INTRODUCTION Societies are groups of people, who share the same interests or hobbies, who regularly meet up and share these interests in either formal or informal settings. This is one way to look at a society however another perfectly adequate description would be a group of people, who can soon become friends, sharing what they love with each other, generally having a laugh and accomplishing something together. We have a wide range of societies here at Roehampton so don't be afraid to try something new get involved! CONTENTS 3: WHO'S WHO// A short word from the relevent RSU staff to approach about societies at Roehampton. 4/5/6/7: MEET THE SOCIETIES// Check out what's already on offer here, from social, recreational, reliegious, cultural through to academic societies. 8: GET INVOLVED// How to join/create or adopt a society 9: WHAT IS IT WORTH// Find out what skills and benefits joining a society can bring to you and your CV. 10: SOCIALS AND EVENTS// Learn about the social side of a society and awards chowcases later in the year. 11: CONTACTS// A full on directory of primary society contacts. .2
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WHO’S WHO NATASHA BLAKE// VP ACTIVITIES Hello, I'm Natasha Blake and I am your Vice President Activities in the union. There are around 35 societies in the university and that number will be growing with students that are interested in starting up new ones, such as the 'Allotment Society' and 'Debating Society' which began their lives last year. There has been great success with societies, especially with members of the 'Film Society', 'People & Planet' and the 'Roehampton Players' always providing socials and extra activities and events for members to get involved with. Any student can start a new society; they can cater for all different tastes. Societies are a great way to socialise and hang with like minded people in an environmentthat is comfortable to you. All societies at Roehampton are set up by students, for students. At the end of the year we hold the Societies Achievement Ceremony (SAC) in which we award clubs, societies and individuals for their hard work and dedication throughout the year, contributing to the success of clubs and societies. The purpose of this booklet is to provide you with all the relevant and useful insight into all things societies! So if you're interested in getting involved with Roehampton societies in whatever depth, have a flick through and see what's for you and remember, if there's nothing there, start something!
LUKE SPRINGETT// SOCIETIES PRESIDENT Hi, my name is Luke Springett and this year I am your Societies President. This will be my second year in the role and I really hope that this year can be better than ever! Societies offer a great way to learn new skills, socialise with people who have similar interests to you, make new friends and have fun! We have plenty of different societies here at Roehampton from human rights to pole dancing to gaming! Over the year societies have many events as well as regular meetings, whether it's festivals put on my the Allotment Society, plays and musicals put on by the Roehampton Players or guest lecturers from all across the field. The good work societies do is starting to gain some recognition from the university and the Student Union with the first ever Societies Achievement Ceremony last year being a success and I'm hoping to build on that this year. If you need any information don't be afraid to get in contact with either myself or Natasha Blake our VP Activities, I know this year societies can be really successful and very fun, so let's make it happen!
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IETIES MEET THE SOC S OCIAL SO
CIETIES
ALLOTMENT SOCIETY d.tinham@roehampton.ac.uk FASHION SOCIETY higsonl@roehampton.ac.uk GAMING SOCIETY lebreuia@roehampton.ac.uk LABOUR CLUB agray72@googlemail.com PEOPLE & PLANET lukerf@roehampton.ac.uk POKER SOCIETY arsenjon17@hotmail.co.uk POLE DANCING SOCIETY rupd@hotmail.co.uk
ROEHAMPTON PLAYERS springel@roehampton.ac.uk SNOW SPORT CLUB waylenz@roehampton.ac.uk
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RECREATIONAL S DEBATING SOCIETY siegmunc@roehampton.ac.uk
OCIETIES
GOSPEL SOCIETY gospelchoir@live.co.uk MUSIC SOCIETY dmon837@hotmail.co.uk NUTRITION SOCIETY roehamptonnutrtionclub@live.co.uk ST.JOHNS AMBULANCE (LINKS) chair@roehamptonlinks.sja.org.uk
RELIGIOUS SOCIE
il.com ALPHA SOCIETY: inkyblob@hotma CHRISTIAN UNION: roehamptoncu@h
otmail.com
ISLAMIC SOCIETY: Fahima_nuur@hot
mail.com
JEWISH RESOURCE CENTRE: I.wise@ MUSLIM WOMENS' SOCIETY: mws@
TIES
roehampton.ac.uk
