Calling our executive to account: a move to blogging.

higuy · Black Bloc

to resurrect an old thread!

ok im starting to write a motion on blogging and i need everybodys feedback!

I believe the Guild should utilise new technology. Blogging for example is already done successfully by the NUS executive and the West Midlands Area NUS.

Blogging will allow us to engage more students. Officers (particulary non-sabs) can report when they feel they have something to say - for more active sabs this could be once a week - for non sabs this could literally be when they have put on an event etc.

The Guild Council report section is defunct. There seem to be 3 different points at which we can ask questions and at no point is questioning particularly in depth or searching. The procedure is inhibiting and doesnt allow GCers to do their job.

I also think its unfair to ask officers to report twice its more pen pushing. Therefore blogs should replace individual officer reports. Lets face it very few people read them anyway - pull no punches - often there quite broad, they mention meetings but not what was agreed etc. Who here can tell me they read all the reports of the non-sabs never mind the sabs?

In the reformed system i am thinking about there will be one report from the executive committee It will be written by the President and outline the decisions of the committee in addition to briefly outlining the main activities of each officer. This single executive committee report presented to Guild Council will allow Councillors one clear opportunity to question their executive officers on their progress and performance.

That to me seems a clearer and better system.

I am conscious of the fact that this would be my second motion in one year to reform how reports are done and i do look like a raving bureacrat - but i genuinely think this would be a better, less painful system.

We cant paper over the cracks - the system just aint working and needs to be changed. My last motion - for all the censures - has just drawn the process out and been largely a waste of time, i will hold up my hands to that.

These are all the ideas I have had so far, I would love some feedback on them, from exec old and new and all Guild Councillors!!

link to facebook discussion: http://ubrm.facebook.com/board.php?uid=2217867267
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Tom Marley
History II

Shinyalex · Indymedia Hound

I'd personally love to blog it next year, not as a replacement to reports (although I imagine a GC report would contain no information not found within a well-maintained blog) but for engagement and for feedback.

If I'm setting up a campaign or event and I hear a 'what about this' after I put a blog post up saying what I'm getting started on its still possible to take note whereas by the next GC its possible to be too far down a certain path to take anything more into account.

With some of the plans I have for next year I'd love to do this although I'm lucky in that there is a wonderful and opinionated LGBT committe to work with who also give great feedback.

tomsk · Indymedia Hound

This could go hand in hand with the wider website re-design.

Presumably the blogs would have an open message board where not just Guild councillors but normal students can ask questions and engage with their officers actively? I know alot of people who would probably be more enclined to particpate that way than through a long drawn out procedural-ish debate.

PeterM · Street Demonstrator

sorry to spoil your Guild Council Motion writing fun, but Blogs were part of the specification for the new website.

I cant wait until we are ready to go with the blogs.

Check out the blog of my conterpart at Kent
http://www.marksed.com/

Shinyalex · Indymedia Hound

OK, that's a sexy blog....

tomsk · Indymedia Hound

When will the new website be ready?

higuy · Black Bloc

thats the point - the website has been 'on the way' for years.

and just because the new website will have blogs doesnt mean that they will be put to best use!
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Tom Marley
History II

Parsley · Indymedia Hound

Higuy, like the idea, how about a bit in your motion mandating an advertising/awareness campaign of some sort for the blog so the student population know it's there? If no-one's reading it the whole thing is useless!

higuy · Black Bloc

Good idea Parsley.

Well this idea looks nice and uncontentious then...

If anybody desperately hated part of this idea I hope they would pipe up now rather then wait to ambush the whole idea at the next GC!

Very Happy

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Tom Marley
History II

PeterM · Street Demonstrator

i know about a million and one things i dont want to know about