VP Societies and Communication
Hi! My name's Evan Botwood and I’m your VP Societies and Communication.
I'm on the committee of four societies and I’m an active member of the Student Council, which provides me with a deep understanding of societies and The Students Union.
As part of my involvement in societies at UWE Bristol, I’ve organised trips, socials, debates, outreach, cross society events, as well as being on a BUCS team.
Societies have enhanced my university life so much, and I want to ensure that others get the opportunity to enrich their university life too. This can only be done by tackling the challenges that people in societies face, such as lack of funding, attendance, overbearing paperwork and so much more.
I am here to listen to any concerns that you have and to fight for your cause.
Click here to see what I’m working to achieve this year and my progress so far.
VP Societies and Communication's Blog
I've been working hard this month to achieve results for societies and students. Here are some of my highlights!
Hi! Here are a few highlights from my first month as your VP Societies and Communication. It’s been a great first month and I can’t wait to see what next month brings!
Throughout the month of November, The Students' Union ran numerous events in support of The Movember Foundation. The campaign saw us raise an incredible £3,800 for The Movember Foundation.
Your VP Societies and Communication, Freddie Gough, is pleased to announce that UWE societies are now able to offer 2 or 3 year memberships to allow them to plan ahead and ensure for a better future for their members.
My year as VP Societies and Communication has been extremely formative and has allowed me to develop in more ways than I can count. From the moment I was elected to my final few weeks in post, I feel every day has been an invaluable opportunity filled with new interactions, exciting challenges and learning.
EVAN's manifesto objectives
Rearrange Societies Conference so that it is facilitated by societies.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Arranged meeting with Opportunities and Societie teams for end of September
2 Oct 2019
Attended meeting with Opportunites Manager and Societies team at the end of September.
Dedicate time to discuss your issues with me across campuses.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Bigger pressence at Frenchay and Glendside campus
2 Oct 2019
Attended Glenside and Bower Welcome (Freshers') Fairs as well as inductions across campuses. Spoken to Community Manager and Glenside Campus Coordinator about the best times to go and feasability.
Encourage roundtable discussions to share points of view, and encourage a sense of understanding amongst groups.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Meeting with Coordinating chaplain and NFI Society coordinator to discuss ideas
Facilitate forums to reveal issues that many NFI societies face, which can then be tackled.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Meeting with Coordinating chaplain and NFI Society coordinator to discuss ideas
Arrange more themed SUesdays with more exclusive guests, costume competitions, and decorations.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Met with the SU Commercial Services Director about SU events
2 Oct 2019
I've had a further meeting with the SU Commercial Services Director to plan some of the future SUesdays and enhance them through working with different SU areas.
Provide tea and toast outside the The Students' Union afterwards.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Conversation with the Fundrasing and Community Coordinator.
2 Oct 2019
Conversation with the Fundrasing and Community Coordinator. This provision will be provided.
Lobby the University for Committee access to its new 'Mental Wealth' reporting system (Learner Analytics, or StREAM).
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Conversations with the SU CEO had, and with the UWE Healthy University Coordinator. 5%
Create an awareness campaign #YourHealthIsOurHealth amongst societies.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Discussions with the Fundraising and Community Coordinator and other Presidents have led to me leading Movember from a societies perspective, and leading other charity activities.
2 Oct 2019
Leading on charity activities (Sleep out, Abseil, Jailbreak). Held and attended meetings with SU and UWE staff about World Mental Health Day.
Enact sensible deregulation and streamlining of accessing society money.
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
Constant dialogue with societies and students for feedback about real concerns, and decision making.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
Hidden popup
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Oct 2019
I have maintained an active social media presence on Twitter and Facebook, publishing updates on FB.
Ensure new committees have sufficient training.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
Hidden popup
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Poll put out to society committee members to see what they want training in. Meeting with Society Coordinators to arrange a refresher training and facilitate these needs.
2 Oct 2019
Training advertised through email and personal direction to new commitees from myself. Society refresher training held, with time afterwards for people to ask questions to myself and the Society Coordinators.
Commit to leading and pushing sustainability at the SU.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
Hidden popup
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Oct 2019
Active promotion of sustainable practise via Welcome rep inductions, programme inductions and social media. Promoting 'Green Fest' and sustainable societies using the SU Instagram.
Embed sustainable practise into societies.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
Hidden popup
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Talked with the SU Student Sustainabiliy Engagement Coordinator, as well as the SU Community Manager and the Opportnities Manager about implementing a 'Sustainability Officer' as a commitee role.
2 Oct 2019
Discussion with the Representation Manager regarding the democratic process. Arranged a meeting with Opportunites Manager, and societies team at the beggining of October to discuss the Societies Conference, where I will launch this new role.
Fix Next of Kin issue when buying society memberships.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
Hidden popup
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Multiple meetings with the Managers, to find the right solution to solve this problem, which distrupted people from buying society memberships.
2 Oct 2019
The correct solution implemented, and some minor issues flattened out. Feedback from Opportunities team that they have incredibly minimal emails regarding students needing help with NOK.
Streamline processes for Glenside and City Campus societies.
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
Hidden popup
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Communicating with Glenside Societies through Glenside Welcome fair and other events.
2 Oct 2019
Meeting had with the SU Glenside and Bower Ashton Coordinators, and the Academic and Special Interest Societies Coordinator. Discussed the best solution to ensure the relavant UWE Bristol and SU processes were followed.
Easier to put in regular amounts to society accounts (standing orders etc.).
Status: Updated 14/10/2019
Hidden popup
1 July 2019
Created Manifesto
2 Sept 2019
Talked through this with the SU Finance Manager.Ddiscussions needed with getting the communication out to students.
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