2021 WEDNESDAY 24 NOVEMBER 12.30-5PM
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Contents Welcome from Natasha Neal Page 3 Session presenters Pages 4-6 Breakout A Page 7 Plenary Page 8 Breakout B Page 9 Rep Recognition Scheme Pages 10-11 School Officers Page 12 Executive Officers Page 13 Meet the Representation Team
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Thank you Page 15 Timetable page Page 16
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WELCOME TO
REP CON 2021! Welcome to the Students’ Union’s annual Student Rep Conference, ‘RepCon’. The sixth conference of this kind that we have hosted, and our first done in a hybrid fashion! ‘RepCon’ is all about providing our reps, student leaders and the wider student body with an engaging afternoon of activity in order to enhance their overall experience at BNU. Following several discussions with students, in particular our student leaders, we recognise the impact Covid-19 has had on your student experience. This year’s conference will explore getting back on track in light of the effects of the Covid-19, focusing on employability, your personal development and how we can best support our members in looking after their physical and mental health.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our elected student leaders for taking on some of our key student-led positions here in the Union. I’m really looking forward to working with as many of you as possible throughout the course of the year. As our student leaders, your work is so important in keeping us informed on the happenings of your course and other aspects of student life at BNU so we can work with the University to help make the necessary improvements you and your peers want to see as well as celebrating those who are going above and beyond to support the student experience. The impact your roles can have can be profound, not only helping to make those changes that improve the student experience but sometimes your future jobs prospects and the prospects of those around you, further supporting the theme of this year’s conference. If you’re not yet a student leader but would like to find out more about available opportunities, please email surepresentation@bucks.ac.uk. So, without further ado, let’s get the first ever hybrid conference underway and I hope you all have a fantastic afternoon!
Natasha Neal (Vice President Education and Welfare) 3
SESSION PRESENTERS Tash Neal (she/her) Tash is in her second term as the SU’s Vice President Education and Welfare after graduating at BNU with a Psychology and Criminology degree. During her time as a student, Tash was employed as a Student Rep for all three years, School Officer for Human and Social Sciences for two years, Treasurer for the Psychology Society for two years, and a Student Trustee, Leadership Academy Member and Undergraduate Officer for Education Committee in her final year. Tash also works part time as a carer for the elderly as well as volunteering for Thames Valley Police as a Cadet Leader. Tash has a passion for mental health awareness, is a Mental Health First Aider and aims to support progression within the Student’s Union through signing up to Student Minds Students’ Unions Mental Health programme for a second year with the aim of providing a whole Union approach to mental health and wellbeing. Ellie Freeman (she/her) Ellie is the Union’s Student Engagement Coordinator, and also a former Graphic Design student at Bucks. During her time at Bucks, she was a student rep throughout all three years and took on the role of School Officer of Art, Design and Performance. Ellie is a real advocate for raising Mental Health awareness on campus, both as a student and now as staff. In her role as Student Engagement Coordinator, she leads on the student rep system at Uxbridge and also supports representation in High Wycombe, working closely with our 8 School Officers. She is also a qualified Mental Health First Aider and has other qualifications in Understanding Mental Health.
Fig Taylor (she/her) Fig is a consultant, writer and lecturer in professional practice for illustrators. Originally trained as a graphic designer, Fig became an illustrators’ agent in 1983. Subsequent to running her own agency, where she supplied commissioners in advertising, design, editorial and publishing, she worked part-time as a publishing rep for four others alongside her role as portfolio consultant at the Association Of Illustrators (AOI). Fig helps AOI members to understand the industry, find their niche, and promote themselves effectively to clients since 1986. She also offers private consultations to non-AOI members. Fig has lectured and conducted portfolio reviews at art institutions throughout the UK and, prepandemic, taught part-time at Coventry University on BA Illustration. She is also the author of How To Create A Portfolio And Get Hired, published by Laurence King, and a regular contributor to The Writers’ And Artists’ Yearbook, published by Bloomsbury Karla Inniss (she/her) Karla Inniss is Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Business Partner at BNU. She is responsible for driving change and helping the institution to deliver on its commitments to be a more inclusive University. Karla has 17 years of experience in the public sector alongside voluntary equality roles. In 2015, she graduated with a Business Management BA (Hons) from BNU. Karla’s passion for tackling inequality has made her determined to push for changes throughout her career that weren’t always popular and often caused hard work and reflection for others.
