Working effectively with your University/Students Union. Lizzie Gross University of Southampton

Transcription

1 Working effectively with your University/Students Union Lizzie Gross University of Southampton

2 About Me Community Volunteer Coordinator at the University of Southampton 18 months as Student Engagement Coordinator at Southampton University Students Union WiSCV Committee Conference & Training Officer

3 Overview of Session University of Southampton joint volunteering structure Conflicts/obstacles Problem solving Assumptions about Students Unions/Universities Good Working Practice Bad Working Practice Toolkit for effective working

4 University of Southampton Joint Structure how it came about From July 2009, after the introduction of HEACF funding, volunteering at Southampton was split into three areas: - Sports Volunteering (University HEACF funded) - Arts & Music Volunteering (University HEACF funded) - Student Community Action (Students Union already in existence) The three areas collaborated closely with each other but maintained separate systems for recruiting, training and placing volunteers. When HEACF funding ceased in July 2009, the University and the Students Union sought to work together

5 Aims and Objectives Reduce silo working Provide a seamless service for students Provide a seamless service for organisations Utilise the expertise of each area effectively Increase our capacity for student registrations Form effective partnerships with the local community

6 Resources 2 Volunteer Coordinators based in the University careers service Career Destinations 1 Volunteer Coordinator based in the Students Union Sabbatical Officer and part-time Student Officer also in the Students Union

7 The Result! Joint structure responsibilities split between University and Students Union Students Union responsible for all student enquiries, matching students to placements, as well as student-led projects and one-off events University responsible for liaising with organisations and sourcing placements, the training and development of volunteers, CRB checks and international volunteering

8 Community Volunteering Who s Who? Students Union (Student Activities) University (Career Destinations) Membership Services Manager (Manager) Global Graduate Coordinator (Manager) VP Welfare & Societies (Sabbatical Officer) Community Volunteering Officer (Student) Student Engagement Coordinator (Student Facing) Volunteer Coordinator (Organisations) Volunteer Coordinator (Training & Development)

9 Initial obstacles / concerns Governance Strategic aims and objectives Geographic location of staff Policies and Procedures Budget Creating a brand Institutional support

10 Solving Problems Understanding of governance structure on both sides plan in advance Sensitive to each other s roles compromise Utilise knowledge and skills of each area Created a web database for student information Adopted University s policies Created a joint brand that satisfied both marketing teams Communicate through regular meetings

11 How We Work Share an account Two separate websites Weekly meetings with Volunteer Coordinators Termly review meetings with stakeholders from each side Divided up local partnerships/committees Communication!

12 Ongoing Issues Emphasis on employability Different workloads/priorities Lack of access to shared network area can lead to ineffective working Respect for boundaries Recognition within the institution

13 Would this structure work at your institution? Students Union (Student Activities) University (Career Destinations) Membership Services Manager (Manager) Global Graduate Coordinator (Manager) VP Welfare & Societies (Sabbatical Officer) Community Volunteering Officer (Student) Student Engagement Coordinator (Student Facing) Volunteer Coordinator (Organisations) Volunteer Coordinator (Training & Development)

14 Assumptions about Universities/Students Unions that form barriers between partnerships Universities have more money Students Unions change every year Students Union Officers can vary in competency The University is viewed as one large fat cat! Universities are out of touch with students, more concerned with research/money Students Unions are more fun Students Unions have access to unlimited students Universities should be giving more money to Students Unions Universities only see volunteering as a method of PR Universities are stricter and have more rules (e.g. branding)

15 Issues/Points Raised Volunteering departments could embrace academics taking on volunteering through course modules, with the academic managing the project and volunteers registering students. Volunteer Coordinators could offer best practice in return. Do Universities/Students Unions spend too much time talking about politics than trying to find a solution? Are joint structures sustainable, and is the only stable way forward for either the Students Union OR the University to take volunteering forward? If both sides are focused on the student experience, is there such a thing as compromise? The main aim of a joint partnership should be providing organisations with high quality volunteers to ensure that it s sustainable Is an independent organisation like Oxford Hub a better way of managing volunteering than keeping it in house? If difficulties arise, e.g. over branding, make sure that each side gets it s top 2 or 3 priorities everything else is up for grabs and should be focused on the students!

16 Any Questions?