Guild of Students Newsletter Edition Five - May 2014 We’re a Silver Students’ Union! ACCOMMODATION We’re celebrating after being awarded a and activities delivered to members of and continued silver Students’ Union Evaluation Initiative Students’ Unions by indicating areas for commitment to AVAILABLE AT SHAC (SUEI) award. continuous improvement. improving services for you the Guild has Are you still looking for The initiative is a quality assessment model Previously the Guild was awarded bronze achieved silver! accommodation for that assists in improving the services but following two years of hard work 2014/15?

If you answered ‘yes’ to this Double Gold for the Guild question get in touch with the Guild’s lettings agency, SHAC. If silver SUEI wasn’t enough, we’re also NUS Vice President (Society and proud to announce that we have been Citizenship) Dom Anderson commented: presented with two gold awards at “It is more than just making sure students’ The SHAC can help you to find a this year’s NUSSL (NUS Services Ltd) unions building cut down on waste and room or a whole property based Conference. save energy. It’s about embedding habits on your specific requirements, in students which last for a lifetime, and they charge no fees to students The Guild secured gold for both Green getting them out into their communities” and only deal with properties from Impact, a scheme for encouraging accredited landlords. students’ unions to improve the ethical and “I’ve been so inspired to see the

environmental credentials of their union, continued dedication to driving and Best Bar None, which celebrates and student-led environmental action this year, To view the properties on offer, go rewards responsible drinking practices. and so proud of what unions like the Guild to guildshac.co.uk have achieved.” Over £1million paid out in Student Letting Agency student wages

As of April, more than 1000 of you have secured employment via the Job Zone @GuildofStudents so far this academic(?) year, which has Tweets of the Month resulted in over £1 million paid out in wages.

