Societies Council

BY ELEANOR WHITE

2021 has been a marvellous year for the Societies Council (SOC) and the 170+ clubs on campus. Recovering from the tumultuous, COVID filled year of 2020, the campus has been brought to life with so many club activities. SOC is the governing body for all clubs and societies on campus, and provides monthly training and activity updates to clubs, continual support and delivers over $130,000 in grant funding. The Societies Council also has the privilege of awarding the “best club awards” at the annual CruickshankRoutley Memorial Guild Ball.

Every semester, SOC runs “Club Carnival” which is an opportunity for clubs to have a stall to advertise themselves and their activates to the student population, outside of O-DAY. This year both Club Carnivals were a huge success! There were two venue changes to capitalise on the thoroughfare of general students through the event, and this increased engagement across all clubs. Club Carnival is always a highlight in the calendar as you get to see each Club thrive – and interact with students who benefit from having such a wide variety of student clubs on campus! It is incredible to see all the effort that went into making the day fantastic and SOC is so proud of all of the clubs who participated!

This year the Environment Grant was implemented for the first time. It is important to understand how crucial it is that every person play their part to reduce the effects of climate change on the world, and SOC is uniquely privileged to influence the behaviour of over 170 clubs. The Environment grant, in collaboration with the Buy Sell Swap network, which was also established this year, aims to reduce the amount of waste at club events, and incentivise clubs to choose greener alternatives without the financial burden that comes along with that.

In the wake of campus being completely shut down due to COVID-19 – a majority of first year students in 2020 missed out on their opportunity to engage with the rich club culture that UWA is so lucky to have. SOC introduced an ‘inclusivity award’ as part of its annual awards, and the results will be determined through survey of the general student population. This award will incentivise clubs to encourage all students to join their committees and attend events, so all students can experience the wonder of campus culture in their university degree.

Alongside the Public Affairs Council, the regulations of SOC were completely rewritten this year. Albeit a very timeconsuming project, the new, extensive regulation document will prove invaluable to future SOC and PAC presidents, and provides a complete template for all governance issues of clubs and elections. It has been a pleasure to be able to work on this project and know that it will be so helpful to other people in my position soon.

SOC has introduced a variety of projects this year including Convocation Clubs, OFEST – in collaboration with PAC to offer 1 free membership per incoming student, the Buy Sell Swap network, a review of Student Leadership Training and an end of semester windup for club executives. It has been magical to be part of the Guild and participate in campus culture.

The work of SOC could not be completed without the fantastic work of the Societies Council Committee and the tireless work of all of the staff in the Guild – notably the finance and events departments. Thank you to all who made this year so smooth, it has been a pleasure being your Societies Council President.