Councillor Training

NUSU Council Student Council is the highest student representative body in your Students' Union. It exists to ensure that students have a say over how their Union is run and what policies are adopted.  Student Council can discuss the campaigns we run, the events we support, hears what your elected Officers are up to, and scrutinises the work we are doing every day for our students. It also decides on what major issues may need representing to the University.

Learning Objectives Get to know each other Understand what Council is and how it works Writing Motions Become effective Councillors

INTRODUCTIONS

What does it do? Pass Policy Scrutinise Officers Amend the Constitution Receive Feedback Hear the views of students Review committee actions

What it doesn’t do? Manage staff or give them instructions Decide how money should be spent Provide long term (strategic) planning

Examples ‘HOUSING GUARANTORS SCHEME FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS‘ ‘STUDENTS FOR SENSIBLE DRUG POLICY’S (SSDP) MOTION TO CHALLENGE ZERO TOLERANCE‘ “INTRODUCE THE CULTURAL – DIVERSITY EXECUTIVE” “CHILDCARE SUPPORT” “NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE – DEALING WITH LGBT+ CONCERNS”

A Rough Guide to Student Council

Writing motions There are 3 parts to a NUSU Council Motion Council Notes : Facts Council Believes : Opinion Council Resolves : Changes and how to achieve them

Writing a motion Council Notes - where you state the facts relating to your motion, including references where possible Council Believes – where you state your opinions about the issue you are trying to change. This can be as emotive and contentious as you like, however Steering Committee will remove any comments which are offensive, personal or defamatory in nature Council Resolves – where you state what you want to change and how. This is the part that will become NUSU policy if the motion passes

Example motion Motion on ‘ABOLISH SATURDAY EXAMS’ Student’ Union Council Notes: Some students’ have part-time jobs. Students’ can have exams on Saturday’s which can lead to them missing out on a days’ pay or using up a days’ holiday. Students’ Union Council Believes: Students’ are encouraged to get a part-time job to help develop skills. Some students’ require part-time work to support their studies. Students’ Union Council Resolves: To mandate the Education Officer to go to the University to look into the possibility of abolishing Saturday exams

Any Questions? Can we support you in other areas? Are you confident in public speaking? Do you know the key dates for council?

Contacts Sam Cooke : Chair of Council e: chair.union@ncl.ac.uk Chris Duddy : Education Officer e: education.union@ncl.ac.uk Angela Horend : Council Admin e: gocouncil.union@ncl.ac.uk Kay Hattam : Campaigns and Democracy Support Worker e: campaigns.support@ncl.ac.uk

Hand outs Council Members How to write a motion Rough Guide to Council Sample order paper Council Leaflet