USU Board Induction 101

Day 1: Getting ready for a Strategy Session

During the first week of the winter holidays, the new Board of Directors and senior staff of the USU packed up and bunkered down at a super secret rural location (…otherwise known as Coogee) for three days to plan, discuss, strategize, and bond together in preparation for the upcoming Board term of 2012-2013. As this was my first ever Board induction, I had no idea what to expect, but words of wisdom from second year Directors such as “really intense”, “a massive learning experience” but also “the most fun you’ll have as a Board Director” left me intrigued and excited about what would be in store.

Sure enough, as soon as induction started I reevaluated my definition of what I had previously thought was “really intense”. Each day was jam packed 9am-5pm with sessions where us new directors were intensively schooled on the inner workings of the USU, which areas of the student experience were provided by the different departments, and outlined in detail our roles and duties and Board directors to facilitate, provide guidance and direction to the entire organization. We also were fortunate enough to hear from former USU Presidents Adam Spencer (Adam Spencer!!!) and Dom Hogan Doran, whose candid and inspiring regaling of their first-hand experiences working on the Union Board provided us with plenty of food for thought and ideas on how to create the best possible culture and environment between the Board, the staff, and the student members.

For me personally, I found Board induction to be an incredible, somewhat daunting, but overwhelmingly exciting experience. As I came into induction, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of the Union and how it operated, but after the first day I was floored by the new realization of just how much the Union provides for us as students in a myriad of ways and how complex and intricate the organization is. I also found Retreat to be a steep learning curve, especially the financial component (the last time I sat a maths exam was in year 11 and I got 17%…) however the finance intensive sessions conducted by our CEO Andrew Woodward definitely opened my eyes to the world of finance and I’ve found I quite enjoy reading balance sheets now that I actually know how to understand them! 

As I have been a Board Director for all of 3 weeks, I can say with conviction Board induction has been the “most fun I’ve had” so far. In particular I have really appreciated getting to know the senior staff better. These staff have been here and will continue to be here for years longer than myself and the other student Directors, and having the opportunity to learn from their institutional experience and expertise was truly invaluable. Finally, my favourite part of induction was definitely our brainstorming session. Fuelled by caffeine and lollies, the staff and student Directors holed up in a room for 2 hours and threw out as many sky-is-the-limit, no-holds-barred ideas as we could as to how we could make our Union provide the best possible student experience for all of us and for students for years to come. And between you and me, the ideas were truly extraordinary.

Bring on 2012-2013! 

Hannah Morris 

Board Director

A big hello from the new Board of Directors!

The eve of Friday 22nd June marked the end of an executive team and the start of a new one as we bid farewell to the Board of 2011-2012, with Sibella Matthews moving into the position of Immediate Past President. 

The Board of Directors for 2012-2013 is:
 

President: Astha Rajvanshi

Vice President: Brigid Dixon

Honorary Treasurer: Rhys Pogonoski

Honorary Secretary: Zachary Thompson

Directors:

Jacqui Munro

Hannah Morris

John Harding-Easson

Karen Chau

Mina Nada

Sophie Stanton

Tom Raue

  

We are thrilled to be working as an executive team with such a strong and diverse Board of Directors over the next year. It's an honour to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the University of Sydney Union, a student-run organization with such a proud history and robust community. With the introduction of the Student Services and Amenities Fee, the USU is moving into an exciting time of innovation and expansion of our programs, events and services. We hope to contribute to this positively to continue delivering the best student experience in Australia. 
  
Over the next few days, the Board will commence their induction as we prepare for the new term. We will continue to update the blog to inform our members on the USU's progress and to engage with concerns. 

We hope you are enjoying your semester break!  

Love from your 2012-2013 Executive 

Club Approval at May Board Meeting

The USU Board acknowledges the current debate about the recent approval of the LifeChoice Society and would like to provide you with further information behind the decision, which was governed by the USU’s Constitution, Regulations and the Clubs & Societies (C&S) application process. We would also like to take you through the next steps planned by the USU Board Directors to facilitate an objective USU policy process.

