7a) Building Community Partnerships

GC.3.12.7a

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: John Dolan Purpose: Mandate Officer(s) or Committees(s) Summary: Work with the Bournbrook Wider-Community Project to develop a cohesive relationship between students and the local community in Bournbrook. Section Three: Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee 3.1. Person(s) Responsible For Delivering Mandate VPHC 3.2. Completion Date for Mandate 01.05.12 3.3. Mandate Text (shall normally be no more than 200 words) Mandate the VPHC to work with the Bournbrook Wider-Community Project to develop a cohesive relationship between the University of Birmingham's Guild of Students and the local community in Bournbrook. Mandate the VPHC to attend the monthly meetings (where possible) of the Edgbaston Association of Local Representatives as a representative of the Guild, and report back to the Better Guild and Welfare forum.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7a) Building Community Partnerships

Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) The purpose of this motion is to mandate our VPHC to further his work developing the relationship between students and local residents in the communities surrounding our Guild and University. Although the VPHC currently works with many projects in local areas such as Selly Oak, I feel that these schemes are very different in nature due to goals and location respectively. The Bournbrook Wider-Community Project 'works for a better relationship between the various demographics in the Bournbrook area', as stated by the project itself. The group was created in October 2011 with the intention of developing a strong partnership between permanent residents and students, especially during term time. It aims to improve the quality of local residents' living by nurturing a stable, cohesive community based around the principle of respect. I think the scheme should be supported by the Guild as a step towards healthy interaction with local residents and also to help improvement of students' time living in the Bournbrook area. Just under 3000 students live on the Vale site and many more live in other forms of accommodation in Edgbaston. The Edgbaston Association of Local Representatives holds open meetings every month in which residents and individuals connected to Edgbaston discuss current issues affecting the quality of living in the area. The association brings together members of the council, business owners and residents in one room, but there is a clear need for our students to be represented. I feel that the VPHC's attendance could achieve this representation of student residents and also allow the Guild to get involved in more local initiatives. Many Thanks, Johnny Dolan

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7b) Entertainments & Engagement Committee

GC.3.12.7b

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: David Franklin Purpose: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law Summary: This is a motion to establish an Entertainments and Engagement Committee with a view to engaging all Full Members and providing them with the best student experience. Section One: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law 1.1. Title of Belief and Commitment or Bye-Law Bye-Law 6 - Committees of Guild Council 1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) 1.3 The Committees of the Sabbatical Officer Group shall be (but not limited to): Residents Executive Student Groups Committee Elections Committee Nominations Committee Student Equality and Diversity Committee Entertainments and Engagement Committee 14. Entertainments and Engagement Commitee 14.1 Purpose 14.1.1 The Entertainments and Engagement Committee shall be responsible for actively representing all Full Members and to investigate how Guild resources can best attract and maximise active involvement in the Guild. 14.2 Membership/Composition 14.2.1 The Entertainments & Engagement Committee shall consist of, but not be limited to: Vice President (Democracy & Resources) (Chair) Vice President (Activities & Development) 3 elected members, 1 from Guild Council & 2 from Student Groups & Sport forum. If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7b) Entertainments & Engagement Committee

4 Full Members of the Guild, whom must not be current or former members of a Society committee, RA Committee, Guild volunteers, a Guild Councillor, or a member of the Guild Officer Group. 14.2.2. The 4 Full Members shall be selected at random from the full members of the Guild of Students and shall include a first year, a second/third year, a Post-graduate taught and a Post-graduate research student. 14.2.3 Quoracy shall be 6, with a representative from each demographic listed above. 14.3 Main Duties 14.3.1 To have influence over marketing strategies and make recommendations on their effectiveness. 14.3.2 To survey and investigate best practice in the inclusion of students into student groups and events beyond Welcome Week. 14.3.3 To make recommendations on entertainment events and to create focus groups Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motiongauge attendanceoutside the box) to survey students and student services in order to (please do not go of such events, and develop effective ways to market them to students. SectionOn occasion,Statement in Support of Motion (pleaseamongst the membership. 14.3.4 Four: Written initiate online polls to gauge reaction do not go outside the box) 14.3.5 Have the power to make recommendations on Budget Allocations and report these to Finance Committee. Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) At present, there are numerous sub-committees of Guild Council, which are formed of engaged members and officers and deal with issues that affect those of us who are already involved with and receive benefit from the Guild of Students. The establishment of an entertainments and engagement committee is intended to provide a forum and focus group for reviewing the Guilds engagement strategy. In particular, how we can best encourage events and practices, which encourage students to become active Full Members of the Guild, its student groups and its events. Under the entertainments banner, this committee is intended to have the power to survey students on proposed events, so that the powers that be are confident in the potential attendance of events (such events typically require some capital investment, which needs to be recouped either through ticket sales or over-the-bar sales) Under the engagement banner, I hope that by having a defined unengaged membership of 4 Full Members, that it will provide a fresh perspective from the other side, one would assume that such opinions would not normally find their way into the heart of the Guild. Furthermore, by empowering the committee with the ability to initiate occasional cross-campus referenda and student surveys, students will reciprocally feel more engaged with the Guild. In short, the Guild will no longer be telling Students what it can offer, but asking students what they want from the Guild. Ultimately, I hope that as this group convenes, it will have the power to engage with the entire student population, to further empower the student voice and potentially lead to new ventures, which, if profitable, provide further money with which we can re-invest back into students. If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7c) Blue
GC.3.12.7c

