Board of Irish College Societies

What is BICS? BICS is a national organisation, dedicated to providing a national forum for the societies in third level Each member college has:  2 student reps  1 staff rep

Objectives of BICS 1 Promote contact & collaboration between societies 2 To recognise the achievements of societies and individuals’ through the annual awards ceremony

Contact & collaboration

 Contact us  Answer queries about BICS.  Be point of contact with other college societies  Promote Inter-Collegiate events.  Assist with the BICS Awards application process.  Communicate information back to nominees Sean O’Reilly Richard Brown Contact & collaboration NUIG BICS Reps

Contact & collaboration  Networking Day and AGM June each year  National Forum and Information Exchange January each year  National Society Awards April each year BICS Networking Events Any student involved in a society committee can attend BICS networking events

Objective 2 To recognise the achievements of societies

Recognise the achievements of societies  Awards annually Since 1996  Purpose is to recognise the huge effort made by the many individuals who run student societies across Ireland.  National benchmark for societies & individuals

BICS 2015

Awards Categories Large College >7,500 full time students Small College <7,500 full time students Separate categories  Best Society (Academic, Social or Cultural Field)  Best Society (Civic or Charity Field)  Best Event  Most Improved Society  Best New Society  Best Individual  Best Fresher

Awards Categories Small & Large Colleges combined  Best Poster  Best Publicity Campaign  Best Promotional Video  Best Photo  Best Intervarsity Award

Awards Application Process  All member colleges of BICS are entitled to put forward one nominee per category  Up to each college to devise their own nomination process  Nominees must meet the BICS eligibility criteria

Awards Application Process 1. Application Form 2. Portfolio 3. Interview (for most)

Awards Application Form  Each category has it’s own marking scheme  Generally divided into 3 subareas  Organisation  Finance  Promotion & Publicity  Marking scheme available to view in the Awards Nominee booklet distributed prior and on the application form

Awards Application Form  Complete application form in Microsoft Word  Upload application form to online awards website  Username and password from Submit by noon on 13 th April to the chief adjudicator  x3 hard copies of application form  x1 portfolio

Awards Portfolio  Back up material/ evidence for your application  Organisation – constitution, committee, meeting records  Finance – budget records, invoices, sponsorship requests  Promotion & Publicity – insights, campaigns, articles  1 portfolio is sufficient  Any form  Whatever format you choose it is the content which is most important

Awards Interview  Following categories must attend interview on 14 th April  Best Society CAS (Cultural, Academic or Social Field)  Best Society CC (Charity or Civic Field)  Best Event  Most Improved  Best New Society  Best Individual  Best Fresher  Maximum of four people permitted to attend each interview  Opportunity to develop and discuss

Who are the Awards Adjudicators  At least 3 Adjudicators per panel  Worked directly with students or involved with student activities  They are not there to catch you out!

Awards Banquet  Good Food  Good Entertainment  Awards Presentation

Why enter the BICS Awards?  National benchmark of societies  Representation of your college at national level  Opportunity for you!

Objectives of BICS 1 Promote contact & collaboration between societies 2 To recognise the achievements of societies

Best Intervarsity Award  Aimed at encouraging events between different colleges Eligible Events  Get at least 2 other colleges involved  Event must be open to all colleges  Have a competitive element  Non students can participate as spectators only

BICS is a national organisation, dedicated to providing a national forum for the societies in third level

Why engage with BICS?

Board of Irish College Societies