The Union and You Understanding and working with Durham Students’ Union Krystina Warrington David Morris

The beauty of collectivism Society - A number of people joined by mutual consent to deliberate, determine and act toward a common goal. Union - That which is united, or made one; something formed by a combination or coalition of parts or members; a confederation; a consolidated body; a league.

Charity and Corporate Governance Board of Trustees 5 Student Officers; 4 Elected Students; 4 co-opted (non-student) members. Responsible to the Charities Commission and Companies House (i.e. the law). Hires and manages the Chief Executive. Legal, fiduciary, financial liability for the Union and everything it does. Responsible for ensuring general good governance and business practice. Sets and approves the Strategic Plan, and monitors progress against it. The Union is: A statuary requirement under Education Act 1994; all students automatically members. A registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. An independent body with certain responsibilities to University Council.

The Strategy!!! Based on extensive consultation with over 4000 students and staff. Ensures the Union is thinking long-term. Bring us in line with how good Unions are run: e.g. Leeds, Sheffield, Northumbria, Teesside, Brunel, Newcastle. Mission: We will be an enabling students’ union which develops and supports our students as they strive to create a lasting, positive impact in society and in their own lives through their university experience. Vision: Students working together to create a lasting, positive impact Fun Student-led Engaging Helpful Dynamic Sustainable

Staff Staff facilitate. Students lead!!!

But fundamentally… The Union is not about doing things for students. We want to enable students to do things themselves, together, and have a real impact. We want to focus on student leadership, rather than student management. Mission: We will be an enabling students’ union which develops and supports our students as they strive to create a lasting, positive impact in society and in their own lives through their university experience. Vision: Students working together to create a lasting, positive impact

The link – Student Officers Members of Assembly, and also Trustees. The student faces of the Union. Run the committees of the Union. Sit on major University committees. Interact with University staff. Work with the Union chief exec and senior managers. Lead campaigns and set change-priorities. Held to account by Assembly

Democratic Governance ASSEMBLY Union ZoneUniversity ZoneCommunity Zone Governance Media DUCK Societies Forum Societies Committee Grant Allocation Welfare, Equality and Diversity Ethics and Environment Community JCR Presidents MCR Presidents UG Academic Affairs PG Academic Affairs Science Faculty Forum Social Sciences and Health Faculty Forum Arts and Humanities Faculty Forum Facilities and Services Subset - Associations International Students Disabilities LGBTa Mature and Part-Time

Assembly 5 student officers 1 from Media Committee 1 from DUCK Committee 8 from Societies committee 9 Faculty Representatives 16 College Reps 1 JCR President’s Committee Chair 1 MCR President’s Committee Chair 4 Associations’ Presidents Elects a Chair at the first meeting Colleges remain the biggest ‘bloc’, but now more representative of all Union activity. Aim to be less sectional, and more of a Union. Responsibility to decide what’s best for the ‘student body’ in totality.

Order of precedence 1.Referendum – Campus wide-ballot 2.General Meeting – All members invited 3.Board of Trustees 4.Assembly 5.Zones – All members invited 6.Committees

Committees and Forums Forums – Societies Forum Committees – Media, Societies, DUCK Forums/ Market Research Trustees (maybe) AssemblyZone Committee The ideal policy process Issues raised Policy discussed and formed All students invited for comment and discussion Approval as policy Considered and approved if financial/legal implications Policy – a statement of resolve, belief or process agreed democratically that the Union will adopt.

Student Group Representatives Active: Marisa Plater Outdoor: Tom Stevenson Political & Causes: Will Music: Sophie Kidwell Hobbies & Games: Adam Academic: To be Elected Culture & Faith: To be Elected Arts: To be Elected LGBTAKatie Mature SA.Rachel Disabled SASteven International SALei DUCKNaomi MediaBen

Your Voice

Where to Go? Societies, DUCK and Student Fundraising Beth Pearson – Activities Manager Hannah Parratt- Activities Development Coordinator Jonathan Clinch- Music Coordinator: Charly Burnell- Theatre Coordinator: Lucinda Thompson - Student Fundraising Coordinator Democracy & Procedure Daniel Morgan-Thomas – Assembly Chair Dan Slavin – Union President Andy Speed- Academic Representation Coordinator : Admin or Unsure??? (room bookings etc.) To make a difference and change something… Krystina Warrington – Activities Officer Chris Pocock – Development Officer Grace Abel – Community Officer David Morris – Academic Officer Dan Slavin – President

A reminder… “Representation must never be seen, except in strategic and practical terms, as an end in itself. Too many union officers see it as a question of communication and merely sitting on the appropriate committee. The purpose of representation is to secure educational and social change.” -Digby Jacks, NUS President

Apathy Staircase 40% 10% 20% We can all be shook out of our apathy at any moment Most people learn to love their limitations. We don’t like to think that we go through life trying to negotiate a load of problems. We aren’t asked to reflect on our experience enough – it’s really powerful. You’ve got to dig for experiences. 30% If you push someone down the steps, you break their legs!!!