Think you know the Union?

If so, you'll know that not only do we have over 100 Clubs and Societies, but we also have an award winning volunteering team; an Ethics, Equality and Diversity Committee making sure that your Union is relevant to the diverse range of students that we have here; a Campaign Coalition, fighting for your student rights; a team of students taking part in RAG, raising loads of money for some great charities; training programmes so that you have the opportunity to build your CVs; a number of Executive Committees, run by students, for students, holding regular meetings so that you have your opportunity to have a say in how the Union is run; and much much more.

This is the REAL Union.  It is not a bar, it is not a nightclub, and it is not owned by the University.  It is owned by YOU, the Students.  Students are the Union.  Without students, there would be no Union.

Since coming to Study at Portsmouth, I've been involved in all the aspects of the Union mentioned above, and more.  Last year, I received an award for my voluntary work in the Union, and this year, I have continued to make sure that the Union stays relevant to the students body.  I hope to continue my efforts by becoming your Student Support Officer, who facilitates Raising and Giving, helps students to run campaigns that they are passionate about, and increases the diversity of the Union by making sure there is something there for everyone, including YOU.

Next week, from Wednesday to Friday, you have a choice to make - there are 6 Sabbatical Officers who make all of this possible, and you will need to choose a team for next that you believe is worthy of your money.  Almost £100,000 of your money will be used to pay their salaries, so make a wise choice.  On top of this, they will decide how the rest of the money that the Union receives from you will be used.  Make sure you are informed about these candidates, so that you elect a team that will ensure you get the most out of the Union while you are here.

Two of the positions are uncontested, but the other four have a total of 12 candidates running.  Four of these candidates have been working hard to make sure that your voice is listened to, and between them, have been heavily involved in all aspects of the Union.  If you elect them, they will give you the Union that you deserve. 

They are: Myself - Sarah Blatchford, running for Student Support Officer; Ben Norman, your current Student Activities and Development Officer (SADO), running for President; Jenny Leggott, running for SADO; and Steve Topazio, running for Education and Representation Officer.

We only ask that you judge us by our achievements, and our obvious dedication to making the Union a better place for you.  A better Union is possible, so make an informed choice and vote for us all next week.

Hey There!!  You wouldn't think it would have taken me until my final year to write my first blog entry on here, would you?!  Well it has - but better late than never!!

I trust you all took advantage of the free goodies available at Freshers' this year and joined up to lots of Societies and Clubs?  Well if you didn't, it's never too late!  You can contact any of them through upsu.net and I'm sure they'll be overjoyed to hear from you!  And if it's freebies you missed out on, then you'll have to take the initiative to find out what companies love students and are willing to give you a free lunch! (or a cut price haircut!)  Failing that, it's less than 5 months to go until Refreshers' Fayre!! (and so even less time until you're all sitting exams and stressing about coursework)(sorry to point that out!)

But back to the here and now...

As your Societies Executive Chair I thought I'd take this opportunity to remind you all about Societies Council next Wednesday, 10th October, at 3pm in Co2 (upstairs in the Union) where elections will be held for the Ethics, Equality and Diversity Committee.  You don't need to be a member of a society to stand, but you do need to let the sabbs know, so get in touch with Ben Norman (SADO) and he can give you all the info you need.  Also please note that all Societies are required to send representatives to this meeting, so we look forward to seeing you all there.

I also sit on the committee for VIP (Volunteering In Portsmouth), so if you're interested in giving up a couple of hours of your time this year (or maybe even a couple of hours a week?!), then get yourself along to function suite 2 in the Union on 17th October at 1pm.

And finally... I was the very proud winner of 2 tickets to Bestival this year, by hassling everyone I know (and some I don't) for sponsorship money for the 2007 RAG Hitchhike to Amsterdam.  If you want to get involved, the first RAG meeting is on Monday (8th October) at 1pm in Function suite 2, and the meeting for the first RAG event (a 10 mile walk around Portsmouth) will take place on the 11th October, also at 1pm in Function suite 2.

There's loads of other things going on in the Union too - from Sports to Media - so keep your eyes out on the website for meetings that are coming up and come along and GET INVOLVED!!