Hello all,
First of all, apologies for not blogging as avidly as I am meant to.
I don’t have that long left as Women’s Officer, and I’m going to focusing on my essays and exams from now on but there are a few things that I hope to achieve with the Women’s Association and Cross-Liberation group.
These are ideas for Guild Council motions:
Last Guild Council of this year:
1. Women’s Open Places
Extending general Open Places to 12 position and make SIX of them women-only.
2. Liberation Autonomy
Changing the bye-laws so that Liberation Officers can only be held to account by their Associations, not Guild Council. This makes it both easier for Associations to remove their Officers, and harder for a Guild Council primarily non-Lib from removing them.
3. Mandating VPW / Liberation Officers to lobby the University for better welfare
Mandating the VPW and WO to work together and with the Women’s Association to lobby the University to ensure welfare and counselling can provide for victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, discrimination and bullying (all groups), abuse, violent relationships – and to so confidentially.
4. Sabb Officer
Mandate the President, VPDR and VPW to look into how other institutions use Equality/Diversity/Liberation Sabbatical Officers, how effective they are and whether their is a need for them at university of Birmingham. To report back to 1st Guild Council of next year. - Work with Liberation Officers (new and old) / Working groups with Associations.
1st Guild Council of next year:
1. Liberation Room
People have suggested perhaps we try and get a room for the Liberation Associations to share.
2. The Guild & Liberation Assocations
Considering the general perception of Lib groups in Guild Council, and the common misconception that we are mere student groups, it makes sense to write a Guild belief distinguishing the two.
“The Guild believes that Liberation Associations have a role in the Guild of Students that extends far beyond that of the average student group, being political associations seeking equality, accessibility and empowerment for marginalised groups within the student population and society as a whole; disabled people, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people and women. As such, they are fundamental to the Guild being a truly representative institution and becoming a safe place for all students”.
3. Formalising the Cross-Liberation Group.
*****************************************************
* Equality and Access Sabbatical Position
Now this is going to take a lot of work and probably won’t be able to go through Guild Council for a while, but we need to be thinking about it and come to a decision as a large cross-Liberation group whether we want to change VPW position or make a new one. I personally think a different one would be a lot better, but we have to consider University / Guild money.
In addition, the Women’s Association are planning some really great events. Self-defence classes with Muay Thai, a Sex-Positive event and much more! Keep your eyes and ears open.
That’s all for now! 
