As the NTSU Exec Team elections are nearing, we got in touch with the four candidates running for the VP Opportunities role to help you decide who to vote for.
The VP Opportunities is the figurehead for volunteering, Give-It-A-Go and Raising and Giving (RAG) activities at the Union, as well as NTSU’s student societies.
They provide strategic direction for these groups and ensure they are included in the decision-making process of the Union.
Additionally, they will chair the Societies’ Assembly meetings and act as the societies’ representative on Student Council.
Abbey Carroll, third-year Law LLB student
Why are you fit for the VP Opportunities role?
Getting involved with NTSU was the best decision that I’ve made because it really does enrich your student experience.
I want to focus on opportunities for all students, not just societies, which would show inclusivity and accessibility for all students.
I’m an active Vice-President for the LEX Law society so I understand how societies work and what they need to function, as well as the policy and procedures within the SU.
Being an active committee member, I know what I want from my VP Opportunities and what I expect and so I know I’m more than capable to meet those expectations and exceed them.
I’ve put 100 per cent of myself into my committee role this year: I’ve organised socials, educational events, panels through which I’ve networked with really big names in the legal field which shows I’m not scared to go out there and fetch those opportunities for students.
It has been reported that a lot of societies have had very low / no members running for any committee roles for next year. If elected, how will you prevent this from happening this time next year?
I feel like it’s down to individual committees because they can make a bigger impact than the SU just sending a million emails.
I would encourage those close relationships and friendships from the outset and really make the members understand that committee members are on the same level as them.
This has really worked for our society this year.
We wanted to focus on the social side and bring our members together because Covid completely wiped that out last year.
This closeness has allowed us to build those friendships and encourage our members to go for these roles.
I’ve been encouraging this girl to run for one of the committee roles and now she’s going for President and one of the boys who was going for Football Captain is now going for VP so I feel like it’s down to committees being that figurehead and friends that you can come and speak to.
Endorsing that as VP Opportunities is the way to tackle low nomination numbers.
Name one idea you think would help NTU students engage with the opportunities provided by the SU and the University next year.
I want to implement a fundraiser committee role for societies, which means that one committee member will be in charge of fundraising.
They will complete one fundraiser for the society for a charity of their choice, but they’ll also work alongside the RAG programme because I feel there’s not enough promotion and engagement with that.
This would also help committees and society members engage with the society accreditation scheme, opportunities, and expose themselves to fundraising and volunteering opportunities as well.
Working on RAG increases promotion and encourage students to get involved with the RAG challenges and independent fundraisers.
It also enables students to meet new people outside their societies.
Jake Hutton, third-year History and Politics student
Why are you fit for the VP Opportunities role?
It’s something I’ve been meaning to do for quite a while.
Ever since I’ve been at NTU, I’ve been involved with the SU: I’ve been the President of the History Society for the last two years and I’ve been a Freshers’ Rep at the start of the year as well.
My experience at uni made me realise that there are a few holes that need to be covered when it comes to opportunities.
I think that my manifesto points can help the opportunities every student has and provide them with a sense of community here at NTSU.
It has been reported that a lot of societies have had very low / no members running for any committee roles for next year. If elected, how will you prevent this from happening this time next year?
A lot of my manifesto points are based on participation.
One of my ideas is to redo the Freshers’ Fair and keep it green.
So, for example, have QR codes on the tables that you can scan and have a whole guide of where every society is.
Another idea I have is implementing a Small Society Hardship scheme through which small societies can really get their voices heard and have an equal chance at getting members.
Name one idea you think would help NTU students engage with the opportunities provided by the SU and the University next year.
One of my ideas is introducing inter-society competitions which are going to really help introduce the sense of community between societies.
This could also raise interest among people who aren’t part of any societies yet.
I also want to improve the response time of the Opportunities team because a lot of people may be finding it quite hard to get in touch with the societies and the SU itself so the contact line is going to be so much easier.
This could also boost engagement with the societies.
Rosie Bailey, third-year Business student
Why are you fit for the VP Opportunities role?
Since joining University, I have always been engaged with NTSU taking part in events and activities by joining both societies and sports.
I have loved being at NTU and want to help people feel the love for the University just like I have.
One of the main things that have made my university experience so enjoyable is the plethora of opportunities that I have been able to get involved with and I would like the chance to further this for future students.
I believe that trying new activities and meeting new people who share your interests is critical for NTU’s high student satisfaction scores.
My experiences at university and in employment have helped me strengthen my organisation, confidence, and leadership, which would help me excel in the role.
It has been reported that a lot of societies have had very low / no members running for any committee roles for next year. If elected, how will you prevent this from happening this time next year?
From my experience and conversations with my peers, Freshers’ Week is so overwhelming that joining a society and meeting new people all at once is a struggle, especially in your first few weeks in a new environment.
So, to prevent this from happening, I would hold a second fresher fair at the start of term two, aimed at all years.
Freshers will have had the opportunity to settle into university life and may be starting to look for additional activities and social events to attend.
At this point in the year, existing students also have had a chance to get involved with their society and may be considering committee roles.
A second society fair would give current committee members an opportunity to make people aware of the available roles and responsibilities and therefore people have a gauge of what the role entails before they apply.
Name one idea you think would help NTU students engage with the opportunities provided by the SU and the University next year.
I will have an open-door policy and dedicated hour-long drop-in sessions to allow students to provide feedback and tell me where NTSU can improve.
Additionally, they will be able to consult with me if they are unsure deciding what society they would like to join or how to make the most out of their time in a society.
This is also open to societies that may have ideas or need guidance around driving engagement.
To help cure some of the uncertainty many students have around what society to join, I will create a questionnaire that narrows down what the person enjoys doing, how often, type of person etc., which will then provide them with a list of recommended societies to check out and explore.
This way, I can consult with inactive societies and, if there is still a demand, facilitate reopening.
Finally, I would like to encourage people to participate in volunteering opportunities with NTU, NTSU and any other external opportunities that may arise.
Zainab Giwa, third-year Media Communications and Culture student
Why are you fit for the VP Opportunities role?
In my second year, I was the Promotions Officer of Funky Fresh Collective and in my third their President.
Being part of the committee during a pandemic brought additional challenges to the roles that I took on.
In these two years, I have worked closely with the SU to face these challenges and find resolutions.
I organized our Winter showcase and, with the help of our treasurer, overlooked our finances.
Because our society had some financial issues brought over from previous years we had to come up and present SU with a plan to avoid any future financial hardships.
Not only do these experiences make me equipped to be your new VP Opportunities, but I also have the perspective of the students I want to serve next year.
It has been reported that a lot of societies have had very low / no members running for any committee roles for next year. If elected, how will you prevent this from happening this time next year?
A lot of societies are just getting back to their normal routines after lacking members during the pandemic.
Some members have not been in societies for too long, so I think that might be the reason they’re more hesitant.
I don’t believe this is going to be a major issue next year.
I think it’s generally important to preface that these roles aren’t as daunting as they might appear and reassure them that the Opportunities team is available for support as well.
Name one idea you think would help NTU students engage with the opportunities provided by the SU and the University next year.
Additional to GIAG I would love to implement regular Skill Swaps between different societies and NTU sports.
Often you join societies and remain in one, but I believe it’s good to branch out during your time at university and try out different activities.
It’ll also be a good opportunity to meet new people.
Apart from that, SU offers several events on their own.
Another idea could be societies advertising directly to their members or even getting discounts if they are using these opportunities as society socials.
The candidates’ full manifestos can be read here.
For more information about when hustings and voting will take place, click here.