Quick Update.....

Hey Everyone

Sorry I haven't blogged in a few weeks.

The Disabled Students AGM is taking place this week on Thursday between 16:30 and 18:00 in the Underground in the Guild.

The following positions are being elected at the AGM and I look forward to meeting everyone, getting an active and engaging committee and snacking of the free food!!

The Committee positions

Chair
The chair is responsible for coordinating the committee, ensuring the association is represented at meetings with the Guild or University, and to chair meetings. You will be passionate about the objectives of DAMSA and be able to motivate and encourage others to also take part.

Treasurer
The Treasurer provides the committee with regular reports on the group’s financial status and advises on financial issues, liaises directly with Student Development to maintain and update the group’s accounts, prepares the grant application requesting financial assistance from the Guild. This individual will be well organised and able to communicate with a number of different individuals about financial issues - don't worry, Student Development will give you lots of support and advice!

Secretary
The Secretary takes minutes at relevant meetings, such as the AGM or Committee meetings if required, maintains and updates membership lists for the group and informs Student Development of committee members, corresponds with members, interested students and external bodies, ensures the promotion of the group and its activities to encourage increased awareness of and participation in the group. This person will be good at communicating in a number of ways, and well organised.

Mental Health Officer

To be elected to this position you have to self define as having a mental health disability. The mental Health Officer will organise campaigns to reduce stigma, have events and forums so people can discuss their issues with the university. They will also be a "signalling" post for people to point them in the right direction.

Learning Disabilities Officer

To be elected to this position you have to self define as having a learning disability. The learning Disability officer will organise campaigns and hold have events and forums so people can discuss their issues with the university. They will also be a "signalling" post for people to point them in the right direction.

Physical Disabilities Officer

To be elected to this position you have to self define as having a physical disability. The physical Disability officer will organise campaigns and hold have events and forums so people can discuss their issues with the university. They will also along with the rest of the commitee lobby the university and the guild to be more assessible to wheel-chair users. They will also be a "signalling" post for people to point them in the right direction.

Publicity Officer

The role of the publicity officer will be to publicise events in the most assessible way possible to make sure events held by the association are attended and therefore able to ensure that the association remains active.

Open Place Guild Councillor

The role of the Guild councillor will be to represent Disabled Students to the Guild, hold the relevant officers to account and make sure the Guild is approopriatly representing disabled students. 

Sorry thats alot of writting!!! 

Please Please come along


Claire xx

Disability and Mental Health AGM

Hey everyone

Just to let you know and please let any of your friend as or constituents know that we are holding the Disability and Mental Health Students Association on the 25th March between 16:30 and 18:00 in the underground the Guild of Student's this is an assessable venue and if you have any concerns please contact me !!

I am hoping that we will be a successful event and that we will finally be able to have events that cater for the needs of Disabled Students, as well as relevant campaigns, discussions, ensure better accessibility to societies etc.

So please do not hesitate to contact me dso@guild.bham.ac.uk

Also another quick note- I attended Disabled students Conference over the past few days and it was an unforgettable experience. I learnt loads and hopefully will be able to represent you more effectively. I also was able to network with other students and hopefully we can work together with Further education colleges and other University's to ensure a stronger campaign on issues that affect Disabled Students. I was also elected onto the NUS Disabled Students Committee as Women's Officer.

If you would like any more information on the conference please contact me.

Claire xx