The Job Zone can help you to get paid @TheValeFestival: work whilst you study by providing access “Vale Festival has been nominated for to hundreds of part-time and temporary a Birmingham Volunteer Award! Thank vacancies. So far in 2013/14 the Job Zone to headline you @unibirmingham and Guild of @ has advertised over 5000 vacancies. GuildofStudents” Grad Ball 2014 If you’re looking for work, the Job Zone @r4i7: has teamed up with Guild volunteering We’re excited to announce Clean Bandit as singles chart with ‘’ and “Had a Victoria Special from and the University’s Careers Network for the headline act for your Grad Ball 2014! have just been confirmed on the line up for @crepesandmore while at the the Summer Jobs and Volunteering Fair at Glastonbury. @GuildofStudents over lunch. Messy Known for their fusion of electronic, 11am (until 3pm) on Wednesday 11th June but very yummy!” in the Underground. classical and deep-house, the British group If you have purchased a Grad Ball ticket scored their first UK number one earlier this congratulations! You must now exchange @EKSainsbury: year with ‘Rather Be’ - which remained at your e-ticket for a paper entry ticket before “Brilliant to have lots of the top of the charts for four weeks. the event to ensure entry in to the Ball. @GuildofStudents @unibirmingham Ticket exchange dates and locations can NUS representation this yr... SUMMER JOBS & There first album ‘’ is set for be found at guildofstudents.com Only the @PoppyJW & @zarahsultana on block, release the week before Grad Ball on purchaser can redeem tickets. You must Kelly as trustee” VOLUNTEERING FAIR Monday 2nd June. bring your student ID card with you. 11th June Supporting the main act are Gorgon If you have VIP (Dinner) ticket, you must @Alice1992Key: City, who released their single ‘Intentions’ register your table booking and make your “@unibirmingham beautiful campus, 11am - 3pm featuring Clean Bandit and collaborated menu choices by 5pm on Friday 30th May. great choice of societies to get stuck Underground with singer-songwriter on ‘Real’ last The table booking form and menu can into and best student tv station! @ year. The electronic music production duo again be found on the Guild website. GuildTelevision @GuildofStudents” Guild of Students most recently reached number 4 in the UK Poppy’s Column NUS Conference – Poppy Name of “Hi everyone! We’re pleased to announce that following of 15 representatives on the National the completion of election counts by Executive Council, NUS Trustees and the the Game “I hope you all took the opportunity to the NUS Chief Returning Officer, your Democratic Procedures Committee. have a bit of a break over the Easter President, Poppy was last Budget for the year ahead is decided Community activity and elite through the Annual General Meeting period and you’ve returned feeling month successfully elected on to the NUS performance will be practised side National Executive Council – Block of 15. (AGM). refreshed and ready to face term by side when the new £55 million 3! The last term of the academic Congratulations is extended to two The National Executive Council University sports centre opens. year can be extremely stressful for a further University of Birmingham students, coordinates NUS’ campaigns and training The sports centre will include number of reasons and so it’s really Zarah Sultana, who is Vice-Chair of the work, and is responsible for managing Birmingham’s first 50m swimming important to focus and put in some University of Birmingham’s Black & Ethnic the political affairs of NUS. NEC reports to pool, an arena sports hall seating really hard work! But one thing which Minorities’ Association (BEMA) joins Poppy National Conference and is chaired by up to 900 spectators, six squash is just as important is the need to take on the National Executive Council, and the NUS President. courts, six activity rooms for a wide some time out to de-stress. This is why Kelly Rogers, who was elected as an NUS range of sport and fitness classes, a Trustee. Toni Pearce, current NUS President The NUS Trustee Board is responsible for the Guild is holding a De-Stresstival 225-station gym and various other was also re-elected as President. the financial and administrative affairs of each and every Wednesday in the organisation. It is a non-political body facilities, all designed to meet the Mermaid Square, including street Voting took place at the National whose goal is to provide resource for needs of students, staff, and the food, mocktails, fresh fruit and Union of Students (NUS) conference the officers to enact policy. It’s chaired wider community. a bouncy Castle (on the back 2014. Delegates at the Conference set by the NUS President and is made up of You can help the University lawn)! Make sure to pop down and policy for the year ahead and elect the an additional four full time officers, six to celebrate this exciting new De-Stress! NUS President, Vice Presidents, Block students and four lay trustees. development for Birmingham by getting involved with our interactive “The opportunity to vote in the Guild’s ‘Name of the Game’ campaign! referendum has now been extended Name of the Game gives you the until Friday 13th June to ensure that chance to name the new gym by every student has the opportunity to voting for your favourite sporting hero have their say on how they are repre- who has pledged their support for sented within the Guild and how the es the facility. Paralympian swimmer democratic structures work. I would Str stiv - a Ellie Simmonds, test cricketer encourage each and every student e l Gladstone Small, and World Ironman to use their voice and vote! #loveyourguild D Champion Chrissie Wellington are all backing the campaign – who will get “For the first time ever, we moved the your vote? sale of Gradball tickets online and Give your brain it proved to be incredibly successful #loveyourguild To find out more about our Name with the majority of tickets being sold of the Game champions, and to in just twenty minutes. We are also a rest and de-stress cast your vote, head to birmingham. incredibly excited to announce that Taking time out to relax and do the representing international cuisines to ac.uk/nameofthegame. The website Clean Bandit will be headlining this things you enjoy is absolutely essential tempt your taste buds. Take a jump also offers a sneak peek at what years Gradball and will be supported to give your brain a chance to rest and on our bouncy castle and bounce the finished facilities will look like, by ! digest information. your worries away or transport yourself plus some great games that reveal to a tropical island with a mocktail fascinating facts about the new With that in mind, we’re giving you the “Your Vice President (Sport), Vicki from Joe’s! For the full line-up go to sports centre! go-ahead to take a break and forget Harris has been working really hard to guildofstudents.com/de-stresstival about your impending exams, albeit for deliver what promises to be a really You can also vote by texting an hour or two, each Wednesday. Send us a picture via twitter with the brilliant Sports Ball and she is making GLADSTONE’, ‘ELLIE’ or ‘CHRISSIE’ to hash tag #loveyourguild showing how 70099. Texts cost £1 plus your standard an excellent recovery following a Head on down to the Guild, take a you de-stress during the exam period. Gymnastics accident earlier this year! ‘time out’ and treat yourself to tasty The top two pictures will receive a t-shirt network rate. All money raised will Go Vicki! snacks from around the world. Each each week! be donated to the new sports centre week, we’re inviting street food vendors development. “It’s nearly time for this year’s Officer Team to say farewell but, in the mean- time, please feel free to get in touch Voting extended with any concerns or problems!