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: John Dolan Purpose: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law Summary: Steering reform to improve the efficiency of Guild Council allowing motions which are factually incorrect or just make no sense to be sent back to the proposer of the motion for amendment and if it is not corrected sufficiently, rejected. Section One: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law 1.1. Title of Belief and Commitment or Bye-Law Bye-Law 5.5 1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) Add: 5.5.7 The motion should make coherent sense in what it aims to achieve, and be completely clear in meaning. Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) Motions which are incoherent are a waste of Guild Council's time; time which is not abundant. There is no point of steering letting through motions which make no sense, instead that motion should be sent back to the proposer for amendment. This would allow the proposer to still get their voice heard, but in the manner that they truly meant. A motion that is unclear in meaning prevents efficiency in the Guild. It is hard to debate an issue you are unsure of the implications of. Bye-Laws need to be clear to provide a solid structure for the Guild to base its exploits upon, and mandates are better fulfilled if the officer is clear what they are wanted to do. This motion does not give Guild Council Steering any significant new powers, only grants it the ability to act in common-sense. I hope you agree.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7d) Societies in Welcome Week

GC.3.12.7d

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Julian Bryant Purpose: Mandate Officer(s) or Committees(s) Summary: To support societies in running and promoting events aimed at new students during the first week of term.

Section Three: Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee 3.1. Person(s) Responsible For Delivering Mandate VPAD, VPDR, and VPHC 3.2. Completion Date for Mandate 01/5/12 / 3 weeks before any deadlines for incorporating events into marketing materials, whichever is sooner 3.3. Mandate Text (shall normally be no more than 200 words) The aforementioned Officers shall work with societies to enable & encourage them to are able to run events during Freshers Week (e.g. ensuring room bookings in the Guild/wider university are possible) and to make all groups aware of this possibility. They shall also coordinate with relevant marketing and promotional teams in the Guild, the University, RAs, as well as societies themselves, to ensure that these events are publicised to new students on an equal level to/using the same venues/routes as existing Freshers Fest/Welcome Week events so that students are aware of them.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7d) Societies in Welcome Week

Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) Though many students enjoy the club nights that define Fresher's Fest, students would clearly benefit from having a wider range of things to do during their first week (particularly during the day), in addition to the club nights that define Fresher's Fest. This motion is intended to allow societies to organise events in the first week so they can help provide a wider range of things that new students can do. The importance of changing the status quo is even clearer when you consider the position that students who have either chosen not to, or who can't drink (often due to religious/medical reasons) find themselves in. The only events they're aware of and can generally go to their first week (certainly in the evening) are ones where drinking is practically required, with the only alternative being staying in their flat (usually alone) all night. Needless to say, this makes for a pretty terrible first week for a substantial number of students. While it would be nice to see Fresher's Fest offer a wider range of events, a number of different societies in the Guild would like to try to make this is a reality ourselves by hosting events that are particularly targeted at new students. This would be good for all students in terms of increasing choice, exposing them to the fantastic range of societies the Guild is host to earlier on, doing so better than a stall at the society fair ever could, as well as showing that the Guild, and University life by extension, is about more than just club nights. Unfortunately we're currently unable to do this for a couple of reasons in particular that this motion is designed to address. Firstly, societies have historically had serious difficulties in terms of some of the most basic practical requirements needed to run an event, like being able to book rooms in the Guild/University for the first week. This obviously makes running events rather difficult, something that the first part of this motion addresses. Secondly, even if the practicalities required to run events are taken care of, other than the society fair, societies are currently very limited in terms of avenues they can employ to make students aware of any events that are running. As such, the second part of the motion mandates officers coordinate with the relevant marketing and promotional teams to ensure that new students are just as aware of the events societies are running, as traditional Freshers Fest events. The completion date is set with this in mind, ensuring that marketing materials produced by the Guild will be able to include these events as well as ensuring that societies have time to plan these events.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7e) Guild Council Committee Elections

