Network Leader Handbook

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Network Leader Handbook

WHAT IS UNDEB BANGOR?

Undeb Bangor is your Students Union. Undeb means union in Welsh. Our purpose is to represent, empower and support students and to make sure that your student experience is the best it can be.

We are run by a team of dedicated Sabbatical Officers, elected by you, the students, who work on campaigns and ensure that your voice is heard and that the kind of activities that are needed are being developed.

We run the sports clubs, societies, volunteering projects, UMCB (Welsh Union), course reps and our student council. Plus, we offer a confidential academic advice service.

For more information on what we do, visit our website www.undebbangor.com

You can find us in Pontio on the 4th Floor.

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on becoming a Network Leader this academic year. We’re really excited to be supporting you this year and seeing what you and the wider Networks get involved in.

We have put together this handbook which details all of the key information you need to be involved in a Network at Undeb Bangor.

Contacts

Niamh Ferron

Representation Coordinator

niamh.ferron@undebbangor.com

WHAT ARE NETWORKS?

The Networks are still quite new to Bangor. They have been set up to allow you to come together with other students who are passionate about the same things, want to run campaigns and socialise with people who have the same interests. They are groups where everyone within Volunteering Projects, Clubs and Societies, Course Rep System and those that are not currently involved in a group can come together and work on projects. Some networks are open to everyone while others are open to those who identify with the specific liberation groups.

The Networks can change year on year based on what students want to put forward.

Network Structure

These are:

• LGBTQ+ Network (open to those who identify with this liberation group)

• Gender Equality Network

• Students of Colour Network (open to those who identify with this liberation group)

• Disabled Students Network (open to those who identify with this liberation group)

• Neurodivergent Students Network (open to those who identify with this liberation group)

• Sustainability Network

• Wellbeing and Mental Health Network

• Postgraduate Network (open to students who are on postgraduate courses)

• International Students Network (open to those who identify with this liberation group)

• Current Affairs Network

• Welsh Network

The Role of Network Leader

Each network is run by a Network Leader. These paid positions run the networks as well as organise events and campaigns with the support of Undeb Bangor.

These are:

• LGBTQ+ Network Leader

• Trans Student Leader (sits between LGBTQ+ Network and Gender Equality Network)

• Students of Colour Network Leader

• Disabled Student Network Leader

• Neurodivergent Student Network Leader

• Sustainability Network Leader

• Wellbeing and Mental Health Network Leader

• Postgraduate Network Leader

• International Student Network Leader

• Current Affairs Network Leader

• Welsh Network Leader

LGBTQ+ Network Leader

The LGBTQ+ Network Leader is responsible for running the LGBTQ+ Network alongside the Trans Position. Together they will organise meetings with the other network members and organise projects and campaigns with the support from Undeb Bangor.

Trans Student Leader

The Trans Student Leader will sit between the LGBQT+ Network and the Gender Equality Network, assisting the other Network Leaders. They are responsible for organising meetings and organising projects and campaigns with the other network members, supported by Undeb Bangor.

Students of Colour Network Leader

The Students of Colour Network Leader will run the Students of Colour Network. They are responsible for organising meetings and running events and campaigns with the network, supported by Undeb Bangor.

Disabled Students Network Leader

The Disabled Students Network Leader is responsible for running the Disabled Student Network alongside the Neurodiverse Position. Together, they organise meetings for the other members and organise events and campaigns, with support from Undeb Bangor.

Neurodivergent Network Leader

The Neurodiverse Network Leader will run the Neurodivergent Network. Supported by Undeb Bangor, they will organise meetings and run events and campaigns with the wider network.

Sustainability Network Leader

The Sustainability Network Leader runs the Sustainability Network, organising events and campaigns with the wider network and supported by Undeb Bangor.

Wellbeing and Mental Health Network Leader

The Wellbeing and Mental Health Network Leader will run the Wellbeing and Mental Health Network and organise events and campaigns with the network members and with the support from Undeb Bangor.

Postgraduate Network Leader

The Postgraduate Network Leader runs the Postgraduate Network, supported by Undeb Bangor. They are responsible for organising meetings and running events and campaigns with the network.

International Students Network Leader

The International Students Network Leader is responsible for organising meetings and running events and campaigns for the wider International Students Network, supported by Undeb Bangor.

Current Affairs Network Leader

The Current Affairs Network Leader is responsible for organising meetings and running events for the wider Current Affairs Network, with a focus on current events and civic engagement.

