nua clubs and societies training manual
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome
Who we arePage 3
Setting up Page 5
Ideas for a societyPage 6
Getting in touchPage 4
Forming a group Page 7
Bare necessitiesPage 8
Keeping runningPage 9
Holding EventsPage 10
Retaining numbersPage 11
Handover Page 12
Hi and welcome to our Clubs and Societies pack! Clubs, Societies and
Peer Support Groups are one of the best bits about being a student. You
can do anything from learning new skills, finding new passions as well as
meeting great people along the way! Organising a Club or Society is a re-
warding complement to your studies here at NUA and it makes life
better for students on campus. We value the hard work you put in and
we’re always here for any problems, ideas or things you want to share!
Hi and welcome to our Clubs and Societies pack! Clubs, Societies and
“As the Union President I attend Institutional and Academic meetings, and represent the student voice. I train and work with Student Representatives (for more information see the Student Reps Section: Stu-dent Reps) to gauge how students feel, what they want and what they would like to change. It is my job to make sure that the appropriate change happens. I also choose the direction of the Union”.
Tom RichardsPresident
“As the Students’ Union Secretary, I am working closely with the President to help facilitate the range of SU campaigns and activities we provide for NUA Students. I offer administrative support for the varied events that we run, issue bus passes and manage the Students’ Union finances”.
Denisa IlieAdmin
“As the Students’ Union Activities Officer, my primary focus is student experience. I support and expand the student ran Clubs and Societies, plan a wide variety of events and attend local and national demonstrations. I work closely with students and help with SU Projects.”
Elliot PageActivities
Who we are
0160 3751 470Phone
/NUAStudentsUnionFacebook
/NUAStudentsUnionFacebook
Foyer, Duke Street Building, NR3 3AJStreet Address
9-5 mon-friOpening Times
Getting in touchThe Students’ Union is open based in the Duke Street Building, we have an open office from 9-5 week-days but we’re always happy to talk through other means! If you need to ask a question about Uni life, have an issue or just need a bus ticket we’re here to help. Our emails are on the ‘Who we are’ page.
We give our advice on the best times and ways of getting members.
Difficultgroup togther can be
Getting a
An easy, step by step guide to constitutions and access to finances.
Workdoesn’t have to be
Paperwork
From Astronomy to Zumba and established or original creations.
Trickya club or society can be
Ideas for
Setting up
Ideas for a Society
What hobbies or interests did you have before university? It doesn’t even have to be a team sport or traditional group activity!
InterestsList your own
Any of your old peers from college or sixth form who go to a different univeristy may be part of a great society or know one that they could share with you. There are over a hun-dred Universities in the UK, many have hundreds of societies. They’re a great place to look if you’re stuck for ideas.
At other universitiesAsk friends
Art, Dance, Food, Martial Arts, Musical, Religious or Cultural Groups, Indoor or Outdoor Sports, Appreciation Group, Politics, Business or Entrepreneurial.
There’s a relatively infinate list of what kind of group you can form, we’ll look next at form-ing the society.
Sections for inspirationIf you’re still unsure, try these
Forming a group
Choosing the best time to found a society can have multiple factors involved and depend-ing on that delivery the numbers of sign ups and active members can vary greatly.Choosing the best time to found a society can have multiple factors involved and depend-ing on that delivery the numbers of sign ups and active members can vary greatly.
In a stereotypical campus second and third years would run societies while first years form the main participants, being less academically burdened then their peers. The second and third years would also found any new society leading into the new September semester. The reality is a little different on the ground, although it is true Welcome Week is one of the best times to recruit new members, founding a society can and should happen at any time of year. Allowing this flexibility means societies have more opportu
Choosing the best time to found a society can have multiple factors involved and depend-ing on that delivery the numbers of sign ups and active members can vary greatly.
In a stereotypical campus second and third years would run societies while first years form the main participants, being less academically burdened then their peers. The
Choosing the best time to found a society can have multiple factors involved and depend-ing on that delivery the numbers of sign ups and active members can vary greatly.