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SESSION PRESENTERS Hillary Lyons (she/her) Hilary Lyons is a communication coach and personal development trainer who enables individuals and organisations to speak up and express themselves with clarity and confidence. She thrives on supporting people in boosting their self-awareness, confidence and well-being through a variety of interactive training programmes. She has been a regular visitor to Bucks Student Union delivering workshops in public speaking, presenting online, assertiveness, goal setting, personal resilience, self-care and wellbeing. You can find her at: creativelycoaching.com Emily West (she/her) Emily is the Training and Development Coordinator at Bucks Students’ Union. She has a background in law and HR and a number of years experience in recruitment, giving her an understanding of what employers and looking for in applications and interviews. Danie Woodbridge (she/they) Danie is the University’s Inclusion, Diversity and Disability Manager, as part of the Directorate for Student Success. Honor Fletcher (she/her) Honor is the current President of the Students’ Union, and has recently graduated from Performing Arts here at Bucks. She has always loved to perform since she was a young child. Since being at university, she has found a real passion for working with others and teaching them to perform; not only for the professional practical skills, but to see how it can help people to grow in all aspects of life. Lucy Ryan (she/her) Lucy is the Union’s Student Experience Manger, having previously worked at Bucks from 20172019 as the Student Engagement Coordinator. During her time away she has worked at Imperial College Union and the Royal College of Nursing, focusing on academic student representation, and member engagement & elections. As Student Experience Manager, Lucy oversees the student rep system across all campuses, supports our student leaders, and has an active role in organising elections and annual Union Awards event.
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SESSION PRESENTERS Shelby Swafford (she/her) Shelby Swafford is the School Officer for Creative and Digital Industries. She is an international student in her second year studying Music Production and Business at BNU. On top of being a School Officer, Shelby is the student rep for her course as well as the Welfare Liaison for Boxing Society and the Head of Music for Rusty’s Radio. In her spare time she also loves to volunteer as much as possible with the Students’ Union. Jennifer Corcoran (she/her) Jennifer Corcoran - aka the ultimate super connector - helps entrepreneurs and executives to increase their confidence on LinkedIn by teaching them how to super boost their LinkedIn profile and connect with finesse in order to raise their brand and get that new job they are after, attract more clients and make more money. With Jennifer’s help they refocus and get a LinkedIn profile which truly represents them and a holistic approach to networking. They feel reinvigorated, confident and raring to go and excited to tap into all the opportunities that LinkedIn has to offer them. Anna Baccanello (she/her) After joining the travel industry In 1986, Anna enrolled In a public speaking course to improve her communication skills. For the last 10 years, she has been teaching public speaking and communication skills, growing her client base from the travel industry to people from all walks of life and professions. Her most rewarding courses have been with University students and working collaboratively to prepare students for the demands of presentations and performance In their future careers, whilst enjoying their enthusiasm, vibrancy, and determination. Amy Pile (she/her) Amy is a second year student studying Adult Nursing at Bucks. She is also student rep for her group and School Officer for Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Health (September cohort), Executive Officer for Mature Students, Chair of the Bucks Nursing Society, and Union Council Chair. Jody Bates (she/her) Jody is a mature student who decided to change careers from graphic design to nursing. She is in her first year student studying Mental Health Nursing and the student rep for her group. Jody is also the School Officer for Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Health and works closely with Amy to voice the views of the February cohort of Nursing students.
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Breakout A (1.15 – 2.30pm) Introduction to Leadership at Bucks - Lucy Ryan (N2.08) Can’t tell the difference between School Officers and Student Trustees? Wondering what an Executive Officer actually does? This session will focus on the countless leadership opportunities you may encounter in your time at Bucks, and how you can get involved to enhance your employability and make a difference in the student community at Bucks. You’ll figure out which leadership roles align with your career goals and interests, and how the Students’ Union can empower and support you to make tangible chance and tackle issues our students face.
Mental Health: Rebuilding and Readjusting - Tash Neal and Ellie Freeman (N3.06) In this session, we will discuss the impact that isolation and lockdowns have had on student mental health and learn ways to rebuild self-esteem and readjust to life after a pandemic. With a focus on taking care of yourself, setting boundaries, and recognising your strengths, this session is a quick guide to self-love and putting yourself first. Finally, we will also be discussing a variety of internal and external support services available to you, ensuring you leave the session knowing where to get support, should you need it. Being the Best You - Honor Fletcher (N2.13) ‘Being the Best You’ is a session that looks into self confidence in everyday life. Since being faced with the pandemic, it has been extremely hard to find and harness that inner confidence. We will be explore tips of how to build your confidence, starting conversations on how each of us find this and looking at how we can help one another to ‘be the best you’ when adapting back onto campus life.
