JCR Chair

David Bufton

johns.chair@durham.ac.uk

I'm a Second-Year Lawyer, and the Chair of the JCR.

My job in the JCR is to ensure that everything and everyone adheres to the constitution. The most visible role of the JCR Chair is as Chair of the JCR (or Ordinary General) Meetings that are usually held three times a term. Comparing the JCR Chair to the Speaker of the House of Commons would not be far wrong, except you do not have to address me as Mr Speaker!

The JCR is important because we are a charity; we are obliged by law to seek certain objectives, act in the best interests of members, and keep lots of rules. It is my job, along with the President, to ensure that these objectives are fulfilled from a democratic angle at least. I will be working tirelessly to ensure that the JCR is made as understandable as possible and to make sure that accountability is maintained.

St John's is one of only two independent Colleges in Durham; as a result, the JCR can work extremely closely with college to have a huge say in how college is run: from the meals served up daily, to the furniture in the common rooms; the freshers’ reps greeting you, to the selection of our new Senior Tutor.

It is for this reason that the position of JCR Chair is an impartial one. Under the constitution I am not allowed to express a substantive opinion in my role as Chair. The only other role in this position is the JCR Vice-Chair: Charlotte Welsh, a first year lawyer. (vice-chair@johnsjcr.org.uk). We are here to make sure that the JCR is run properly and fairly, without any personal bias. The JCR Chair also sits in a judicial capacity should the need arise, due to this requirement of impartiality. 

Additionally, there are a number of administrative and organisational duties that the Chair and Vice-Chair work on together, such as signing off posters and organising JCR meetings.

Generally, if you have any queries or comments about the procedural side of the JCR, I'm probably your first port of call!

All best wishes,

Dave.