In a stereotypical campus second and third years would run societies while first years form the main participants, being less academically burdened then their peers. The
For setting up a societyBest times
Bare Necessities
We need a few pieces of information from you. Firstly it’s helpful to have your contact de-tails that way we can keep you up to date and provide any support you may need throughout the year. If the society proves a success you’re welcome to ask us to help set up an academic email for it e.g. [email protected].
SocietyIn order to run a
It’s not as formal as it sounds! It’s a document stating you have an agreed minimum mem-bership of 2 (although to gain monetary support you need 10 or more), that you will obide by Students’ Union rules and that you will then have access to support from us.
Is a constitutionOne thing we require
To find out how your society can access funding please get in touch with the President or Activities Officer.
Financial SupportYou do have access to limited
Simple steps to take to help keep an engaged society.
Micro-managementsociety numbers doesn’t have to take
Retaining
You’ve spent the last year running it, it’s time to hand over the reigns!
Preciouscan feel like you’re giving up something
Handover
Follow some of our tips to make society days out a doddle!
Timedoesn’t need to take up all your
Holding events
Setting up
Holding events
Having a diverse events calendar can really set you apart. Even for sports or academic so-cieties sticking to one activity can be repetitive and off putting for members, try running a plethora of events whether it’s an evening social, pub quiz or trip to a conference / festi-val!
PartiesStudents like more then just
Students and staff at NUA have geat links with the local area, whether thats pubs or more specialist areas.
EarthRunning an event doesn’t have to cost the
Why?Try to think about what you are trying to achieve, write down aims and be as specific as possible! When you’re advertising the event be sure to communicate the ‘why’. What?What can your event realisitically achieve? Try to be realistic on attendance and be conser-vative when making any bookings.
Why?Try to think about what you are trying to achieve, write down aims and be as specific as possible! When you’re advertising the event be sure to communicate the ‘why’. What?What can your event realisitically achieve? Try to be realistic on attendance and be conser
Why?Try to think about what you are trying to achieve, write down aims and be as specific as possible! When you’re advertising the event be sure to communicate the ‘why’. What?What can your event realisitically achieve? Try to be realistic on attendance and be conser-vative when making any bookings. Where?A suitable venue should have a capacity similar to the number of people you are expect-ing. Good, accessable facilities, in a location that is easy for members to travel to and
Why?Try to think about what you are trying to achieve, write down aims and be as specific as possible! When you’re advertising the event be sure to communicate the ‘why’. What?What can your event realisitically achieve? Try to be realistic on attendance and be conser-vative when making any bookings.
PlanningSteps to easy
Retaining Numbers
Occasionally the Union may hold Societies recruitments events throughout the year, hoever theirs nothing stopping you from organising your own stall, publicity or hosting an event for non society members to help boost numbers.
OctoberRecruitment doesn’t have to end in
Run the society in an open and inclusive way, try asking members if they have ideas for the direction of the group.
AskIt never hurts to
Taking on too much is never healthy. When running a society try to make the most of the skills of people around you and have a strong committee you can delegate to for certain tasks. Dividing any workload will help any events become more sustainable and enjoyable for the team.
YouHave a strong team behind
Handover
When you’re leaving in your final year you don’t want the society to end along with your course. Having someone to take over responsibilities and the day to day running of a soci-ety can be a really simple process. The easiest way initially once you have your volunteer is to agree to a transition of responsibilities over time, even if its just a facebook page.
FoundationsLaying down the
There’s only so much a handbook can tell you! What you learn from running a society is the best knowledge you can impart, don’t be afraid to be open and honest with what needs to be done!
ExperienceTips and tricks from
You’ve no doubt by this point put in a lot of hard work and passion into the society, it can be hard to leave it to someone else. Be happy that everyone will get to continue to enjoy what you did while studying at NUA.
PositiveKeep being