GC.3.12.7e

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Tim Lucas Purpose: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law Summary: To change back how Guild Council Committee elections are run. Section One: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law 1.1. Title of Belief and Commitment or Bye-Law Amend the Guild Council Guidance Document 1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) 8 Elections 8.1 Nominations 8.1.1 Each election should be publicised at least one week in advance of each meeting (in the guild weekly election newsletter where possible). 8.1.2 All nominations forPolicy/Bye-Law Section Two: Add New committee elections will occur in the meeting. 8.1.3 Someone who is not in attendance may be nominated and a speech may be read out on their behalf. In this instance questions will not be permitted to any candidate. Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) Whats Changed? The guidance document has been edited to make it so nominations for elections now happen during guild council (as has previously happened). Set out when and how guild council elections should be publicised. Clarified how elections work when someone is not in attendance. Why? Pre-submitted nominations do not work. The positions are not advertised well enough, meaning many people will miss out on the chance to run for committees. This coupled with the fact that candidates can get away with not answering questions and not being RONd makes it a much better idea to go back to the old system. This will increase engagement and democracy in our Guild Council Committee Elections and will reduce dependence on the guild to effectively publicise the elections!

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7f) We already passed this motion

GC.3.12.7f

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Tim Lucas Purpose: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law Summary: To add existing guild policy into the beliefs and commitments document. Section One: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law 1.1. Title of Belief and Commitment or Bye-Law Edit the beliefs and commitments document 1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) In line with guild policy passed by guild council on the 14th June 2011 the guild believes: 1. Students have a long standing tradition of providing high quality stewarding for all guild events. 2. Student safety on all guild events is a paramount importance. 3. Two: Add New Policy/Bye-Law SectionPaid staff are not necessarily any better than volunteers in terms of stewarding. 4. The Student Development figure of A MINIMUM of one steward per 30 participants is the official policy of the guild of students for Freshers Fest along with any event alcoholic event that involves a bus and a pre-bar (the ratio should be no higher, i.e 1 to 50). 5. That effort should be made to provide volunteers with an incentive for giving up their time. Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) In June 2011 guild council passed a motion (9m) with 96% in favour that set guild policy on stewarding alcoholic events. This motion was put together using the old motion template and was set as a mandate. As a result this policy is missing from the beliefs and commitments document. This motion brings together the relevant policy points to be incorporated into the guilds beliefs and commitments document. This motion (and the motion before) it has nothing to do with stewarding marches/protests or any other non-alcohol based event.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7g) Suppliers List Motion

GC.3.12.7g

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Mathew Waterhouse Purpose: Mandate Officer(s) or Committees(s) Summary: To improve the process and transparency of adding and removing a company to the suppliers list Section Three: Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee 3.1. Person(s) Responsible For Delivering Mandate VPDR/VPHC 3.2. Completion Date for Mandate Monday 16th April (1 month from GC meeting) 3.3. Mandate Text (shall normally be no more than 200 words) For the VPDR/VPHC to set up a new system whereby suppliers can be more easily added to and removed from the suppliers list. This mechanism will be more transparent than the current system and have more flexibility for consultation with ResExec and other suppliers list users where necessary. Any requests to amend the suppliers list will be responded to and acted upon within 4 weeks. Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) The suppliers list is, in many of its categories, severely limited. The current methods of changing the list are far too restrictive and dont allow us to change what needs to be changed. Furthermore, there is no guarantee of us knowing why things arent on the list if we request them as there is no system by which ResExec receives feedback on this. Therefore it seems necessary to implement a clear system by which both of these issues are addressed.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7h) SGC Membership Motion

