motions - guild council march 15, 2012

8/2/2019 Motions - Guild Council March 15, 2012

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If you have any queries, please e-mail [email protected]

7a) Building Community Partnership

GC.3.12.7a

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

3.2. Completion Date for Mandate

3.3. Mandate Text (shall normally be no more than 200 words)

GUILD COUNCIL MEETING

DATE OF MEETING 15.03.12

VPHC

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 EdgbastonAssociation of Local Representatives as a representative of the Guild, and report back

01.05.12


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7a) Building Community Partnership

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 holdsopen 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,

Johnn Dolan


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7b) Entertainments & Engagement ComGC.3.12.7b

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

1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and

Commitment)



B e-Law 6 - Committees of Guild Council

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.


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7b) Entertainments & Engagement Com




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

to survey students and student services in order to gauge attendance of such events,and develop effective ways to market them to students.

14.3.4 On occasion, initiate online polls to gauge reaction amongst the membership.

14.3.5 Have the power to make recommendations on Budget Allocations and report

these to Finance Committee.

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 initiateoccasional 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.


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7c) Blue

GC.3.12.7c

Author Name: John Dolan

Purpose:


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.




Commitment)




Bye-Law 5.5

Add: 5.5.7 The motion should make coherent sense in what it aims to achieve, and be

completely clear in meaning.

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.


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7d) Societies in Welcome Week

GC.3.12.7d

Author Name: Julian Bryant

Purpose:


Summary: To support societies in running and promoting events aimed at new students

during the first week of term.





VPAD, VPDR, and VPHC

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 alsocoordinate 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.

01/5/12 / 3 weeks before any deadlines for incorporating events into marketing materials,

whichever is sooner




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7d) Societies in Welcome Week


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 ofthings 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 hostingevents 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 thesociety 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.


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7e) Guild Council Committee Electi

GC.3.12.7e

Author Name: Tim Lucas

Purpose:


Summary:

To change back how Guild Council Committee elections are run.




Commitment)

Section Two: Add New Policy/Bye-Law




Amend the Guild Council Guidance Document

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 for 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.

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!


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7f) We already passed this motion

GC.3.12.7f


Purpose:


Summary:

To add existing guild policy into the beliefs and commitments document.




Commitment)





Edit the beliefs and commitments document

In line with guild policy passed by guild council on the 14th June 2011the 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. Paid 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 ratioshould 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.

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 guildsbeliefs 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.
http://guildofstudents.com/files/gc_minutes_14_06_11_update1.dochttp://guildofstudents.com/files/gc_minutes_14_06_11_update1.dochttp://guildofstudents.com/files/gc_minutes_14_06_11_update1.doc


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7g) Suppliers List Motion

GC.3.12.7g

Author Name: Mathew Waterhouse

Purpose:


Summary: To improve the process and transparency of adding and removing a

company to the suppliers list








VPDR/VPHC

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.

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.

Monday 16th April (1 month from GC meeting)


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7h) SGC Membership Motion

GC.3.12.7h

Author Name: Ollie Cosentino (Cultural and International Miniforum)

Purpose:


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.




Commitment)




Bye-Law 6 - Committees of Guild Council

9. Student Groups Committee

9. Student Groups Committee

9.2 Membership

9.2.1 The Student Groups committee shall consist of:

VP Activities and Development ex officio, who shall be Chair and Treasurer

VP Sport

VP Democracy and Resources

4elected 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.


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7h) SGC Membership Motion


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.


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7i) Promote your cause, not your clu

GC.3.12.7i

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


Commitment)





Add8.6.8 General Guidelines on Guild Officers

Add8.6.8

8.6.8Upon taking office, Non-Sabbatical officers must cease to undertake any

promotional work. Promotional work defined as The publication of external products,

organisations or ventures to increase sales for personal financial gain. This includes any

commercial activity by the Guild of Students.

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.


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7j) Increasing Accessibility in Guild Counc

GC.3.12.7j

Author Name: Claire Lister

Purpose:


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








Chair of Guild Council and President

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.

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 l ikely 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 theways to help with accessibility.

Ongoing


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7k) If anyone stars this Im going to c

GC.3.12.7k


Purpose:


Summary: To outline in the guild council guidance documents when the elections for the

Freshers Fest committee and the steering positions should be.




Commitment)





Amend the Guild Council Guidance notes to include FF committee and steering

elections.

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)

First Guild Council of a calendar year

Freshers Fest Committee Elections

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).


