Issue 02 - University of Surrey's Student Union

The year of the Guild
By Mariam Nasir
This year is not only a year for the University
to progress, but it is also a year where new
ideas are conceived and introduced. The Guild
of Societies is a new concept which was developed
last year and introduced this year. In my
interview with Jack Symons, VP of Societies
and Individual Development, he told me how
it came about...
How was the Guild initiated
Jack: It was developed last year, went through
a few society standings, gauging student reactions
- (focus groups) - to get feedback. It was
voted in by students, it was what they wanted
and developed because instead of the Guild
being a solution to a problem, it was created
for the sake of creating it.
What are the aims and purposes of
the Guild of Societies
Jack: Aims of the Guild are primarily to act as
an umbrella for societies; it unites them and it
provides a basis for sponsorship. It also helps
getting merchandising cheaper for individual
societies. The main purpose of the Guild is
to ensure democracy- instead of the Union
having control over what societies do, it is students
deciding and controlling what their societies
do. It also helps with funding, it is the student
money (£5 for signing up with the Guild),
which allows freedom of where it is spent.
Being Vice President of Societies
and Individual Development, what
is your job
Jack: My primary jobs are looking after the
Guild and overseeing that and to make sure it
is received well and developed properly. Ensuring
that democracy is in full swing at the
Students Union- making sure that no decision
is made without consulting every single
society committee member or student. Overseeing
the DAVE project and seeing how that
goes, with the VP of Education. Encouraging
students to pursue personal or professional
qualification and sort of identify ways they can
improve their student experience.
The Guild of Societies is a small organisation
which was made for the students, by the students,
and it is also run by the students. The
Guild consists of 8 Guild Executives who are
elected at a Society Standing by Guild members.
The main agenda on the Guild’s ‘to do’
list this year is to actually start this
organisation and make it a process which will
be carried on in Surrey’s tradition. Their job
is not easy since they have to keep the ball
rolling for the Guild, otherwise the whole idea
would collapse. I was fortunate enough to get
in on a meeting of the Guild Execs. From what
I saw, we are in good capable hands for this
year; the team is very united and focused.
Apart from this, the target to reach 1000
Guild Exec Team
members by the end of this year is already
more than half way through since 700 new
members have signed up since the beginning
of this year. Being a member of the Guild not
only helps in funding your society but it also
gives access to many different discount offers
every month.
Students who work in the Guild are paid, however
their job incorporates a 36 hour core week
and a lot of hard work. To be part of the Guild
is an achievement in itself since it offers great
experience as well as lots of socialising opportunities.
To run for a position in the Guild, students
have to hand in a nomination seconded
by 3-4 people. Then they have to campaign
and create a manifesto which ends in a voting
by the students. It is a completely democratic
election and anyone can run for it!
How to start up a society...
By Mariam Nasir Co - Societies Editor
-Go to www.ussu.co.uk/societies
-Click on ‘How to Set Up a New Society’
-Get the form and fill it out. You need to have at least 20
students who might be interested in joining the society
-Send this to Jack at ussu.societies@surrey.ac.uk.
-It will then be put on the agenda for the next society standing;
other committee members hear a small pitch about
your society and vote.
-After this, your society is ratified- a small AGM is held to
elect the 3 committee members (President, Treasurer and
Secretary)
-You have your own society!!
As from this year, the Guild has ensured the ‘dormant not dead’ rule.
This means that any society which has been dormant for more than 3
years will remain dormant and not be classed ‘dead’ as they were in
the past. There is a list on www.ussu.co.uk/societies with all the dormant
societies, so if anyone is interested in the ‘Folk music & dance
society’, ‘Bellringing society’ or any other society from the list, you can
easily revive it again by a simple AGM with 10 people and someone
from the Guild.
It is worth it to be part of a society or any other club because it enhances
student experience. You meet people who have similar interests
as you and it’s a great opportunity to socialise. To join the Guild,
just log on to www.ussu.co.uk./membership.
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