GC.3.12.7h

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Ollie Cosentino (Cultural and International Miniforum) Purpose: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law Summary: Amend the Bye-Laws to remove the Vice-President of Democracy and Resources from the Student Groups Committee and replace that position with another elected student group committee member. Section One: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law 1.1. Title of Belief and Commitment or Bye-Law Bye-Law 6 - Committees of Guild Council 9. Student Groups Committee 1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) 9. Student Groups Committee 9.2 Membership 9.2.1 TheTwo: AddGroups committee shall consist of: Section Student New Policy/Bye-Law VP Activities and Development ex officio, who shall be Chair and Treasurer VP Sport VP Democracy and Resources 4 elected members from the Better Student Groups and Sports Forum, of which at least 3 must be current student group committee members of different student group committees.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7h) SGC Membership Motion

Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) Creating another elected student position on the committee will bring more varied personal experience to the meetings. After all we have just shy of 200 groups at the Guild and having an extra member to represent those current groups effectively can only strengthen decisions made by the committee. The removal of the VPDR from the committee would also serve to alleviate them of the workload that comes with sitting on this committee, especially as the VPDR already has many other committees and commitments that are more relevant to their role. Finally, at the moment the Student Groups Committee is a 50/50 split of sabbatical officers and elected Student Group committee members. The problem with this is that if a vote or steer is required on a particular issue then the sabbatical officers could effectively control the outcome of it should they wish to, as the VPAD is chair of the committee and would have the deciding vote should there ever be a tie.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7i) Promote your cause, not your club

GC.3.12.7i

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Hugo Sumner, Vice President (Democracy & Resources) Mikayla Jones, Home Students Officer Purpose: Add New Policy/Bye-Law Summary: To add a new bye-law banning Non-Sabbatical officers from undertaking paid promotion work during their time in office. Section One: Add Bye-Law 1.1. Title off Bye-Law Add 8.6.8 (General Guidelines on Guild Officers) 1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) Add 8.6.8 8.6.8 Upon taking office, Non-Sabbatical officers must cease to undertake any promotional work. Promotional work defined as The publication of external products, organisations Add New Policy/Bye-Law Section Two: or ventures to increase sales for personal financial gain. This includes any commercial activity by the Guild of Students.

Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) Currently this is no restriction on Non-Sabbatical Officers from undertaking paid promotion work, whereas there is for Residents Association Committee members. Both are voluntary positions and both carry a substantial amount of influence. It is hypocritical to have one rule for one group of voluntary reprentatives but not for another. Please note that if implemented this will come into force for the 2013 Guild Officer elections.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7j) Increasing Accessibility in Guild Council

GC.3.12.7j

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Claire Lister Purpose: Mandate Officer(s) or Committees(s) Summary: Guild council is not accessible to the majority of students and the Guild should prioritise making sure that Guild council is accessible by making a deadline of 11pm and increasing the number of Guild councils to 7 Guild councils per academic year to ensure that the Guild councils do not go on past 11pm Section Three: Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee 3.1. Person(s) Responsible For Delivering Mandate Chair of Guild Council and President 3.2. Completion Date for Mandate Ongoing 3.3. Mandate Text (shall normally be no more than 200 words) To mandate the president to call at least seven guild councils per academic year, and a finishing deadline of 23:00 hours to be implemented by the chair of guild council. Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) Guild council should be accessible for all Guild councillors and members of the Guild. Currently Guild council is not accessible to many students including home students and disabled students, the last train from University to Birmingham New street is at 23:43 and the train from University to Redditch is 23:20. Towards the end of Guild council we see a large fall in the numbers of people staying, and those who do often are very tired the next day. If Guild council finishes at 12 pm the earliest someone is likely to get home is 12:30pm and with a 9am lecture it does not give people enough sleep. It is imperative that we ensure that Guild Council is accessible to all, and this is one of the ways to help with accessibility.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7k) If anyone stars this Im going to cry

GC.3.12.7k

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Tim Lucas Purpose: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law Summary: To outline in the guild council guidance documents when the elections for the Freshers Fest committee and the steering positions should be. Section One: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law 1.1. Title of Belief and Commitment or Bye-Law Amend the Guild Council Guidance notes to include FF committee and steering elections. 1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) 8.4 Elections Schedule First Guild Council of academic year Steering Committee (the elected students from the previous academic year will sit on the first steering committee of the academic year if possible) Section Two: Add New Policy/Bye-Law First Guild Council of a calendar year Freshers Fest Committee Elections

Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) As electing students to sit on the steering committee via guild council was done as a amendment, no thought was considered to when these students would be elected. This motion outlines when this election will occur. The second point firms up when the Freshers Fest Committee should be elected (this was always the intention for the committee).

