for their events. Guests from the local community have been in attendance at some events.
2. Improve society publicity through training and societies surgery workshops,
and the officer blogs and twitter. - and the new shiny activities newsletter! It's all working well and people are learning lots at the surgeries. We've also got a facebook group now: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=146767982511
3. Expand the Activities awards to encompass other areas such as RAG,
Volunteering, Representation etc. - Dont miss the awards this year, it's going to be AMAZING!

Enjoy the snow!

Love Claire
xxx