1. Union Council Rep Training
Jenna Chapman & Oli Gray

2. Icebreaker

4. core terms, bye laws, articles…
We are governed by our bye laws and the articles of associations
Bye law 9 outlines what the SU does for student opportunity groups
There are core terms that are used at council called procedural motions
Print out of bye law 9 (specific to student groups): (page 58)
Articles of Association:

5. when, where, what? Dates for next year are tbc
It takes one of the lecture theatres
When you arrive you will receive a clicker, you just have to say who you are and who you represent
Then we have a quorum check to make sure enough people are in the room for council to take place
The Democratic Procedures Committee helps with the smooth running of Union Council

6. Students you represent
17,000
Students you represent

7. the agenda You will receive this a week before the meeting
If you need a paper copy for accessibility, we can sort that out and bring it along, just let us know
We’re now going to talk through what an agenda looks like!

8. Societies approval
Societies and Clubs have execs who approve funding and recommendations for new societies
The recommendation societies exec give is in the agenda which helps steer the way council votes
Green if it’s good to go
Red if it’s a no
Amber- we have a debate (we’ll talk through this process more later)

9. accountability We then move onto officer accountability…
You elect a group of part time and full time officers which forms the student officer committee
Your full time officers provide reports which are included in the agenda
The chair of the student officer committee presents a report to council (part time officer accountability happens here)
You get to ask any questions on what the officers have done, their remit or manifesto points
Who are the student officer committee?
The reports that this section covers
Asking questions

10. open discussion Normally 15-20 minutes
On a topic of interest decided by the student officer committee
You can propose discussion points too!

11. motions Title of the motion
Proposer and seconder- these are required to put forward a motion, however there are a few exceptions
Summary- what the motion is aiming to do
Union Notes- the facts
Union Believes- what the SU should believe going forward
Union Resolves- what we should do next

12. motions Then we debate: 5 mins for, 5 mins against
Summation
A vote then happens, a majority is needed for motions to pass with the exception of bye laws which need a 2/3rd majority

13. amendments
Sometimes motions receive amendments to them before Union Council
The proposer may have accepted these beforehand so the motion will be voted on as amended
If the proposer hasn’t, there will be a debate (the same as for motions)

14. top tips Don’t be afraid to ask a question
Bring some food and a drink along with you
Have a skim/ read of the agenda before hand so you know what’s going on (staff are more than happy to talk you through this before the meeting)
Have a copy of the jargon buster (core terms)

15. helpful people

16. helpful people Sophie Atherton Josh Clare
Campaigns and Democracy Officer
Responsible for the SU’s democracy
Runs campaigns with students
Supports Union Council running well
Josh Clare
Assistant Director of Charitable Services
Oversees the running of Union Council
Puts together the agenda
Ensures that everyone has a clicker

17. to summarise
You should now know what a motion is, how to write and propose it
Knowing how to hold officers to account, remember you represent 17,000 students!
Who to get in touch with if you need any help
We’re always looking for feedback or if you have any questions about Union Council, me at

18. Thank you!