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► Societies Federation Officer

 

 

Rachel Pearson

Rachel is responsible for representing the views of societies on the Exec Committee. She also jointly chairs the Student Activities Committee (S.A.C) with Claire Nineham, Athletics Union Officer (AUC), which is made up of elected officers to help societies and sports clubs achieve their aims, such run events or raise money. Finally, she also runs Societies Federation Council (SFC), which is monthy meeting of all the Presidents of all 48 societies. The council allows Presidents to ask questions, tell each other about their events and for Rachel to tell them about changes to the constitution that will effect them.

 

 

Officer Blog

Monday 1st March

This week Aaran set the Exec the challenge of doings 'This is my week' in poetry form, so I thought I would share my master piece (lol!) with you:

On Tuesday I attended the shortest GM ever,

And had to run home afterwards, because of the terrible weather!

On Friday I went to St. Cuthberts to take part in the Big Spring Clean,

We painted the staff room lilac, but the staff were far from keen!

I came back to the SU that afternoon to have my photograph taken,

David is putting it on the SU TV screens-if I'm not mistaken.

During my office hours on Monday, I booked rehearsals for Strictly,

To beat Claire and her Paso I will have to learn the quickstep quickly!

Tuesday I had a meeting with Claire, to review our aims for the year,

The we had SAC, who are nearly ready for Colours Ball-have no fear!

I have no idea why my poem is double spaced. Also, don't forget the nominations are open for Exec, Media and RAG elections, pick up a nomination pack from SU reception and fill it in!

Monday 22nd Febraury

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry to report that I don't have too much to report this week due to reading week. I'm afriad most of my time was spent in the library! However, I did, of course, attend SAC and Exec. At SAC we discussed Come in Your Kit (this Wednesday tickets available from the Box Office) and did a wash up of Societies Ball, in the light of planning Colours. At Exec we discussed Hall aditing and did a SABB election wash up.

I also cleaned out the societies cupboard in the SU main hall with Emma on Monday. It took us two hours and we successful removed 5 bin bags of rubbish! We have also made a list of everything in there, which we hopefully get onto the website. This should allow societies, particularly performance ones, to be able to check the inventory and see if there are any items they want to borrow for shows. I will update you guys more on this soon, so we can start making an active use of the stuff in there.

Monday 15th February

Hello Societies :) 

What an awesome week we have had! I can honestly say that Societies' Ball on Saturday was one of the highlights of my year as an Exec member. I was a little nervous presenting the awards, but I think I managed to keep it together, despite nearly crying in several! The Renaissance Hotel really looked after us and provided lovely food-yay for all the vegetarians who enjoyed the aspargus linguine, like me! For all those who were not there (including BALADS who were competing) here is a run down of the winners:

Best Publicity: BALADS

Best Contribution to the Community: MTS

Best Event: Mov(i)e Night presented by Dance Society

Most Improved Society: History Society

Best New Society: Writing Society

VPSA Cup: Alex Shatliff (President of Dance Society)

Society of the Year: Revelation Rock Gospel Choir

As well as these awards individual crests were given to eleven people from a range of societies who had gone above and beyond the call of duty to contribute to their society, committee member or not. We finished off the night dancing to the awesome Insanity DJs tracks until 2am!

As well as the ball I attended SAC and Exec on Tuesday. I also held Societies Council on Thursday, which was unfortunately not well attended due to it being in the second week of Feb instead of the first. However, we still did a lot, most notably ratifying SIFE and  the Azerbaijani Society. I don't know how next week can top the last! xxx

Thursday 11 February

Hello everyone,

Sorry for not blogging on Monday, I was in fact not allowed to blog as I was a candidate in the SABB elections and therefore could not utilise it for election purposes. However, it was not necessary as the student population seem to think I'm up to the job of President...AWESOME!

That is my little boast out the way...now you guys. I attended SAC and EXEC last week and have been doing a,lot of preparations for Societies BAll. I also went to the GM, where the name of my position was changed to Societies Officer and Societies Federation Council became the Societies Council. The remit of myself and the council has not changed, simply are names so people know who we are and don't think we are a seperate organisation.

I also helped with the RAG triatholon on Saturday, results to be now announced at Colours Ball.  