Welsh Network Leader

The Welsh Network Leader is responsible for organising meetings and running events and campaigns for the wider Welsh Network, supported by Undeb Bangor. The wider network will be made up of members of UMCB.

Network Leader Bursary

The Network Leader role is paid via a bursary and each leader will be given £150 per semester, as well as money, when requested, to support their campaigns and projects.

All the below activities will be supported by the Students’ Union, so don’t feel like you have to do them alone. If you’d like to discuss anything, just send an email to studentvoice@undebbangor.com

• Complete Network Leader Training

• Attend Network Leader Session

• Run a project/campaign (this can be a continuation of one from the previous semester, as long as you can prove what actions have been taken for the current semester).

• Organise & run at least one network meeting.

• Attend the Student Forum meetings, these are held once a semester.

• Write a short report on any feedback, issues or wins relevant to your network by deadline specified by Voice Team. (Please note, failure to submit by the deadline will result in no payment.)

• Attend relevant NUS Conferences (optional, and not essential for the bursary payment).

See below the bursary requirement breakdown for each semester. Each requirement should be fulfilled in order to receive full bursary payment. Any task that is not completed, or where insufficient evidence is provided, will result in a £20 reduction in bursary per item. This is at the discretion of the Student Voice Team.

Remember, you can get in touch throughout the year if there are any tasks that you’re unsure about by emailing studentvoice@undebbangor.com

Semester 1

• Complete Network Leader Training online by deadline set by Student Voice Team

• Attend Network Leader Session

• Run a project/campaign (this can be a continuation of one from the previous semester, as long as you can prove what actions have been taken for the current semester).

• Organise & run at least one network meeting.

• Attend Student Forum

• Write a short report on any feedback, issues or wins relevant to your network by deadline specified by Voice Team. (Please note, failure to submit by the deadline will result in no payment.)

• Attend relevant NUS Conferences (optional, and not essential for the bursary payment).

Semester 2

• Run a project/campaign (this can be a continuation of one from the previous semester, as long as you can prove what actions have been taken for the current semester).

• Organise & run at least one network meeting.

• Attend Student Forum

• Write a short report on any feedback, issues or wins relevant to your network by deadline specified by Voice Team. (Please note, failure to submit by the deadline will result in no payment.)

• Attend relevant NUS Conferences (optional, and not essential for the bursary payment).

You can submit your report each semester here

Deadline for Semester 1 report submission – 27th January 2025

Deadline for Semester 2 report submission – 16th June 2025

Network Funding

We have budget to help you run your projects and campaigns. If you want to make the most of the funding available, you can submit an application using this form.

We’ve also got the Events Toolkit at the back of the handbook to help you work through your plans.

Remember we’re here to support you running your campaigns and projects. You can also get support from within your networks so you don’t have to do it all on your own!

STUDENT FORUM

Our Student Forum meets once a semester to debate and discuss current student issues and ideas. This is the platform where you can be heard and feed directly into the Students’ Union democracy. Our Student Forum is made up of the Sabbatical Officers, our Network Leaders and some randomly

selected voting members. Any student can attend The Student Forum to join in on the discussion.

The Student Forum should be a proactive space to debate and discuss the things that students are passionate about. Make sure you encourage both your network members and wider student population to attend these sessions.

Pitch Your Campaigns: Share your brilliant ideas for change with your fellow students. Whether it's through social media, the university's online platform, or in person, get your message out there. Once the petition is ready, submit it to the Undeb Bangor website and let your peers do the rest! https://www.undebbangor.com/thestudentvoice

Make sure the network members are aware of this link and the wider student population too. Anyone can submit a petition on the above link.

PROMOTE YOUR NETWORK

The networks are completely new this year so it is important that as Network Leaders, you are promoting them in any way you can to engage with students and increase your member numbers.

Undeb Bangor use three main accounts on Facebook, Twitter (X) and Instagram. We are also on YouTube and have recently started using Threads too. If you don’t already, think about following us on socials

You can build a social media presence for your network on whatever platforms you feel would best suit your audience – remember to consider the type of content you put out on each platform.

Setting up a Social Media Presence

Make sure to use the group email account that has been assigned to your network. This way, the account can be passed on each academic year to the new network leader.

Some Networks already have a social media presence while others don’t. We’ll go over this in training with you.

If you want to create a logo for the network, you can do.

Make sure to keep the bio on the social media accounts up to date so that other students know what you’re about.

What makes good content?