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7l) Unrealistic Expectations

GC.3.12.7l

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Tim Lucas Purpose: Mandate Officer(s) or Committees(s) Summary: To conduct a review sabbatical officer working practices and hours. Section Three: Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee 3.1. Person(s) Responsible For Delivering Mandate The Sabbatical Officer Team 3.2. Completion Date for Mandate The next Guild Council 3.3. Mandate Text (shall normally be no more than 200 words) Mandate the Sabbatical Officer team to review their working practices and hours and report back to guild council. For example on how many hours a week they are working, what days are they working, number of emails received a day etc. The report should contain an anonymous poll that asks Do you feel that sabbatical officers are paid enough for the amount of work that is expected of them? (YES or NO) To submit recommendations to guild council as part of the report to address any problems they have encountered.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7l) Unrealistic Expectations

Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) Having been friends with a number of sabbatical officers for a number years it is very clear to me that the expectations (in terms of hours etc) on our officers is totally unrealistic. Often an officer will work every waking minute of the day, rarely stopping, even if at home, having to work weekends just to try and keep on top of things. This has serious welfare issues as most of them tend to prioritise doing their job rather than looking after their health and well being. Officers receive a ridiculous number of emails a day and if they are off or ill for even one day they can often come back to hundreds of unread emails. While most solider through because they love the job, I think the expectations on our officers are totally unrealistic and this may be a big factor in putting people off from running for sabbatical officer. They are also expected to respond to students on forums at all hours of the day, they can NEVER switch off. Recently companies have started to switch off email pushing to employees in attempt to curb unhealthy working practices, and while i am not necessarily suggest this here, it is clear that these issues are also prevalent in the working world. I would like the team to report back to guild council on their working practices because I think most students would be appalled at how much work is expected of a sabbatical officer. Then based on this report, guild council may wish to address any issues that are raised in the report (if it sees fit).

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7m) What the hell is going on in this forum?

GC.3.12.7m

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.02

Author Name: Tim Lucas Purpose: Mandate Officer(s) or Committees(s) Summary: To suspend/delete the better guild forum and develop a viable replacement(s). Section Three: Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee 3.1. Person(s) Responsible For Delivering Mandate VPDR 3.2. Completion Date for Mandate The day after the next trustee board meeting after GC. 3.3. Mandate Text (shall normally be no more than 200 words) To mandate the VPDR to suspend posting in/suspend or delete the better guild forum. For the VPDR to investigate the feasibility of delivering either; o A better guild forum that can be moderated properly. o A different platform for the better guild open forum to exist. o To split the better guild forum into sub groups i.e (officer accountability forum, campaigns forum). o Written Statement in Support of holding (please do not go outside the box) Section Four: An alternate online system of Motion sabbatical officers to account and Please explain asking questions (Sabb twitter Please ensure that your statement does not the rationale for your motion. hours?) For the VPDR to work on increasing attendance in the physical forums (actions to contain any profane or derogatory language. be reported to the next guild council via the VPDR blog).

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7m) What the hell is going on in this forum?

One member of the online forum stated: But constant bickering on this forum is also inaccessible, many students may be nervous to put their views on the forum for the fear of being attacked by a number of people, people cannot possibly expected to read through all of these comments. It is also unfair to be expecting answers from the VPE on a Sunday this late in the evening, give him a break The concept of an online better guild forum is sound and an online forum should be an important part of holding officers to account and discussing matters relating to making the guild a better place. This motion is not calling for a total removal of this space, but a rethink of how and where this happens. The better guild forum has descended into total farce and has become a source of embarrassment for the Guild and students. Recently groundless accusations have been made against the VPE and VPAD that could have serious detrimental effects on their roles. Simply put things have gone way too far. Students are put off from commenting or even reading the forum due to the nature of debate (often circular, involving a small number of students that includes personal insults and poor debate). It has been commented to myself that students are intimidated to post on the forum. Although the forum has huge potential to be constructive and is constructive at times, most of the time the debate is dire and unfollowable. It has come a breeding ground for keyboard warriors who happily insult and wind up other students just because they dont agree with what is said. On top of this an inordinate amount of sabbatical officer time is taken up refreshing the forum due to constant bombardment with demands and questions. I think it is fair to say that the officers have given up trying to engage with the forum, making the whole concept pointless. YOU CAN NOT BLAME THEM, it just doesnt work. A new forum(s) should be developed that can be properly moderated to allow for effective debate that all students can feel they can contribute to in a safe environment. To quote a few posts: Edward Bauer waaaa waaaaa waaaaa..... I only asked if you knew of a boxing sports centre... i think you should take a break and have a kit kat. XXXXX - you're about as funny as an STI. Ah the cult doesnt like questioning their leader.. I believe the etymology is troll as in fishing, not a mythical monster type creature. Its a technique of slowly dragging a baited hook from a moving boat, similar to making provocative statements in order to get a reaction What the hell is going on this forum? I look away for day and I find containing allegations of me assaulting someone! Based on what? I am used to shit rumours being spread about the Guild about me by massive arseholes because you dont like what I stand for. This is taking it to a new level!

