After being thrown in at the deep end with meeting, inductions, training and planning to fit into my first 3 weeks, I finally have time to sit down and write my first blog! Since I started I have learnt so much about the Students’ Union and it has only made me more enthusiastic about the year ahead.

Since I started I have been taking over where Jackson left off and starting a few little projects of my own. Planning for the Freshers period has been my main focus for the past few weeks from sending the Handbook off to print, to designing wall planners and arranging campaigns.  I have also taken time to visit and familiarize myself with all four campuses that Anglia Ruskin Students are a part of, so in the near future I can come up with ways of more effective communication between the Students’ Union and the whole student body.

As well as publications I have been learning the ‘forgotten’ parts of what it means to be a Sabbatical Officer. Things such as attending a faculty board meeting, being present at hearings, becoming a Trustee and learning about the finance of the Union.

Over the next week or so I’m having meetings with various members of the Apex team to get that started for the year ahead, I have already set dates for publication and have been looking at ways to distribute the newspaper across all four campuses.

I will also be attending my NUS training in Bristol next week, which will hopefully provide me with ideas and tools to help move the Union forward.

As well as Nick Evangelista I am one of the Project Champions (leading Sabbaticals) during the Students’ Union Evaluation Initiative the Students’ Union has embarked on. This means I will continue attending meetings and running courses to make sure this 2 year evaluation process runs smoothly and we get as much out of it as we can. (more information on SUEI will be coming to the website soon)

I don’t have time to sit and write everything I have done over the past few weeks as it has been so busy, however always enjoyable. I look forward to working with a great new team of officers, representing you well and making dramatic changes to improve communications.

If you would like to know more or get involved with any of our publications (The Apex, Website) or any of our campaigns, please feel free to contact me l.pool@angliastudent.com