• You want to look at what is currently trending and apply that to your network.

• Look at what memes and songs are trending – use these in your content.

• Important not to dismiss Facebook too although for more of an older audience now, it is good for creating events and putting out quick messages and making chats through messenger.

• Look what other companies are doing too and mimic their work

• Try and always keep the tone upbeat and positive to encourage new people to join your network – think of each post as this might be the first time someone sees your account and how do you want to come across to a stranger.

Top Tips

• If you are advertising an event, make sure that you have a link on there for people to sign up as they are not going to actively search for the link. Encourage them to also sign up to the Undeb Bangor website too to make it easier for them to sign up to events in the future (we’ll send you instructions on how to set up events on the website).

• Try and get faces of people in the photos as people will resonate with it more especially of your network members as if someone is new the these are most likely to be there first point of contact

• Make sure you are tagging accounts that are relevant to expand your reach – tag Undeb and the Sabbatical Officers as a start.

• Where possible try and do video content as reels, these get much more views/reach.

• Utilise software such as Canva to make free graphics.

• Try to keep posts simple and not too text heavy – people want you to get straight to the point and don’t want long captions.

• Make sure that accessibility is met and that the colours don’t clash.

• Try to use high resolution images.

• Remember to ask everyone in the photos permission if they are happy for it to be posted online.

What to post about

• What has the network been up to?

• Achievements and good news stories

• Make sure to not overshare too – don’t share anything too personal.

• Any events or campaigns you’re running.

• Meeting notifications

• Any socials/campaigns/projects you plan on running.

Events

• You are responsible for adding your events onto Native for your Network and this will come through to the main Undeb page on the website.

• We have videos available to help you through this.

• This is a great tool which will mean that your event will be advertised, and you’ll be able to monitor who is coming. You will also be able to share the event link on your socials.

If you have any questions, please just email us.

CAMPAIGNING KEY DATES

Here are some key dates that you might want to plan your events and campaigns around. Don’t let these ones restrict you, if you’ve got other ideas, go for it.

January 1st – New Year’s Day

4th– World Braille Day

15th – Blue Monday

21st – World Religion Day

February

LGBTQ+ History Month

Chinese New Year

March

1st – St David’s Day

8th March – International Women’s Day

April

2nd – World Autism Awareness Day

23rd – World Book Day

May

No Mow May

June

Pride Month

1st June – UN Global Day of Parents

5th – World Environment Day

16th – World Refill Day

July

Disability Awareness Month

Plastic Free July

August

1

November

STUDENT VOICE AWARDS

(THE STUDENT LED TEACHING AWARDS)

Every year we host an awards night to celebrate the work of course reps, staff and this year, the networks will be invited too. There will be a range of awards for the networks, including a Network Leader of the Year and everyone will be formally recognised for the work they have done with a certificate.

RESOURCES

You can use these resources to help you plan your campaigns and projects.

Campaigning Initial Plan

Beth ydi’r problem? | What’s the problem?

Beth ydych chi isio ei gyflawni? | What do you want to achieve?

Beth yw eich syniadau cychwynnol? | What are your initial ideas?

Oes gennych chi syniad faint o gyllideb fydd ei angen? | Do you have an idea about how much budget you’ll need?

Gyda phwy ydych chi eisiau ymgysylltu? | Who do you want to engage with?

Event Planning Guide

This event guide is designed to help Course Reps plan events. Organising an event or activity is a great way to get to make yourself visible to students, to promote the work of reps and to gather feedback on topics. Here are some things you might want to think about, depending on what kind of activity you’re planning:

AIM OF THE EVENT

Before you decide on what you are going to do, think about what the purpose is.

• Social event

• Opportunity for students to meet each other.

• Developing skills/ knowledge

• Collecting feedback

WHO IS THE EVENT FOR?

Will the event be open to all students on your course, or do you represent a particular group who you want to target?

Think about what those students want out of an event, and any extra things you might need to consider for that group such as time commitments and accessibility.

WHO WILL RUN THE EVENT?

Do you need to recruit other reps, students, or staff to help, or invite an external speaker? Could you collaborate with a society or volunteering project that’s relevant to your course?

Make sure you plan well in advance if you are asking external speakers to be involved and fill in the External Speaker Request Form

WHAT WILL THE ACTIVITY/ EVENT BE?

Does your activity fit the requirements of your audience and the aim of the event?

Think about what equipment/ resources you will need.

WHERE AND WHEN WILL THE EVENT HAPPEN?