roehampton.ac.uk
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CULTURAL SO
CIETIES
AFRO-CARIBBEAN SOCIETY (ACS): acs_roehampton@hotmail. co.uk ALTERNATIVE CULTURE SOCIETY: FAIR TRADE SOCIETY: hayleycollin
alt.cult.soc@googlemail.com
@hotmail.com
INTERNATIONAL REP: Farmerc@roe JAPANESE CULTURE SOCIETY: japa LGBT SOCIETY: dwyerj@roehampto
hampton.ac.uk
nculture@hotmail.com
n.ac.uk
MATURE STUDENTS REP: kinsellan@
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roehampton.ac.uk
ACADEMIC SOCIETIES ANTHROPOLOGY SOCIETY: bouche
ra@roehampton.ac.uk
DANCE SOCIETY: roehamptondance
society@hotmail.com
HUMAN RIGHTS SOCIETY: maydha
ne1312@hotmail.co.uk
FILM SOCIETY: roehamptonfilmsociety MONKEY (PRIMATE) SOCIETY: row
ea12@roehampton.ac.uk
PHILOSOPHY SOCIETY: roehampto
n.philosophy@googlemail.com
PHOTOGRAPHY SOCIETY: roeham
pton.photographers@gmail.com
SPORTS SCIENCE SOCIETY: speede
@googlemail.com
@roehampton.ac.uk
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GET INVOLVED JOINING A SOCIETY
new Being part of a society can be incredibly rewarding, it allows you to meet to way people outside your lectures and can teach plenty of new skills. The first brilliant a is join a society is during Fresher's Fair (the Friday of Fresher's Week) this it's a great opportunity as all the societies will be represented with their own stands, way to meet current members and get your name on an emailing list. to some The next step after the madness of fresher's week is to actually start going of weeks meetings. Most societies will hold a welcome meeting within the first few they when term. This is where you can learn a bit more about what the society does worry, meet etc... However if you decide to join a society later on in the year don't contact you haven't missed your opportunity, either check the RSU website for details or search for the group on Facebook!
STARTING A NEW SOCIETY
Roehampton has quite a lot of societies for a university of our size but if you can't see one you want to join, or you think we are lacking one there is plenty you can do. Starting a new society is something the RSU both welcomes and encoura ges! Just get in contact with either Luke Springett (Societies President) or Natasha Blake (VP Activities) and they'll give you all the information you'll need on starting a new society and help you in any way they can.
ADOPTING A SOCIETY
either Unfortunately not all societies run every year, societies are student lead, and them. they fall out of fashion or students move on and can't find others to replace at some You might find when wanting to start a new society it has already existed t. momen time, and there are several dormant societies at Roehampton at the be already will Adopting a society is slightly easier than starting a new one, as there resources within the RSU for them. However it's not just dormant societies that need adopting, every year new rs of students are needed to keep running societies, whether it's just as membe on this take to students on the committee actually running the society. Don' be afraid help really can responsibility as running a society can be incredibly rewarding, and build your skill set!
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WHAT IS IT WORTH? SKILLS Societies have many benefits, some academic, some social and some that'll help you later on in life. The academic benefits all depend on what kind of society you are part of, whether it's putting theoretical skills into practice (like directin g a play), honing your own opinions and debating skills (in the Philosophy Society for example) or practicing more physical skills such as the Dance Society . All of these skills can directly help with your degree, as these societies directly correspond to a degree offered at Roehampton. Societies don't just offer a place to extent your existing skills, by joining a society that you've never had the opportunity to before you can increase your skill set and help you to learn about new topics and have fun while doing so.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPRESENTATION
Societies are a lot of fun, but they do come with some responsibilities too. These responsibilities vary from society to society but it's important that s everyone accepts them. Whether it's simply regularly turning up to meeting are guests outside any sure making To r. membe a are and contributing if you stays checked with the Student Union and Security. Making sure your society keep you sure making Even debt. into going not and , solvent financially viable and a welcoming environment and not becoming to 'cliquy'.