Monday 1st February

Hello Society fans,

Yet another awesome week for societies. On Tuesday I went to 1-2-3 with Emma, Claire and Emily, SAC and Exec. At SAC SIFE passed the first vote and will now appear before SFC to try and get ratified. At Exec the committee examined their own job roles and have suggested some changes which will be presented to you at the GM tomorrow. So make sure you are there to make sure you're happy with what I have said my role entails! Don't be afraid to come along and make suggestions-if I'm not doing something you want me to do tell us :)

On Wednesday I bought my Societies Ball Ticket-make sure you get yours! Tickets are £38-don't be a fool like me and get charged £1 to pay on card get the money out before! At the box office say what society you are from and you will be seated with them-it is going to be a fabulous night!

On Friday I campaigned for Charlottee and Hardeep's "Help Us Learn" campaign from 12-4pm outside the Windsor Building. It is a great campaign to inform students of what we have asked college to do (in terms of their degress and feedback) and what they have promised and are looking in to. I also did a little bucketting for RAG week. Their charity this year is Beat Bullying, which offers children advice from cyber mentors online if they think they are being bullied.

On Saturday I was lucky enough to be part of the wonderful UnScene festival, which is a collaborative event between Writing Society and Drama Society to show case plays written by students. I got to play a frightenly evil teacher, called Mrs. Slade. It is was a great success and Jane Holloway was packed out. Well done to all involved-I know that I certainly had an awesome time :)

Finally, as I have been nagging you all about for ages SABB nominations are announced today! Check out who is running for VPSA and ask them what they are going to do for societies. Use that vote-it's an important weapon.

xxx

Monday 25th January

Firstly, I must begin my blog with apologising for not blogging for two weeks. I promise today's entry will be extra long!

On Tuesday 12th I attended a 1-2-3 with Emma, SAC, Exec and the GM, where a new Union Chair was elected-yay!

On Wednesday 13th the Exec had Re-Fresher training, where we met our new chair Aaran for the 1st time. It was nice to review the year so far and see how well we were doing on our manifesto aims etc.

On Thursday 14th it was SFC, where we discussed the election of new committees, societies ball/nomination forms, Societies Showcase Day etc.

On Sunday 17 I went with Emma to see the Dance Society's Mov(i)e Night in the SU main hall. It was an absolutely WONDERFUL event, with a variety of dance styles. Lots of other societies also chipped in, such as Rev Rock and Gospel, MTS, BALADS, Ab Harm, Cheerleading and Indian Dance. I was worried that not being a dancer myself that the evening my drag, but it was so well executed and slick that I was disappointed when it was over. I would like to commend the Dance Society for a professional and enjoyable evening and hope that other societies will be inspired to hold other big events in the SU main hall. If anyone would like any help arranging an event please contact myself or the events reps on the SAC (sacevents@su.rhul.ac.uk).

On Monday 18th my distraction from blogging was of course Society Showcase day in the SU Main Hall from 11am-3pm. The event was our answer to Re-Freshers' Fayre, without the stigma of lecture skipping. The day was a little quieter than we had hoped, but in total we had 50 new sign ups for society emmbership, which is another £350 into society accounts-which can't be a bad thing :) I hope that if we hold the event next year it will become more established and more people will come. It was certainly lovely to see so many societies interacting with each other...hopefully we will see some more collaboration between societies in the coming term.

The nominations for SABB positions also opened on Monday. They are still open for another week, so if you are interested in running the SU next year, go to SU reception and pick up a pack. All you need are ten aides to help you promote yourself from  Wednesday 3 Feb-Tuesday 9 Feb. Remember Societies even if you do not run, you should take an interest in the people running for VPSA, because you more than anyone know if they will do a good job! Don't avoid Windsor during election week, find those VPSA candidates and grill them, ask them what they are going to do for YOUR society!

The final event of Monday was the return of the History Society from Rome. Claire (AUC and History Soc events rep) assured me that the trip was awesome. The History Society have proved that it is possible for you guys to take your members overseas, so anyone wanting tips for tours in the remaining terms, don't hestitate to contact Claire, who has been there done that!

