October Societies Council Minutes
October Societies Council Minutes
Date:7/10/16
Time:5-7pm
Room:NH209
Agenda item / Action / Person responsibleWelcome / Chair
In Attendance
Philip Coupe (PC), Jeff Barclay (JB), Gabriele Maddaloni (GM), Emma Duncan (ED), Declan McGallgaly (DM), Kevin Campbell (KC) / Chair
Apologies
Graham Samson, Rachel Simpson / Clerk
Approval of Previous Minutes
Approved. / Chair
Matters Arising from previous meeting
Approved. / Chair
Policy Motions
By-election – Head of Culture, Faith and Liberation Groups
Chair moved by-election to start of meeting. Previous post holder resigned. DM co-opted – 5 For, 0 Against.
DM new Head of Culture, Faith and Liberation Groups
Activations:
Media and Comms Society
4 For, 0 Against, 2 Abstentions
Italian Culinary
LP noted ongoing catering issues to resolve.
4 For, 0 Against, 2 Abstentions
GCU Sign
4 For, 0 Against, 2 Abstentions (on submitting membership forms)
Language Café
4 For, 0 Against, 2 Abstentions
Comedy Society
4 For, 0 Against, 2 Abstentions(on submitting membership forms)
5-Aside Football Society
LP shared email and explained rationale behind 5-aside football setting up. Council noted the activity was non-competitive in nature and hobby based. LP explained the need to find Sports Injury Insurance. Council noted that it was unlikely to start a trend of other sports as ‘Fives’ is a cultural thing. Council noted Football Club is popular enough for a society not to take away competition.
Council agreed the society should follow the normal procedure to start but Sports Council should be notified.
4 For, 0 Against, 2 Abstentions
Societies Policy
Ball Policy
LP explained rationale for change – supports societies to put on events but reduces financial risk to SA. Voted to removed ‘end of year’ wording as these events could be at any time. Council approved change.
Reactivation Process
Council voted to remove paragraph and deliver support as appropriate.
Online Elections
Council voted to make online elections ‘optional’.
Mentoring
Council voted to keep the clause in 5.0 to offer starter societies a mentor but remove 14.0 which details the way mentoring will occur.
Minuted meetings – 2 per trimester as per by-laws
Council voted to bring the policy in line with by-laws.
Christian Union Constitution
LP shared the rationaleof CU –‘to make the society more based on our doctrinal basis of faith, which the current constitution doesn't include’. Council noted that 2.2 meant the CU would only be open to one branch of Christianity. It was noted that a faith society would likely have to be open to all branches of that faith. Council decided that LP should take this issue to the Chief Exec for guidance.
Council noted that 5.2 was exclusionary on account of belief. All positions should be open to all students, therefore 5.2 changes were rejected.
London Society policy
KC explained the rationale – SA devolving powers to GCU London to run societies and their finances autonomously, as with Student Voice. Finances to support the set up of this Society Body. Council noted that they could afford this and approved the proposal. / LP to set up
LP to pass to Sports Council
LP to track changes to policy
ED to take to Student Voice
LP to speak to Chief Exec
LP to pass this on
LP to pass this on
Verbal Reports
PC updated Council that in future they will be asked to give two bullet points on what they have been doing meantime in their roles.
Any other competent business
Disability Mentor email
Council supportive of helping. LP to meet the Mentor and ask what specifically needs addressing to make societies more accessible.
E&D Champion interest
Council were supportive of an E&D champion being elected from Societies Council
IiV – Volunteer Week – week 5 – stall Tuesday 11am-1pm
LP explained the communications plan and will be looking for volunteers. To be decided through later communications.
Society Showcase – week 7
LP, KC and ED to meet up and make an action plan for this. All of Council to help during the week.
Handout flyers 8:30am term time
Council agreed with the promotion of societies and would be willing to assist in mornings and lunchtimes. Facebook poll to be facilitated for times.
Common Good aspect to societies
Not discussed. / LP attend meeting and report
KC to take to Student Voice
LP to set up comms
LP/ED/KC to meet
LP to set up Facebook poll / Chair
Date of next meeting & deadline for agenda
3rd Nov, 5-7pm, NH208 / Clerk