1. Liberating Policy 101
Tuesday 4 July 2017, Student’s Unions 2017, Birmingham NEC

2. Agenda Introductions Workshop Objectives
Getting to know NUS Liberation
What is NUS policy
Why is it important
Policy cycle
Policy writing tips
Over to you

3. Introductions and Welcome

4. Introductions Name Union Staff/Officer/Student
What do you want to get out of this session

5. Workshop Objectives
Brief introduction to NUS Liberation Campaigns and their role in the movement
How policy is passed by Liberation conferences
How to write clear and effective policy
What can we do better?
Overview: What the aim and objective of the session is. Background and context of the issue. (2 mins)
Brief introduction to NUS Liberation Campaigns and their role in the movement
Demystify the Liberation policy making process - Many people submit policy to conferences only to find it has been voted down. Some cases, especially with Liberation campaigns – policy places action on those without the mandate – sometimes those who do not define do not see a way in which they can be effective allies through our policy making process.
Sharing practical information on how to engage with and influence Liberation policy - Many people submit policy to conferences only to find it has been voted down. Some cases, especially with Liberation campaigns – Most of this comes from fact our systems are complex and language unclear. Hacks see to get it whilst those to the movement often feel left behind.
Ensuring the process is accessible  

6. Quiz Knowing Us and knowing you
How many Liberation Campaigns does NUS have?
How many Liberation officers does NUS have?
Five Campaigns
Seventeen

7. QUIZ: Knowing us and knowing you
What is Liberation and why is it important to our membership?
The seeking of equal status and freedom from all forms of oppression.
Importance - discrimination against students’ identities can affect their participation, achievement, retention and progression in education
Self led
Equity
Self Determination
Equality
Freedom

8. What is NUS Policy
Written statement (motion) of what NUS believes and what NUS resolves to do about the issue.
“Title”: More often than not they are simply a factual description of the topic of the motion. Please ensure your title is concise and is clear about the subject matter.
“Conference Believes”: The first thing a motion should do is factually describe its need. This part of the motion should provide the factual evidence that led you to write the motion.
“Conference Further Believes”: What beliefs motivate the actions you propose? This part of the motion should list the beliefs that led you to write the motion.
“Conference Resolves”: This section of the motion should list, in bullet point form, what action you would like to see LGBT+ campaign take if your motion were to pass, for example releasing a statement, lobbying an external organisation, or producing campaign materials.

9. What is NUS Policy
“Title”: Factual description of the topic of the motion. Needs to be concise and is clear about the subject matter.
“Conference Believes”: The first thing a motion should do is factually describe its need. This part of the motion should provide the factual evidence that led you to write the motion.
“Conference Further Believes”: What beliefs motivate the actions you propose? This part of the motion should list the beliefs that led you to write the motion.
“Conference Resolves”: This section of the motion should list, in bullet point form, what action you would like to the campaign take if your motion were to pass, for example releasing a statement, lobbying an external organisation, or producing campaign materials.
“Title”: More often than not they are simply a factual description of the topic of the motion. Please ensure your title is concise and is clear about the subject matter.
“Conference Believes”: The first thing a motion should do is factually describe its need. This part of the motion should provide the factual evidence that led you to write the motion.
“Conference Further Believes”: What beliefs motivate the actions you propose? This part of the motion should list the beliefs that led you to write the motion.
“Conference Resolves”: This section of the motion should list, in bullet point form, what action you would like to see LGBT+ campaign take if your motion were to pass, for example releasing a statement, lobbying an external organisation, or producing campaign materials.

10. Policy and Liberation = Why is it important
Effect self led change in the following ways
Strategy
Training & Education
Service development
Campaigning

11. Liberation and Policy – Why is it important
Motion 403: QTIPOC Representation in LGBT History Month Conference believes: 1. That LGBT History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of LGBTQ+ identified people throughout history.
Conference further believes: 1. That LGBT History Month in the UK can often be Eurocentric and whitewashed. 2. That QTIPOC students (BME LGBTQ+ identified) should be able to see themselves adequately represented in LGBT History Month events and related projects by students’ unions and NUS itself.

12. Liberation and Policy – Why is it important
Conference resolves:
1. For the NUS LGBT Campaign to produce material that provides guidelines in diversifying LGBT History Month event planning for students’ unions. 2. For the NUS LGBT Campaign to collaborate with the NUS Black Students Campaign LGBT+ representatives to produce said material. 3. For said material to be revised and updated regularly.

13. Before Conference
Ideas and Solutions from your Liberation Officers/Networks/Groups
Collaboration They need to get together to make their ideas into motions
Support is needed from another Union/Guild/Association to submit a motion.
Submit the motion to NUS via your Union The process differs dependent on union and conference!

14. Before Conference 6. The campaign committee Can submit motions
They can also support your motions

15. Democratic and policy cycle
Liberation Policy development convention (TBC)
Motions deadlines for conferences
Jan
Feb
Jul
Nov
Dec
Oct
Mar
National Conference
Liberation conferences
Sept
Apr
This is what the Liberation policy cycle looks like
Aug
May
Jun
July 1st – Start of Year Cycle

16. What happens at conference
1. Motions are debated A speech for (in support) and speech against the motion
You can speak for the motion if you are attending the conference. If you cannot attend, arrange for someone else to speak on it.
2. Delegates vote on whether they support the motion or not
3. If more than half of the conference vote in support of the motion, it passes and becomes policy of that campaign

17. Writing Policy - Tips Standing Orders Key Dates Mandate
Do you define
How to submit
Zones
Length
Key Dates
Mandate
Motion Structure

18. The Policy cycle

19. Agenda setting – Conference Believes
What is the problem?
How do you know it is a problem?
Where is the evidence?
Do you need to do further research?
What is the problem: Who does it affect? How does it affect them?
What more do you need to find out? Who else do you need to speak to? What’s already out there?
Different types of research
Consultation?

20. Policy formulation and design
What do you hope to achieve?
Who are the key stakeholders?
How do you hope to achieve your intended outcomes?
What is the priority? May have competing priorities. What are the intended outcomes? What do you hope to achieve? i.e. we know that there is a problem around Black students doing less well at Univeristy: we want to reduce the attainment gap to zero.
How do you hope to achieve intended goals: Resources, timeframe , support you will have.

21. Good and bad policy

22. What makes good and bad policy?
Structure
Clear outline of why the policy is necessary and what it hopes to achieve
Clear outline of who the policy is for
Identification of who is responsible for what
Well researched and referenced
Concise
Language
The policy should be accessible and clear to people not familiar with the topic
Simple language used
Definitions of key concepts
Examples of key concepts

23. Over to you: Questions

24. Contact us NUS Liberation Projects Team
Victoria Cabral –
Rita Serghis –