On Tuesday 19th I attended the SAC and the Big Student Debate in the Windsor Building. Again student attendance was not as high as we would have liked, but there was certainly a high proportion of Society and Club members there, which could be seen from the way sports facilities and room availability dominated the discussion. It was great to see some key issues effecting Student Activities being raised, showing college that the student experience is more than getting a degree.

On Wednesday I attended the rescheduled Exec where we reviewd the Big Student Debate, discussed SABB elections and a campaign to promote the National Student Survey.

On Thursday 21st I helped out Tina at Accomodation Day again in the SU Main Hall. On Friday 22nd I also helped set up Development Day in the SU Main Hall. Development Day, along with Societies Showcase Day, was part of our answer to "Re-Freshers Week" and was a chance for people to come and talk to charities, employers and gap year programmes and give them ideas about what they could do after they graduate.

On Saturday I helped register people for Alumni Sports Day in the morning and Sunday afternoon Emma and I decided who would win awards at this years Socs Ball. It took us 5 hrs and some of the crest nominations made us cry! I can't wait foor the results to be announced at the ball and know that the winners are VERY deserving.

Finally...just a tiny plug, this Saturday is the Drama and Writing Societies' UnScene Festival in Jane Holloway Hall. The performance starts at 7.30pm, but if you fancy doing some acting turn up a 10am for some play-in-a-day maddness, where you get to create a brand new piece of theatre that day and perform it in the evening! I have a small part in the Drama Society's Interim Children which will be performed on the night, so if you fancy a laugh... ;)

Monday 11th January

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year and that the snow has not inhibited your society preparations for the coming term ;) I thought this weeks blog would be a little list of everything society and SU related that I am looking forward to in the next month.

Firstly, it is of course AUC tonight Arts Building lecture theatre 1 or 2 (not sure...go to the foyer :) ). Tomorrow is the General Meeting at 8pm in the SU Main Hall, in which some significant changes to the roles of the SABBs are going to be made-be there to have your say! Also this week SFC is on Thursday in the Arts Building, I promise it won't be a long one, it will probably be mainly you guys telling me what you're all up to this term and plugging your events.

This weekend is Dance Societies Movie night in the SU, which I'm really looking forward to. We also have SABB elections and RAG Week at the end of January. Remember socs, you guys should have  a real interest in who is running for VPSA, so make sure you grill the candidates and vote. You are the students who have the most interaction with the the position, so if you have had problems or want to see changes, make sure you find out which candidate is going to do the best job for your society. 

Finally, I slight plug for the Drama Society's UnScene Festival on January 30th in Jane Holloway Hall. I am totally biased as I established the festival last year, but it is a wonderful evening show casing plays written by Ro-Ho students.

That's it my lovelies...no excuse to be bored thid month xxxx 

Monday 7th December

What a society packed week its been! Definately the best yet :) On Monday I went to the History Society Blitz Ball in Founders Dining Hall. There was a wonderful 1940s singer and all the money raised was donated to the British Legion. I had a really wonderful evening and was very proud of the History Soc for establishing a new event. I hope it shows other societies that they can pull off big new events and hopefully gain lots of members in the process. If anyone would like help doing an event, please contact me or the SAC events reps.

On Tuesday I attended SAC, Exec and the GM. At the GM our motion for soc/club constitution templates passed yay! This should really help Presidents run their societies effectively and make sure your constitutions are in line with the SU and up to date. Presidents-your constitution should be your bible, it is your job to know it back to front and enforce it. If you don't have it please contact me immediantly.

On Thursday I volunteered to work behind the bar in Medicine for the Student-Staff party, which was very frightening. I will never whinge about waiting for a drink in Medicine again! 

On Friday I went to the Ab Harm and Rev Rock and Gospel Christmas Concert in the Chapel. I had such a lovely time and even sung a bit myself :)

On Sunday I went to the RAG panto, which was very funny. The dame was spectacular and the sabbs playing beans were hilarious. All in all a very busy societies raising money for charity week! Well done guys, all this will look good on the soc of the year forms as well as help other people ;)

Monday 30th November

Another crazy week kids. I had a 1-2-3 with Emma, Claire and Emily, attended SAC and campaigned for 10:10 on Tuesday. Canvassing was very strange-it reminded me of running for election. The climax of the day was the screening of "The Age of Stupid" in the Windsor building. The film was really interesting and made me realise I am not as green as I think I am. 10:10 will really be influencing SU policy this year: at Exec on wednesday we reviewed the Ethics and Environment policy, which have tried to make even stronger. Look out for green motions passed by Claire and I to encourage clubs and societies to get greener. We are also going to add a "green" section to club and soc of the year applications, so it will be in your interests to be eco-friendly!

