University of York Students’ Union

I’ve been meaning to write my blog for quite a while but something has always gotten in the way of it. Now I’m bedridden by some horrible bug I’ve picked up at NUS Conference so I have a bit of time on my hands….so here goes.

Where to start? Well, let me begin with my most recent presidential adventures. The 1st to the 3rd of April saw me leading the York delegates over the Pennines to sunny Blackpool for the NUS Annual Conference.

I went to Annual Conference last year and didn’t dare to speak in front of the near 2000 delegates from all over the country. Conference can be a very intimidating place especially with all the factions bidding for your votes, leaflets being thrust in your face, shouting, booing and cheering.

However, this year was a very different affair. I am proud to say that YUSU had two motions passes at NUS Conference, one regarding ethical investment and another regarding responsible drinking and Carnage UK. Both had massive support from conference floor with over 95% of delegates voting in favour of the motions. This is no mean feat; even the most harmless motions usually seem to provoke massive debate at conference!

For many other unions having motions passed is really not a big deal. But here at York this is the first time we have submitted motions, taken part in compositing, spoken and lobbied for motions and had them passed. Back in November when we held our referendum on NUS Affiliation it was clear that both sides of the debate wanted to shape, direct and change our national union. And this is the first step in doing so. Sadly the governance review failed to pass, just 13 votes short of the 2/3rds majority. This is a clear instruction for change for the membership, but also a clear instruction for better consultation. But I believe NUS not only should change but needs to change and most definitely will change.

Finally, the participation of our delegates is not without mention. This year our delegate election process received a massive turnout – from just over 100 votes last year to well over 1000 this year. And your delegates most certainly made excellent use of their mandate. Our delegates followed policy set by you, questioned voting procedures, submitted procedural motions, tried to take speeches, submitted statements, actively participated in election campaigns, asked questions of candidates, engaged in debate off conference floor, attended fringe events, visited stalls, networked with other delegates and much, much more.

York – they did you proud.

NUS Conference is perhaps the most exhilarating ways of shaping our NUS and it comes but once a year. Make use of it, run for delegation next time round and help shape your national union.

Posted by President on 5th Apr 2008