Greetings!
I've now been in post at Portsmouth Students' Union for two months and I thought that this might be a good opportunity to start writing a blog about my role and the work that I’m doing. The intention of this blog is to offer a window into the workings of the Union and to highlight what we are doing to make student life better in Portsmouth. I'm aiming to update the blog about once a week (I’ve assured myself that this won't be the one and only post!!)
I want to be clear that this blog will in no way be 'about me' and what I’m up to in life. Below is an example of things that won't be seen on here.
1. Updates on what I ate for dinner last night
2. Links to videos of cats moon walking
3. Groans about the Arsenal and how they need to do more than 'be ones for the future.
However, updates may well be about these sorts of things:
1. The exciting things that the Union is doing
2. The role we play in supporting Portsmouth students
3. General issues in the higher education and charity sectors
Before I end this post it might be useful to say a few words about what I do within the Union so readers can understand where this is coming from. The role of the Chief Executive is to manage the Union's activities and services, whilst providing support to the elected officers in representing students; it's my job to make sure that the Union is working towards what the Trustees (the sabbatical officers, some ordinary students and some external people) have decided whilst seeking out opportunities to develop the organisation. The Chief Exec role is a full time, permanent position (I’m not a student!) and is sometimes referred to as 'General Manager' or 'Managing Director' at other students' unions.
Before I end this post there are a couple of things worth noting:
Firstly, the AU dinner was last Saturday and Elaina, Graeme and Wayne did a great job in organising a fantastic event.
The other is that I watched the Vice-Chancellor's lecture on the future of higher education funding and the role of universities in the 'marketplace'. Very interesting viewing and an issue that will be back in the headlines within the next year or so. The link is below.
Link! - http://blip.tv/file/3325851