Me Time: The Importance of Self Care - Shelby Swafford (online only) ‘Me Time’ explores the importance of self-care, from your emotional state to physical and all in-between. Working together to set boundaries and value your self worth, we understand when studying at University can get stressful and on top of us. This is the perfect session to crack the answer of how to balance student life and look after ourselves. How to Present Yourself at Interviews - Hilary Lyons (online only) You never get a second chance to make a first impression, especially at an interview. This session is designed to give you some professional tips and techniques on how to improve the way you present yourself at an interview, in person or virtually. Learn how to focus and remain calm under pressure. Discover strategies to think on your feet when answering questions. Try out some effective ways to build confidence and rapport through eye contact, body language and voice.
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Plenary (2.45 – 3.45pm) Panel Q&A – As we emerge from the pandemic, what do students need to do, during the rest of their University experience, to secure the best position in a fiercely competitive jobs market and what can the University do to help? – hosted by Lucy Ryan Panellists will outline their thoughts on what students can do, throughout the remainder of their course, to secure the best position in the jobs market. Despite the well-publicised rise in vacancies across a large number of sectors, competition for highly skilled and graduate employment remains fierce. New graduates will be competing for jobs against more experienced workers who faced redundancy during the pandemic and experienced professionals with transferable skills who are seeking a career change. The likelihood for the pandemic to have a disproportionate effect on younger workers has been well documented. So what can students, many of whom have missed a significant amount of on-campus provision, do in order to maximise their chances of securing the job they want; in the industry they want?
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Breakout B (3.45 – 5pm) EDI: Inclusion by Design - Karla Inniss, Danie Woodbridge, and Ellie Freeman (N2.08) Being you at BNU is really important. We want BNU to be an inclusive place for everyone, but what does inclusion really look and feel like? Find out more about approaches to tackle inequality and be part of shaping change. Tell us about concerns, or barriers and share your ideas to help us shape our priorities. Join us to start building our future. “you are never too small to make a difference” – Greta Thunberg, 2018 Portfolio Building - Fig Taylor (N2.12) The landscape is changing for creative graduates and, with it, the definition of what makes an effective professional portfolio. This session seeks to address recent industry changes and broaden the common understanding of what a portfolio is. It will address the numerous online tools creative graduates have at their disposal to make potential commissioners and employers aware of their skills – from user friendly web building and hosting sites to social networking platforms and individually targeted PDFs. It will also cover the contents of the portfolio with pointers on what to put in, what to leave out, and why. Using your Bucks Award - Emily West (N2.10) The Bucks Award is a innovative resource available to all students from the Students’ Union. In this session we will cover what the Bucks Award is and how this can help you prepare for your career on leaving university. Learn how to translate your experience across from your involvement with Students’ Union activities into you’re applications and interviews. Public Speaking & Communication Skills - Anna Baccanello (N2.13) When Anna gave her first presentation, standing up and speaking in public was terrifying - she could barely speak. Anna enrolled in a Public Speaking Course and claims it was the best move she ever made. Three sessions later she was able to stand up and give a decent performance and what she learnt enabled her to perfect and refine her communication skills in all fields..improving with every performance. She now has been teaching public speaking for 10 years, and has worked closely with University students. In this public speaking and communication taster session you will look at the basics of public speaking, develop Innovative techiques, and learn tips and tricks on delivering a dynamic presentation. This is an interactive session so to participate fully be prepared to deliver a 2 minute presentation. How to Raise Your Visibility on LinkedIn - Jennifer Corcoran (online only) Given the lack of physical networking opportunities for the foreseeable future, LinkedIn is undoubtedly one of the main business platforms for networking. In this masterclass, award-winning LinkedIn expert Jennifer Corcoran will discuss the importance of taking action and being visible if we want to move forward and elevate our career and spotlight our business. Key takeaways include: why you should be on LinkedIn & its benefits, your personal brand & how to optimise your profile, and connection & engagement tips as well as how to measure your activity. Placements 101 - Amy Pile and Jody Bates (online only) As student Nurses themselves, Amy and Jody know a thing or two about life on placement. They know placements can feel daunting and hope to ease your concerns and use their own experiences to help prepare you for your first or next placement! 9
REP RECOGNITION SCHEME Bronze (100 points) Silver (200 points) Gold (300 points) REP ESSENTIALS
POINTS FOR COMPLETION
Complete rep training .................................................................................................................... 10 Partake in first Coffee Session ........................................................................................................ 10 Attend Rep Conference ................................................................................................................. 10 Submit first pre-PCM feedback ...................................................................................................... 15 Attend first PCM ............................................................................................................................ 15 Partake in second Coffee Session ................................................................................................... 10 Submit second pre-PCM feedback ................................................................................................. 15 Attend second PCM ....................................................................................................................... 15
UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY Attended Union Council meetings ................................................................................5 per meeting Presented at Union Council ............................................................................................................ 10 Validation student panel member................................................................................................... 20 Run session at Rep Conference ...................................................................................................... 20 Co-Chair a PCM............................................................................................................................. 20 Attend Student Leader socials ......................................................................................... 10 per social
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Registered to vote in local area (Home/ Uni) ................................................................................... 20 Complete 12 hours of volunteering.......................................................... (Max. 36 hours/ 60 points) 20 Raised money for charity three times .............................................................................................. 30
MEDIA Join School Facebook group............................................................................................................. 5 Follow @BucksRep on Instagram ...................................................................................................... 5 Create course group chat ................................................................................................................. 5 Share 5 Students’ Union posts on Facebook ................................................................................... 10 Share 5 Students’ Union posts on Twitter ....................................................................................... 10 Share 5 Students’ Union posts on Instagram .................................................................................. 10 Share 5 Students’ Union messages through traditional forms of media to your cohort (e.g., emailing or newsletters) ........................................................................................................ 10 Write two articles for website/newspaper about Representation ..................................................... 10 Take part in one radio show about Representation ......................................................................... 10
CAMPAIGNS Involvement in Get Your Bucks Worth campaign ............................................................................ 10 Actively participate in two other Students’ Unions campaigns ........................................................ 20 Actively participate in two Students’ Union campaigns ................................................................... 20 Actively participate in one national campaign................................................................................. 30 Run one campaign ......................................................................................................................... 40
RESEARCH Complete the End of Year Rep Survey .............................................................................................. 5 Take part in any other Students’ Union survey ..................................................................5 per survey Attend one focus group feedback session ..................................................................................... 10
NOMINATIONS Submit a nomination for Rep of the Month.................................................................................... 10 Get 5 ELT or Union Awards nominations filled out by other students (max 10 nominations/40 points) 20 Nominate a member of university staff for an ELT award ................................................................ 10 Nominate 3 students for Union Awards ......................................................................................... 10 Submit a nomination for Staff Celebration ..................................................................................... 10
IT’S A BIG DEAL Take part in sports for fun sessions .......................................... (Max. 3 sessions/ 15 points) 5 per session Attend recreational activities sessions points............................ (Max. 3 sessions/ 15 points) 5 per session Complete additional skills sessions .......................................... (Max. 3 sessions/ 15 points) 5 per session
MAKE YOUR OWN WAY Agree your own goal with representation team........................................................ Negotiated value
REP RECOGNITION SCHEME CONTINUED
On the page opposite is the breakdown of how you, as student reps, can earn the Bronze, Silver and Gold Levels of recognition from the Rep Recognition Scheme. Every student rep should complete the ‘Rep Essentials’ section over the course of the academic year which would then result in you being recognised as a Bronze level rep. The ‘Rep Essentials’ section is also linked to your rep reward payment and so if you don’t complete parts of the work, you’re losing out on some easy money. As our eyes and ears at a course level, we really value you and the work that you do. Your efforts help makes the changes you and your peers want to see and the Rep Recognition Scheme was created so that our student reps get the recognition they deserve. We also have an online system to log your Rep Recognition Scheme points. This can be found on our website (bucksstudentsunion.org) under the Your Voice > Rep Zone > Rep Recognition. You must be logged in so as to access this and record all of the work you’ve been undertaking both as part of your rep role and winder contribution. You can return and update your points throughout the year! If you manage to become recognised as a Gold level rep before the Easter break, then you’ll be presented with a certificate at the Annual Union Awards from the Vice Chancellor of the University. Make sure you start collecting those points as you don’t want to miss out on what will be a day to remember. As part of our Student Rep Newsletter updates, we’ll be informing all reps with details of who has reached which level since the last newsletter. Another great way to be recognised for all of your hard work. Once you believe you have completed enough points to gain the next level of recognition, make sure you drop into Students’ Union office and just show a member of the Representation Team your evidence to support the work you have carried out. For more information on collecting evidence to support your rep related work, please just email surepresentation@bucks.ac.uk. We can then explain in detail each of the areas and inform you of what evidence you’ll need to bring in. At the very bottom of the Rep Recognition Scheme, you will see there is a section listed ‘Make your own way’. This sections allows you to decide on an activity that you believe is a good addition and has a positive impact on the student experience. This goal and the points total must be discussed with either Tash, Lucy, or Ellie from the Representation team. Once agreed, you’ll be able to get underway with this part of the Rep Recognition Scheme. If you’d like to find out more information about the Rep Recognition Scheme or discuss any of the areas from it, please contact one of the Representation team using the details provided at the back of the programme. Alternatively, please email surepresentation@bucks.ac.uk.
