Elections 2007

Sat 22nd Nov 2008

Ben Norman (return to Student Activities & Development candidates, candidates home page)

Student Activities & Development candidate

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My manifesto
Candidate questions and answers
Word associations

My manifesto

My name is Ben Norman and I’m a third year History student running for the position of Student activities and development officer.

I realise that our Union needs to change. For too long it has been little more then a glorified club that caters only for the sport teams. Whilst sport is important to students the actual teams make up very little of the 18,000 students in this University. Under the previous SADO officer we have begun to see change yet we still lack the democratic structure to make those 18,000 voices heard. One of the best ways to achieve this is to nurture the growth of societies as they represent the real people in our union. From the Arab Society to the Hugs Society to the Indoboarders these groups represent the diverse interests, the diverse opinions and the diverse people who make up our University. I believe in making societies integral in the way the Union is run whilst promoting the creation of new societies. It is crucial that you elect a Sabbatical team that can push past the red tape to achieve results. That you elect a sabbatical team which will revolutionise the Union to make it more then simply a bar and club. A team that will run a true Union that provides for its students and the interests of those students.

I would be a vital player on such a team as I have built up extensive experience through my society work and as a member of the Society Executive committee. The committee was created to liase between the Union and societies with the aim of providing societies with better representation within the union structure. The committee has provided me with an essential insight in to how the Union works and how it can be reformed. I have also been a leading member of the Socialist Students and an active member of the Respect society. In being so I’ve worked closely with many societies from People & Planet to the Arab society on projects ranging from the Anti-Coca Cola campaign to the organisation of the Anti-Top up fees protest last November developing important links with many societies. I would look to build upon these links so that I could be a familiar, approachable and effective sabbatical officer who understands the varying interests of students. My motivation behind campaigning has always been to show that students care about crucial issues and to help provide students with an opportunity to express their opinions. I believe that it is the role of the Student activates and development officer to provide such opportunities, to work towards making your Union a truly democratic and representative institution that reflects your views.

By working on the Society Exec committee and through my campaigning I have worked closely with the existing SADO officer and so I understand the task ahead of me. My aims as your Student activities and development officer would be to increase student participation and representation within the Union by means of building up the role of societies. I would also work to increase and enhance the volunteer opportunities available for students. Perhaps most importantly I would also work with the other Sabbatical officers to ensure that the Student Union becomes and remains a real Union, a truly democratic institution and not simply a UPEL business venture. The Student Union is far more then a bar, a club or a waterhole it is an organisation that promises to enhance the student experience whilst providing real representation and opportunities. I see it as an integral part of the job to ensure that the Union keeps that promise.

Candidate questions and answers

What do you envisage the role of the SADO officer to be?

To continue to build up the role of societies within the Union
To make societies a powerful voice within the Union
To increase societies participation within the Union
To provide students with opportunities of personal development such as volunteering
To be part of a Sabbatical team constantly campaigning for the rights of students
To be part of a Sabbatical team fighting to keep the union a real democratic union of students

What experience do you have which might suit you to this role?
I’ve been involved in the Society Executive committee to increase the representation and involvement of societies within the Union. I’ve also been involved in society campaigns for the past two years, which means I’ve worked with most of the active societies. In doing so I’ve become a familiar face in the Union office so I know how the Union works and I know how the Union has to change to better represent its members.

This position becomes much easier with student participation. How do you plan on getting students involved in your ideas?
I’ll continue and build upon the recently Society Exec Committee which keeps in constant contact with societies to ensure their representation.
I also believe that the role of the SADO is to keep engaged with societies, to know what they want so that I can provide it. Being the friendly and approachable sort I also believe that all students would be comfortable to badger me in the same way I’ve harassed the current SADO this past year!

Why is volunteering important and why should students get involved?
Some of the most important skills in life aren’t learnt in the lecture hall. The volunteering projects give students the chance to develop new skills, face new experiences and tackle new challenges. The Union offers a range of projects and this can be built upon so Students can get what they want from their Union.

Societies are also another huge part of this role. If you could invent your own society what would it be and why?
I’m involved in the Socialist Student and Respect societies so I’d like to see more students involved in groups like these trying to change the world for the better. Although given the chance I’d also set up a Marmite appreciation society for connoisseurs of the little black pot of joy, we shouldn’t have to hide our feelings any more!

What qualities do you have which will make you the best Union SADO?

My determination and passion to make the Union active in representing students though their societies
My Experience on the Society Executive committee and society campaigns
My knowledge of how the Union works and how to get things done without the endless red tape.

As a Sabbatical officer networking is essential and important; what is your best networking line?
If you need a prepared line to throw at people when you meet them your not doing your job right! I’m not going to launch superficial and meaningless lines at students who come to see me, but listen to what they tell me.