BUILD AND SHAPE YOUR STUDENT EXPERIENCE
University is only a brief time in your life, at most four years really. Why not make the most of all the opportunities you can while you are here. Do you want to remember your university years as the time you lazed around your room, watched Iplayer and to many films or as the time when you learnt about nutrition, or went on protests over climate change, or even learnt to pole-dance?! The student experience is so much more than simply going to your lectures , where you live and what nights out you went on. Don't waist this brilliant opportu nity to try out new things in a safe and hassle-free environment!
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SOCIALS AND EVENTS SOCIALS AND EVENTS
Societies can have a brilliant social life, whether you arrange to go on nights out with each other, day trips into central or some other type of social event. Why not hang-out with people who share a common interest as you. Past social events have included trips to art galleries, to see shows in central, film nights and nights out in Soho. The social side of a society can be as good or as lively as you want to make it, so go on, have a laugh with people who you get on with!
SOCIETIES ACHIEVEMENT CEREMONY
one being Societies Achievement Cemony(SAC) is a fairly new idea. With the first work good the se recogni to Union ts Studen the for held in 2010 it was a way of two that so many societies do. With nominations being made over the course sifting s Activitie VP and nt preside s societie The . weeks for a number of awards itself ny ceremo awards The . winners the picking and through these nominations ever first The rds. afterwa Bar Union the at drinks then happening in Montefiore hall each better and bigger e becom will it event an as ly SAC went so well, and hopeful year that it runs.
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CONTACTS AFRO-CARRIBEAN SOCIETY (ACS)// acs_roehampton@hotmail.co.uk ALLOTMENT SOCIETY// d.tinham@roehampton.ac.uk ALPHA SOCIETY// inkyblob@hotmail.com ALTERNATIVE CULTURE SOCIETY// alt.cult.soc@googlemail.com ANTHROPOLOGY SOCIETY// bouchera@roehampton.ac.uk CHRISTIAN UNION roehamptoncu@hotmail.com DANCE SOCIETY// roehamptondancesociety@hotmail.com DEBATING SOCIETY// siegmunc@roehampton.ac.uk GAMING SOCIETY// lebreuia@roehampton.ac.uk GOSPEL SOCIETY// gospelchoir@live.co.uk FAIR TRADE REP// hayleycollin@hotmail.com FASHION SOCIETY// higsonl@roehampton.ac.uk FILM SOCIETY// roehamptonfilmsociety@googlemail.com HUMAN RIGHTS SOCIETY// maydhane1312@hotmail.co.uk INTERNATIONAL REP// farmerc@roehampton.ac.uk ISLAMIC SOCIETY// fahima_nuur@hotmail.com JAPANESE CULTURE SOCIETY// japanculture@hotmail.com JEWISH RESOURCE CENTRE// I.wise@roehampton.ac.uk LABOUR CLUB// agray72@googlemail.com LGBT SOCIETY// dwyerj@roehampton.ac.uk MATURE STUDENTS REP// kinsellan@roehampton.ac.uk MONKEY (PRIMATE) SOCIETY// rowea12@roehampton.ac.uk MUSIC SOCIETY// dmon837@hotmail.co.uk MUSLIM WOMENS' SOCIETY// mws@roehampton.ac.uk NUTRITION SOCIETY// roehamptonnutrtionclub@live.co.uk PEOPLE & PLANET// luker@roehampton.ac.uk PHILOSOPHY SOCIETY// roehampton.philosophy@googlemail.com PHOTOGRAPHY SOCIETY// roehampton.photographers@gmail.com POKER SOCIETY// arsenjon17@hotmail.co.uk POLE DANCING SOCIETY// rupd@hotmail.co.uk ROEHAMPTON PLAYERS// springel@roehampton.ac.uk SNOW SPORT CLUB// waylenz@roehampton.ac.uk SPORTS SCIENCE SOCIETY// speede@roehampton.ac.uk St. JOHNS AMBULANCE (LINKS)// chair@roehamptonlinks.sja.org.uk
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