On Thursday was accomodation day in the SU. It was great to chat with first year students who felt anxious about getting a house-I felt very old and wise. If you missed accomodation day or have any questions about houses just drop Chrlotte (vpedwelfare@su.rhuk.ac.uk) an email and she will give you even more advice.

Today I am very excited about the History Society's Blitz Ball at 8.30pm in Founders Dining Hall-tickets still available! I am looking forward to an evening of dressing up, classy music and waltzing :)

Monday 23th November

Last week I attempted to collect money for interhall on Monday, but no one signed up! If you are interested in playing casual football or basketball and representing your hall of residence, ex-hall or street please please PLEASE get in touch. I also attended my 1-2-3 with Emma (like a 1-2-1, but with myself, Claire and Emily), SAC and EXEC. In the 1-2-3 we discussed exciting alternatives to a re-freshers week-more on this VERY soon ;). At SAC Claire plugged the History Soc 'Blitz Ball'. which is on Monday 30th Novemeber in Founders Dining Hall from 8pm. The evening will consist of a 1940s singer, the jazz band and Balads teaching those who want to learn some 1940s dances and performing. Tickets on sale at the box office, so buy early to avoid disappointment!

EXEC was particularly exciting as the Sabbaticals set us a hypothetical topic of discussion: what do you think of the current duties of the Sabbaticals? Are they appropriate? Would you change them at all? If could have another Sabbatical what would their role be? If you had to take a sabbatical away which would it be? etc. I really enjoyed this debate, because it reminded me that the Sabbatical positions are not fixed and can be changed as the union evoles. It also generated some interesting ideas for changes to Regulation C.

Claire and I also had dinner and wine :) on Thursday to discuss how we felt things had gone this term and our plans for the rest of the year. I also wrote an essay marking report for Pidge, so watch out lecturers-don't be handing essays back late!

Tomorrow is the 10:10 launch, featuring a showing of 'The Age of Stupid' in the Windsor Building at 6pm. I am SO excited-the campaign aims to get the institutions taking part to reduce their emissions by 10% by the end of 2010. The SU is one of these institutions, so keep your eyes peeled for energy saving policies!

xxx

Monday 16th November

Hello me again! Had another awesome week. I met with someone who was very interested in running for RAG Rep on the SAC and told her what the role entailed. I also gave her advise on a new development scheme she wants to set up-more informaiton on that soon! Went to SAC on Tuesday, during which we discussed Bears Day and Interhall. At Exec we discussed the up and coming 10:10 campaign. It will launch on 24th November with a screening of the Eco-film "The Age of Stupid" and sounds awesome. On Thursday I attended the GM, where due to a technical error mine and Claire's motion was not passed. It should hopefully be passed at the next GM. That said the GM was really good and it was great to see so many people being so opinionated about the changes to Regulation F (Disciplinary procedure) and the SU sponsorship policy. Make sure you attend the next one, to get your views across!

Monday 9th November

Hello everyone, had another fantastic week! Went to AUC last Monday, as well as the History Society film night. The film was The Young Victoria and I embarassed myself hugely by crying at the end! As well the film the societry invited the Victorian specialist, Alex Wincheffel to do a speech, which was funny but also interesting. Film nights are a great, cheap way for your society to socialise and as the history soc showed, an awesome way to make links with an academic department. If held on campus you don't need to arrange travel, which hopefully will encourage a good turn out! So if you are stuck about what do to for a cheap social film nights are a great option!

I also chaired SFC on Thursday, which saw the Jewish Society get ratified.

On Friday I helped organise Italian Soc elections.

At the weekend I attended the Remeberance Service at Englefield Green Church as an SU representative and saw Pidge lay a wreath.

Today we had the Exec and Sac photos taken in founders north quad, which was certainly very cold. I am still trying to warm up now in the SA office.

