Candidate for the position of President (Campaigns and Societies)

Image for Frankie McGregor

Frankie McGregor

Hello, I’m Frankie and I’m your current President (Community, Diversity and Inclusion) 2021/22, and I am running to be re-elected as your President (Campaigns and Societies) 2022/23 The past year as a sabbatical officer has been the best and rewarding experience ever. 

This year I was working under the role President (Community, Diversity and Inclusion) where I had achieved so many different wins and developed a lot of different skills which will be used for this next role. Next year I hope to use what I have learnt in order to fulfil the role of President (Campaigns and Societies).
 

What have I achieved as your President (Community, Diversity and Inclusion)?

Continuous support of the wellbeing of our Students with events or campaigns.

  • Worked to relaunch Chooseday Chill.  

  • Working alongside the President (Engagement and Sport) to launch Cool Down Thursday, to provide dedicated support for Sport Teams.

  • Regularly attended student events, including Society Takeover, offering wellbeing support for those who may need it.

  • Organised wellbeing cafes for our student Networks.

  • Creation of The Den a space that was created for students to be able to use for a wellbeing break. 

  • Worked with the University on the Mental Health Charter, which will allow us to understand what we can do as a Union and University to improve our services.

Accessibility has been another main focus for this year. With focus on accessibility both on and off campus. 

  • Working with the University to make sure all accessible toilets are up to standard.

  • Designing cards to put on emergency cords and to make sure they are accessible at all times.

  • Creating a guide about accessible venues around the Canterbury area. 

  • Working with both President (Campaigns and Societies) and President (Engagement and Sport) to make sure their event venues are accessible.

Student Safety has been one of the main priorities while in this role.

  • Worked alongside the University, council, police and other Canterbury Universities to hold a Student Engagement event for student safety.

  • Working with my CDI Exec committee about student safety on campus.

  • Working with other Canterbury Universities on safety around Canterbry at night.

Lead and Support on many Campaigns

  • The Night Time Safety Campaign has been one of my main campaigns I have worked on throughout my time in the role. I have worked with the police, council, and other universities in Canterbury

    • The creation of The Den at St George’s Centre, a safe space for all students.

    • Continuous work with Kent Union and UCA Union.

    • Attending the Pop up hub and walking with the Street Marshals. 

    • Continuous work with the council and the police.

  • Period Awareness Campaign

    • I worked alongside the current President (Campaigns and Societies) to provide free sanitary products for all students who need them.

    • Completed a toilet audit, making sure that sanitary bins are available in both male and female toilets.

  • Trans and non-binary Campaign

    • Raising awareness around inclusion of all and promotion of individuals being able to use the toilet they need.

    • Leading on the Trans and Non-Binary awareness week, promoting pledges from all students, including our Societies and Sports Teams.

    • Continuous education around gender and ongoing support for our LGBT+ community.

  • Good Neighbour Campaign.

    • Working with the police and council on how we are able to build relationships with the students and local community.

    • Working with the Universities, council and police by knocking on students and resident doors. We gave advice to students on how to keep safe in Canterbury, bin collections and how to be a respectful neighbour.

 

I also have two campaigns in the near future: Sexual Health and Drug Awareness. 

Medway

  • Attended Medway at least once a month.

  • Hosted wellbeing events for Medway students to pledge what they will do to look after their wellbeing.

  • Gathering feedback on placement rollout.

  • Promoted awareness around Contract Cheating, and how students can get support if they are struggling academically. 

 

What would I do if I am elected?

I have loved my time as President (Community, Diversity and Inclusion), and feel that I have achieved so much in the past year. I have decided to run for President (Campaigns and Societies) as I believe that I have the skills and expertise to give so much to this role. 

Campaigns

  • Work with President (Community, Diversity and Inclusion) on building up our student networks, making sure they are getting the support they need, including Disabled Students’ Community, Student Parents and Carers, BAME Network and Care Leavers and Estranged Students.

  • Continue to work closely with the LGBT+ community alongside the President (Community, Diversity and Inclusion) on campaigns such as the Trans Awareness Campaign.

  • Continue support on the Night Time Safety Campaign and working to make sure that our students feel safe at night on campus.

  • Engaging with both local and national campaigns.

  • Empowering students voices and enabling them to lead on their own campaign.

  • Continuing the work this year to get activity back onto campus, creating a more inclusive area for our students on campus which will strengthen the student community.

  • Support the other Sabbatical Officers on their campaigns throughout the year.

Societies 

  • Being able to continue the support the previous President (Campaigns and Societies) provided for the societies. 

    • Including 1-1s with all the societies at the beginning of the year and the beginning of second semester.

    • Continuation Society Takeovers.

    • Termly Presidents’ meetings.

  • Be able to include an intense bystander training for all sports and societies.

  • Work with societies to get them more engaged with the Students’ Union and other societies around them. 

  • Continue to professionalise and structure the Societies Collective to make it more sustainable. 

  • Making sure all sports and societies know how to make their activities accessible through accessibility training. 

  • Actively promote events and projects run by student groups, ensuring they are visible and celebrated.

Medway 

  • Continue work for the wellbeing support and provision for the students on Medway.

  • As the Medway lead be able to be physically on campus with one other Sabbatical officer. 

  • Work closely Medway Societies, offering them support and guidance.

  • Work closely with The Hub and help promote their activity to our students.

  • Support new and diverse societies in the Medway community.

Experience 

  • Be a part of the planning for Freshers Fayre, making sure that all sports and societies are involved as much as possible.

  • Ensure there is more preparation on Refreshers Fayre, making it as engaging and as accessible for all students.

  • Continuing to work closely with the volunteering and careers university teams, ensuring to promote their workshops, opportunities and career guidance

Wellbeing

  • Making sure that all Wellbeing and Inclusion Officers are given substantial wellbeing training

  • Working with the President (Community, Diversity and Inclusion) on general wellbeing support needed for our student groups

  • Support the  President (Community, Diversity and Inclusion) on wellbeing campaigns

 

Throughout this year I have been working at full capacity to make sure every student gets the support they need throughout their studies. From wellbeing to safety I want to make sure to strengthen these when in this new role.

If you vote for me as President (Campaigns and Societies) I will continue to work hard with every student using all the skills I have already demonstrated as President (Community, Diversity and Inclusion).

 

Thank you for your support, and please contact me with any questions you have!