“Much love, in referenda

Poppy Wilkinson REFERENDA We understand that term three is an decision before taking your opportunity extremely busy time, with many of you to use your vote. President, Guild of Students preparing for exams and submitting final assignments. So that all of you get We’d like to say thanks to those of [email protected] the chance to vote in our democratic you who’ve already voted and have @Guild_President REFERENDA structures and Officer Team referenda, campaigned so far, and encourage BhamGuild Pres Ident we are extending the voting period until those of you who have not yet voted to VOTING EXTENDED exams are over. Voting will now close at do so. This is your chance to have a say on how the Guild should work for you. at guildofstudents.com 4pm on Friday 13th June. As so many of you helped with our Voting is easy, log in and click on the recent research (which informed the vote button within the my.bham portal

REFERENDA proposals) we are keen to ensure you OR go to guildofstudents.com (and all have enough time to read the log-in using your University details). You supporting documents, digest the can vote ‘for, against or abstain’ in both information and make an informed questions. Nominations open for Student Group - Focus on... honorary life membership Gilbert & Sullivan Do you know someone who’s made an submitted by 5pm on Friday 19th May outstanding contribution to the Guild? This is your chance to nominate your If you have any questions, please email Established: fellow students for a Guild Honorary Life [email protected] 2007 Membership. President: Previous recipients have included past Bella Harris (4th Year Medic) students, university staff and members of the local community. Honorary Your group in 20 words: Life Member University of Birmingham’s comic opera Nomination forms can be found at society, performing the works of Gilbert & guildofstudents.com, and must be Sullivan, as well as other operettas.

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01/07/2013 11:07 Favourite moment so far: WE KNOW IT’S GOOD TO TALK. Taking our production of ‘The Gondoliers’ to the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton last summer, and coming home with an award and an invitation to come every year!

Greatest achievement/proudest moment: Using the society’s wealth of singing talent to raise over £1000 for charity carol- singing in Edgbaston over the past three Christmases.

What makes your group stand out from the rest? We put on consistently high-quality musical productions, but we proudly maintain a non-auditioned chorus and orchestra, so everyone is more than welcome to join in whatever their level of experience.

Why get involved with your group? Have Lastyour month, we invitedsay you to join– our the Big Conversation Guild’s We definitely feel we are among the most fun societies at the University of and discuss the issues that matter to you most. Birmingham. We work hard to put on cracking shows, but we have a great Now we want to hear your view on your guild of students, time, hold some brilliant socials (next up in a few weeks is Laser Quest) and Strategicgiving you another Plan chance shape (2014-17) our next strategic plan. have a wonderful spirit of camaraderie. No need to have heard of G&S or have experience of ‘operatic’ singing - if you want to be part of amazing Tell us what you think by completing our online survey and At the Guild we’re looking ahead and Based on the feedback you gave us, we help us to look forward and plan for the future. productions and a marvellous society, just come along! planning what we need to do for you, have identified key areas and priorities to our students, over the next three years. focus on, develop and improve over the Contacts… To help inform this process,To thank we‘ve you for been your valued next input, three three years. completed We’d like to know what Email: [email protected] listening to you andsurveys conducted will be ourpicked at randomyou thinkto win of a thesetop prize areas of and priorities, biggest ever research project£500, or earlier one of thistwo runnersand up get prizes any of additional £100. feedback you academic year – with more than 3,600 of have to inform the development of our you taking part in our surveys and focus new plan. groups. guildofstudents.com/yourview2013 Go to guildofstudents.com/haveyoursay What are you doing this summer? By James Rasaiah, 3rd year International Relations Whilst an opportunity to travel or relax, the summer break is also one of the best times to find part-time or full time vacation work. A summer job is a fantastic way of earning money, whilst developing a wide variety of skills and experiences to help you find your perfect job after graduation!

For many employers, academic work around Birmingham and have most isn’t enough to make you stand out. recently worked in the Guild of Students. You’ll need to show that you have been To help you when you’re searching, here proactive with your time, and that you are some top tips to make it easier: have developed transferrable skills. I’ve found that employers are really • Come to the Summer Jobs and impressed when you have loads of past Volunteering Fair, taking place on experience to prove you have the skills Wednesday 11th June in the Guild you write on your CV, and it gives you of Students. loads to talk about in an interview. At • Get your CV checked. You can the same time, I’ve made loads of new book an appointment during term friends and plenty of cash to keep me with Job Zone going! • Check out vacancies on Job There is a wide variety of work available Zone’s website guildofstudents. over the summer, and finding a job com/jobzone. This is where I found was easier than I would have thought. my last summer job! I’ve worked as a waiter, done cleaning What’s on? Your definitive guide to the very best Guild of Students events and nights out, taking place over this term…