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7m) What the hell is going on in this forum?

This is ridiculous Fliss Cross has had an Israeli flag hanging on her office wall all year. Why is that fine but this sparks immediate condemnation? Get a bit of consistency please if this is about 'neutrality'. - (THE VPAD HAS NEVER HAD AN ISRAELI FLAG IN HER OFFICE). Who needs a Freshers Fest committee or anything else that students might want when the sabbatical officers time can be taken up with this much more pressing matter. xxxxx, I am interested to hear about your opinion on the guild being run by disguised lizard-men as I also hold an opinion on this. xxxxxx, your lack of humour is only surpassed by your idiocy. the stick, you have the wrong end... Well chinese whispers is not something I appreciate being aired without being founded in fact. Again, if people spreading these rumours had come to talk to me in the first place, rather than spreading Guild gossip then we could have sorted this out there and then. It is not acting in good faith when it calls into my question my integrity and professionalism without evidence. That is the lesson that needs to be learnt here.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7n) Veolia and Eden Springs

GC.3.12.7n

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Carmen Castrillon Purpose: Amend Existing Policy Mandate Officer(s) and Committee(s) Summary: To amend Guild of Students Belief and Commitment 7 to bring Guild policy in line with the NUS Eden Springs and Veolia Global Justice campaign. Section One: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law 1.1. Title of Belief and Commitment or Bye-Law 7. Guild of Students Neutrality on Israel-Palestine 1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) 7. Not hindering a peaceful settlement in Israel/Palestine The Guild of Students shall avoid investing in companies operating in illegal Israeli settlements identified as impacting negatively on attempts to foster a peaceful settlement in Addregion, and will lobby the university to cancel, buy-out, or allow to Section Two: the New Policy/Bye-Law expire their contracts with any such companies.

Section Three: Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee 3.1. Person(s) Responsible For Delivering Mandate President 3.2. Completion Date for Mandate April 15th 3.3. Mandate Text (shall normally be no more than 200 words) For the Guild President to write a letter to the relevant university authorities informing them of the Guilds opposition to it having contracts with Eden Springs or Veolia, and requesting that the university warn Veolia that when their current contract reaches its end it will not be renewed unless Veolia has ceased its activity in the West Bank.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7n) Veolia and Eden Springs

Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) As part of its Global Justice campaigns the NUS has identified Eden Springs and Veolia as two companies operating on UK campuses that we are concerned may impact negatively on attempts to foster a peaceful settlement between Israel and Palestine. (http://tinyurl.com/7wke2gt) This is because they are heavily involved in illegal Israeli settlements in occupied territories. The NUS notes that the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office has described the settlements as not only illegal under international law but also a major barrier to our pursuit of a lasting peace agreement in the Middle East (http://tinyurl.com/72sd7w3). The NUS says it will support students to lobby their universities to cancel (or buy-out, or allow to expire) contracts with these companies until they withdraw from their operations in these settlements. Veolia has been heavily involved in the Jerusalem Light Railway project, a tram network that, when completed, will link dozens of Israeli settlements in the West Bank to mainland Israel. In April 2010, the United Nations Human Rights Council specifically declared the Jerusalem Light Railway to be in clear breach of international law". Veolia also provide bus services for the settlements, yet most Palestinians can only use the buses for two stops - after which they are no longer allowed on the bus due to their ethnicity. A recent protest, inspired by Martin Luther King's 'Freedom Rides', attempted to challenge this practice which led to the Palestinians involved being arrested for riding the bus. The Guild has policy to avoid investing in companies guilty of human rights abuses (Beliefs and Commitments 4. Ethical Business Practices), helping to prolong the conflict and occupation by operating in illegal Israeli settlements is an abuse of human rights and the Guild should not reward such abuses by investing in these companies where ethical alternatives are available.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7o) Affiliate the Guild with Attitudes is Everything

