Societies Council Notes
Monday 17th March 2014
5pm
Queen Anne Building Room 063
Attending
Tony Whitehead (TW), Vice President, Student Activities.
Alexander Hides (AH), Activities Assistant.
Apologies
Latitude Lookout
1) Introduction
Tony Whitehead welcomed all to the meeting and introduced the agenda for the session.
2) Society Updates
ISOC
The Islamic Society informed council that their recent week of awareness was a success,
including their stall that they had held on campus. The have recently had a Canadian
Speaker give a guest lecture which was also well attended and productive.
Jammin’ Society
Jammin’ society announced that the society had now produced their first recording as a
result of their previously planned two social events. They are interested in hosting an open
mike night as well as an acoustic night to raise funds.
LGBT+
LGBT now have 52 members and have organised a range of daytime events which has
included everything from film screenings to coffee mornings.
Philosophy
Philosophy Society are attempting to recruit more numbers and bolster their membership.
They have had a couple of events such as guest lectures and meet and greet sessions
with themed topics of discussion. They are looking into organising a trip during the
Summer holidays.
Climbing and Mountaineering
The Climbing and Mountaineering Society are currently organising a trip to Wales if
feasible. They have also been in contact with the RAG (raise and give) society in the
hope of organising a charity climb.
Marketing Society
The Marketing Society has recently had a guest speaker and a number of social events
although did state that they are experiencing issues with members being able to attend
so close to the end of second term.
Latitude Radio
Latitude Radio announced their up and coming first social event on the 20th March where
they hope to raise money with a raffle. They are also planning to hold a 24 hour radio
show in the coming weeks for the first time.
History
The History Society has been busy with exams and coursework recently and have
therefore been hosting coursework and exam revision sessions. When their workload is
lighter they plan on taking advantage of some of the free museums London has to offer.
Law
Law have enjoyed hosting a wide range of events since the last council meeting. They
have had guest speakers ranging from human rights lawyers and members of the bar
council. In addition, some of the society is going to Brussels to visit the EU Parliament this
month.
Creative Film
The Society has been busy with exams and coursework recently and have therefore been
hosting coursework and exam revision sessions. When their workload is lighter they plan on
doing some screen writing which isn’t academic based.
St John Ambulance Links
St John’s will be attending a training weekend to Eastbourne in order to improve their skills.
This will also be an opportunity to network and socialise with other SJA members from
around the country. They also announced their plans to host a walk in film on campus
after exams in May.
3) Updates from Union Council
Tony Whitehead informed council that a motion was passed by the Union Council
concerning a demand to increase the raising awareness of people suffering with mental
health issues and how the union should do more to highlight the wealth of advice and
support on offer to both students and staff.
4) Ratifications
a) Polish Society
Proposer (Krzysztof Pankowski) highlighted that at the University of Greenwich there were
169 students at the University who are of Polish descent as well as 14 members of staff so
this would be an ideal forum for those individuals and anyone interested in which to share
their culture with one another. In addition the proposer was keen on joining the federation
of Polish Societies which holds conferences on Polish life in Britain.
Vote
Yes - 13
No - 0
Abstain – 0
Society Ratified
b) Table Tennis Society
Proposer ( Mark Vardi) stated that he attended a University ran event where
students and staff could play table tennis together however he thought it would be better
organised through a society as it would have more time and a better structure dedicated
to it. As a keen table tennis player himself he was very keen to start the society and felt
that this would be an excellent opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles through the sport
of table tennis.
Vote
Yes - 14
No - 0
Abstain – 0
Society Ratified
c) Trading and Investment
Proposer (Graham Southwell) has already gathered 25 interested members and
competed with them in the University Trading Challenge. He argued that a ratified society
could provide an ideal opportunity to work with and attract attention from trading
institutions. When they have grown they plan to work with local companies in order to
increase their understanding of the trading industry.
Vote
Yes - 14
No - 0
Abstain – 0
Society Ratified
5) Societies with less than 12 members
Council were presented a list of societies with less than 12 members by Tony Whitehead
VPSA. He also informed council that we as a Union are looking to change the 12 minimum
member rule so that if they have over six members there is no threat of deratification but
rather assistance from the union in gathering members.
Out of the list of societies that fall under the current threshold, Crave Campus Ministry with
one registered member was identified as having missed council and had been granted
extra time to find members but had not been able to do so. As such, a vote was held on
its deratification;
Vote
Yes - 14
No - 0
Abstain – 1
Society Deratified
6) Society Committee Elections
Tony Whitehead advised council that it should begin to start considering new committee
members for each society. He also informed council that the Union has been considering
offering training and support days for those new members so that they will be familiar with
the tasks and duties of the role they have taken up.
7) What’s on Wednesday
Tony Whitehead reminded council that the weekly ‘What’s on Wednesday’ bulletin will be
sent at the beginning of the week and that any societies who had any events they
wished to advertise should make him aware so it can be included.
Questions from council
Q. When do you need the information by?
A. Ideally as early as possible but Friday afternoon would be a realistic deadline.
8) Any Other Business
Questions from council
Q. Why do booking forms state that it is a minimum of 21 days before a room with a
speaker can be approved?
A. (AH) In line with the University room booking procedure, it is necessary to allow them as
much time as possible so that they may allocate a suitable room for the activity you wish
to hold and provide enough time for the Union to properly approve the speaker in line
with union and university policies. Where it is possible if a request is made for an external
speaker with less than 21 days’ notice, we will endeavour to arrange the request.
Q. Has the Union Awards been planned?
A. (TW) The Union Awards are currently under planning however no official date has been
set. We intend to let all clubs and societies know the date as soon as we possibly can.
Next Meeting: Monday 31st March 2014, 5pm, QA280, Queen Anne, Maritime Greenwich
Campus