Monday 12th May Wednesday 21st May Thursday 5th June from £4.30 [email protected] Student Mentor Scheme: Relaxation workshop Guild of Students: De-Stresstival Guild Council Meeting Weekly CV Check 7.30-10pm, Bramall Music Building, University of 12-4pm, Mermaid Square & Underground Lawn, 6-10.45pm, Guild Council Chambers, Guild of Students Birmingham. Guild of Students Through Guild Council, students at the University of Appointments Do you live in university accommodation? If Taking time out to relax and do the things Birmingham decide the policy of the Guild, hold Every Wednesday (term-time) that’s a yes then the Student Mentor Scheme you enjoy is absolutely essential to give your their Officers to account and ensure it’s working for (Guild of Students) invites you to stress less at our brain a chance to rest and digest information. its members. [email protected] 12-1pm, Guild of Students workshops: Please book your space by emailing With that in mind, we’re giving you the go- This service is for current University [email protected]. ahead to take a break and forget about your BDH Night In for Macmillan Cancer Support of Birmingham students (or their impending exams, albeit for an hour or two, 3pm-2am, Email for location details dependants) who would like to sit Tuesday 13th May each Wednesday. Head on down to the Guild BDH brings you a lovely night in with food, music with a trained CV Adviser to speak of Students for… Street Food, Bouncy Castle, and chitchatter. A ‘relaxed party vibe’. We Mukengyo Taiko Drummers about covering letters and/or CV’s for 7.30-10pm, Bramall Music Building, University of Mocktails, Free Fruit thought it would be a great idea considering its for Birmingham such a good cause. Pay money to enter £3-4 OR part-time or summer vacation work. Experience thundering rhythms on huge taiko Workshop: Succeeding at Job Interviews donate during the night. To book a place please visit jobzone. drums, mysterious masked choreography with 12-1pm, Rosa Parks, Guild of Students [email protected] eventbrite.co.uk. jobzone@guild. This workshop will help you to prepare for job inventive lighting and muscular synchronisation bham.ac.uk timed to perfection. Tickets £18, concessions £15, interviews: For further information about our Friday 6th June events: [email protected] or under 18s £10. Book online. Fab & Friday: End of Exams Special 0121 251 2500. [email protected] 10pm-3am, Guild of Students Celebrate the end of exams with the Guild’s most Fab ‘n’ Fresh Thursday 22nd May Student Mentor Scheme: Exam Stress workshop popular home-grown event on a friday! Tickets Every Saturday (term-time) 5-7pm, InFusion Cinema Room Guild Council Meeting from £4.30 [email protected] Do you live in university accommodation? If 6-10.45pm, Guild Council Chamber, The Guild’s most popular home-grown that’s a yes then the Student Mentor Scheme Guild of Students Refreshers’ Fest event right on your doorstep! (Guild of Students) invites you to stress less at our Through Guild Council, students at the University 6th-13th June, 10am-2am, various locations 10am – 3pm. Tickets from £4.30 workshops: Please book your space, email: of Birmingham decide the policy of the Guild, Your chance to experience freshers all over again [email protected]. hold their Officers to account and ensure it’s and celebrate the end of exams. Seven nights out, working for its members. for the discounted price of £15. Buy tickets from Wednesday 14th May [email protected] guildofstudents.com/events Guild of Students: De-Stresstival 12-4pm, Mermaid Square & Underground Lawn, Sunday 25th May Sunday 8th June Guild of Students ISA Coffee Morning Guild of Students presents: Sports Ball tresstiv Taking time out to relax and do the things 12-1.30pm, Seminar Room, Careers Network 5.30pm departure from Guild of Students to the e-S al you enjoy is absolutely essential to give your Want to meet other international students? Edgbaston Cricket Ground D brain a chance to rest and digest information. Come along to the Careers Network Centre An evening to celebrate and recognise the #loveyourguild With that in mind, we’re giving you the go- for our monthly coffee mornings. Discuss your sporting achievements of students at Birmingham. ahead to take a break and forget about your career plans with our experienced and friendly guildofstudents.com/ impending exams, albeit for an hour or two, International Students Ambassadors. For further Wednesday 11th June each Wednesday. Head on down to the Guild information about our events: jobzone@ de-stresstival Summer Jobs and Volunteering Fair 2014 of Students for… Street Food, Bouncy Castle, guild.bham.ac.uk or 0121 251 2500. 