GC.3.12.7o

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Luke Reynolds and Jennifer Kirk Purpose Mandate Officer(s) or Committees(s) Summary: Affiliate the Guild with Attitude is everything Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee 3.1. Person(s) Responsible For Delivering Mandate VP Democracy & Resources 3.2. Completion Date for Mandate Next Academic year (September 2012) 3.3. Mandate Text To sign up to Attitude is Everythings charter of best practice. Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion Attitude is Everything is a charity which was established to increase access for disabled people into live music. They are working with the NUS disabled students campaign (and the Access challenge) to make students unions more accessible. There are three levels to the charter of best practice; bronze, silver and gold. The Guild of students is almost bronze level and could achieve Silver with minimal changes or improvements over the next few years. Signing up to the charter of best practice will give the Guild a commitment and something to aim for in terms improving accessibility and making the Guild more inclusive.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7p) Accountability for Senior Staff

GC.3.12.7p

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Simon Furse Purpose: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law Add New Policy/Bye-Law Summary: Senior Staff have a large amount of power within the Guild of Students and need to be held accountable to the membership. Section One: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law 1.1. Title of Belief and Commitment or Bye-Law Please write the title of the specific Beliefs and Commitment or Bye Law that you wish to amend.

1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) Remove Bye-Law 6) 2.6 No Committee or Open Forum of Guild Council may discuss members of staff or staffing matters. Edit GCGN 6.1.2 so that in between Reports from Sub-Committees and Actions from the previous meeting and Questions and Scrutiny it will read: Reports from Senior Staffthe CEO, the Director of Business and the Director of Membership will submit a report to guild council on their actions since the last Guild Council. Included in this report will be explanations of how they helped empower elected student officials in representing students and campaigning to further their interests. Students attending Council will be entitled to ask questions of the three staff members regarding their report. Edit GCGN 4.2.1 to read Non-student staff members at the Guild shall automatically have attendance rights, but may not be given speaking rights. Except during the section of guild council, Reports from senior staff when the CEO, The Director of Business and the Director of Membership will be allowed to speak.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7p) Accountability for Senior Staff

Section Two: Add New Policy/Bye-Law 2.1. Belief and Commitment Title or Bye Law Senior Staff Accountability 2.2 Proposed Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) Senior Staff have a large amount of power within the Guild of Students and need to be held accountable to the membership. Senior staff will bear in mind at all times that students are sovereign within the guild and that their role is to serve the student interest. Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box)

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7q) Amendments
GC.3.12.7q

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Hugo Sumner, Vice President (Democracy & Resources) Purpose: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law Summary: To amend the Guild Council guidance document to be clear about amendments, and how and when they should be made. Currently there is no guidance, but the accepted rule being that they have to be submitted to the Chair during the meeting. This motion seeks to amend that so that they are submitted to the Chair by 3pm on the day of Guild Council. Amend Existing Policy 1.1. Title of Belief and Commitment or Bye-Law Amending Guild Council Guidance Document 1.2. Proposed Amended Text Add 6.5 Amendments 6.5.1 All amendments to motions must be submitted to the Chair of Guild Council 3 hours before the start of Newmeeting. Section Two: Add the Policy/Bye-Law 6.5.2 At the start of the meeting the Chair will announce what amendments have been made, and whether they have been accepted by the motion proposer. Those which have been accepted automatically change; those which have not been accepted are debated by Guild Council, and decided on by a simple majority. 6.5.3 The debate about whether to accept an amendment which has not been accepted by the proposer will happen at the beginning of the debate about said motion. Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) Section 6.5.4 The Chair reserves the rightyour motion. substantial changes back to Steering Please explain the rationale for to refer any Please ensure that your statement does not committee for approval derogatory language. contain any profane or by the next Guild Council.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7q) Amendments

Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) Currently there is no guidance in regards to amendments. Currently the system is that all amendments must be submitted to the Chair during the meeting. If the amendment has been accepted by the motion proposer, it automatically passes. If the amendment has not been accepted by the motion proposer, it is put to debate by Guild Council and decided upon by a simple majority. The current format precludes constituents from the debate, and limits it simply to those inside the Chamber. Since motions cannot be proposed during the meeting, it makes no sense for amendments with the potential to radically alter the nature of a motion to be proposed during the meeting, without proper consultation with constituents. It must be noted that if an amendment is proposed that radically changes the nature and purpose of a motion, the Chair of Guild Council will be able to refer the amendment

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7r) There aint no party like a GC party