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7l) Unrealistic Expectations

GC.3.12.7l


Purpose:


Summary:

To conduct a review sabbatical officer working practices and hours.







The Sabbatical Officer Team

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 sabbaticalofficers 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.

The next Guild Council


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7l) Unrealistic Expectations


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 seriouswelfare 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 isclear 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).


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

GC.3.12.7m


Purpose:


Summary:

To suspend/delete the better guild forum and develop a viable replacement(s).






Please explain the rationale for your motion. Please ensure that your statement does not

contain any profane or derogatory language.



VPDR

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 An alternate online system of holding sabbatical officers to account and

asking questions (Sabb twitter hours?)

For the VPDR to work on increasing attendance in the physical forums (actions to

be reported to the next guild council via the VPDR blog).

The day after the next trustee board meeting after GC.


19/31



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 Bauerwaaaa 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!
https://www.facebook.com/EddBauerhttps://www.facebook.com/EddBauer


20/31



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 whenthe 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 isnot 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.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002729631433https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002729631433


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7n) Veolia and Eden Springs

GC.3.12.7n

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.




Commitment)








7. Guild of Students Neutrality on Israel-Palestine

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 the region, and will lobby the university to cancel, buy-out, or allow to

expire their contracts with any such companies.

President

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.

April 15th


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7n) Veolia and Eden Springs


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 alsoa 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 theJerusalem 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.
http://tinyurl.com/7wke2gthttp://tinyurl.com/7wke2gthttp://tinyurl.com/7wke2gthttp://tinyurl.com/72sd7w3http://tinyurl.com/72sd7w3http://tinyurl.com/72sd7w3http://tinyurl.com/72sd7w3http://tinyurl.com/7wke2gt


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7o) Affiliate the Guild with Attitudes is Every

GC.3.12.7o

Author Name: Luke Reynolds and Jennifer Kirk

Purpose


Summary:

Affiliate the Guild with Attitude is everything

Mandate A Guild Officer(s) or Committee



3.3. Mandate Text

Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion



VP Democracy & Resources

To sign up to Attitude is Everythings charter of best practice.

Attitude is Everything is a charity which was established to increase access for disabledpeople 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.

Next Academic year (September 2012)


24/31


7p) Accountability for Senior Staff

GC.3.12.7p

Author Name: Simon Furse

Purpose:



Summary: Senior Staff have a large amount of power within the Guild of Students and

need to be held accountable to the membership.


1.1. Title of Belief and Commitment or Bye-LawPlease write the title of the specific Beliefs and Commitment or Bye Law that you wish to

amend.


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 theprevious meeting and Questions and Scrutiny it will read: Reports from Senior Staff-

the 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.


25/31


7p) Accountability for Senior Staff


2.1. Belief and Commitment Title or Bye Law

2.2 Proposed Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment)


Senior Staff Accountabilit

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.


26/31


7q) Amendments

GC.3.12.7q

Author Name: Hugo Sumner, Vice President (Democracy & Resources)

Purpose:


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


1.2. Proposed Amended Text



Please explain the rationale for your motion. Please ensure that your statement does not

contain any profane or derogatory language.



Amending Guild Council Guidance Document

Add

6.5Amendments

6.5.1 All amendments to motions must be submitted to the Chair of Guild Council 3 hours

before the start of the meeting.

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.

6.5.4 The Chair reserves the right to refer any substantial changes back to Steering

committee for approval by the next Guild Council.


27/31


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 hasnot 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


28/31


7r) There aint no party like a GC pa

GC.3.12.7r

Author Name: Matt Saull

Purpose:


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.








VPDR & GC Chair

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 Holmesand Tom Cruise respectively.

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.

Next Guild Council


29/31


7s) Education and Campaigns

GC.3.12.7s

Author Name: Hattie Craig

Purpose:


Summary: Change the name of the education officer to education and campaigns.




Commitment)




B e law 7 8.8.2 Vice President Education

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.

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.


30/31


7t) Democracy on Senate

GC.3.12.7t

Author Name: Edward Bauer

Purpose: To ensure all senate representative are democratically elected.



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.


2.1. Belief and Commitment Title or Bye Law

2.2 Proposed Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and Commitment)



Add new Bye Law Guild on University Senate

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.


31/31

7t) Democracy on Senate






VPDR, VPE

For the VPE and VPDR to oversee the implementation of a system of election for the

senate representatives.

Senate is the most second important body that students sit on it is only the fore

appropriate the representatives on it are democratically elected.

June

motions - guild council march 15, 2012

Documents