Hey all,
A quick update as to what is in the pipeline / what I’ve been up to:
1. The most exciting event on the horizon is the Women’s Carnival (!) I have planned for late February / March time. I will be submitted this to the Guild soon (after the dreaded deadline day), but it has been recieved with much enthusiasm already and looks very promising. Here’s the outline of the plan:
- For International Women’s Day (but held either before or after Guild Officer campaigns) we hold a ‘Carnival’ style event in the middle of campus with performances by bands, singers, poets etc all day. Campus will be decked out with loads of stuff giving information about Women’s issues, posters, ballons, stickers, banners etc.
- Also on campus shall be a set of stalls with relevent student groups (Women’s Assocation, Amnesty International for example) and other groups (Fawcett Society, UK Feminista, Welfare groups and so on). There shall also be opportunity for student-run ethical businesses (of which I know we have a few at Birmingham) to showcase their produce, and an ethical swap-shop will also be there!
- In the evening a set of seminars on a number of issues, such as ’Why Feminism is relevent to Students’; ‘Why Feminism is relevent to Men’ and ‘International Women’s Issues’ (but maybe with more catchy names).
- In the evening an event through Carnival RAG which raises money for a charity.
- In the week surrounding this day we shall encourage The societies to hold themed events surrounding Women’s issues and half the money raised shall be going to societies, half going to charity.
- A selection of mini-’actions’ on campus through out the week.
- Speakers and seminars throughout the week.
I hope everyone agrees this sounds like a really fun way to raise awareness about Women’s Issues, get them involved and interested whilst having lots of fun. I’ll be organising a focus group shortly after Christmas to discuss ideas, so anyone wanting to get involved please get in touch. I’ll also be at the next student groups mini-forum asking societies to get involved etc.
2. Connected to the Carnival above, International Women’s Day has an overarching national theme along the lines of ‘Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures’ – so I am keen to organise either speakers being sent to local sixth forms and colleges or (preferably) and event where local girls come to UoB for a set of exciting workshops.
3. I will be looking into welfare provisions for women over Christmas and see where services can be promoted better, as in line with my election manifesto.
4. I will be working closely with the Women’s Association to get attendance to this (very important) group rising 
Anyway, that’s all for now. BACK TO ESSAYS.
xx
