The Role of Union Council

The Union Council's first and foremost role is to question and hold the Executive Committee accountable. They are the sovereign body of Winchester Student Union. The Union Council is the largest representative body in the Student Union.
As well as holding the Executive to account they can also set the Executive's direction by asking them to carry out tasks. It is important that they work alongside the executive where possible so as to create an effective, pro-active union.

The Union Council is made up by elected students who represent specific areas of the student population as opposed to the executive members who look after more broad and inclusive areas involved in the Student Union. For example on Union Council we have a Mature Students Representative, a Societies Representative and a LGBT Representative, each of these elected people represents their community, whereas on the Executive you have an Academic Affairs Officer, a Welfare Officer who looks after these areas.

So who sits on Union Council?

You do!!! 

Alongside the executive there are 15 positions available -

See responsibilities for each position

What does the Union Council do?

(i)The Union Council shall normally meet every two weeks and shall be run in accordance with the meeting rules.

(ii) The core functions of the Union Council shall be:

- To elect delegates to meetings and conferences of NUS except NUS annual conference where the delegates will be elected according to the election rules.
- To decide policy for the Union.
- To amend subject to approval by the Board of Governors and ultimately interpret the Constitution and rules.
- To instruct and hold to account the Executive Committee
- To receive and approve reports from the Executive committee and other committees and working groups.
- To receive and approve financial reports from the Executive Committee
- To co-opt non-voting members onto the Union Council when necessary.
- To elect members to designated College Committees.
- Approve the Unions annual report.

Why should I do it?

Union Council is just another way of getting involved in the Student Union, the same as joining a sports team or a society. It will give you a better insight into how the Union is run and it will also provide you with a whole new range of friends, there are also a few perks that come with it.

What experience do I need?
NONE!!!!!!   

What you do need is enthusiasm and eligibility for certain positions e.g. only you must be studying a SOC subject as a student here to be the Social Sciences rep.

On top of informing the Executive of your individual community's needs - to help you decide on which role you might want to choose.