Pick a date with enough time to advertise- we recommend at least a month.

Will the event be in person or online? Inside or outside? Make sure to consider current Covid-19 regulations when planning your event.

If you need to book a room on campus for your event, either speak to staff in your school or email Niamh and Tash.

WILL YOU HAVE FOOD AT YOUR EVENT?

If you’re cooking or selling food, you may need a food hygiene certificate. Email Niamh and Tash if you need advice on this.

If you’re just buying prepacked, low risk foods, you don’t need a food hygiene certificate. Make sure you include this in your risk assessment though.

HOW WILL YOU ADVERTISE THE EVENT?

• Social media

• Email to your course- ask staff from your course to help with this

• Lecture shout outs

• Posters on a communal noticeboard

• Native

PREPARING FOR THE EVENT

Write a list of tasks and divide them up so the workload is spread. You can use the table at the bottom of this document.

Things you need to do:

• Complete a risk assessment using the Course Rep Activities Risk Assessment form and send a copy to coursereps@undebbangor.com

Things you might need to do:

• Apply for funding from the Course Rep Grant

• Decide on a location for your event

• Book a room

• If you’re holding an event outside, do you need a backup in case of bad weather?

• Send meeting invites if you’re holding an online event

• Buy food/equipment- remember to keep the receipts

• Set up the activity before students arrive

• Print posters

• Book a room

Network General Risk Assessment

• All Networks carrying out events or activities must have a risk assessment in place before the activity starts.

• The Generic Risk Assessment covers most on-campus indoor activities including those serving low-risk foods. Low risk foods are those that are able to be eaten at room temperature (do not require refrigeration or reheating) and are bought from a food business (e.g. supermarket, café) with Public Liability Insurance.

• If your activity is outdoors, offsite, involves cooking or selling food, or isn’t otherwise covered by the General Risk Assessment, please contact the Student Voice Team for advice. We will help you to prepare a Specific Risk Assessment for your activity.

• Please contact the Student Voice Team for advice if you intend to undertake any fundraising activities (e.g. cake sale).

• The Team can only advise on the information given. If details are withheld appropriate advice may not be given potentially affecting the health, safety and welfare of participants and others affected by Course Rep activities.

• Course Reps must immediately notify the Student Voice Team if their activity or risk profile changes.

Risk Assessment Title Name of Event

Date RA Created and/or reviewed

Version Number

Event Organiser Name Position Network Leader Role

Summary of Activity RA Covers

Describe all the activities that will be taking place at your event

Campaigns that run already at Undeb Bangor

Cost of Living

Here’s a list of things that already happen at Undeb Bangor around the Costof-Living Campaign

• Clothes Swap

• Cost of Living Room in the SU with Interview Clothes Library , FancyDress Library and Book Swap

• Repair Café

• Free Period Products

• Free Contraception

• Hot Meals Project Contacts

• Fran Kohn-Hollins – frances.hollins@undebbangor.com

• Niamh Ferron – niamh.ferron@undebbangor.com

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Here’s a list of things that already happen at Undeb Bangor around Mental Health and Wellbeing

• Canine Calming on Mental Health Awareness Day and Blue Monday

• Emotional Resilience Training with the Two Road charity

• Study Aid with free tea and coffee during exam periods Contacts

• Fran Kohn-Hollins – frances.hollins@undebbangor.com

• Niamh Ferron – niamh.ferron@undebbangor.com

• Tara Hine – tara.hine@undebbangor.com

Sustainability

Here’s a list of things that already happen at Undeb Bangor around Sustainability

• Repair Shop

• Beach Cleans

• Green Impact Award Contacts

• Fran Kohn-Hollins – frances.hollins@undebbangor.com

• Niamh Ferron – niamh.ferron@undebbangor.com

• Josie Ball – josie.ball@undebbangor.com

Undeb Bangor have previously organised trips to Colwyn Bay and North Wales Pride.

LGBTQ+ History Month

Contacts

Fran Kohn-Hollins – frances.hollins@undebbangor.com

Niamh Ferron – niamh.ferron@undebbangor.com

Sexual Health

Undeb Bangor have regularly run Sexual Health stalls in the SU to raise awareness, run giveaways and give out free contraception and STI Testing Kits.

Contacts

Fran Kohn-Hollins – frances.hollins@undebbangor.com

Tara Hine - tara.hine@undebbangor.com

Niamh Ferron – niamh.ferron@undebbangor.com

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