Weekly Report: Week 2

In my weekly blogs i try to keep you updated with all that i have done (both big and small) over the last seven days.

It's been a strange few days, my first full week in the office. I feel settled now and keen to get going, but with the building so eerily deserted during August, we have to find all sorts of ways to keep ourselves energised. With Fabian, Tom and Brigid away on NUS training this week, office pranking was definitely on the agenda. That's all i can say for now but look out for pictures on Monday!

This week i...

Attended about a million meetings relating to RAs (Residents Associations - Hall Committees) and how they are financed next term. At the end of the week i'm relieved to report that we now have a concrete plan in place to make sure RAs will be able to access the funds they need to ensure that everybody moving in to halls settles in happily and safely (well done everybody who sat through that meeting!). I'm also paying close attention to new plans for RAs to sell tickets for their events on a new Guild of Students ticket-selling website, which is an exciting idea but one that must be carefully calibrated to make sure RAs still have that all important face to face contact with their residents.

Incidentally we're looking for a new name for the fortnightly meeting currently known as the RA Development Working Party, where we make decisions on matters arising from RAs.

I'm looking for a name with a funny acronym. Any suggestions welcome. Current front runner is Committee for Residents Association Procedures. ;)

Began planning for a big community day on Selly Park on October 11th to tie in with the Birmingham Half Marathon (which this year is also the World Half-Marathon with elite runners from across the globe!). This year the race goes right through Selly Oak (Bournbrook & Raddlebarn Roads) and we really want to make a big thing of it so that we can a) Give students a great day out, b) Improve relations with the local community and c) Get on TV! Any ideas/plans are more than welcome.

Also, if you want to volunteer to marshal the race or get involved in a huge number of organisational roles, just email either myself or the lovely Katie Ford (your VP Sport - k.ford@guild.bham.ac.uk) for more info!

Wrote a detailed campaign plan for my crusade against extortionate halls of residence fees. It may seem a little premature but preparation is everything. Without giving too much away, the plan calls for three things; evidence gathering, lobbying and (if necessary) a visible campaign involving direct action. I'll be showing this plan to key players in the Guild so that we can all make sure that this is a viable campaign, one that students want, and one that can genuinely change the student experience for the better.

Met with the Vale Village management to discuss our plans for the coming year. I've known Alison Mear (Vale Manager) and Debbie Grant (Hub Manager) from my own days as an RA and it was really good to catch up with them. For those of you who don't know, there are significant refurbishment works on the Vale at the moment encompassing Aitken Wing (new kitchens/bathrooms) and Tennis Courts (refurbishment of blocks 18 and 19 and new swipe card access to Centre Court).

Other items on the agenda include recycling, crime and welcome week.There was also a chat about RA office space (no luck there guys i'm afraid - i'll keep trying!).

To finish... here is a picture of Tom Guise (your Vice-President Democracy & Resources) looking quite stupid.
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As ever, email me whenever you like!
xEd/.