The C&S Application Process
Each month the C&S Committee considers applications for new clubs and advises the Board in the form of recommendations. These recommendations are considered by the Board and are seldom rejected.

On Friday, the recommendation of the C&S Committee “That the New Club Application of LifeChoice Society be rejected on the grounds of item 3.a(i) of the USU C&S Regulations” was discussed at the request of a Board Director under agenda item 5.1 “Resolutions of Committee”. (N.B. 3.a(i) refers to the Objects of the C&S Programs under the C&S Regulations, specifically, that the Objects of the Program shall be to (i) Enrich the student experience at the University).

The Board Directors read the minutes of the C&S Committee Discussion and considered the Committee’s reasons for rejecting the society. The Board Meeting moved into formal debate on the motion “That the Board reject the recommendation of the C&S Committee and approve the LifeChoice Society and Ukelele Society.” Members of the LifeChoice Society attended the meeting as all USU members are welcome to and allowed to speak under agenda item 2.2 “Open Question Time.”

It’s important to note that USU Board Directors are elected to make decisions based on the Constitution and Regulations of the University of Sydney Union. Therefore, under the objects in the Constitution, the Board must “work at all times towards creating an environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment” and “promote the personal, intellectual, cultural and social development of its Members by activities and debates whereby Members and the University community may meet and share talents, interests and ideas.”

As per the Constitution, discrimination based on ideology is not tolerated by the USU and we facilitate a wide variety of clubs under the C&S Program.

LifeChoice Society Aims
The aims and activities of the LifeChoice Society were discussed on Friday and are outlined below:

The aims of the Society shall be to:
i. Promote the dignity of human life from conception till natural death
ii. To foster discussion on the issues of abortion and euthanasia
iii. To provide information about alternatives to abortion and euthanasia

The Society will undertake the following activities to achieve its aims:
i. Regular small group discussion on life issues aimed at group members
ii. The holding of public forums on issues related to our aims aimed at the university community at large

C&S Regulations
Each of the USU’s clubs are governed by strict regulations including 4.d(ii) which states that “Clubs & Societies shall not use freedom of speech to defame, vilify or incite violence against individual or groups.” Clubs are also governed by the University’s Harrassment and Discrimination Prevention Policy. As such, the publishing of offensive material or harassment will most likely result in immediate removal from the C&S Program.

All clubs on campus are given the right to freedom of expression, association, and speech however, they are also given a very high threshold of responsibility and are constantly monitored by the C&S Office, C&S Committee and the Board.

The USU Board is not a moral arbiter and is obliged to comply with the USU’s governing documents. Therefore, based on the USU’s regulations and constitution, the society was approved after a vote of 5-5 and the casting vote made by the Chair. This was in no way a vote to endorse a particular ideology or stance and the USU remains a non-partisan organisation.

Two further motions were passed unanimously at the meeting, including “That a policy on special interest ideological clubs be developed to guide the C&S Committee” and “That an appeals procedure for clubs and societies be developed.”

Next Steps
The USU Board recognises the fact that we are a membership organisation and invite all members to share their opinions and thoughts in advising the Board.

We will be holding a Policy Forum this Wednesday to provide a safe space for debate on the topic.

Details are:
Policy Forum: The USU and Ideological Clubs
1-2pm, Common Room, Holme Building
Wednesday, 6th June 2012

The Board has also decided to call a General Meeting of the USU to consider motions that may arise from the Policy Forum. As the USU’s Constitution requires 14 days notice for a General Meeting, (note: the General Meeting date is TBA. Watch out for an announcement on www.usuonline.com).

We invite you to come along to both events in the spirit of respect and open debate. The USU began as Debating Society after all.

Yours sincerely,

Board of Directors
University of Sydney Union