Monday 2nd November

I went to Amnesty internal elections on Monday, which saw a new treasurer and publicity officer elected. On Tuesday I drafted a template society constitution with Emma and passed a motion at Exec that edited mine and Claire's job descriptions to include the drafting and updating of a template constitution for clubs and societies. This template will be included in the New Societies Welcome Pack. I also drew up the agenda for next week's SFC.

I adviced Drama Society on a complaint they received from college on the state JHH was left in on Friday. I also spoke to people wanting to establish an Indian Society.

Finally, I sold Poppies for three hours outside the Holly Tree pub in Englefield Green in aide of the British Legion. Volunteering rocks.

Monday 26th October

Hello everyone,

I did my office hours last week in which I helped Christians Together find their old constitution and told them how to edit it. It is becoming a common problem that society presidents are without their constituions, so I set the Societies Co-Ordinators Emilie and Peter the task of drawing up a template constitution to help the societies who have no constituion, even on record in the SA office. This will become part of a welcome pack for new societies, so they are not cast into the wilderness after they are ratified.

I went to Amnesty elections on Monday, to find out I was there a week early! Enthusiasm from your SFO! So I am looking forward to attending them tonight. I also attended Deating Society elections on Tuesday night, despite having issues getting into the management building. SAC mainly focussed on OXJAM and the Fright Night Fun4All. There was no Exec this week due to the count, so I made up for it by doing loads of ballet boxing.

Monday 19th October

Hi Society fans, had a quieter week this week as I was away. Attended SAC and EXEC on Tuesday. Discussed Come in Your Kit prep for Wednesday, Fun4All to Thorpe Park and half ratified Liberal Youth. Today I have been doing my office hours and photcopying constitutions for societies who have lost them. Hoping to start creating a New Societies Welcome Pack, with a template constitution in to keep new societies on track. Looking forward to meeting Drama Soc Pres tonight and supervising Amnesty and Debating elections this week.

Monday 12th October

Hello everyone! I have had yet another hetic week. I attended AUC council on Monday, which was run by Claire. I chaired the SAC meeting on Tuesday alone, because Claire was indisposed. It was lovely to welcome our new members and starting planning everything for this term. The main topic of discussion was Come in Your Kit this Wednesday-make sure you have your tickets! I also attended Exec straight after SAC.

I also chaired my own council on Thursday. The Presidents were very outspoken, which was good-I want you guys to feel like you can be honest with me. We ratified two new societies German Society and Criminalogy and Sociology Society. The Presidents also seemed to enjoy speed dating, which of course was one of my manifesto points!

I also very cheekily snuck along on the Rev Rock and Gospel Social on Friday and had a great time :).

Monday 5th October 

Hello everyone,

Had yet another busy week and am looking forward to an even busier one next week. Last week I went to the first SAC meeting; helped the fashion society elect their new committee and looked after candidates during the sub committee elections on Thursday.

This week I am planning the first Societies Federation Council on Thursday, which will involve speed dating! Look out for it Presidents J I am also looking forward to attending the first AUC and SAC and EXEC as usual this week!

Tuesday 29th September

I can't believe freshers' week is all over. Here is a quick summary of what I got up to: moving people in to Founders (totally understand that building now!), helping 2 erasmus students find a house in the Green, NUS tent, singing with the Gospel Choir at societies taster day, playing ultimate frisbee and squah on sports club taster day, helping co-ordinate freshers fayre, manning the que to the union and medicine, getting freshers flu and dancing the night away at 80s night on Friday. Phew!

On a non fresher note I helped with the elections for classics society on Tuesday-their committee is full now and looks like they are going to have a jam packed year!

Yesterday, I took part in the History Society pub crawl yesterday, which saw over 50 freshers welcomed to the society.

I'm looking forward to SAC and senate elections on Thursday and helping the fashion society get their new committee this week.

Tuesday 15th September

We have started Exec training this week. It has been really jam packed, but exciting! Yesterday we learnt how to pass a motion and how policy is formed. Today we have been learning about the structure of college, how to run a campaign and how to do our blogs!

Looking forward to training S.A.C later this week and meeting all the Presidents. Hopefully they will be excited about what I hope to achieve and have lots of ideas themselves.

 

 
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