External Engagement Zone (21st March 2018)

Welcome – Introduced Fleur Elizabeth Walsh to the zone, after recently being elected the new Vice President Engagement.

AA – Busy past few months with elections, senate reports have been completed for upcoming meetings. With few committee members in attendance, some items may need to be moved to the next meeting.

CM – Speed dating event very successful for SCA, great to see as didn’t run last year. Very easy to organise lots of student feedback asking for another one or similar events.

£532 raised in small raid for National Autistic Society in Winchester – this has helped link up challenge participants and RAG core activities rather than traditionally them being part of a separate activity. 

Breast Cancer Now (BCN) raid this month, came 3rd overall out of the university teams in attendance, but raised the most per person on average out of attendees. 

Varsity tuckshop - £270 raised as part of varsity and assisted with the selling of merchandise as well, RAG very happy to be part of union events and activities, committee members felt part of the organisation.

Big give week coming up, week-long event for as many societies and rag to raise as much money as possible. Staple events such as Enigma, continue to run. New events such as Jesters Ball and film screenings at halls are being planned. Halls Committee/Union Films both assisting, Glen, Monty, EP and Highfield have been chosen as the locations, although film choices are not confirmed yet. Very thankful for the assistance.

CM: Contacted our charities for advice regarding challenges and meeting targets. Fundraising targets ie £400 for fundraising, looking at how can we get participants to raise more after hitting their target. Could introduce a tier system, bronze for hitting target, silver for £200, gold etc. Stash from the charities for gold fundraisers. Mega raids BCN – offer merchandise as a status for hitting certain targets. Difficult for 3,000 plus as its hard amount of money. Childrens society – time incentives rather than money? Get something if you raise in a certain amount of time. 

DW: Are RAG now acting as a subcommittee? AA explained, difference between the society and group and where that fits in within the zone.

AK: Explained that the aim is for Rag to be put back on the system as a zone subcommittee, this was previously done but stopped a 3/4 years ago. Minutes from meetings will then be publically available on the SUSU site. The additional benefits allows to be more actionable as a zone and bring more voices to campaigns and events across the year. 

Halls – Freshers rep info – trying to change the approach of reps to being more inclusive and linking with students rather than a drinking culture.

President’s night out for halls – works well for networking and support for halls presidents across the city and beyond. Helps for support out of hours etc. and times where union staff are not always around at events.

Core offer – underway, quiz nights, film screenings, over 1000 students saw Black Panther. Great engagement.

Amsterdam trip – 20 went, happened, was not as well taken up. Changing student dynamics showing there isn’t the interest anymore in those events. So won’t run again.

Submitted in advance by NG.

As enterprise societies start to close this term, some big milestones will be met. AGM’s, Enactus Nationals prep, Dragon’s Den to name but a few.

I’m hoping that finally enterprise groups will be able to meet and contribute to an overall enterprise newsletter, which I want to send out by the end of term (2^nd week of May). 

DW has met with Mary from victory church about collaborating around food banks etc, early stages at the moment and will continue to up update.

End of year street party - will look to provide entertainment or pop ups on the day as we normally do. Currently speaking with societies to get people involved and give enough time to book in. CI Zone societies normally very helpful in performing and have built up a good relationship with local residents. There is a small budget to help society costs and event printing will be covered by the zone.

Volunteer of the Month – Currently meeting with Pippa Harrison (HUB) first winner. First winner could be cross promo for EVAs. Needs to discuss page on the website, how to nominate etc. – embedded tool similar to harassment reporting.

New idea – similar to pens for kids, partner with Jesters, donate a food item to get free entry. CM- Pop world already doing it with clothing and food items, very popular on social media. Could look at Oceana and other bars/clubs. Jesters have proven good to work with previously so might be a good start. Switch as well.

CM/DW – to speak with Jesters regarding above.

AA: EVAs? Could we run the idea with food there? AA/AK to look into possibility. 

CM: Shift your stuff – AK explained. TV feels halls can be utilised  as collection points throughout the year. Shoebox works really well. Clothes food etc. Postgrads times/medical students – gateway for instance can work with postgraduates. 

With so many committee members in non attendance, this item was not discussed.

AK updated committee members on Pens 4 kids, around 8,000 pens collected, will discuss at next committee meeting any planned collections in halls during students moving out of halls.