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2021-22 SCHOOL OFFICERS
Charlotte Leighton-Woods
Ioana Catalina Filon
Art, Design and Performance charlotte.leighton-woods@bucks.ac.uk
Aviation and Security ioana.filon@bucks.ac.uk
Francesca Toms
VACANT
Business and Law francesca.toms@bucks.ac.uk
Health Care and Social Work
Iuliana Stroescu
Shelby Swafford
Human and Social Sciences iuliana.stroescu@bucks.ac.uk
Creative and Digital Industries shelby.swafford@bucks.ac.uk
Amy Pile
Jody Bates
Nursing and Allied Health (Sept Cohort) amy.pile@bucks.ac.uk
Nursing and Allied Health (Feb Cohort) jody.bates@bucks.ac.uk 12
2021-22 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Claire Sessions
Shannon Rigg
LGBTQ+ Officer claire.sessions@bucks.ac.uk
Women’s Officer shannon.rigg@bucks.ac.uk
Kate Gordon
Georgia Frame
Disabled Students’ Officer kate.gordon@bucks.ac.uk
BAME Students’ Officer georgia.frame@bucks.ac.uk
Mafalda Simoes
Amy Pile
International Students’ Officer mafalda.simoes@bucks.ac.uk
Mature Students’ Officer amy.pile@bucks.ac.uk
Joshua Fake
Iuliana Stroescu
Postgraduate Students’ Officer joshua.fake@bucks.ac.uk
Part-Time Students’ Officer iuliana.stroescu@bucks.ac.uk 13
MEET THE REP TEAM
Natasha Neal
Matthew Kitching
Vice President Education & Welfare natasha.neal@bucks.ac.uk
Deputy CEO matthew.kitching@bucks.ac.uk
Lucy Ryan
Ellie Freeman
Student Experience Manager lucy.ryan@bucks.ac.uk
Student Engagement Coordinator ellie.freeman@bucks.ac.uk
Alternatively, you can email us at surepresentation@bucks.ac.uk or follow us on Instagram @bucksrep
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THANK YOU! First and foremost, thank you to our Union staff who have organised today’s event. The University staff and external presenters who have delivered some great sessions and made today possible. Without these sessions, there would be no Rep Conference. Thanks must also go to today’s guest panel. We really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to come and discuss some interesting topics and answer some questions directly from our students. Last but by no means least, thank you to you our student reps. You work tirelessly in order to improve the student experience and make the changes you and your peers want to see. We really appreciate all of your efforts. Thank you for attending today and making this a successful event. We hope you enjoyed your sessions, learned a lot and started the discussion that will see changes take place in 2021-22 and beyond. We also hope that some of you will even be inspired to run a session next year. Remember to stay engaged with the Rep Recognition Scheme and log everything you are doing for your chance to be presented with a certificate by the Vice Chancellor at this year’s Union Awards. Finally, keep your eyes peeled for more information on our 2022 elections and how you can nominate yourself for a leadership position. The Representation Team
NOMINATIONS OPEN SOON Tuesday 4 January - Friday 18 February 15
TIMETABLE
12:30 - 12:45 Register and Tea & Coffee (Owen Harris Building) 12:45 - 13:15 Welcome (OH2) 13:15 - 14:30 Breakout A 14:30 - 14:45 Break 14:45 - 15:45 Plenary: Q&A panel (Gateway Lecture Theatre) 15:45 - 17:00 Breakout B 17:00 - 19:00 Social (The Lounge)