11am-3pm, Underground, Guild of Students Mocktails, Free Fruit Get involved, build your skills and have fun! Wednesday 28th May • Meet employers recruiting for part-time, casual Workshop: Create a Winning CV & Covering Letter Guild of Students: De-Stresstival and vacation work. 12-1pm, Rosa Parks, Guild of Students 12-4pm, Mermaid Square & Underground Lawn, • Find out about vacancies in the local area, and This workshop will help you to consider how Guild of Students vacation work abroad. you can match your skills to what employers Taking time out to relax and do the things • Volunteering opportunities in a variety of sectors, are looking for so that you can create an you enjoy is absolutely essential to give your from local and national charities. effective CV and covering letter for part-time brain a chance to rest and digest information. • Ask Job Zone for information and advice about working part-time while you study. employment. For further information about our With that in mind, we’re giving you the go- • CV check appointments available on the day events: [email protected] or ahead to take a break and forget about your (limited appointments) 0121 251 2500. impending exams, albeit for an hour or two, each Wednesday. Head on down to the Guild [email protected] Thursday 15th May of Students for… Street Food, Bouncy Castle, Laughter Yoga Mocktails, Free Fruit. Thursday 12th June 6-7pm, Rosa Parks, Guild of Students Gradball 2014 12.06.14 Do you live in university accommodation? If Looking for a Part Time or Summer Job Drop In Main campus that’s a yes then the Student Mentor Scheme 12-1pm, Rosa Parks, Guild of Students For the latest Grad Ball 2014 news and guildofstudents.com/gradball2014 (Guild of Students) invites you to stress less at our Applying for part-time or vacation work? announcements use #gradball2014 and join the workshops: Please book your space by emailing Would you like to ask questions about job Grad Ball Facebook page. For full information, [email protected]. searching? Drop in anytime between 12:00pm see guildofstudents.com/gradball2014 and 1:00pm to speak to an advisor For further Contact Us... Tuesday 20th May information about our events: jobzone@ Wednesday 18th June The First World War: 100 Years on guild.bham.ac.uk or 0121 251 2500. Post graduate Masters Summer Series: UK and 6-7pm, Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building International Business Etiquette [email protected] As the 100-year anniversary of the start of the Tuesday 3rd June 2-4pm, UG05, Learning Centre guildofstudents.com First World War approaches, the University is RockSoc’s BBQ This session explores fitting in and getting on 0121 251 2300 delighted to welcome Sir Hew Strachan, one of 6-11pm, Underground, Guild of Students with your colleagues at work. Gain a better the world’s leading experts on the Great War, Our end of year BBQ we have three live bands understanding of expected behaviour in the UK to deliver a talk as part of the Vice-Chancellor’s performing for us, Bordello Fish, Escape From and international workplaces. distinguished lecture series. Free event but book Heaven, Hellion Rising, Kill Joy City. We’ll be [email protected] your place here: birmingham.ac.uk/forms/ announcing stage times closer to the event. We Follow the Guild of Students on events/VC-Guest-Lecture.aspx will have fun and games available on the night, Thursday 19th June Twitter @guildofstudents and ‘like’ [email protected] and obviously we will have food for all. Guild Council Meeting the Guild of Students’ Facebook [email protected] 6-10.45pm, Guild Council Chamber, Wednesday 21st May Guild of Students page at fb.com/guildofstudents ISA Coffee Morning Tuesday 5th June Through Guild Council, students at the University of 12-2pm, Muirhead Tower 113 EI Skills Series: Introduction to Enterprise for Birmingham decide the policy of the Guild, hold Summer vacation opening hours Want to meet other international students? International Students their Officers to account and ensure it’s working Come along to the Careers Network Centre 9-10.30am, location TBC for its members. [email protected] 9am -5pm Monday-Friday for our monthly coffee mornings. Discuss your Unsure whether you want to work for a company? Weekends - Closed career plans with our experienced and friendly Have ideas for starting your own business? Want Friday 20th June International Students Ambassadors. For further to know how to start so that you can pursue self- Fab & Friday information about our events: jobzone@ employment as another career route? This session 10pm-3am, Guild of Students guild.bham.ac.uk or 0121 251 2500. will provide you with tips and advice to help you Celebrate the end of term with the Guild’s most understand what makes a successful business. popular home-grown event on a friday! Tickets [email protected]