Daily Archives: 31 October, 2010

Minutes/Info from Mini Forum Meeting

by smurphy2010

Autumn 2010 Campaigning and Political miniforum minutes 19.10.10

Attendees:

Matt Lamb – VPSAD

Jo Ormond – Student Activities coordinator

Benjamin Mee – Atheists, Agnostics and Humanists

Labour Students – Sam Murphy

United Nations – Anna-Kaisa Polojarvi

Socialist society – Vicky Taylor

Debating society – Rachael Twumasi

Take Back Parliament – Charlotte Galpin

  1. 1. VPSAD introduction to his role and miniforums

 

Matt explained that mini forums are a chance for groups of similar interests to discuss issues, ask questions and be given information from the Guild.

 

  1. 2. Open Forums

 

Open forums have replaced Guild council and are a less formal way for groups to bring issues/motions/feedback to the VPSAD. Two representatives from each miniforum will be elected to attend Guild Council on behalf of the miniforum

 

Student Groups:  Thursday 21st October, at 6.30pm; venue to be confirmed

19th Guild – 5.30pm,– for any issues relating to the Guild as an organisation and/or building

20th Education and University– 5.30pm,– for academic issues

21st Sports– 4.30pm,– for anyone involved in sport, at any level from occasional gym user to club captain.

22nd Welfare– 4.00pm,– any welfare issues.

 

  1. 3. Challenge VPSAD / Feedback from groups: activities so far/coming up; successes and challenges/issues

Socialist – Focus on Fees and would like as many societies as possible to get involved.  Providing transport to the Education Action Network national conference and rally if anyone wants to join us 31st October. (Matt also suggested getting in touch with Rob Hunter VPEA about fees campaigns).

 

UN – Have a yearly theme related to the Millennium Development goals.  Have events for climate event in Mexico and Stop Violence Against Women day.

 

Take Back Parliament – We’re a new group and we campaign to change the voting system.  At the moment we’re focusing on getting membership and have a couple of events lined up.

 

(Matt mentioned that the box office space outside Spar is now bookable by student groups and is an ideal place to promote your society / have a bake sale etc.  Book through reception.)

 

Labour – Have an event planned with Lib Dems, a trip to Brussels for European Parliament.  Want to start a living wage campaign (Take Back Parliament would like to work with Labour on voting reform.)

 

Atheists, Agnostics and Humanists – Have a screening of The Life of Brian on Thursday, also have events with Aston Humanists and Birmingham Humanists.  Have had some problems with paperwork with uni room bookings – Matt asked for details to be emailed to him so he could follow it up.

 

Debating – Had a public debate on the day of the Browne review.  Also have a debate on Thursday ‘This House would abolish the Monarchy’.  Also have debates coming up on Afghanistan and God.  Please email us with any suggestions for debates that you would like.

  1. 4. Know Your World promotion; need replies by Fri 22nd.

 

  1. 5. Get Involved (brief mention, not in detail, initial sign-up for interest

 

  1. 6. Guild Council elections

Standing candidates:

Anna-Kaisa Polojarvi

Sam Murphy

Rachel Twumais

RON

 

Brief summary of speeches:

 

Anna

  • Have experience of attending Guild Council and good perspective of what’s going on.
  • Feel that the new system will improve the way Guild Council runs
  • Believes it is very important to have representation at GC
  • Not running just to fill my CV – we need to raise issues concerning our groups
  • Will ensure good communication between groups
  • Also recognise there will be differences of opinion between C&P groups

 

Sam

  • Believe GC should expand to deal with campus wide issues
  • I am transparent, open, amiable, not scared to represent the needs of the miniforum
  • Experience of councils: local council and campaigning and representation

 

Rachael

  • Good at putting forward what people want done
  • Have responded to feedback from members within own society
  • Have experience of attending GC and have drafted a motion
  • Able to take a neutral stance

 

Sam Murphy and Rachael Twumasi elected

 

 

  1. 7. Any other business/comments

Anna – a what’s on calendar on the website with everything that’s going on across campus would be really good

Matt – I am on the working group to rebuild website and this is definitely something we want.  We are also trying to get some temporary measures in place.