GC.3.12.7r

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Matt Saull Purpose: Mandate Officer(s) or Committees(s) Summary: Mandate VPDR and GC Chair to make the final Guild Council of the Academic year a fancy-dress event, in which councillors, officers and general attendees are mandated to come in fancy dress. Section Three: Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee 3.1. Person(s) Responsible For Delivering Mandate VPDR & GC Chair 3.2. Completion Date for Mandate Next Guild Council 3.3. Mandate Text (shall normally be no more than 200 words) We mandate the VPDR and Council Chair to make the last Guild Council of the year a fancy dress event, with theme to be decided at the discretion of the Chair. We also mandate the SOG to be dressed as members of American rock band Kiss, and the Chair and Deputy Chair to be dressed as either Margaret and Dennis Thatcher or Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise respectively. Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) This motion is a bit of fun. Ill accept that and hopefully you can all accept that. But I really want to see the VPAD dressed as Gene Simmons. Please let it happen. Ill give you a cookie... GC is a fairly dull affair and is often derided for being so. Lets now have a bit of fun in the chambers and come in fancy dress. The theme will either be decided upon by the Chair or left open. Although it would be impossible to force everyone to come in fancy dress, if people dont arrive dressed hilariously, we can all give them dirty looks and steal their free democracy pizza (in a non-threatening manner). Guild Councils this year have by and large been intimidating atmospheres. This motion has the capacity to change this for the better, which is why I ask you to support it. If you were to receive a point of information from an octopus, or be questioned by Queen Victoria then it would prove a lot less daunting for the speaker. Please note: There are only 4 members of Kiss and 7 members of SOG, thus a discussion would need to be had over costumes. I am willing to meet with SOG on this point, and my suggestion may be that the remaining 3 dress as the original Sugababes. If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7s) Education and Campaigns

GC.3.12.7s

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Hattie Craig Purpose: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law Summary: Change the name of the education officer to education and campaigns. Section One: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law 1.1. Title of Belief and Commitment or Bye-Law Bye law 7) 8.8.2 Vice President (Education) 1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) Vice President (Education and Campaigns) The text will remain the same except that before perform duties relevant to the Role of Sabbatical Officer in the Guild of Students it will read: Oversee the Guilds effectiveness as a campaigning organisation. Build and develop the Guilds ability to effect positive change on issues decided by the membership. Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) At the moment there is no-one who takes responsibility for the effectiveness of Guild campaigning. This will delegate that power to the VPE in the hope that this will make the Guild a more effective organisation at delivering positive change for students. Many unions of comparable size to University of Birmingham, such as UCL, have a campaigns officer.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7t) Democracy on Senate

GC.3.12.7t

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

Author Name: Edward Bauer Purpose: To ensure all senate representative are democratically elected. Add New Policy/Bye-Law Mandate Officer(s) or Committees(s) Summary: Senate reps are currently appointed by the VP Education, this inappropriate and un-representative. The senator being appointed this June should instead be elected. It has been communicated that the university does not have a problem with this. Section Two: Add New Policy/Bye-Law 2.1. Belief and Commitment Title or Bye Law Add new Bye Law Guild on University Senate 2.2 Proposed Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment) 1. Senators 1.1 Senators shall represent the policy of guild council to the senate. 1.2 Senators shall be elected on annual basis in June, from amongst the outgoing student representatives and Guild councillors. 1.3 Senators are accountable to guild council, they can be asked questions in guild council on their voting record 1.4 Senators can be removed by a simple majority vote to recall the senator at guild council. 1.5 The term of office for the senator should start on June 30th and end on the 29th of June. 1.6 Any Senator may resign at any time in writing to the President such notice to be effective from the time of receipt unless another time is specified by the resigning member. 2. Elections 2.1 The five senator positions will have two places for Postgraduate student representatives and three open places. 2.2 senator elections will be cross campus open to all members to vote in, with the exception of the postgraduate places which postgraduate students only can vote in. 2.3 The election will be run by Alternative Vote and will take place in June, having been advertised in May.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk

7t) Democracy on Senate

Section Three: Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee 3.1. Person(s) Responsible For Delivering Mandate VPDR, VPE 3.2. Completion Date for Mandate June 3.3. Mandate Text (shall normally be no more than 200 words) For the VPE and VPDR to oversee the implementation of a system of election for the senate representatives. Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (please do not go outside the box) Senate is the most second important body that students sit on it is only the fore appropriate the representatives on it are democratically elected.

If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk