JJCR & JHJCR Meeting Minutes 2006-07.
Minutes for the JCR meeting 6-5-07
Opening Prayer
Appologies for absence:
Chris Beston
Laura Buddington
Martin Clarke
Ben Salter
John Barron
Bruce Falkener
Joanne Cox
Catherine Green
Andy Murphy
Henry Jones
Reports
President – impressed with costumes – come as Snow White. Had Presidents training, accountants training and has met with Peter. Meeting Stephen Hampton about Margarets rent coordinating with Student loan. Exam Quiet starts Monday but Orchestra can go ahead.
Cranmer
12 meetings. Said Becca is working very hard. Thanked members of the exec for their help so far. Hope for a good year between the two halls and said it was good to see Cranmer people here. Mark is CCR vice president is having an assessed sermon and Sunday is difficult for Cranmer so please pray for him.
MCR – not here and no appologies.
Will – trouble with formal sign up – sorted. Looking at changing how it works to make it fairer so everyone can go to some. Lots of things left over from Katie – has lots of things going. Lots of things to happen soon.
Nick – Updated board with Helen. Put welfare contact cards in the loos – let Nick know if there are any he has missed. Tried to organise Indian head massage – wants to know interest. Go to Website to show interest.
Martin – Piggy bank – finding feet, done VAT return, meetings mentioned by Peter and Becca. Can print money request forms off the internet so please do that. Question on the TV room TV as it is orange. Martin to ring them.
Sammy – hound – meetings – elected people and created position of website editor. Main aim is keep the cap on tuition fees. If people want to get involved let Sammy know. Awards after exams – nominations opening soon. Stress less available on the website.
Enoch – John’s butler – Stash order forms, college photos, meetings. Thanks for the photo and thanked god for the weather.
Charlotte – weekly e-mail taken over, this week.
Tom – Klute free on a Wednesday. SEC working hard. People to e-mail with ideas for John’s day – 13th June. Ticket prices up for Summer ball – up from last year because don’t have subsidies. Leavers get priority. Cheques into pigeon hole.
MCR – arrived – new fridge, MCR ball on 2nd July, See Ed if you want to go as his guest!
MCR pages in the yearbook – see Ed if you want one. No welfare officer at the moment so see Ed if you have any issues. Ed still has our fire. Ed suggested Tim join him after the meeting to get it back
Henry to put his report in this week.
Charlotte - resignation from BTC treasurer – finally got the hang of it, really enjoying it, Earnest earnt a lot of money. Problem of finance committee shouldn’t be an issue, because assistant will minute. Passionate about BTC. Aids communication between the two.
Felix – quite concerned. Apologies for also holding a position during his office. Exec position needs the full attention of the individual. Both involve a lot of time. You don’t have an assistant. Not democratically or organisationally possible.
c- not as much of an issue as you think. More benefits, combining many links. Work load of treasurer not as much as you think.
When is the term of office?
Chair’s ruling. Motion to change Quoracy. Needed 50% commonroom membership. Changed to a third and was accepted but led to a clash. Constitution takes precedence so motion is unworkable so wording to be changed back so is 50% of common room to be voting. Taken on a general Aye.
Becca sabbatical presidency working group – has to disband as Becca was on it as President but Becca was also on it as a voting member. Suggested to take it up again looking at the roles of the whole exec rather than just the president.
Tom put forward a motion for spending for speakers. We don’t have enough money so may be put off til the next meeting so aim is largely to raise awareness. Any questions? We have the right to disagree with finance committee but would require a 90% majority. Martin reported on why it got rejected by finance committee – we don’t have enough money at present because of their loan to the bar etc. Included where the money comes from. Also, one of the previous speakers was lost over the summer so may be a possibility of getting insurance. Motion will have to be re-presented. Look into other avenues to acquire the money from Cranmer or other avenues. Also Ed suggested that it did not seem responsible to replace it when it just gets lost. 2 years ago it was suggested that the sound equipment was bought would last 15 years. James suggested that John’s day without music would not be the same. From Cranmer – sound with a rubbish PA and it affects their academic work. Looking into whether college would fund them. Should be another JCR meeting prior to finance committee. Becca wanted to clarify that we all want speakers but clarified that we are going to spend the next couple of weeks looking into getting funds from other avenues. Vote – need 90% - no votes to release it now. 1 abstention.
Motion to give honorary life membership to previous JJCR exec – approved on a general aye.
Ratification of Boat club positions. Jon Rawling as Boat club cox and treasurer. Sophie noted opposition but the head cox is not in the constitution. Treasurer was the only contested position and so seems unfair – delay ratification to be put to the boat club.
JJCR meeting is over.
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Ratification of chapel reps – Richard Morton and Becky Askey
Fresher’s rep coordinators – Ester and Ben – procedural motion to stand together taken on a general aye. Ester says ben is committed, funny, bubbly and sensitive and created the handbook and was an amazing freshers rep and is very caring. Ester is the epitemy of John’s spirit . Knows how to have a good time and can balance going out and staying in and is ‘fit’. Both can embarrass themselves and know how important freshers week is. Crudge asked if they had considered making someone in charge of bluetac. Ben suggested making the person in charge of the handbook in charge of bluetak.
Asked how they would work together. Ester said it was very important for the team to work together and think the bonding week away amazing.
Asked how the upper class freshers would understand their accents. Ben suggested they would talk with an accent and Ester suggested elocution lessons.
Crudge proposed to demonstrate their bond with each other through the medium of dance.
Dan asked if there would be any horse related freshers activities. Ester suggested hay bailing but suggested that there wouldn’t be any.
Becca asked how they would discipline second and third years wanting to crash freshers and steal t-shirts. They suggested getting 2nd and 3rd years more involved generally. Overwhelming votes for and no abstentions or against.
Assistant services manager – manifesto
Pete Skarrat
Wants to be ass. Services manager. Wants to maintain standards. Needs a good partnership with Enoch. Suggests he will do the manual labour allowing Enoch to use his brain. Phil suggested ass. Services is the most important position. Gets to decide what sandwhiches and ginsters to get so would they forget to order tuna and cucumber but suggested that he has seen people eating them. Asked what he has against Liverpool – from the south but not very helpful… Overwhelming majority for. One obstention.
Assistant Estates – Manifesto
Sanne suggested that he has a good nature for the position and has relationships with college officers. Formals is the main job of the assistant estates. Suggested advertising for formal sign up. Put aside seats for the president to invite people and would really like to do it.
Larry said he was hot in the outfit. He said that it was more to do with the clean up after formal and was happy to do the dirty work to help Will.
Vanessa said she had invaluable experience from house committee and is willing to go to meetings instead of will.
Ben asked if they enjoy washing glasses. Vanessa said she had washed up solidly for a week. Sanne said that he washed lots of glasses at loveshack and so is good at it. Larry suggested it was relaxing and a good way to sober up.
Will mentioned that workload would increase next year and so how would they cope walking in from home so how they would manage. Larry said living in Margarets and has a bike. Vanessa said living near margarets. Sanne said doing theology and so always on Palace green and doesn’t expect his cooking is up to much.
Sanne said that Ikea furnature is not a problem as long as you don’t throw the instructions away. Larry said most of his furnature is Ikea. Vanessa said she did a desk her dad didn’t do.
Martin asked about relationship with catering staff. Vanessa said she had worked with them as openday rep. Sanne said he had a good relationship and serves them in Loveshack and Larry said he had a good relationship with them too.
No Assistant Comms.
Assistant Male Welfare – Chris Gough sent appologies. Ben to hust. Wouldn’t propose anyone not prefect for the job. Quiet so good for the job. Suggested Chris to be an Eyoree character and said that therefore he could make everyone feel better. Overwhelming. A few abstentions.
Finance committee rep. Rory stood. Accepted on a general Aye.
Alex Davis standing for Decs officer. No call to hust. Accepted on a general Aye.
Freshers’ Reps.
30 candidates. 30 seconds to hust and 3 questions. Manifestos at the back of the hall.
Chris – fresher’s week is awesome and that is when he first made friends due to fresher’s reps so wants to do the same.
Ben – the guy who doesn’t ware much but also is a good listener and easy to talk to and will be two shoulders to cry on. I-shan standing in for Martin Clarke wants to make all freshers feel welcome and work closely with welfare and organise caleighs etc.
Thought last year’s team were awesome. Wants to do a trick and is a student rep for loveshack.
Ali – thinking of a reason he wants to be a rep but wants to get stuck into the freshers.
Jo – enjoyed freshers week and a good start. Wants ot do the same for next years freshers. Sees the importance of the role.
Alex – loves Johns and Johns is amazing and feels passionate about college life.
Jane – was nervous but loved it and down to the reps. Wants ot make John’s their home. Up for going out or staying in.
Sam – sternum. Has lots of ideas and wants to make transition as good as possible. Friendly and approachable.
Alice – had a brilliant week and wants a chance to do the same. Thinks the team should be diverse and wants to make friends.
Lou – Doesn’t mind making a fool out of herself. Scary so thinks it is important to have Fresher’s reps there to talk to etc.
Larry – approachable – all the freshers reps knew us and willing ot do anythnin and would also be willing ot do anything.
Ben – knows from Stephenson what not to do and was an openday rep meeting people who will be freshers.
Harriet – Loves life at John’s and stay up longer at the end of each term as doesn’t want to go home wants to share this with freshers.
Dave wants to think he is all of these things and willing to go to huge lengths.
Alex – loves people and has loads of time. Doesn’t sleep and will be here all summer.
Stevie – only stateschool girl who doesn’t row, non religious etc… Not in a clique so good link. Wants to devote time to it.
Nick – Really keen to do it and wants ot be part of the team. Humble, humerous, hansome, etc.
Danielle – wasn’t expecting to enjoy fresher’s week but overwhelmed by how amazing everyone was. Approachable and friendly and wants to make everyone have an amazing time.
Helena – is as small as a 12 year old and loves working as a team and want’s to make freshers time amazing.
Ali spoke for Jack and said he would love to be a fresher’s rep but not here not sure why.
Mischa – either end of the John’s extremes. Friends made in freshers week will have for a lifetime. Freshers his age. Can do the jobs you hate.
Steve – from north so simple. Witty intelligent dignified. Bad at memory so remembering names = test.
Sanne – rep of discipline. Will treat everyone with distain and keep order.
Anna – Wants to treat it seriously. Wants to get to know everyone. Will listen to peple. Creative. Wants the opportunity.
Katherine – approachable. Wants to do the fun stuff too. All round.
Ruth – scary so wants to help welfare but fun too – will go out and make a fool of herself but will stay out.
Sarah – didn’t know if would like it but does – largely from freshers. Part of the welfare team.
Harry – wants to make it good for everyone. Listens and will go out. Wants stash.
How have they contributed to college?
Hocky team
Netball, basketball, plays justworld.
Netball, hocky, CU
Secretary of SEC
Worked the bar
Spiritually helped Cranmer
Umpired mens hocky team at 9am
Turned up to 9am hocky
Got drunk
Coxing at 6am
Just world shop
Sports Cu, barbeque
Netball, brunch
CU, table tennis, always awake
Football, pool and itbox
Chapel choir, bailey theatre company, row
House committee
Football and toastie team
Cox, bar cleaning
Cleaning
Netball for Duck
Randomly start conversations with everyone
Teching, Chapel choir
Bailey ball clear up
Rugby, cricket and making an idiot of himself
Not much
Environment rep and orchestra and hot chocolate
Private parts on display most mornings
Hockey, Senior Duck rep.
What would be distinctive way to make quiet people enjoy it.
Lou – outside barbequeues
Larry – more in bar so not just drinking but also talking
Speed dating
Chilled out evenings – hot chocolate
Barbeques. Video diary room
Knows Durham so could take them on walks
Bouncy castle
Diverse group of friends – parents day bigger. Sports day.
Ladies group – tea
Get other second and third years back
Workshops to get people to show what they are good at
Break a world record
Stratergy board games to beat them
Quizes in the bar
Make tea for lots of people
DVDs
Coffee shop
Evenings at 2nd and 3rd year housed
Talk to everyone round college
Sliding doors watching session
Good approachable person
Stay in fancy dress and then follow not out going people everyone.
Fruit smoothy night
Jack – no idea
Lots of tea
Talk to everyone individually informally
Everyone goes to everything but try to look after everyone who is quiet when there
Sponsored neighbours watching
Durham Tea shop crawl
Lots of specific roles on the team. What qualities and do you have the time and what would you go for?
Alice – creative and has time
Sam – ents
Jane – During the holls sugh as t-shirts
Design background
Ents organising – contacts
No preference – team player and no work
Jack – Going out
Russel – trust and loud living out of boxes so doesn’t want to unpack
Will do anything and will do tech side
Unsensored ben video for freshers
Treasurer
Computer and tech stuff
Any field – creative
Dedicate time
Treasurer – organised
Creative, works in that field.
General overlord.
Adaptable
Will do anything – if you want something done ask a busy person
Video
General dogsbody
Ents, creative nothing happening in the summer
Handbook doing palatinate and likes hands
Jobs on building sites so will clear up anything does carpentry
Creative so could do book and video but committed
Creative – pinapple. Will do anyting. Organised
Video – already done one. Loves dressing up.
Works with numbers treasurer
Signs – bar decorating job.
Voting. Cross off Chris Gough.
Any other business?
No
Meeting closed.
Minutes for the JCR meeting 3-6-07
Opening Prayer
Appologies for absence:
Susannah Murray
Mark Stennett
Alison Dorey
Katherine Green
Rich Wylde
Ben Britton
Andy Murphy
Jeanna
Dan Baxter
Anthony Lees-Smith
Helen Jenkins
Minets approved on a general Aye
Reports
President – Congratulations to all on getting thorough exams. Exec took time off for exams so if things have been quiet that is why. Had dinner in Hatfield talking about the residents charge going up and how we can make it value for money and affordable for students. Keep appealing for everything being what we pay for. Also talking about 33 week lets offering Christmas holidays for free. Because Chad’s and John’s are independent we don’t have to follow this and it is something we will do if the university does it but we will wait and see if this happens. Had formal at Chads and relationships are going well and they have a good wine cellar so communications between the bars will happen. Had college council which went on for 5 hours but was useful. Will keep informed of anything interesting. Finance committee. Principles walk on the 16th. Get a coach from John’s to Bamburgh and options for long or short walk and open to MCR and CCR. Third years get library books back soon as can’t graduate if you don’t get them back. Made sheet and summer Shakespeare is in fact on 15th not 16th.
Cranmer – Goodbye to leavers from John’s hall and wish them all the best. Leave names for Cranmer and they will pray for you over the next year. Cranmer took a kicking in college council which is unfair. Cranmer are back the last week of September and they have a welcome dinner in the first week of October so Fresher’s reps and exec are invited. JJCR is going well and are working much tighter together. Martin doing a fantastic job.
MCR – Lost phone but Becca found it. MCR ball at Castle is on July 1st. Moving MCR premises possibly. If you want to become a postgraduate see Ed and he can give advice. Advises to go on Principle’s walk.
Will – Has done very little and had exam on same day as every committee. Nothing much happening becase there is very little money. Hand in keys when you leave! Leavers will not get deposit back and first years will have to pay.
Nick – Indian Head massages went well. Could those who went give feedback to compare companies. Travel bursary deadline is soon. It is JJCR not JHJCR. For Margaret’s students – the first payment is before student loan comes in but individual circumstances may be negotiated – be aware though.
Martin – Thank you to Peter. Looking into finances for CCR as they have not received any money due to controversy over whether they are part of the university. Money situation is better and thanks to those who have spent on JCR facilities but asked if people would not put newspaper in the holes as it is not what the newspaper is for! Debtors list being activated so those on it will not be able to use the bar or shop.
Sammy – Hope all enjoyed free events over exams. Had DSU meetings discussing student awards. General meeting on Tuesday discussing whether should campaign for longer library hours. Positions up for election in this week.
Enoch – Thank you to those who worked the shop. Made £300 in the shop last month which was good. Still special offers this month. Stash orders have been put through and stash should be arriving soon. Just to clarify there will be Sandwiches and Ginsters but there will be no more orders for chocolate and crisps for
Charlotte – weekly e-mail taken over, this week. TW on the internet.
Tom – Mainly been in research – been at Aidens all day researching. Go to John’s day. Summer ball – going to be massive. Pay your cheques in. Lots of ents. Anyone who wants a ticket but doesn’t have one email Tom and he will try and sort it out for you. Leavers formal – tickets on sale soon.
Henry – Meetings – mainly about procedures. Fruit in the Pimms season. Any other drinks – let Henry know. Doing well especially over the exam period and the change of Carlesburg has been good. Plastics – please don’t leave the bar with glass. 2 ents – one dressing up – heros and gods other acoustic evening.
Ed – whiskey shop?
Henry – Nussel doesn’t see it as appropriate but doing best with it.
Discussion – JCR has a room ballot policy for fourth year linguists. Have to have discussions every year to see if we are going to do this. No questions and taken on a general aye.
Motion for spending on new croquet equipment.
Dave – College don’t have a functional croquet set and wants to buy a new one costing £189 and will be durable.
Passed by finance committee so can oppose it.
Ed – can we keep it more secure?
Will - possible to use a cleaners cupboard and lock it away.
Becca – all other bailey colleges are spending as much so necessary.
Taken on a general aye.
Conference policy up for renewal. College booked college over graduation and policy was passed 3 years ago to allow a proportional amount of time after term. Policy taken on a general aye.
BEC pubs – job is to publicise all bar events. Problem – have not been enough publishing before events so not well attended. Don’t need to be artistic just need to do eye catching things. No candidates so rolls over.
Alumni rep – rolls over
Societies officer – I-Shan standing. Tim Marshall proposed and Martin Clarke seconded. Ed called I-shan to hust. Societies are a big part of why people come to Durham and that is why that is important. Some societies are struggling and could do with help. Accepted on a general aye.
LGBTA rep – no nominations submitted.
Byron Romain proposed Sarah Dewhurst seconded Richard Kelley
Kim Edwards proposed
Byron – good because have been involved and has been to most LGBTA meetings. Publicity for LGBTA. Difficult being LGBT in John’s and will take people along to meetings as go too.
Kim – wanting to continue and loved being LGBTA rep. Has experienced representing students. Has loads of ideas and wants time over the summer to do that.
Sarah suggested they stand together.
Agreed to stand together and procedural motion was passed to allow them to do this and accepted on a general Aye.
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Motions – yearbook policy renewal. Lee questioned what would happen if the document was not submitted 3 weeks before.
Reply that it is just to get the reps to be on track with what they are meant to be doing. Enoch reported that for this year it is on track.
Accepted on a general aye.
Ass. Comms – no candidates.
End of meeting.
JJCR Meeting 14th June 2007
Opening prayer.
Apologies:
Claire Gorge
Becca – Thanks to SEC for John’s day. Staff are happy and best John’s day SH has been to. Also thanks to the exec. College going through a difficult patch which means that we are expecting fewer students than we budgeted for arriving in September due to statistical variations. Sharing the effects with Cranmer. Improvements they were going to make cannot be made. Principal’s walk – appologies for miscommunication. Another coach has been booked and all those who have e-mailed Becca have places but need to sign up on the sheet. 40 ish places left. Meeting is on a Thursday as we were trying to coincide with Cranmer terms but missed it by a week as they finish next Friday not this.
Mark representing Cranmer – Not a lot to report as most of Cranmer have gone home. Only about 30 methodists left who go home tomorrow. Pete is in America.
Ed – MCR ball deadline for tickets is the 22nd June. Ed leaving for 5 weeks so can go through Ian Kid or John Sivill.
Will – College in a bit of trouble and to counteract effects they have invited students from other colleges to move into Margarets. Has been sorted by Becca and the Senior Tutor. 23 and 28 will not be available unless you are an international student. If you are living in Margarets come on Monday at 10am other than the one flat who gets a specific flat and the ballot will be done then.
Nick – Been to finance committee and a few execs. Done welfare blurb for freshers handbook and has been counting condoms and rape alarms. Deadline for travel bursaries are tomorrow e-mail Nick.
Martin – Appologies for the TV still being part broken. Been doing the budget – will come up later. Been making sure all is up to date. Accounts for the bar are now better. Thanks to Siobhan and Will. JCR subscriptions will be discussed later. Money request deadline is Monday. Please e-mail johns-treasurer not Martin’s personal account as makes it easier. Yearbook – please send cheques as debtors list is being activated before the end of the weekend. Cheques were paid in today so they should go out
Charlotte – TW busy, minutes for exec meetings on the internet. TW on the internet. Re-registered e-mail accounts.
-no TW in margrets?
-Sorry, Donald said he’d taken them.
Sammy – Busy – had Durham Student awards and congratulations to Felix on his award. University wants to move the counselling service up to behind Hild Bede so please let feelings be felt. Had DSU exec meeting in Stockton. People graduationg this year will get the new design. Changes happening to the night bus. Could be a decision over the summer. Sammy, Nick and Becca will be consulted English department are on three locations and want to be on two which is why it is being moved.
- what power does the DSU have to stop it?
- Not happening in the near future.
Enoch – college stash has arrived so please come and collect it from the flat and cross off your name from the list. Shop has made about £700 and there will be a sale next week. Please do come to the shop for bargains. If you would like to sell your gown please see Enoch – will buy second hand gowns for £15 if they are in good condition. - Advertised that for John’s day that there would be sandwiches and there weren’t any.
- they arrived at 12:30 so there were sandwiches
Tom – John’s day – mostly cleaned up and thanks to the SEC. Took the whole SEC a month to organise it and there was a whole team to help. Saw a lot of John’s spirit yesterday and hope all enjoyed it. A table plan for the summer ball will go up tonight. Third and fourth years can sign up only. All the tickets are sold. Any problems please see Tom. Finalists formal - £5, leavers get priority and they will be sold in the dining room over the weekend.
Henry – Thank you for drinking responsibly. Thank you to the bar team who were up til 7 sorting the cellar. The ales – had to serve them out of the casks as the cellar equipment couldn’t cope. It is being changed over the next couple of weeks or over the summer. There will be cut prices on cast ales etc but not on spirits. Please be polite to staff, especially at kicking out time otherwise you may be banned.
Discussion:Budget and JJCR fees
Had a long discussion at finance committee. As per constitution have to bring it to the JCR. Going up again this year. Every commonroom set their own. Talking about to John’s Hall. Going up to £60. £20 per year. Still the cheapest in Durham – next is Chad’s on £90. The actual split is still under consideration – talking to Becca and Nick. Thanks to Becca for her work on the Membership fund which is almost up and running again. Money going into the Membership fund, Part I and Part II. Extra money in the membership fund will counteract welfare costs.
- will there be provision made for students who can’t afford this especially as living costs
- Asked for at the beginning of term and there will be more help for students through the membership fund and Nick is doing a lot of work to signpost these funds.
- Need to have it signposted as a lot of new students don’t know about the membership fund.
- Will be put in the freshers’ exec handbook as to how you can get money from where and for what. More money is going on sports teams and all the money will be put back for the students.
- will be paid on Freshers’ Sunday. May go out in freshers’ bumpf so people can do it from home so people know how much they will have to pay before they get to the Bailey room.
- Have been the cheapest for ages and the traditional justification has been that we are well off – is there a case to raise it more?
- Trying to provide a compromise. We are scraping the barrel but we are getting better – bar will be paid back by the end of term and Martin is doing a lot to ensure we are financially secure so £60 is a reasonable increase.
- Have we added in the decrease in students?
- Unsure how much money is going to be coming in from Cranmer – hence the split has not been finalised. In the budget Martin is working on 90 students. Mandated for Martin to bring the split to the finance committee next meeting.
Budget – most things have stayed the same so budget is rough for part I. Exec meals have moved from part II to part I as has This Week. Necessary as it is throughout college – hence the increase. Also a new allowance for frizbee team. Not trying to store a lot a way – the extra is in preparation for other unexpected causes.
- £100 going on an anti-racism working group. Where does that go?
- Was a motion after a racist attack in college and it is a group which should be running within college. Welfare budget is necessary and this is a flexible part of the budget.
- Swim dance society has been allocated £200 and there is no swim dance society.
- This year, Martin has not taken any money off them as it would be harsh to take money off people but would revise this for the budget for 2008.
Budget was ratified by finance committee.
Passed on a general aye.
Motions:MFS Environment
Motion for £20 for Frisbee team. Passed by finance committee. No formal opposition. Passed on a general aye.
Elections:Alumni Rep
No candidates
BEC Pubs
Publicity for bar events – a couple of times per year.
Anna Sharkey standing. Phil Waldbridge proposed. James Tyrell seconded.
Senior Duck Rep
No candidates
Environment Rep
No candidates
Assistant Environment Rep
Have to live in Margaret’s. No candidates.
College Council Rep
No candidates. It is like the governers of a school. SH, AD, Principal and the rest are external except Becca and the rep. Lengthy meetings but provide a different view of college – talking about long terms for college. Held once per term. Pete Godden standing. Proposed Phil Waldbridge. Seconded Sophie Godfree
Luke Wells standing. Proposed Katherine Slight. Seconded Chris Gough
Pete – met with college council when they were having dinner and got on well with them and appeared in a video for college council. Living in next year. Likes Bishops and likes talking to old people. Good bloak and likes college.
Luke - Thinks he would be very good at it. Was a student governer at school and has interest in long term plans. Living in Margarets so will want to get out.
MH – list 3 qualities most essential for this position.
LW - Good listener, put up with meetings, see someone elses point of view
PG - Enthusiastic, willing to see someone elses point of view, love college
PW – What makes college diffee
PG - Financially independent so has more say on financial things and intake
LW - Our choice whether we raise rents and could have own uni challenge team
EMcC - Long term policy change?
LW - Should report to JCR meetings so college knows what it is doing
PG - Recommend the younger ordinands could be included more in John’s hall activities.
Votes – Peter 40
- Luke 9
- RON 0
- Abstentions 4
Pete elected.
Daylight Robbery Rep
No candidates
Kit and Merchandise Rep
No candidates
Loo News
Ben Clarke and Alex Sanne standing as a joint candidate.
Joint candidature proposed Phil Waldbridge and seconded Becca Davies
Alex Sanne can’t do it as he is Assistant Estates. Ben still standing.
Those who know him know what they would get. Want to do it more regularly as has only seen one copy. Don’t want to get just cliquey jokes and want people to send in articles for him to edit and shortern awards ceremony.
- EMcC – fine line between banter and bullying
- BC – would consult people before it is published
- BD – usually funny so tell a joke, possibly a jelly baby joke with voices.
- BC – joke. (you should have been here!)
Taken on a general aye.
Website rep
No candidates
St Margaret’s Garth officer
No candidates. Must be living in Margarets
Environment Rep
Stuart Morris
Proposed I-Shan Porter.
Seconded Chris Leach.
Taken on a general aye.
Sports captains announced:
Netball A – Becky Ryding
Netball B – Susie Buckler
JJCR A.O.B.
Ed asked about Boat Club elections.
Becca – were asked to rewrite the constitution and return so will be approved when they have done this.
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JHJCR elections Assistant Welfare officer - Male
Pete Godden – Spent a lot of tiem doing welfare stuff. Was AWO last year and was student-2-student rep and has done a lot of training so would like to think has a lot of experience. Is a practicing Christian but not CU so has foot in both camps.
TM – what is the difference between the condoms
PG – Extra safe and extra lube.
NR – what is your position on Loo News?
PG – fine as long as not one person being picked on and as long as it is held by someone responsaible.
Overwhelming majority for Pete. Duely elected.
Assistant Welfare Officer – female
Claire Gordge standing. Appologies sent so Lucy Knight spoke. Works with children in youth work and does a lot of church work. Works specifically on exam stress. Worked on estates in Manchester. Friendly, good listener and is dependable. Firmly believes she should not enforce views on religion on people although she is Christian. Studying community and youth work so no exams and
MH – would placements take them away from durham?
LK – a few placements but just day ones.
JT – no placements next year and she was AWO last year and has done nightline training etc.
Overwhelming majority for Claire. Duely elected.
Livers out officer
Helen Loxley – very different from living in college so may be very isolating and would be good for people to stay in touch. Will be in college a lot due to JWS. Lots of time and very creative – is an arts student. Wants a livers-out formal. Going to put a livers out section in this week if there have been muggings or anything similar. Wants to work on the livers out handbook and do two different ones at different times of the year. Very excited about continuing to work on the welfare team.
NR – how do you see it working in the welfare team?
HL – connecting livers out to the college welfare team
MH – a lot of work – are you prepared for this?
HL – has considered it a lot and if she takes something on she puts 100% into it. Has managed 2 positions this year.
BD – is also helping livers out know about what is going on in the university not just in college.
HL – wants a section in handbook as to how to maximise finances.
CG – don’t know many livers out
HL – livers out socials to which anyone can come and make the meet the parents bigger to ease 2nd years into meeting 1st years.
CL – how is a livers out event different to any other day saying come to the bar
HL – provide food.
Overwhelming majority in favour. Helen duely elected.
Shop Manager
No candidates
Assistant Comms
No candidates
A.O.B.
Nothing arising
End of meeting.
Minutes of JJCR meeting, 01-02-2007, 20:00
Related files
Contents
Preamble
Read by Jeanna Shalkowski
The minutes were approved on a general aye; there were no matters
arising.
Reports
Since the last JCR Meeting I've been publicising St. Margaret's so please go and live there as it's amazing. As an Exec we've co-opted the Presidents of Cranmer Common Room and the MCR. I've finalised some sponsorship with Milkround which will bring some money. We've formalised a donation to Nightline.
Hello; it's been quite a quiet start to the term; there were two formals and there's a Valentine's Day formal coming up, with a £2 donation to DUCK. I've started clearing out the lockups. I had an informal house committee and will have catering committee on Monday.
Hey everybody; this term so far I ran Alcohol Awareness Week. There were posters around college. We advertised contact details for Student 2 Student supporters. We're trying to promote the DSU DO NOTHING campaign trying to stop students running into contracts early. We had a livers-out meeting. I met with my reps; updated the welfare board. Panic Alarms have finally arrived and you can get them from me or from my two assistants.
Hello everyone; from last term we had released some money for a Thank You party for the college staff who were around. This is something that Roddy started last year. Martin and I have written the Ethical Purchasing Policy to replace the Nestle policy which fell in the last meeting of last term. Two motions were approved at Finance Committee. Recently the budget and accounts have been my life, heart and soul.
I've taken part in the SOS campaign; there's been a good reply. If you have a postcard in your room drop it off in the post bag in the Bailey Room before Saturday. Sabbatical Elections at DSU are going on; you're paying them. Make sure you get in the best possible candidates for the job. I've worked on the DSU Board. There's a poster with all the ents that are going to be going on. I'm on a working group on the DSU Exec to sort out details within it. I've been to DSU Council and the General Meeting.
Becca Davies: Is there a Back 2 School this term?
James Evans: No
Hi everyone; just a couple of things; we've done a few shop orders; if there's anything you particularly want in the shop ask me. There's now a regular flow of Ginsters. The prices in the shop have gone up. With regards to stash, if you're wanting anything, they won't collect the forms until lunchtime tomorrow so if you can get it in by then then do so. There are more forms in the Bailey Room now. There have been problems with the Laundry. The same goes for Coke machines and stuff. I'm looking into changing them. As Felix said with regards to the Ethical policy you'll hear about that later on.
I'm about to tell you about my section of the budget. Services have made a profit of over £5000. That is slightly more than what is budgeted for. We could have made even more. There are lots of gowns lying around that weren't sold. The JWS has made money but that goes to charity. With Toastie Bar, we spent quite a lot on bringing it up to Health and Safety standards. It's now up to scratch and we should start making profits.
This Week is going out as usual, minutes are on the website and This Week is easier to get on the website.
Chris Leach: Why weren't reports in This Week?
Tim Marshall: The main purpose was to cut down on time in meetings, but that wasn't really working, so we decided it would be better not to waste money on printing them if they aren't of use.
The first couple of weeks of term are mainly planning things. Friday 9th is the President's Formal; you have to buy tickets but I'm trying to see if Stephen Hampton can help subsidise it. We have to budget so I'm not quite sure how much it will be. There will be a bop afterwards. The Epiphany Ball is booked for the 23rd of February at the Three Tuns Hotel. Everything's in This Week, but if you need info email me. There will be a joint event with Cranmer from a guy called Andy... It's called Stand Up And Be Counted. It's going to be a comedy night, so if you want to come in with sketches it would be quite fun and it would be nice to do it with Cranmer. Everything will be organised nearer the time.
In the Bar over Christmas we did some decorations. I have been working on the Bar Constitution, which is a thrilling job...yeah. Coming up are the BEC elections, so get involved. This Tuesday, I'm doing a quiz.
We're electing a new President in the coming weeks; manifestos go up on Monday. We're thinking seriously about how to increase student intake. Emphasising Alice's point about Stand Up And Be Counted... let either Alice or James Evans know if you want to do something.
Alice: the deadline for entries is the 17th.
Good evening. Things My MCR has been doing over the last passage of time. We're having MCR stash. MCR Film Society is also on the cusp of realisation. Exciting times for the MCR! We worked out a plan; we're going to have periodicals for the MCR. Problems we've had; lots of MCR members haven't got ASSA keys.
Josh Heald: I have a stash of ASSA keys to give away.
OK; firstly I'm talking about money. We've got just shy of £3000 in our bank account. That will go up. DUCK Week is happening; there will be events here and in other colleges. Within John's, we are pushing the Jailbreak. On the 11th we're having a Ceilidh. Tuesday is Mr. John's. Wednesday will be the Valentine's Formal. Signup should be as normal. We're getting Q-jump at Loveshack afterwards. We've got a Newcastle night with free entry to Sea. There's going to be a Bathtime in the Bar night. We're doing a Rag Raid in Durham. We've got Stars in their Johnian Eyes. We've got a Boys v. Girls netball match.
After DUCK Week we have Miss John's on Shrove Tuesday and the Red Nose event with Cranmer.
Motions
Motion text
Sarah Hogben explained the motion.
Sarah Hogben: I'm asking for £820; I'm going to break it down; I think I'll need about £750 but I want a bit of room. Last year this motion cost £950. At that meeting, the Sports Officer was commissioned to reform sports colours. We've reduced the number we're awarding. It's only £550 on Sports Colours this year.
The extra £250 or so covers a number of things. Firstly, at the Awards Ball last year there was an award for contribution to college; I want to buy a shield which will be engraved.
Last year we had a few people given awards for college arts. At the time they were handed an IOU, so it's time we honoured the promise.
We're introducing college Arts honours to raise the profile of Arts and to recognise the contribution they've made.
Motion passed on a General Aye
Motion text
Felix Schubert: Martin and I were mandated to think about this.
Martin Hodgetts: We tackled Fairtrade, Ethical Investment, Animal Welfare, and Local produce. We took those as the main areas and tried to come up with some ideas to help us talk about those.
Felix: It's more of a general motion than the Nestle policy. We're looking at the whole list of companies the JCR purchases products from, and we're looking to purchase ethically where there is a choice. Ethical money and investment are an issue; we're going to look further into having our money invested with nicer banks.
Martin: There is a fairtrade college policy; we are in a Fairtrade university. This brings together a lot of underlying policy.
Ed McCarter: Projected impacts on profits?
Felix: Hopefully none; we only choose an alternative if it's financially viable.
Martin: It's a lot about balance; we want to go wherever possible to get ethical products but we need income from services.
Motion passed on a General Aye
Elections
Felix presented the Accounts.
Felix Schubert:
We start with the Part I budget (the bit we get from the University). It's quite healthy as societies have not spent as much as they were allocated.
I haven't this year transferred funds from Part II as we didn't need it. Most things have been on budget. Officers' Expenses have gone overbudget but that was unexpected and due to the JCR computer dying.
We're looking at a surplus of just over £1700.
Part II: Main income: BTC has not made as much money, but then I would say that last year's budget was an overestimate; Dan didn't have any way of knowing how much profit to expect.
Services made a profit. Social events; it looks like they made a lot of money; we haven't paid for the Bailey Ball food bill yet. College has been late in invoicing us.
We're running on a minor loss, but that's acceptable for SEC.
Just World Shop looks like it's made a lot; they're running on a no-profit basis. All the profits go to charity. JCR Subscriptions are a nice new income.
Expenditure-wise, it's many motions for spending: the Gazebo, the Linton Hallway Curtains, the SMG Common Room. We stayed just below what was budgeted for last year.
There's a breakdown which shows expenditure. Some numbers: enjoy.
Sponsorship has picked up this year as we now have a committee.
We give money to sports teams. The big one to point out is the bar loan, which is exceptional spending, but we will get it back eventually.
We have
in Part I: just under £4000 plus £2500 in a savings bond, giving a total of £6115.
in Part II: current account at £5000. We have a lot of people who owe us money. We bought stash for the darts and pool team. The Prince Bishop event; they went and cashed our cheque for the deposit. We have JCR members who owe us money. There were about £3000 in uncashed cheques.
The end figure brings us to about £10000.
Felix presented the Budget:
Felix Schubert:
It's quite difficult to predict things. This is it, according to the best of my abilities. Not many changes since last year. We've increased areas of sports team spending for those which don't have that much money at the moment. We've introduced President's Expenses to make spending more seethrough. I've increased the Newspaper budget as our supplier went bust. If I didn't increase that budget we wouldn't be able to have all the usual newspapers.
Next page, a breakdown of all the sports teams and societies. The arrows indicate what has gone up and gone down. The only thing that has gone down is the money we give to Cranmer, as we're not allowed to give them money any more.
Right; Part II is basically brief as a lot of the stuff is unpredictable. So, I predict a certain amount of sponsorship income. Some surplus from the Bar... it's starting to pick up a lot more nicely. We assume that the bar will be able to pay back the entire loan by the end of 2007. I've reduced my prediction for BTC.
It's your chance now to tell me what you'd like to see done differently; feel free to do so. Take a copy away; it's also on the website. If you have questions/problems/queries, please have a look at it.
Dan Baxter:: round of applause for Felix as Accounts and Budgets are a big job.
Ashley Greenwood: thank you from the Bar.
Accepted on a General Aye.
Elections
Proposed by Chris Leach
Candidate elected on a General Aye
AOB for JJCR
item
Josh Heald stood up and spoke about Margaret's.
Josh Heald: I know some people were quite concerned about the arrangements regarding the room ballot. I wanted to give a bit of background. This is what College proposed this time last year. It's crucial that they get the money from Margaret's. We managed to stall it by building a Common Room. It hasn't been working, so college need to go to extreme measures.
Chris Leach: What is the arrangement?
Josh Heald: If fewer than 75 people have signed up by the deadline, the room ballot will be changed to
people who lived in Margaret's in their second year. There will be each St. Margaret's person's name in the hat twice.
Esther James: Is that a decision that college has made or the JCR made?
Josh Heald: It was college officers and Resources Committee.
Esther James: Is that something we can fight?
Josh Heald: I don't know how much we could fight about it. I don't know how productive that would be. I don't think College has been too unreasonable. If they had said this time last year that this would happen I'd have had a different tune. They have given this other chance.
Ed McCarter: You should also not forget that St. Margaret's is a good thing for college.
Becca Davies: Why wasn't it brought to the JCR?
Josh Heald: It's a matter of timing.
Katie Wray: All we can do is affect their decision. We negotiated.
Felix Schubert: We have done a lot; it might have been that it would be compulsory to live in SMG to get a room in college in third year. If you look at the finances of college, you'll see that they have reason to take measures like this.
Ashley Greenwood: How much do they lose?
Josh Heald: We had 40-50 people there last year; it's not a big enough profit to carry the hole in the budget. They let it privately this year. This means letting flats out to families at vastly reduced rates. It was a lot of work for college staff. There are 110 bed spaces, each brings in around £3000. College is missing about £200,000. They pay for a lot of stuff which we take for granted. Within the budget, they need this money to come in. This is like us not getting money from the bar; we couldn't spend money on anything without our budgeted profits. If the income is missing, there will be a hole eaten into their accounts.
Ashley Greenwood: What about other things they could do? It seems a little like blackmail. Could they have done a lot more to publicise it?
Josh Heald: The price has been cut to way below Viaduct rates.
Felix Schubert: The electricity system has been changed.
Katie Wray: You now get a rebate if you don't use as much.
Josh Heald: There have been problems with getting stuff started up there, but at the end of the day it's not like it hasn't been publicised.
Chris Leach: Do we and/or college know why people are not going into Margaret's?
Josh Heald: We surveyed the issues: the issue of breeze blocks is about £15000 per flat for 22 flats. College doesn't see it as viable, but it's continuing its ongoing refurb. Another complaint was the electricity system, so college has addressed that. Addressing the cost of electricity is difficult; in other houses you have gas, whereas everything is electric in Margaret's so electricity will cost more.
Luke Wells: The problem was that when it was announced freshers had decided groups. It was an annoying shock that we should have been told later.
Josh Heald: I take your point. There's been a big push back in the housing release date this year. I personally was looking for houses in the first week back of Epiphany Term last year. I hear things have worked better in other colleges. We went on the assumption it would work out as that was what we were advised.
James Evans: How does this affect other policies such as 4th-years.
Josh Heald: The guarantees are still remaining. We still run the room ballot; it's just that people in Margaret's will be given double the chance.
Martin Hodgetts: It's a good resource; the problem with using the common room to market it is that you need people to keep it going. We need people living there to keep the shop staffed and so on. It's just so easy to start up when there are more people up there.
Ana: What you're saying about the walls; everyone lives together in first year; it's exciting finding a house, living in a house, and it's cruel to take something away for third year.
Josh Heald: there used to be a waiting list to get into Margaret's; it's a new thing for it to be empty. In terms of taking choice away from people, only 75 need to sign up to live in and then this won't happen. It's 75 out of 200 people; in the past it's never taken the choice away from people.
Richard Kelly: On top of all of this, people are concerned about being 'forced' to live in Margaret's. I wish I had lived there. College are very nice landlords; they won't evict you if you have hardships. It's not like living in college again; it's a flat. People shouldn't be being forced into Margaret's.
James Rainer: proposed an extension to the time limit
Accepted on General Aye
Felix Schubert: I wanted to pick up on the point that people have already picked up on groups. When you've lived in Margaret's, you happen to live in different flats, but you consider yourselves as a block. You still have people living around you. You grow together as a community, but you still have the independence.
Ed McCarter: You shouldn't glamorise houses; you may end up with a rotten one. It was designed for all second years to go to. It was very popular. It's great.
Ben Jarvis: I don't think it's a case of people not wanting Margaret's, it's more that people want to live in a house.
Josh Heald: Nobody went on the Margaret's tour. It's a shame that people aren't even looking at Margaret's. Halfway through my second year I was at the other end of the spectrum.
David Lorimer: I think people have heard all of this and chosen to live in a house anyway. Margaret's isn't appealing to people. We're being punished.
Josh Heald: It's meant to be an incentive. If enough people live there, there won't be a problem. This is more about the easy things that will be cut when college doesn't have the money to do nice things, like free formals.
Katie Wray: The Senior Tutor said that if Margaret's fills up he will put on more formals.
Josh Heald: I'd rather have my money come back to me, but if you're giving money to a private landlord it's not coming back.
Martin Hodgetts: It's more of a weighting on it than an absolute rule.
Ashley Greenwood: People do not want to live in flats. Can we change it so that other people can live in Margaret's too.
Josh Heald: College did that as a last resort. There are issues in having students of other colleges in your own property. The Senior Tutor can't enforce discipline if people aren't from John's.
Felix Schubert: College built Margaret's so that students would get a better deal.
Josh Heald: College doesn't want to be a landlord to other students.
End of JJCR Meeting
JHJCR Meeting
Elections
AOB for JJCR
End of JHJCR Meeting; the Presidential Hustings are detailed in a separate document.
St. John's College JCR
JCR Meeting
February 18th 2007
20:00, Leech Hall
Opening Prayer
Read by Megan Taylor
Apologies
None
Minutes accepted on a General Aye
Josh Heald, President
Great to see such a good turnout; please keep coming. JCR Meetings are really important. Congratulations to Becca for being elected (applause).
For the past three weeks I have been working on showing Becca the ropes of what she is about to take on. I went to a meeting on the Licensing Act last week. I have been starting planning the College's centenary in 2008-2009; they may fund a ball.
I went to Resources Committee.
I looked into the days of JCR Meetings.
Margaret's is now at £49 plus £6 electricity.
Katie Wray, VP:Estates
Hi guys, we've had the Darts house sports. There are some matches still to play. The next formal signup opens on Monday.
Jeanna Shalkowski, VP:Welfare
You can now get safe sex supplies, chlamydia testing packs, and panic alarms from the JCR flat, myself, my assistants. Livers-out handbooks are now available thanks to Pete Godden. I had a Health and Safety Committee meeting; we're looking into who has First Aid training in College. DSU Accommodation Office released houses last week. I'm looking into organising personal protection workshops.
Felix Schubert, JJCR Treasurer
Good evening. Briefly, since the last meeting I've been to Bar Committee, the bar's on budget according to the resurrection documents. We're slowly but surely filling the financial hole. I went to Resources Committee.
Richard Kelly, Senior DSU Re
Since the last JCR meeting I've been to DSU Exec, and discussed the DSU website. The president hasn't had enough time to do it. We've discussed ents which seem to be aimed more at locals than students. We've tried to get the treasurer to stop running expensive events that students don't go to. From the treasurer, don't sneak into DSU events, as you'll get caught and banned. Housing release week - I'd like your comments. I'd like to hear about it so I can pass it on. I went to DSU Council. DSU made about £3k more than last year. A Purple Radio officer was elected. The Sabbatical election results were announced. Rise Against Racism week is this week, culminating in a Planet of Sound.
Martin Hodgetts, Services Manager
All the stash order forms have been sent off, and the cheques sent in. It's about a balance about when we pay them in. I disputed a bill for the laundry; the problem was that one machine was broken, but we were charged for an engineer when it started working again. We don't have to pay that now.
Tim Marshall, Comms. Officer
I went to bar committee, and did a couple of This Weeks.
Alice Manuel, Social Secretary
Since last time we had the President's Banquet and bop, which went well. If there's anything you feel we could do better, let us know.
Epiphany Ball; I have a few tickets left. What I've done recently is having meetings with the hotel. The other thing to mention is Stand Up And Be Counted, with Cranmer. IT's a comedy night with sketches. It's also being done with DUCK. If you want any more details, let me know. If you have an act, you can fill in a form about it. THere's a ratings system, so we can save the ruder stuff until later, so that the Cranmer Kids have safe acts at the beginning.
Dan Baxter, Senior Bar Officer
Evening. I wasn't going to mention this, but [Dan explained Bar Committee].
You won't see any bar team elections, as it's appointed by college.
From the bar, we had our successful events this week; Mr. John's and Bathtime in the Bar. BUT. We had lots of ducks, and people have taken them; please bring them back as they're DUCK's ducks. We have Miss John's coming up this week. Please get involved. We now have a published cocktail list. We have jugs available. Come and get them.
For the past few weeks we've opened earlier on a Thursday. The Cranmer people have a Methodist ministry, so we can catch them before they go to Varsity.
I'm selling drinks this evening. Come and buy some.
Well done St. John's College Men's Netball team for beating the girls.
Becky Ryding: If the bar opens at 7:30 do we have to go there earlier?
DB: Well the way we've worked it so far, I just open it up on my own to start off with. If we need more staff, yes, come earlier, and yes, get more money.
Cranmer
nobody was present
Ed McCarter, MCR President
Right. The wheels of the MCR grind slowly.
You may have seen some of my grads at formal. We're all horribly stressed with exams and essays.
James Evans
We didn't get as far as Brazil; we only got to Heathrow Airport. We raised a lot of money this week, though I've no idea how much.
Josh Heald: Can I thank everyone involved in DUCK?
APPLAUSE
Elections
Drum Kit Rep
No Candidates
Toastie Bar Manager
Emma Matthews (standing for re-election after resignation of joint co-manager)
There was no call to hust.
The candidate was elected on a General Aye
2x BEC Decs officers
Dan Baxter: We need people to help us decorate the bar. If you like making it pretty go for this, if you like posters, go for pubs.
Lou Gough
Siobhan Whadcoat
Becca Davies
Phil Wallbridge
Both candidates were elected on separate General Ayes
BEC Publicity Officer
Ben Jarvis
Proposed:
James Rainer
Ed McCarter
The candidate was elected on a General Aye
Alumni Rep
No candidates - manifesto position
Senior DSU Rep
Sammy Hicks
Proposed by Lucy Knight
Seconded by Robert Feakes
My name is Sammy Hicks. I think I'd be a good representative of John's in the DSU. I've been a Junior Rep for about a year, and been to a lot of DSU Meetings. I often find myself wanting to take things on a General Aye. I don't want to just go through my manifesto. I recommend that you look at all of the manifestos before voting. The DSU isn't just a load of meetings; it's important in the student experience in Durham; it runs Hound and DUCK and other societies, and provides a lot of welfare as well. I'd be good at emphasising the importance of DSU in the JCR.
Rich Kelly:
A large part of being a Senior Rep is going to meetings but you also need to encourage people to get involved in it.
Sammy Hicks:
Generally talking to people about DSU and being enthusiastic about it.
Josh Heald:
What do you think are the three most important things DSU does and how would you change them?
Sammy Hicks:
Welfare, Ents, and running Societies. I think societies could be publicised a bit better, and ents need to be more aimed at students. Welfare seems to be running OK but needs to keep on getting the funding; we had a problem with Nightbus.
Ed McCarter
Is DSU Boring?
Sammy Hicks:
The meetings can be boring, but the DSU isn't.
Christine Leahy:
If the DSU was a farmyard animal, what would it be and why?
Sammy Hicks:
A chicken, because you can get meat and eggs for it.
Becca Davies:
How do you feel about sitting on Exec and getting involved?
Sammy Hicks:
DSU involves meetings mainly, so I'd be able to give time to support other exec members.
Becca Davies:
I went to my first general meeting and it was long and dull. Not many people come. There's a struggle to get people to meetings in John's let alone DSU. How would you get people to come.
Sammy Hicks: They've got a lot better this year. The first meetings I went to were too long, up to 3 hours. It's about finding people who would be interested.
Richard Kelly:
DSU is the body which represents us to NUS. NUS isn't very popular in Durham, and that it might be a talking shop for political groups.
Sammy Hicks:
There are positive things that the NUS provides, such as discount cards and low prices in shops. You have to discuss it with students.
Richard Kelly:
Beyond the discounts and the deals with NUSSL, what else?
Sammy Hicks:
It's important in that it's for recognition in the wider country.
AOB
Close of meeting
JHJCR Meeting
Vice-Chair
Phil Wallbridge
Phil husted: I would like to be Vice-Chair to keep Sophie company. I see this as a two-pronged job. I will support Sophie. and I will be Senior Returning Officer.
Becca Davies: VC is seen as a button pusher. It's more than that. Do you mind the definition?
PW: I'm happy to sit there anonymously clicking my mouse.
Ed McCarter: What would your greatest weakness as VC be?
PW: I might be over-zealous. I might click my mouse button twice.
Richard Kelly: If it's done electronically why do you need a key to the ballot box?
PW: you can ask for a paper ballot for some elections. you then need the box.
Candidate: Overwhelming
RON 0
Yearbook Editor
Megan Taylor
Proposed by
Andrew Griffiths
Seconded by
Harry Walker
Megan said that she intended to work with a good group of people to get the yearbook done.
Katie Wray: Who is the group of people?
they stood up
Josh Heald: How do you plan on getting people to get their entries in on time?
Megan Taylor: There are people who hadn't dropped out of the room ballot and I emailed them repeatedly.
Martin Hodgetts: How much are you willing to put on the Services Manager.
Megs: I am anal about organisation. I will take it on myself.
Dan Baxter: It's been tricky to make a profit
Megs: It's not primarily a profit exercise. We'd however like to get sponsorship involved.
Katie Wray: Do you know enough gossip for the snog tree?
Megs: I am friends with Crudge and Ali.
Candidate: over whelming
RON: 0
abstentions: 0
Yearbook Sub-editor
Christine Gaston and
Katie McCraw
Joint Candidature
proposed by Christine Leahy
Accepted on a General Aye
Candidate elected on a General Aye
Yearbook Art and Design
Andy Griffiths
There was no call to hust.
Candidate elected on a General Aye
VP:Estates
Will Holloway
Questions
Byron
I'm intrigued to know more about more than one formal every two weeks. I've found it difficult to get into formals as a liver out. Would it be viable to have a formal a week?
Will
It's something I'd look at. I assume it's a budget issue a lot of the time. Currently the reason that formals are mostly livers in is that it's covered by the food budget.
Dan Baxter
How do you view the VP part of this job?
Will Holloway
It's more meetings, but it's all about putting myself into it.
Josh Heald
A lot of the estates role means covering the things that the President hasn't the time or patience to do. How can you relate to catering staff and cleaners?
Will
When you work over the holidays, you get to know the staff. I'd be happy that I know them well enough to talk to about things. I feel I'd be good as a middleman.
Martin Hodgetts:
One of your jobs is pairing up freshers in rooms. What extra question would you ask to get them to pair up better?
Will:
What's your favourite TV show?
Sammy Hicks
What's your favourite building in College?
Will:
Probably the Cranmer buildings, with its huge basement with lamp-posts in it.
Ben Salter
Being VP:Estates means you should go to a lot of boring meetings. Do you like meetings, and would you be happy to go to lots of them over and over again.
Will:
I'm doing a team project in Computer Science this year. You need a lot of meetings.
Esther James
I wondered how you'd cope with stress.
Will:
Next year I don't have as much contact time. I will still do sport, but I will cut down, but I need stuff to relax.
Katie Wray
Are there any estates-related systems or projects you'd like to change in college?
Will:
Not really; I like the way it works: formals, perhaps. Mostly I would work to keep projects rolling.
Tom Briggs
Are you willing to be a bit of a villain when people break things and do things wrong?
Will:
Yes
Richard Kelly
A big part of Estates is doing up a part of college. Katie had the gardens. What area of college would you like to look at improving.
Will:
This amphitheatre; I'd like to get the ball rolling on that. If you look at it now, it seems overgrown, but a bit of imagination down in the trees...
Felix
Luckily things here don't get broken very often. If they do, what's your view on fining and charges?
Will
I'd like to think that a lot of people wouldn't want to break things as they would respect college. It would depend on frequency and how serious as to the course of action.
Martin Hodgetts:
As VP one of your main roles is to support the president. What would happen if you disagreed?
Will
I'd try to resolve it in a closed meeting. If I couldn't it should go to the JCR. The main point of the Exec is to carry out student wishes.
Becca Davies:
Do you think you'll be able to play a good part in the Exec Panto?
Will:
Acting isn't my strong point!
Katie Wray:
Consuming a lot of alcohol helps
Will:
I can do that quite well!
Laughter
VP:Welfare
Nick Robson
Proposed by Sarah Mullins
Seconded by Sarah Trotter
The JHJCR exec Welfare officer requires subtlety and tact. I believe that I have the ability to judge a difficult situation well, both in conversation and in action. Not at all judgemental (other than how I like my music), my approach would be open and accessible.
My availability throughout term will be a further attribute. For my first two years in Durham, I have only missed one night of any term to go home. Always on call when needed, I also like to spend a little time in Durham before the action starts, to get myself sorted-out and I am always willing in these moments to offer support.
The Vice President position requires regular and sustained commitment throughout the year. Having had experience with running St. Cuthbet’s Society choir, I have explored my strengths as an organiser and a thinker. When it comes to organising groups of people, I believe that my confident, yet personable approach has been particularly successful. I have opened up possibilities for methods of rehearsal and implemented them in a manner which has worked well. I hope to use these strengths in the position of Vice President and Welfare. This post includes a minimum of 50 meetings per term. This is not simply a matter of turning up; it requires the utmost preparation. As well as staying on top of my paperwork and providing my own ideas, I also have an ability to listen to others and take advice and criticism.
Enthusiastic and willing to contribute my time and energy into both John’s exec and welfare, I believe that I would be particularly valuable as head of the welfare support system.
Experience in welfare
I have an open mind with regards to welfare issues. In summer 2004 I travelled to Malawi where I witnessed some of the poorest living conditions I believe I will ever see. But in these conditions there was an amazing drive to publicise sexual health information. If anything is an inspiration for this Job, then this is certainly it.
As we have all witnessed, the workload of JHJCR president is colossal, to say the least. And, while the college does not have a sabbatical president, it is important that the positions of the VP are used efficiently and effectively. Were I to be elected, I would certainly offer myself and support to the President. As well as more managerial roles, it is important to note that I have no pride! I will lick envelopes, make tea, sort paper work and clean the flat. (I am employed regularly, after all, as a professional cleaner.)
One of my really big policies in standing for welfare is to increase the sense of community within the livers-out. I do not expect this to be an easy job in itself. But working with the other members of the exec and senior bar officer, I intend to put on “livers-out” nights in the bar and perhaps also livers-out formals. Regular events like this will help to maintain a network of community which I hope to some extent will act as a network of support in itself. It is always easier to ask for support when one feels part of the community which provides it.
I also believe that information should be even-more present than it has been. We’ve seen some great ideas from Welfare this year, especially during sexual health awareness week. Pokemon-style sexual disease cards with the tag-line ‘don’t catch them all’ requires an element of genius. But we should build on this. How many people know, for instance, that panic alarms are available free for all students from the DSU, JCR Welfare and nightline? The answer is always going to be: not enough.
But the welfare position should also speak to the everyday difficulties, which everyone experiences. I hope to implement time-management and relaxation sessions, especially during exam period, but also over the entire year. Part of the JHJCR’s Welfare responsibility must be to offer methods of avoiding the universal occurrence of stress.
.
Finally, I urge you to think carefully when asking questions. Difficulties with my manifesto and speech must be addressed to ensure they are thought through properly. Challenge me; and help welfare.
Thanks.
Edward Byron Romain
Proposed by Tom Briggs
Seconded by Pete Godden
I was told, in the months leading up to me coming to Durham that I would have an amazing time, that my first year would be the best year of my life and that freshers week was “amazing”. Suffice to say, when I came up I found myself depressed and with a burning desire to turn on my heels and run home. I was homesick, lonely and four hundred miles away from my friends and family. And yet, I am still here, and the reason for that is because of the welfare support system at St Johns. Welfare is, in my opinion one of the most important issues for students at university. Thanks to the fantastic welfare support system at Johns I have been helped through some incredibly difficult moments in my university life. This is something I very much want to be a part of and indeed help to lead in Johns. The problems I have encountered and experienced I believe help to make me suitable and all the more qualified for this job as I know what its like not to be happy at university.
I have a large amount of welfare experience. Prior to coming to University I was deputy head of my house at school which was primarily a welfare job, and acting as a student counsellor for the students in my house. It also involved organising welfare talks and liaising with the PSHE department to discuss things varying from alcohol and drugs to sexual health. The role was also to help back up the head of house, which I believe is very similar to the role of VP welfare.
Further to this when I came to Johns I ran in my very first term for the position of assistant male welfare rep as I was, even in my first term incredibly keen to get involved with welfare and help the then VP welfare Miquela in her job. I was also a student2student counsellor in college last year. Later on I sat on the LGBTa exec as publicity officer. All the executive positions for the LGBTa are also welfare based. We ran drop in sessions and it was the responsibility of all exec members to help run these drop in sessions which allowed students to simply turn up and discuss any problems they might have without having to be embarrassed or request meetings. This is something I would like to set up in Johns so there are regular drop in sessions every week allowing people to simply turn up as opposed to having to ask to meet up which can be embarrassing.
I believe it is crucial for the person in this position to be open minded. I am incredibly open-minded and certainly do not feel that people would worry about approaching me over any issues they might have. Further more, my previous experience in welfare means that I know how to deal with a large variety of problems. Sometimes it is important for people to know that they are not alone. I remember in my very first term chatting to another fresher after a union society debate. When she asked how I was enjoying my first term I told her the truth and said that I was unhappy. She was so pleased and relieved when I said this, as she too wasn’t having the best time and was just glad and relieved she wasn’t alone.
The role of VP welfare also obviously is incredibly important as it is a vice presidential position. I have a great deal of experience in helping to lead and organise. As I have said I was deputy head of my house at school and sitting on the LGBTa executive committee gave me a great of experience in organisation and leadership. Further more I believe I would work very well with the president elect who I feel privileged to count as one of my closest friends at Durham.
Thus, this is a role I am very confident I would fulfil well. I would dedicate myself to the position and work incredibly hard. I am a passionate person and I have a great deal of experience in welfare support and have through out my Durham career been in roles of responsibility and leadership. It is true; coming to university is one of the greatest experiences of ones life. However, for many it is also one of the most terrifying and bewildering. Johns has, in the past had a reputation as being judgemental, this unfair reputation is something that I want to help change. If elected I would work with dedication to show that Johns is truly a caring and supportive community which will fight for its students. I desperately want to help lead Johns and be part of the support system that has always been there for me and has always fought for me!
Questions
Ben Salter: I haven't done my research, but I know we've previously had a female VP:Welfare. Do you think that being male will hinder your being VP:Welfare?
Nick: I think one of my main strengths is knowing when I'm not meant to be there. I don't think sexually it makes much difference, especially with a female assistant.
Byron: I think it's fantastic that we have men standing for it as it recognises that men have an awareness of welfare. It shows that men have feelings too!
Esther James: In John's we're a tight-knit community; everybody knows everyone else's business. How would you make it more accessible?
Byron: i think a big part of it is people knowing who you are. I'm well known in college. People also need to know where to find you. Making sure that students know where you are is important. Drop-in sessions are a good idea. People would know that they could find me at certain times. People wouldn't then have to seek me out. The key thing is that people know where to find you and who you are.
Nick: I'd like to increase drop-in sessions, especially in Margaret's. A big thing is getting a lot of people involved in welfare.
Becca Davies: I'd like to know why the two candidates haven't been more involved in Welfare so far.
Nick: I haven't been involved in anything to do with welfare in the title, but it's more than just a title. At school I had a few roles as prefects and house captain, but my role in Cuths Choir has been more welfare-based than I'd have imagined.
Byron: I was really involved in student welfare. I stood for assistant male welfare. I lived opposite Miquela. I was a student to student counsellor last year, which was entirely welfare based. Also sitting on the LGBTA exec - all the positions in that society are essentially welfare positions, dealing with confidentiality and often very sensitive issues. I learned a huge amount from that. I think I have been involved in welfare throughout my time in Durham.
Jeanna Shalkowski: What do you think you would dislike about the job and how would you overcome it.
Byron: I think the issue of long dull meetings would be one. But I don't see that as a problem. If you want to do something enough you put up with both the bad and the good. It wouldn't hinder me and I would attend meetings that I was obliged to attend.
Nick: I think everyone hates meetings actually. I think the biggest problem would be detaching myself.
Richard Kelly: part of being Welfare is running campaigns to raise awareness with welfare issues. People feel men's welfare hasn't been addressed very well in Durham. What is the area of male welfare that needs to have awareness raised.
Nick: I don't think you can really pin something down. As Byron mentioned earlier, there is more of a pride in males. As Byron also said, it is great to have two males running for this position. I don't think it has to come to sexuality and gender.
Byron: I think emotions would be a point. i think guys are quicker to discuss a sexual problem than an emotional problem. I've always been open about my emotions. It's about changing a mindset: you know, it's OK not to be happy. I think guys might be happier to discuss this with a guy. I think whether you're happy or not is a big issue.
Megan Taylor: Some things you'll have to deal with as Welfare are very serious. What's your background in professional help? How would you know where you need to pass it on to professionals?
Byron: Knowing when you can help and when to seek further advice is something I discussed with miquela. I learned a lot at school about that. I have experience with knowing when something's a little beyond me. I think I have a good awareness of that. I was aware of that when I ran for assistant male welfare. I know when things are a bit extreme.
Nick: Confidentiality's important, but having said that, duty of care is essential. We are just students, so when it comes down to individual cases, it's done case by case. If one was endangering themself or someone else you have a duty to pass it on. Other issues which don't pose threat have to be confidential.
Katie Wray: How would your beliefs affect your role?
Nick: I see no problems with ethical issues. I mean I DO see problems. I'm not a judgemental person. My faith wouldn't make me more judgemental.
Byron: I come from a rather bizarre religious background. That said, obviously, I've never made any secret about my sexuality. I'm an incredibly liberal person, but I'm also understanding about the importance religion, especially in this college. I believe I do represent a good middle ground. I think anyone has to be able to approach you. I come from a good middle ground which would produce no ethical problems.
Charlotte Ramsbotham: How would you cope with the time management of the Welfare position?
Byron: I am an arts student, and we notoriously do very little work. so I don't think my degree would pose any significant problems. That said, I have been involved in theatre, but that is something I would plan to phase out significantly. I don't think I would have the problems, as I'd put myself all into this job.
Nick: I'd like to take this final opportunity to draw your attention to my manifesto. I've juggled a lot of things on my plate, and have managed to do a lot of things well. I intend to sever every link with choirs bar one.
Treasurer
Martin Hodgetts
The JCR in essence is a small business with an average turnover of approximately £65,000. Something of this magnitude requires, dedication, commitment and enthusiasm for JCR finances. However it would seem unlikely that someone would hold such emotions for a job that I have heard to be perceived as dull, boring and at times highly stressful. Yet the prospect of holding the treasurer position does not provoke any of these negative emotions within me. Instead it fills me with excitement at the challenge of applying my skills to a part of the JCR, which is in every aspect essential for the running of this student body. Without the treasurer there would be no budget and complete financial disarray, Services offered would cease. Imagine a college with no shop, no welfare resources, and no motions for spending on DVD players, Gazebos or anything else. Without the financial structure of the JCR, so many things would fail or falter. It is this and the commitment that I have seen from so many members of the JCR, that drives me not only to apply for this position, but also to stand here in front of you all with the promise that if elected I will do my utmost to not only maintain the high standard set by previous treasurers but also to build upon that.
To build upon something that already works very well within the set of rules that are applied to it, not just by the JCR constitution or even College but also by the Government, clear ideas and plans are essential. I have many ideas as to how to develop the current structure. These vary from investigating online payment systems for SEC events and stash, through to the implementation of the ethical purchasing policy with regards to banking. Improving the efficiency of the JCR finances is also something, which I feel strongly about, however this must be done without sacrificing but reinforcing security measures in place. Most of my other policies are detailed on my manifesto in the Bailey Room, which I urge you to read, along with the manifestos for all the other candidates.
The past year as Services Manager has helped develop the competence and experiences that are required for the position of Treasurer, whether it be the financial experience that I have gained working alongside Felix, or the necessary skill set that is required to work in a team like a JCR Exec. But skills and experiences only go so far. Motivation and passion for the role are also vital. It is with all of these things that I stand here before you asking you to vote for me as JHJCR treasurer 2007/08.
Questions:
Dan Baxter: The position is one of great responsibility and has a large amount of power. If the love of money is the root of all evil, how corruptible are you?
Martin: It's not my money. That's one thing you have to remember. My policies involve improving the security of money in the JCR, to make it more difficult for corruption.
Josh Heald: Other JCRs have large amounts of emergency cash in banks. We don't. What do you think?
Martin: It's important to have money there, but it's also important that you put money towards the students. I would propose that we keep a certain level in our accounts that we don't go below.
Nick Robson:
Quite a few execs have assistant treasurer positions. was it a bad idea to abolish it?
Martin: It was abolished because it wasn't used any more. There are several treasurers, so you need to learn to rely on them.
James Dalton
Positions like the SEC, planning things for the ball. I was often out of pocket. We're paying, then having to ask for money.
Martin:
I'm sure that there is a system already in place; a purchasing form for Part II Treasurers. If that form is filled out prior to paying for it, the Treasurer can write a cheque from the Part II account. I would want to improve the rate of turnover for signatures for money request forms.
Felix:
Shame on Dan for stealing my question. As you pointed out, you're dependent on other treasurers working smoothly. How would you ensure that your team works well together?
Martin: Finance Committee, which meets prior to JCR meetings, is important, but I feel it's also important that individual meetings occur, like Exec 121s. Kind of like that. Also perhaps an informal committee where things are discussed and turned around.
Megan Taylor:
Degree, living next year, and time management?
Martin:
Maths, but I've been Services this year doing that and being up Gilesgate. With Treasurer, it's live-in, so I would be around and it would be easier to come back from the science site.
Enoch Cheng:
Which currency do you describe yourself as and why?
Martin:
The Pound, I'm British
Comms. Officer
Charlotte Ramsbotham
Hi. I'm Charlotte, and I'm running for Communications officer. I think I'd be good at Communications.
Firstly why I think I'd be good:
I've taken minutes before so I can touch type. In printing this week, I have relationships with Prontaprint already. I'm used to logistics of organising things regarding productions. One of the jobs is sending TW to livers out so I'd be able to do that. I'm involved with BTC, rowing, and John's Choir, and it means I'm involved in College and know what's going on in different areas of College. I have a history of admin activities.
As Nick said, not enough people know what's going on, and I think this is really important. If everyone knows what's going on, it'll be much happier and much better. If people know what opportunities are available to them it'll be good. I feel making what you want to happen happen is a job of Exec, If we don't know what you want, you don't get it.
Having someone who knows what's going on in college is helpful.
What I would do.
I'd want to put more in on what's going on in the University as a whole. People need to know what's going on outside college. I think it would be good to have that in This Week.
I'm a PPE student so I have a flexible timetable. All the extra-curricular activities I do are flexible. I think that if communications are bad it leaves people feeling isolated, so this role links quite nicely with welfare. Isolation isn't fun, so having good communication is good for college life, so I'd hope people can tell me what's going on, I'd like to help them get what they want.
Felix:
We all know that in the modern world you need to know what to do with computers. You need to deal with elections and the website.
Charlotte:
I spent a large amount of time last year on a computer course. Tim's said that the website has been changed to be easier.
Esther: You said you'd try to make TW fun to read. I love TW. How would you encourage people to read it?
Charlotte: I think keeping it fun to read is really important. Livers-out get it sent to them. It's also on tables in the dining room. people end up spilling things on it, so perhaps getting it in other places would be good.
Martin:
Tim gets grouchy if he doesn't get TW entries in on time. How would you get people to get things in?
Charlotte: I'm used to getting people to attend rehearsals, I'm used to chasing people up. I think these are skills that can be used to persuade people
Katie:
Part of your job is stamping posters: What's your view on the Poster Policy?
Charlotte: I think it's often evident that if people put up something stupid it should come down. People should have access to the stamp, but you should be available if people want to put up posters, as people then know what's going on around the university and college.
Tim: Typing and thinking:
Charlotte: Having minuted before and doing essays, I'm quite used to typing and thinking at the same time.
Nick Robson: What's your greatest strength in offering ideas to the Exec and your greatest weakness?
Greatest weakness: talking a lot
Greatest strength: problem solving.
Becky Ryding: Often livers-out don't get This Week until Tuesday. What would you do about that?
Charlotte: I'll look into it. It is available online and in college.
Jeanna: How would you find balancing it next year with living out?
Charlotte: I think I'm around college quite a lot, and next year a lot of my friends will be living in Margaret's. I'll end up being around here a lot. Also I'm living in Hallgarth Street, so I'm not far.
Ben Salter: Things can go wrong, whether it be arguing with the photocopier... How do you handle stress?
Charlotte: I think that I'm fairly used to dealing with pressure and stress. I can usually find ways around the broken photocopier etc. I think one of my strengths is problem-solving.
Richard Kelly: A large part is minuting meetings: it's not the most enjoyable job in the world. How do you feel about doing a job that largely people don't really know about?
Charlotte: It's important that they are minuted. If people are interested, it should be there for them. If you're typing, you're paying attention and therefore it can be a bonus.
Social Secretary
Jo Crawford
Proposed by Christine Gaston
Seconded by Robert Feakes
Good evening everybody, for those who don’t know me, I’m Jo. I’ll try to keep this short and sweet, (I’m sure everyone is keen to get to the bar).
Social events are important, they are an integral part of college life and a great way for everybody to let their hair down. I want social events to be fun and appealing to everyone in college and I have a lot of ideas that I would like to put into practice.
Alice has done an awesome job this year but if elected there are a number of areas that I would like to work on:
Firstly, publicity, I would aim to increase publicity in an attempt to raise awareness of SEC organised events. SEC work so hard it’s a shame when people say they don’t know that bops etc. are happening, or that they haven’t had enough notice and have made other plans.
I would also like to increase the profile of Margaret’s around college and particularly with next year’s freshers by investigating the possibility of holding more events there. As I will be living at Margaret’s next year, I feel that I would be able to take an active role in organising this.
Another area that I would like to look into, if elected, is the possibility of sponsorship. This would allow us to make our existing social events even bigger and better and potentially even lower ticket prices.
I would also like to promote our affiliation with other committees within John’s, such as DUCK and the Bar Events Committee. I feel that this is important to make events run as smoothly as possible and believe that I have the communication skills necessary to do this. On a wider scale, I would like to work with the Social Events Committees of other colleges, which would allow us to share resources and organise more inter-collegiate events.
In my opinion, the most important attribute of John’s social secretary is organisation. This is a skill which I believe I have shown to possess in balancing my current involvement at John’s (rowing, toastie bar, social events committee, and my role as interview and open day rep) with my degree work and I believe that I have the determination and enthusiasm necessary to succeed in the role of social secretary.
I have been an ents officer on the social events committee since the start of michaelmas term, which I feel has provided me with the best experience possible for this role. John’s social secretary must unite the SEC team and provide a cohesive voice on the JCR exec and I feel that I have the skills necessary to do this. As a result of my involvement with SEC and talking to Alice, I am fully aware of the hard work and commitment that is necessary to take on this position. As a first/second year (and an arts student) I have the time and flexibility around my degree work to fully commit to this role.
I love John’s and would enjoy the opportunity to give something back to college (and help you to answer that immortal question - what should I wear…?)
Thanks
Tom Pember-Finn
Proposed by Adam Crudgington
Proposed by Ben Powell
Hi everybody, I’m Tom, and I’m currently the Social Event’s Committee Treasurer and I think that this is a fundamental reason why you should elect me as your next social secretary. As Treasurer I’ve worked closely with Alice in drawing up budgets for every SEC-run event in College for the past year. This has given me a key working knowledge of the financial aspects of the Committee and also an understanding into the creative side, working closely with every other member of the Team to discuss how much they could afford to spend, and on what. This has given me a great insight into the practical workings of the SEC not only as a whole and also of the individual positions within the Committee.
I’m very organised and capable of leading the SEC effectively and decisively, as I’ve already spent the last year organising Ents such as drink receptions and adventure training for the Airforce, and so have the ability to delegate tasks and know what to reasonably expect from people and push them to achieve the team’s goals.
Next year, I’ll be living out on the bailey, close to College, which I believe to be important since I’ll still be in touch with both the livers in and out. I’m also an artist and shall have more than enough time to fully commit to the role.
In terms of what I’d bring to the position, I’d open up the SEC as a Committee working for John’s as a whole, and this means making the SEC resources available to other college bodies, such as the Bar Committee, Livers’ Out rep and CU. Also, as you’ll see on my manifesto, I’d love to work more with the other Colleges. In practice this means liasing with other Social Secretaries to discuss the best providers of goods and services and also to share around equipment, chocolate fountains and decorations for example. This practice will lower our costs and I’d pass this on to you in the form of lower ticket prices. I will also diversify our services to College, providing film and music nights. Of course, the time-honoured tradition of the John’s Bop will still be an important focus, though I feel with a little work we could make these better and more popular too, and I’d definitely talk to the Bar Officer about the possibility of serving drinks in Leech Hall during Bops. I’d also like to consider John’s trips to Newcastle for nights out, as I know these have been popular with groups of Livers’ Out this year, and if they were organised through College we could get a certain degree of bargaining power with clubs and coaches. Aside from these ideas I would ask you, the JCR, to get in touch with the SEC and tell us what you want, and I’m happy to say that some people have already approached me with ideas for Ents, and I’d like to think that this stands as a testament to my aptitude and skills for the position of the next Social Sec. Thanks for listening.
Questions
Becca Davies: I was in SEC in first year. DO you think you'd be able to nag people on the morning after the Bailey Ball to get up and spend all day cleaning up without annoying them?
Joanna: I think it's important that the SEC works together, so that way people wouldn't feel it was too much a task.
Tom: I'm a very annoying person. I can nag. Last night, I was playing rugby in Scotland. It was a job to get everyone out at a fire alarm at 3am. I did it with minimal physical violence.
Alice: How would you deal with someone who isn't pulling their weight in the team?
Tom: This year I've been lucky to live with most of the SEC, so most of the team worked. People who are in SEC do it because they want to do the job. If there was no chance then we should ask them to consider their position. We could always get someone else.
Joanna: It's really important that people pull their weight. If people aren't getting along, you need initially to discuss it 121, then ask the member to reconsider why they're on SEC, and take it from there.
Byron: I'm intrigued to hear candidates elaborate on how to make bops more appealing and more fun.
Joanna: It's important to have a big selection of music. Making people more aware of them; the more people there, the more fun they are.
Tom: I talked to Ben, and thought if we could enclose the area a bit more, and perhaps get some curtains so we can make Leech Hall seem smaller. Maybe some more equipment. Maybe get the bar in. You don't need to go 8 doors down the road from Klute to get a drink!
Jeanna: You're both currently involved in SEC. If you were unsuccessful in this election, would you continue in SEC.
Tom: Yes, as treasurer.
Joanna: Definitely, I've really enjoyed being part of the team and definitely would go for another role to get a different aspect.
Felix: One of the more recent policies of the JCR is not to subsidise ticket prices any more. The JCR isn't really in the position where we can subsidise SEC events. What do you think?
Joanna: I realise the JCR can't really support events. It's important to gauge student responses. I'd like to look into student sponsorship to reduce ticket prices.
Tom: I'd try and get JCR subsidies back, but then otherwise cooperation with other colleges might help. We've all got contacts; let's use our knowledge and resources.
John's Day. That or the Bailey Ball, are the big events. Do you have any specific ideas for these events?
Tom: John's Day is amazing: It waned in the evening, perhaps we could get some fireworks and fire breathers (laughter)
Joanna: I think keeping up interest is important, It is primarily a day of fun. Speaking to people, finding out what people want. Trying to incorporate that.
Josh Heald: What do you think is currently the biggest weakness in the College's social calendar.
Joanna: There is a lack of awareness about social event. Everybody's been very positive about all the events. There are posters up, but not early enough. People often do trips home during term time, so I think we need publicity so people don't' miss them.
Tom: Ticket sales for the Epiphany Ball aren't amazing. How can we make things better? Diversification might be better. Maybe if we diversified, we could keep things constant.
Josh: I don't think Joanna heard me properly:
Joanna: I think first years seem to think of the Epiphany Ball as a sports ball. It's important to emphasise that everybody's welcome.
Tom Briggs:
As head of SEC you're head of a team but also part of a team. Have you got any plans to keep meeting short and sweet?
Alice: How do you stop Tom talking is more of the question!
Tom: Getting down to business is a big focus for me. Business, meeting, hit the bar.
Joanna: I think it's important to get out the way the important stuff. You want meetings to be fun, but it's important to discuss SEC related issues first.
Ben Jarvis
Why do you think there are so many people on the Bailey Ball survivors' photograph?
Joanna: I think it's a good thing, as everyone clearly enjoyed it. It shows a strong college spirit.
Tom: We can take our drink! We can last the duration! More next year!
Services Manager
Enoch Cheng
Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening. My name is Enoch Cheng, a first-year historian who lives opposite the JCR shop and I’m standing for Services Manager this year. In the following speech I am going to tell you more about what I believe are the ways that the Services Department can be improved within the College, and then followed by why I am the best person for the post this year.
There are two main areas, in my opinion, that the Services Department can improve in order to give its best to our fellow Johnians: a clearer division of labour, and better communications. It is hard to deny that services have provided an important dimension to our College life. Some of them are slightly more predictable and reliable in bringing in our satisfaction, like the nearly unlimited supply of 5-alives in the vending machine; but some of them less so: like the laundry services in Cruddas. From my experience as Assistant Services Manager, I believe that the activation of the post of ‘JCR Shop Manager’, as written in the JHJCR Constitution, would be one of the most convenient ways to improve the quality of the Services. At the moment, it was the Assistant Services Manager that dominates the day-to-day running of the shop, which, in effect, is acting as the Shop Manager. However, by establishing another post to deal with this area and freeing up the Assistant Services Manager, the latter can then be more involved in acting as the first contact point in college, such as solving problems concerning the cues and pool balls. Assistant Services Manager would then also have a better grasp of the overall picture and could answer Johnian enquiry swiftly and provide Services Manager the information for improvements.
As far as communications are concerned, I believed that both external and internal communications could be further improved. Few freshers, for example, know the opening times of the JCR shop until the later part of last term and similar problems have to be address. While This Week has served its purpose in providing vital information from the Services Department, this means of weekly communication is sometimes quite inflexible. Services Department should increase its publicity in college and let the Johnians know what’s going on and who to contact if something goes wrong. After freeing the Assistant Services Manager from the day-to-day running of the Shop, he/she can be the communication channel between the College and Services Manager, through, perhaps, informal fortnight sections with the Johnians to invite suggestions and produce notices to inform Johnians about the shop and Services Department. There would also be meetings among the personnel within the Services Department to keep one another well informed and the ability to answer enquiries.
I believe that I am the best person for this job because I have the experience that could be used to serve my fellow Johnians. Being heavily involved in my Church, DICCU, John’s CU, Toastie Bar, and JCR already, I have developed a high degree of organising skills and they would be useful in my post. I do make mistakes at times but I am always keen and quick to learn from it and improve myself, as both my bosses Katie and Martin can both testify. But ultimately, I love John’s and I love to serve people. So please vote for me.
On a lighter note to end, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year and if you were struck down by flu last week, paracetamol is available at £0.90 at the JCR shop after this meeting. Thank you!
Questions:
Byron:
I have very little stash, and it's making you sad. I have had a problem getting orders in on time, Is there any chance of making stash available throughout the term. Do you think this would be something you'd be interested in pursuing.
Enoch:
I had come across some suggestions. This would be an area you could work on. I have had problems communicating with the stash department.
Becca:
Do you see there are problems with living out and doing this post.
Enoch:
Yes. But I'm quite sure I will live in Margaret's, so it's only 10 minutes away. I'd like to delegate more to the assistant services manager.
Andrew Griffiths:
What super-cool new thing would you put in the shop?
Enoch:
I'm not quite sure of the possibility.
Dan Baxter:
LAST ORDERS AT THE BOTTLE BAR
The pool table at Margaret's. Nobody uses it, and the company wants to take it away.
Enoch:
One of the reasons the pool table isn't being used is because some people aren't aware of it. Margaret's isn't fully occupied by John's people at the moment. There isn't a pool team at Margaret's. I'd like to try to improve the services at Margaret's to produce a community, then the table can be used more often.
Katie Wray:
You have to deal with a lot of outside companies. Are you good at arguing?
Enoch:
I bargained 12 bottles of squash from Dan for £2.50!
Ben Jarvis:
What would you think about keeping the shop open for longer?
Enoch:
I'd like to open the shop earlier, but not too early as to interfere with the bar. I'm inclined to open 10 minutes earlier. The only thing about extending the opening hours is that sometimes we need to return the keys before Howard is gone, so there's quite a limit to what we can do, but we might be able to leave the keys in the letter box.
Emma Matthews.
Toastie Bar is under your jurisdiction. how would you bring it closer under your jurisdiction?
Enoch:
I think it's running quite well at the moment. I'd like it to have autonomy as now, rather than forcing my own ideas on it. The Toastie Bar people know more than the Services manager in that area.
John's has got a reputation for Fairtrade. Could you look into cheap Fairtrade stash?
Enoch
With John's, we have a Fairtrade policy to uphold, but we would still seek for the lowest costs. Same applied to the shop as well. If we find a product which is overtly unethical, we'd rather not sell it.
Martin Hodgetts:
Be it from carrying picnic benches between lawns to getting people to do shop shifts, how do you propose to get more people involved?#
Enoch:
As I mentioned, publicity is very important. If people don't use the shop, they won't be aware that they are able to help. Firstly, increasing publicity is a must. Otherwise, we have to let people know that the services department responds to what they want, so being on shop shifts influences what we can provide.
Felix Schubert
If you were a product from the shop, which would it be and why?
Enoch:
A Tuna and Cucumber Sandwich - I'd always be there!
JHJCR AOB
RK: How is the vice-chair performing?
SG: Very satisfactorily!
St. John's College JCR
JCR General Meeting
11th March 2007, 20:00
Leech Hall
Opening Prayer
Read by Sophie Godfree
Apologies
Harriet Johnston
Susannah Buckler
Rachel Nicholson
Alice Gibbs
Ashley Greenwood
Andrew Boyd
Ian Kidd
Alice Manuel
Approval of Minutes and Matters Arising
Minutes accepted on General Aye
JCR Lockdown
Sophie explained the conditions of the following debate.
The Bar is not a JCR facility; the bar is irrelevant to the discussion.
I am ignoring any personal comments. If you have any questions about the Exec's performance over the last year they are going to be giving reports later.
Josh Heald: Right. Most JCR facilities were withdrawn from all members of college from 6pm on Friday to 6pm on Saturday. First, apologies to those who do already participate. The reason for the shutdown was to draw attention to what the JCR offers. We did it because we thought it was best for the JCR. It wasn't a strike. We all continued to do our jobs. The exec rely on the JCR to get opinion, this year attendance hasn't allowed us to do this. The Exec are not the JCR. Joining the JCR isn't paying to get services. The action was taken with the agreement of all members of the Exec. We had the consent of college and did not act illegally.
Questions:
Esther James: If you appreciate members of the JCR who actually come to the meetings, why didn't you explain it to us. As it was announced on Facebook, not all of us are on it and we didn't find out about it.,
Josh Heald: We didn't publicise it on Facebook. We wanted it to be something people realised as they went about their daily routine. That was perhaps a mistake upon our part, and in hindsight, we should have sent out an email.
Dave Hill: Your aims may be honourable, but the method was just unacceptable. As we're educating people in the JCR, it's necessary to show it to the its members. There are two possible actions. If it is found that the constitution was breached, the Exec should have a motion of suspension; if it wasn't, a motion of censure should be passed against them. Clause 1 says that the Exec should be fair. The Margaret's services were stopped. Clause 2.3: full JCR members should have the following rights; the main one is the right to enjoy the facilities of the JCR. You said you withdrew the facilities (did College make the decision to close the rooms?).
As sophie said, all members should attend, but not "must" attend. It's in standing orders. How many of you voted for. Who physically locked the rooms? Who removed the furniture?
Josh Heald: The decision was taken by the Exec as a whole.
Ian Kent: It wasn't the whole Exec; I wasn't there. The JJCR Exec is a smaller body that hasn't met at all this year. It wasn't agreed by the whole JCR Exec.
Josh Heald: It was agreed by the JH Exec on which Ian is a co-opted member and is entitled to attend at all times.
Ian Kent: We are on the JJCR Exec.
Josh Heald: It wasn't an action of the JJ Exec.
Dave Hill: WHo locked the rooms?
Josh Heald: It was done with the consent of Stephen Hampton and Alan Usher.
Ali Parry: You said the locks were changed. Effectively, you need to pay for Maintenance to change the locks and pay for new locks.
Felix Schubert: The locks are readily available from the Maintenance Team and are available at all time. There was no cost.
Adam Crudgington: All very well, this being a publicity scheme. Do you not feel that this has caused a lot of bad feeling within college. Should you have realised this reaction. People are getting involved, but at quite a big cost. I don't think it's nice to cause all this bad feeling, this upset. Do you think it's fair?
Josh Heald: We questioned it at several times. We were obviously aware this would cause bad feeling. We did it because it would be best for the JCR. We're not saying at the moment is that this reaction is fantastic. It is good that people are talking about the JCR.
Adam Crudgington: They're not talking about the JCR in a good way. They're talking about how it's been done. The tone of the posters was very arrogant. It's a bully tactic and I don't understand why this would happen in Johns.
Josh Heald: It was so people would discuss it at the meeting,
Adam Crudgington: people are here to support people who are angry about the way you treated the situation. It's trying to show our reaction.
Josh Heald: It was something to raise awareness. I spent Saturday at College Council. I've been pushing College to understand how much communal space we actually need. It's something that we only have because of people being involved in the JCR in the past. It has caused bad feeling, and this is a shame. But I hope it will give people a better idea of what the JCR does.
Rich Kelly: I know a lot of people who felt the posters came across as quite arrogant. We never suggested we want to do this again, It was just to raise awareness.
Unknown: Some clarification on what the President has said at the beginning. What really was it all about?
Josh Heald: I said I didn't want people to come to this meeting., We need people to be fully involved in the JCR.
Unknown: To bully us to come here?
Josh : Not to bully you.
Ed McCarter: I'd like to pick up on Adam's point about the John's Spirit. In the past that has involved coming to JCR meetings.
Becky: The timing is convenient:
Felix Schubert: We could just have gone silently and let the next Exec deal with it; we decided we wanted to take action.
Josh Heald: It's also a last resort, not a first resort. We've spent the year discussing interesting things at JCR meetings and publicising them. We've done everything we could to make them better attended, and we NEED JCR meetings to be this busy.
Peter (Cranmer): DO you think it's constitutional to suspend the JCR Exec and then take a unilateral decision that affects the whole JCR through the JHJCR.
Josh Heald: This Exec isn't the one that got rid of JJCR Exec and we've taken steps to get a workable exec.
Peter: Co-opted but can't vote.
Josh Heald: I'm not sure it hugely affected other common rooms. It had the consent of the MCR President. All the money on these facilities come from our budget.
Calandre Mustard: I think this move contained some merit. There are responsibilities but also rights. might it have been better to take a vote about this at a JCR meeting; if you'd taken a more democratic route...
Josh Heald: We decided to not take it to a JCR vote, as we wanted to raise awareness of what the JCR does. In terms of a vote at a JCR meeting prior to action being taken, it's something regularly done around Durham; it solely encourages people to come to a meeting, and then never come back next time.
Calandre: What makes this different?
Katie Wray: Had we discussed it first, people would have just made other arrangements. We did it this way so people would experience it on day-to-day basis.
Calandre: people might still have passed the shutdown. We wouldn't then feel so angry.
Rich Kelly: People would have planned around it. Everyone would have done their laundry on Thursday etc. People wouldn't have been affected. We're obviously sorry people feel this way.
Lee Lavery: The Exec seem very keen to communicate with us, but there isn't anything on the website.
Tim Marshall: The Exec is under no obligation to publish its minutes on the website.
Ian Kent: The decision has been taken, and it can't be undone. I'm aware that not many people have attended meetings. We should remember that this Entire Exec with the exception of Ed, will be gone in two weeks' time. Unless there's anything that people want to say, we ought to say something bad has happened. Now let's have a democratic process and a proper JCR. There's nothing to be gained by further arguing with each other.
James Evans: It has happened, but it could be that in the future the Exec could be mandated to publish minutes, or the Exec could be prevented from doing it again.
Ashley Greenwood: You've actually alienated a lot of people as well. the attitude you've taken has made people not care. I know it's their personal responsibility, but they just don't like the tactics you've used. As much as it has worked, it also hasn't. That should be taken on board beforehand.
Felix: We're not kidding ourselves into believeing that this attendance is going to happen every time. The point is awareness. THe reason we wanted this effect is that talking about it is all very well, but people don't know what the JCR does for them,
Ashley: YEs, well that's your job.
Felix: Yes, but if the people who elect us don't want to get involved, we can't do those jobs.
Katie: The fact that we do our jobs... I don't think we need to go boasting.
Martin: We didn't stop doing our jobs., We continued doing the things we were elected to do.,
Emma Matthews: Going back to moving forwards: One of your aims was to get more people involved. You took a poll on moving meetings from Sundays to Thursdays. A lot of people who can't come on a Sunday can't come on a Thursday.
Josh Heald: That's probably why the vote went for Sunday. We looked at when we could book the room, and Thursday was the only other day available. People turned the only other option down.
Ali Parry: There's only so much that written words and emails and posters can do. What you've done is piss everyone off to get them here so they can have a rant. The point I'm trying to make is that there's only so much a T-shirt can say. At no point have I seen people encouraging through word of mouth.
Josh Heald: I can't speak for the rest of the Exec, but I spend time encouraging people to come.
Ed McCarter: I think that trying to separate the JCR from Johns is foolish. It should be seen as much more central to Johns.
Ali Parry: You consider sports; a captain encourages people to come along. It's not been like that for the JCR.
There's been quite a lot of feeling that it's our fault. Do you not kind of feel that you guys haven't been involved enough? A lot of people didn't know what the roles were all about. It's not just our fault.
Megan Taylor: Everyone knows when JCR meetings are. We tried to let you know what it was in your handbook. We dumbed it down. The JCR Exec have done a good job advertising it., There are posters everywhere. It's a conscious decision for people not to come.
Rich Kelly: We haven't been physically dragging people to meetings. This is the action we took. Obviously, people haven't liked it. We haven't done it because it will benefit us. I feel I've taken some responsibility for this issue in this way. We're not trying to punish people. It was the last thing we wanted to do but it's what we've done.
Katie Wray: The idea was not bullying people to come. The hope was that with raised awareness you'd want to come to future meetings.
Sarah Hogben: Firstly, people are pissed off, they didn't like it. It's happened. We can't do anything about it as it's happened. The thing is that someone has to do the jobs that the Exec do and the JCR does. We have a right not do do it, but someone has to do it., We should still support them. They do those jobs, and it's nice to be able to help them. That's what John's is about.
applause
Megan Taylor: As bitter third-years we've noticed a trend that JCR participation is going down over the last two years. We're not sure whether this is from a jaded perspective. What these guys have demonstrated is that this is a problem. Maybe the problem is the attitude that many people going to John's have. If you like being apathetic, you could go to another college.
Becca Davies: i think we've learned a lot from this evening. Come next term and get involved. There is a responsibility from the beginning. From the beginning you thought it was poorly advertised. If you had a word with one of the Exec who are available in Freshers week, you can get involved and say what you want to change. If you're working on an Estates project all day every day they need you guys to tell you what people are saying. I hope that you will come up to me to tell me what you think is happening. To the same extent, you have to give something back to help people who do this.
Dave Hill: Everyone I think wants to draw the line under this., I want to propose a motion of Censure, as a bit of a slap on the wrist.
Sophie explained Motions of Censure from the Constitution.
Dave Hill proposed a Motion of Censure: I don't think anyone would argue with their aims. It should be noticed that we are unhappy with what they do.
Ian Kent formally opposed the Motion
Rich Gale seconded the opposition.
Ian Kent: Regardless of the circumstances, the Exec are finishing. I dont' see any benefit. I think people's displeasure is noted in the attendance. I don't see any benefit at all.
Dave Hill: It's to make it official, to say that the Exec can't do this without some sort of penalty.
Ian Kent: I think if you are wanting to stop this happening again, a different motion should be brought to alter the constitition. I don't see any benefit in it. I don't see that lashing out or revenge is going to benefit. If you want to change the way the JCR operates, propose another motion.
RIch Gale: I second what was said, because I think it's distinctly ungrateful to do what has been suggested. The exec are doing a really hard job to keep this college running. I find it wrong.
Ed McCarter: It's un-John's guys
Dave Hill started a motion of censure against Josh Heald
Sophie explained the nature of motions of Censure again for the JCR at Esther James' request.
Becca Davies: I am going to have to be involved in this as I am now a voting member of Exec.
Reports:
Josh Heald, JCR President
Thank you for participating in this discussion.
Most of what I've done all this week has been at Residential COllege council. We discussed things to do with college strategy. College is laying down a real strategy for five years. Any questions?
Ed McCarter: you said that College Council were looking at using JCR rooms for other things
Josh Heald: SOme members of the council went round to college facilities and were concerned they weren't being used.
Katie Wray, VP:Estates
Since the last JCR meeting I've had informal house committee about the end of term. I've nearly finished clearing out lockups. Lost property is at the back. I've started work on a board of Presidents to be put up in Leech Hall
Jeanna Shalkowski, VP:Welfare
I started handover with the next VP:welfare. Thsi week I'm distributing travel bursaries, send me an email by 4pm on Wednesday if you want one.
If you have a panic alarm, test it. If it's not working, bring it to me and I'll give you one that does work.
It's No Smoking Day on Wednesday so we'll be sending out details about that.
Felix Schubert, Treasurer
I've been to bar committee, finance committee, the new signatories will be Becca, Martin, and Tom Pember-Finn.
Please read the newspapers. DOnt' rip out the crosswords as people complain.
Richard Kelly, Senior DSU Rep.
OK, since the lastr meeting I've been to one councli, and executive meeting of the DSU. One was in Stockton. We have elected a new Women's officer and a new Palatinate editor. We've gone through the halfway through accounts for DSU. It's done financially well in the bar, having made more than £50k more in the bar. That has incurred extra costs, with only about £3k surplus.
There are a lot of redundant positions in DSU. We discussed the University's 175th Celebrations. The university doesn't want to give us very much money so we need more people involved.
Regarding the SOS campaign, the papers for that have been given to the University; they weren't happy with the figures we had. I've attended a working group on Road Safety.
Martin Hodgetts, Services Manager
Hi
Since last time we were here I've had various meetings like Finance Committtee. A shop order has arrived. The stock in the shop is going down for the end of term, Stash should arrive on Wednesday.
On top of that next term there are college photographs. There's one big photograph for the JCR, then ones of teams and sports and societies. It'll be probably the second wednesday of term. I met some other photographers; unless they're very much better we won't change.
Tim Marshall, Comms. Officer
I have something to say - I've been to bar and finance committee. I've had a couple of problems with This week, which are now resolved.
Becky Ryding - There aren't any This Weeks online since December...
Tim: They are online - try refreshing your browser cache.
Chris Leach: There have been issues - things don't seem to be posted until Tuesday
Tim: that's the weekend I handed in my dissertation
James Dalton (for Alice Manuel)
On Wednesday, bring your own wine!
Esther James: The fact that SEC have put events on Facebook is quite terrible. 150 people signed up. For those of us who had netball, it was an issue.
James Dalton: It was mainly there to gauge interest.
Becca Davies: [not wearing gown]
uproar!
I didn't make the signup, despite the fact I've got to go there and give Josh a present!
Chris Leach: I know that we're talking about why facebook didn't work. Can we have it as a manner of policy that we don't use facebook.
James: Obviously, OK.
Dan Baxter, Senior Bar Officer
Wow. If you've got the year report things, mine's not in there. It'll be emailed out. I'll summarise this now briefly. We had a theft over the summer. We're now solvent again.
Recently; Tarts and Vicars... big success. We have made double and mixer £2.50. I've been to lots of meetings, including Bar Committee. We have a bar quiz on Tuesday. Wednesday, you can buy your wine in the bar, and we have a late licence so we're open until 12, and maybe a bottle bar in the bop.
This is the last week ever that you will be able to smoke in John's Bar. College policy and University policy dictates it.
Thank you to my bar team, and congrats to the new team - Ed, who's here, stand up!
Josh Heald: Can I thank you and the bar team for fantastic work getting the bar into profit within two terms!
applause
Ian Kent, Cranmer President
First can I say thank you that so many of you have come and stayed. I'd like to thank these guys, as they've done a brilliant job. I want to minute my thanks to you guys.
My report will be emailed out with Dan's. One of the good thigns that happened this week was the joint event for Comic Relief. If you were there, thank you.
Like Josh I was at College Council and it was positive, lots of good thinking going on about sports and libraries.
Ed McCarter, MCR President:
Pipe down you lot.
I have been to Finance Committee. I have been to Exec Committee. We have MCR meetings. The MCR is getting magazines and periodicals. We're doing some estates things, general tidying up of procedures, and we've been talking to the bank.
Ian Kent:
I forgot to introduce Peter, the new Cranmer President.
applause
Peter takes over in three weeks' time.
Peter: I can be found in the bar!
Felix Schubert:
Normally, the reports are done vocally by all of us, but because tonight's meeting was going to be a long one. Apologies to Ian for not asking him about this first. If you haven't got a paper copy, I will put these on the website. If you don't have a printer I will print you a copy.
James Evans, Senior DUCK Rep.
We had the Cranmer Comedy Night. DUCK Week raised around £600. We're well over £2000 for the whole year. I'd like to thank the people on my team.
applause
Motions:
Motion to change the Senior DUCK Rep election
James Evans; the election doesn't fit in with the uni DUCK timetable or the DUCK team positions. The new DUCK rep goes in straight into exams.
Motion accepted on a General Aye
Room Ballot Policy
Sophie: This should have been ratified last year; sorry.
It says that every easter Estates checks it's OK, but the policy needs to be ratified.
Elections
Drum Kit Rep:
Tom Vincent-Sweet
Proposed: Chris Leach
Seconded: Martin Clarke
The Candidate was elected on a General Aye
Junior DSU Rep positions
Robert Feakes
Proposed:Ruaridh Guy
Seconded: Peter Scopes
I'm Rob, and I've been a junior rep. I've enjoyed listening to all the stuff that's come up in meetings. I get on well with Sammy, and would like to continue working with him.
I'd like to get more students involved in DSU. Only the purple manager and SCA are Johns-related.
According to Steering Committee, the following positions are up for election at the next meeting.Rob listed available positions in DSU. They are desperate for people to get involved.
There were no questions.
Vote:
For: overwhelming
3 abstentions
The candidate was duly elected
Laura Devitt
Proposed: Laura Duffy
Seconded: Peter Scopes
Hi I'm Laura, the way the DSU is run is of great importance to college. I have experienced tyhe DSU's organisation firsthand and want to get involved. O could bring reliablity to the issues involvbed. I want to give something back.
Vote:
For: overwhelming
5 Abstentions
Ron 0
The candidate was duly elected.
JWS Coffee Shop organiser
Martin Clarke
Proposed: Rich Kelly
Seconded: Ed McCarter
There was no call to hust.
The candidate was elected on a General Aye.
JWS Organiser
Danielle O'Hagan and Helen Loxley
Proposed:Sarah Dewhurst
Seconded: Ruaridh Guy
Motion to approve a Joint Candidature
Proposed: James Evans
Seconded: Ben Jarvis
Motion approved on General Aye.
Hi, we're Danielle and Helen. We're both passionate about fairtrade. We are the only cpollege in the university to have a solely fairtrade shop
we believe we have the experience to be successful. we've worked shifts in the shop and we have good knowledge of fairtrade issues.
we're arts students and we'll be living together next year.
last term we saw an article about fairtrade in palatinate and the JWS wasn't organised. as the college of the founder of Traidcraft, we think it should have more publicity. We could bring fresh ideas to running the shop, expanding the range of products. We're excited about it. Please vote for us.
Ian kent: You mentioned new ideas; lots were publicity related. Can you suggest others?
We thought we should sell freshers packs including tea coffee and sugar. Everyone knows the main activity in college is drinking tea.
Martin Hodgetts: How would you ensure that teh space shared with the JCR shop is used efficiently?
We want to tidy it up and be organised. Also we can work well with Enoch. We plan to be around next year to be available.
Ed McCarter: A lot of people haven't turned up to the shop; how would you motivate people to get involved.
We're going to target freshers and have more advertising. We want to talk to people and to email them regularly.
Felix Schubert: It has been suggested merging accounts to improve things.
We'd have to look at the balance of advantages and disadvantages. We're giving money to charity. We will have to look into it.
Vote:
Candidate: overwhelming
3 abstentions
JWS Treasurer
Judith Robertson
Proposed:Ben Jarvis
Seconded: Claudia Stacey-Ralda
I'm absolutely terrified. I think I can do this job as I'm committed to fairtrade. I think the move to a fairtrade university status is exciting. I've been involved in fairtrade work at home. I know I've got a lot to learn in terms of finance. I am willing to do that. I'm organised and can do this job really well.
Martin Hodgetts: What do you feel about taking the JWS account and putting it into the Part II account.
Judith: I spoke to Katy: if it would make things more accountable then that's a good thing.
Candidate: overwhelming
1 abstention
Senior DUCK Rep.
Chris Bradford
Proposed:Jenni Prior,
Seconded: Ana Sharkey
Husting:
Chris: Vote for me please!
Questions
Ed McCarter: What is DUCK for?
We raise money for charity!
Becca Davies: I found DUCK this year to not be as well publicised as possible. I'd like more cranmer participation.
I think John's is falling behind on the fashion stakes. We need a fashion show.
Chris: That's an awesome idea.
James Evans: This is completely my fault. This is nothing to do with Chris. My motion to change the election date made it look like my election would be postponed; I have to resign for the post I'm standing for this time. That's my fault.
Felix Schubert: Chris has talked to me and Sophie; it's not like he's not committed to it.
Esther James: Can he still stand for other positions.
Sophie: Yes.
Sarah Gadsden: I'd like some bar events, and organised trips.
Chris: I don't think they were well organised enough.
Vote:
Candidate: Overwhelming
2 abstentions
Societies Officer
No candidates
Josh: It's a formational position: it's what you make of it. Do it and you'll have a chance to make John's societies what you want them to be.
Sports Officer
Simon Greenway:
Proposed: Ashley Greenwood
Seconded: David Lorimer
Husting:
I've captained John's football this year. I've been a member of the Sports Council this year. I played hockey the other day for the first time; I was terrible, but a bit of John's spirit there.
On a more practical side of things, I'd like to increase the sports ball. I'd like the sports photos back in the bar and I think it's a travesty they've been taken down.
Questions:
Katie Wray: Do you have any plans to continue House Sports?
Simon Greenway: I hadn't thought about it, but I'd like to continue.
Martin Hodgetts: What about the sports ball?
Simon: I'd like to make it cheaper.
Sarah Hogben: The Team Johns event was a great success. Would you look to do it again, and would you want to change it in any way?
Simon: Maybe a few more events like that; one big one, but some satellite events.
Becky Ryding: Would you continue giving the girls wine glasses for their colours?
Simon: Yes
Vote:
Candidate: overwhelming
1 abstention
JJCR Chair:
James Evans
Proposed: Sarah Gadsden
Seconded: Phil Durrant
Husting:
I've been involved; I'm senior DUCK rep and I'm on Finance Committee. I've been involved on the JCR since the beginning of my time here. I want to ensure that JCR meetings are kept clear and hopefully brief.
Questions:
Ed McCarter: How many times a year does the constitution say you should go to JCR meetings?
James: You should say all of them.
Becca: Accountability is very important. Are there any steps you want to take to ensure that this is preserved.
James: I think it's best if the chair is consulted before a decision that is potentially unconstitutional is taken.
Sarah: How well do you know the constitution?
James: I have read through it quite a bit. Even tonight a lot of people have read the constitution recently.
Vote:
Candidate:overwhelming
2 abstentions
JJCR Vice Chair
Tim Dixon
Proposed: Matt Crompton
Seconded: Rachel House
Husting:
I'm Tim, a second year classicist;
It's an old cliche but I'd like to give something back to John's. I've got experience in organisation from being secretary of university choral society and Johns Hall worship coordinator. I have to remain impartial and biased, and I would hope to be fair and objective. I'd like to work alongside the chair and exec.
Candidate: overwhelming
2 abstentions
Alumni Rep
Laura Devitt and Richard Turner
Proposed: Ed Knudsen
Seconded: Judith Robertson
Motion to approve a Joint Candidature
Proposed: Lee Lavery
Seconded: Emma Matthews
Husting:
Richard Turner: I've been DUCK Treasurer.
Laura Devitt: We'd like to show former members what goes on. We're highly organised.
Questions:
Ed McCarter: What changes would you make to the magazine alumni get.
Richard Turner: We'd work on it.
Sarah Hogben: You have to have a good relationship with the people who are leaving. Do you feel you know the leavers well enough to keep that up?
Richard Turner: I know a fair number of third and fourth years, and I've been on DUCK and on Finance Committee.
Sarah Gadsden: You say you're reliable. Would you say that people you work with would say you're reliable.
Richard Turner: Yes
Megan Taylor: You have to speak to college staff. Have you been to see Alison Bradshaw and Sue Hobson about them?
Richard Turner: We spoke to Felix about it.
Vote:
Candidate: 26
Abstentions: 29
RON: 45
The (joint) candidate was not elected.
Ratifications
CU Reps
Jane Disney, Paul Wiggins:
Ratified on a General Aye.
Bar Team
Ratified on a General Aye.
Orchestra
Richard Allum
Peter Brown
Ratified on a General Aye.
Discussion: Patio Heaters:
Sophie Godfree: It's been allowed 10 minutes, which you may extend if you like.
Ali Parry: The point of this is to put two patio heaters on Linton Lawn outside the dining room by the benches. The point is to get two heaters installed. The progress is that Barbecue society already has two patio heaters, the foundations are already there, and they need to be moved in. The college council has approved them, as has the Exec. Just quickly to talk through the system. You don't want them switched on all night. The system is that locks will be put on the patio heaters. The switch to gas at the mains means they "can" be switched on, not that they'll be on all the time. I spoke to the outgoing and incoming bar officers, and they will have the keys so they can be switched on. It would be the last term and the first three weeks of michaelmas term, and also for events. Hopefully, we could put the keys behind reception for a campus card, so misuse can be traced. This needs to be put through. The views of the JCR are to be passed to College Council, and if the JCR agrees then they're more than likely to be put in. It should go directly into maintenance in terms of gas. The main point is the issue about the heaters. The environmental issue is the main one. The government put through a figure about patio heaters which was exaggerated. Patio Heaters will be used for at maximum four hours a day and at a maximum of 84 days a year. The cost issues include a deposit for two gas canisters, and £3 per topup. After speaking to people at Cuths the canisters last about a week. For twelve weeks it works out at £72 per year. Misuse of the heaters is a big issue, but the methods put in place should tackle that. Health and safety concerned, the setup at Cuths is a role model for ours. We need a mesh over it, a lock to stop people from putting it on or off except oif they have a key.
Becca Davies: If we pass this motion it will be a JJCR discussion. The issue is that it will still be dictated by John's Hall termtimes; the question is whether Cranmer would have access to it.
Ali Parry: It's an idea that's been put forward to stop misuse, but it can be flexible and is not set in stone. The heaters can be removed easily and can be taken down.
Esther James: Why has this come up again? We heard that Stephen Hampton had stopped the digging of the holes.
Ali Parry: The reason for that was due to miscommunication between us and Alan Usher. College Council went crazy as this had gone over their heads.
Dan Baxter: Just to clarify my position. I didn't agree to responsibility of the bar team for the keys. I do think it's a good thing for the bar.
Ali: Sorry, after speaking to Henry Jones, he's agreed to it. It won't be here until next term at the earliest.
Felix Schubert; There would be a set of keys at reception. Cranmer could have one or two people eligible for taking out the heaters.
Stuart Morris: Regardless of that, we have global warming happening; it's literally heating the atmosphere; what does that say about us? It's an extravagance. It doesn't provide any usual function. There's heating inside if we want to keep warm. What does it say about us when we're heating the atmosphere when we have an ethical policy; is it not a bit hypocritical.
Ali Parry: Firstly, what are the benefits of it? It's a peaceful place to sit. It's a pretty area, but it never really gets used except for three weeks of the year. It's not the best. The one's we've got have a metal dish top which pushes the heat down, with a double thickness rim. It pushes heat further down. As far as what college thinks, it's got air conditioning, lights left on, and cruddas is always ridiculously warm. It's just as bad.
Stuart Morris: Cruddas, the heating's connected to the hot water system. Again, lights have a function beyond heating. They have a practical use. Patio heaters work off radiation which is the least effective way of heating. there are no fans to blow the hot air. We are just literally doing global warming.
Ali Parry: It is true; they are heating the outdoors. The government's figures are completely biased.
James Rainer: I'd like to make a point about college banning smoking in buildings; this'll give smokers somewhere to go all year round.
Becky Ryding: If it results in a motion; aren't patio heaters unattractive really?
Ali Parry: They can be removed. They're light to move and they bolt to the floor.
Ed McCarter: i think we should consider this as two things. they should be functional and beautiful. We want to put two great steel chimneys there to spoil it. functional? it's a machine designed to throw hot air over you rather than you dressing up warmly. What are we saying? We're wasteful, we don't care about the environment, and we don't care about the World Heritage Site that generations have sought to protect.
Sophie Godfree: I would like to move to a vote.
For: 40
Against: 47
Abstentions: 17
JHJCR Meeting:
Assistant Comms
No candidates
Assistant Estates
No candidates
AWO Male
No candidates
AWO Female
Helen Loxley
Proposed: Kathryn Sleight
Seconded: Sarah Hogben
Husting:
This time I'm going to tell you why I want to stand for this. I want to be part of the well oiled machine that is college welfare. I want to support Nick Robson and take some of the pressure off Exec. I've talked to Sarah Mullins, the current holder.
I enjoy talking. It's a large important part of this job., I'd be objective enough not to let my views get in the way of my job. I'd always make time for people. I'll hold this position in summer term. I have adequate communication skills. I plan to attend Nightline training to gain the adequate skills. Please vote for me.
Questions
Becca: Why didn't you stand for student2student?
Helen: It took a while for me to settle in and this is a point in the term where I feel that I am properly equipped to take this on. I wouldn't want to do it if I didn't feel prepared.
Stuart Morris: You've just been voted in as JWS rep. Do you think you can give enough time to both?
Helen: I am well organised. I do prioritise what needs to be done. For the majority of the time I'm JWS officer, I won't be this. I will be around college.,
Jeanna: What do you understand by confidentiality, and how might that work?
Helen: The idea is that people tell you things important to them, and you shouldn't tell these. But there comes a point at which their safety may well be in jeopardy. I understand that I'm only a student.
Martin: To have a chat and be a good talker aren't necessarily good skills for a welfare assistant. When have you been a good listener?
Helen: I feel that at the beginning of the year we all supported each other. I feel that I've been there to talk to and set options that are possible. Generally, being in a close-knit community, I think everyone is part of the welfare system. I feel I'm approachable and that people do come and talk to me.
Vote:
Candidate: overwhelming
Abstentions: 6
Asst. Services
No Candidates
2x SEC Decs Officers
There was confusion over people who stood for positions, raised by SJ Odutolu.
Husting:
Joanna Crawford (Proposed: Ben Salter, Seconded: Sarah Gadsden)
Hi, I'm Jo, I've been on SEC since michaelmas; I think that the fact I want to stand again shows something. I've got a lot of ideas. I know Tom the social secretary as well.
Pippa Crawshaw (Proposed: Harry Walker, Seconded: Jenni Prior)
I am committed to good partying. I went full out at the bad taste party. i worked as a professional party planner in my gap year. I am slightly psycho and I handed work in early so I could organise a party. I've talked to SEC about it, I'm a good partyer. I think an Alice in Wonderland or Titanic theme should be awesome
Helena Patton
I helped with organising school balls. I work hard, and I can drive. I really want to help make things better.
Questions:
Esther James: Being on SEC seems like it's not just a party thing. You work early and late, you clear up sick, it's dirty work. How do you cope with stress? Could you clear up sick and still be happy.
Jo: I've experienced the Bailey Ball clearup which seems lots of fun.
Pippa: Vanish Instant Stain remover is great. Seeing people enjoy a party is so worth the effort.
Helena: I live on Linton B, so I put up with a lot of mess. I get up for rowing in the morning.
Sophie announced that voting would take place after the husts for the Ents Officers
2x SEC Ents Officers:
Husting:
Steph Hannah:
I regularly attend social events. I have organised a lot of bar crawls. I enjoy organising them.
SJ Odutolu:
I haven't organised a bar crawl. I would love to work on the social entertainment. I arranged social events at school. I would love to be chosen to be an entertainments officer as I have a great deal of ideas. I would like to hear other people's ideas for entertainment.
Ben Jarvis:
Perhaps I don't appreciate the DVD room, but I do appreciated a good old party. I have organised bar crawls. As long as you have vodka and music, everyone's happy. More things, more fun.
Questions:
Pippa: What kind of thigns would you like to bring to events?
Ben Jarvis: You need ideas from the rest of SEC as well. Having things that don't clash... making people get as much from their money as they can.
SJ: Turning Haughton into a classy theme would be good.
Steph: A James Bond theme would be very good.
Bex Lindsay: How are you with dealing with angry geordies.
SJ: I worked at three nightclubs in the year; I've dealt with drunk people, angry managers.
Steph: I work in Waitrose; you get a lot of big guys.
Martin Hodgetts: What distinguishes you from the other candidates?
Steph: My name's different!
Ben: I'm male!
SJ: First of all, "I is black!" I would organise events well as I'm not jaded already!
SEC Food Officer:
Harriet Johnston
There was no call to hust.
The candidate was elected on a General Aye.
SEC Publicity
Susie Buckler
Proposed: Rob Feakes
Seconded: Ash Greenwood
The candidate was elected on a General Aye.
SEC Secretary
Kathryn Sleight
The candidate was elected on a General Aye.
SEC Technician
Ben Powell
The candidate was elected on a General Aye.
Pippa Crawshaw asked about standing for other positions had she lost.
SEC Treasurer
James Rainer
Proposed: Megan Taylor
Seconded: N D Martin-Thomas
Husting:
Err... right. I'm a first year theologian. I have a hell of a lot of time. Obviously the money's a big issue., The Bailey Ball turns over £20000. I ran a ball at school, so I am used to dealing with deadlines.
Questions:
Cathy Westwood: Have you spoken to the current treasurer?
James: I haven't, but I've spoken to Felix and to Martin.
Vote
Candidate: overwhelming
4 abstentions
AOB
Josh Heald: Thanks for coming, and congratulations who have been elected or stood for elections. I'd like to thank everyone I've worked with this term.
Minutes of JJCR meeting, 15-10-2006, 20:00
Related files
Contents
Preamble
Read by Jeanna Shalkowski.
The minutes were approved on a general aye. There were no matters arising.
Reports
I've done some preparation for the opening party of the SMG social space. I met our chancellor Bill Bryson and we talked about a campaign to sign people up with the Organ Donation register. It's something he'd like JCRs to be part of. Came up with a few ideas, such as joint formals with other colleges. Went to Resources Committee, which is a subcommittee of College Council and talked about accounts and budgets in college. I went to a General Meeting of DSU and I was elected to be a delegate at the NUS regional conference in November. Has anybody got any questions?
I'd like to gauge opinion on:
Extra formals; the idea is to give it to a sports team or to DUCK. They'd have to have people paying between £5 and £12 depending on money people would like to raise. Could I have a show of hands of people who would be interested?
Chris Leach: Is there a chance this would lead to all formals having a charge?
Josh Heald: The Senior Tutor would like all of them to be free; he can't currently afford to.
The other idea is a potential holiday in the winter. Perhaps skiing?
No hands shown.
One last thing is to remind you that we have a service in the Cathedral for the commissioning of the Principal, and there'll be a drinks reception afterwards.
Since the report that came out on Monday I haven't done that much. Formal's opened and been signed up for. Got a communal areas rep, which is Enoch.
Chris Leach: Will the fiasco with the formal signup happen again?
Katie Wray: It wasn't possible to realise how popular it would be. We'll give more notice next time.
I am welfare woman. Stuff I've been doing since my report in TW> Finished arranging the Indian Head Massage event on Wednesday. We've been having issues with the condom machines. We had the Welfare Awareness Day last week. Thanks to those who showed an interest in getting involved. Sarah Mullins is my assistant and the Careers Advisory Rep. A few general notices from the DSU Welfare Exec. The Prebends Bridge Flasher has been reported again. There have been quite a few nasty incidents against Hatfield in the last two weeks. It's not acceptable and I hope John's Students aren't getting involved in it. We've had a few cases of viral Meningitis in other colleges. Not something to worry about., The medical centre has moved and there's a sign on the welfare board showing you how to get there. There have been attacks on students. Breast cancer awareness campaign in the next few weeks.
Any questions from last time?
Since my report in This Week; Freshers' Week is over and went very well. We've had Finance Committee; we've had 8 motions for spending for this evening. The JCR orders newspapers which will be put in the Bailey Room for everyone to read. Please don't remove them.
Good evening.
Laughter
This week I've gone to a DSU Exec meeting where we've discussed varied things. DSU Exec will send a bus to London for a demonstration against top up fees. The bus will be about £10. I went to the General Meeting on Wednesday with Josh. They still think it's a good thing the University isn't in charge of us. Chat with Alex Duncan went well. Want to announce that there are ents in Dunelm house almost every night of the week.
Since my report in TW there are now stash order forms in the Bailey Room. Put them in an envelope and into the black box outside. The shop should start working more regularly. If you want to do a shop shift let me know, so I can open it for longer. I had a meeting on Friday with a guy to expand the range that we have in our shops, including Chupa Chups.
Not very practical, but my cloak is made of this week!
I don't have very much to say, but you've read my report. There were some slight problems with TW in delivery to livers out. Please leave TW on dining tables!
Since my report we've had our first SEC meeting. We're planning the Bailey Ball, which is in just under 4 weeks' time. The theme's meant to be a secret, so if you know, don't tell. The big task this week was the Freshers' Formal. One little nag I have is that after formals we have to take down, so once everybody's finished we need to tidy up so the bop can start. There were a few incidents where the catering staff were accused of stealing the wine. The catering staff are awesome and have to stay late...
I've come as Beer Boy, being able to provide good drinks at extra special prices. I'm Dan and I run the bar., That involves working with my team every night of the year, coordinating pretty much everything about the bar. A bit more seriously. From about February to June last year someone was pinching money off the bar in a serious way. The procedures at the time didn't notice the things going missing. The procedures now are very detailed. The bar is currently in a lot of debt; help us out and buy lots of drinks. We've made some changes. I hope you like them. Since my report I've ordered a new stock of wine for Wednesday. If you've drunk Ale in the bar since we've been open, you'll notice it's cloudy. It should now be clear and drinkable. On Friday after the Freshers' Formal; a good night's takings is about £500, we took £950, which is phenomenal.
I'm selling drinks. Come and buy some.
I wish I knew about the Superhero theme. I didn't have a report in This Week. Most of what I do involves Cranmer. I've been reviewing Cranmer policies in the light of some of the Freshers' welcome events that we did. We had a referendum about our membership fee. I've been on Resources Committee with Josh. I am the vice-president of the whole JJCR so I'm representing everyone here. The only other thing I've done is to have input into the Principal's commissioning service this week.
Hey, I haven't seen you all yet; I run the charity committee. Ethically you can justify spending money at our events. I'm happy to publicise charity stuff. The Freshers' Karaoke night raised just under £200... Events coming up...the main one is Wednesday 1st November; the uni-wide charity challenge. Durham vs. Nottingham. Tickets will be on sale throughout this week. On the same night it's Back To School... That is going to be completely revamped. It's a new event... Tickets will be £5 but we will sell them as a combo. The other thing coming up is the Durham Duck Race. 20000 plastic ducks launched into the river. The winner gets a grand. The only other thing I've got to say is that there are positions up for grabs this evening on my committee.
Motions
Motion text
Sophie Godfree: Are there any questions about the motions?
Has it been approved by the Finance Committee?
Alice Manuel: It's been approved, but not passed.
Jeanna Shalkowski: I want boys in the bar. Can we amend the motion so that they are, but they have to wear pink.
Sophie Godfree: Alice, are you ok to accept that?
Alice Manuel:Yes
Sophie Godfree: We're running out of time...
Phil Wallbridge: Can we continue? Can I put a procedural motion to extend the time by 5 minutes?
Sophie Godfree: Me and Becca decide time limits on motions; if you want to extend it you can pass a procedural motion for an extension?
The procedural motion was taken on a General Aye
Can I propose and amendment to “resolves as a matter of policy” that if a boy buys a drink he has to buy a drink for a girl.
Sophie Godfree: Alice, will you accept that?
Alice Manuel: No
Sophie Godfree: We need a vote:
For
14
Against
20
Abstentions
2
Sophie Godfree: That hasn't changed, so the motion still stands with the amendment that boys must wear pink.
Stuart Morris: Can we move to a vote:
The proposal to move to a vote was accepted by a General Aye
Felix Schubert: May I oppose the motion? I think if we were to ban boys from the bar we would halve the profit margin.
Sophie Godfree: Alice, can you respond to that?
Alice Manuel: I don't think that boys should be allowed
For
14
Against
27
Abstentions
0
Motion text
Alice Manuel spoke: Back again. Basically the SEC work really hard and we don't get very much from it except the joy on people's faces. Memories that'll last forever, but no...sort of... money.
We'd like to please go to the ball free. The Social Secretary and SEC change every year. We recognise the effort people put in by giving them a free night as they have to work all night the year before.
SG: As it's over £200 it's brought to you to approve it
Passed on a General Aye
Motion text
Passed on a General Aye
Motion text
Passed on a General Aye
Motion text
Passed on a General Aye
Motion text
Passed by Finance Committee
Motion text
Passed by Finance Committee
Motion text
Passed by Finance Committee
Motion text
Josh Heald: We have a shiny new flat which is almost finished. We don't have any decent furniture in it. I wanted to propose getting furniture, mainly for the Exec Office, that could be used by the Exec and other JCR members. There are a few bits and bobs for my side of the flat. The majority of the spending will be on the Exec side. It should last a good long time.
Approved by Finance Committee
Why was it moved?
Josh Heald: The main thing we gained was a second office. The president used to have an office, but now it's an exec office. It would also be useful to have a neutral space. The reason it moved was that the rooms it was in could be turned into student rooms, whereas the attic probably couldn't be. The cost would be covered in a year by the rooms created.
Sarah Gadsden: Why is the JCR paying for this?
Josh Heald: College paid for the flat, but this is effectively running costs for the JCR. College spent £14000.
What's a CL printer?
Josh Heald: A colour laser printer
Chris Leach: Do you really need a sofa?
Josh Heald: We kind of had that for the last flat for informal meetings. The idea was that we need both for different occasions.
Alison Dancer: Why do we need a kitchen?
Josh Heald: It's more for a President who spends the summer in the flat.
Becky: Is there a reason why we're getting a £300 printer?
Josh Heald: Colour printing can't be done anywhere else in college. You can do it at palace green but it's 50p a sheet. The current inkjet is very expensive to run. It was about long term running costs rather than the initial expenditure.
Passed on a General Aye
Motion text
Josh Heald: I think it would be better if Alice spoke about this one...
Alice Manuel: In SEC: we all have our own roles and positions. There are publicity, food officers. At the moment we have one ents officer. We have two decorations officers. This is especially for the Bailey Ball and for John's Day. The Ents officer has a huge amount of work to do, especially on the night., It would be useful to have another member of SEC, specifically the ents officer. They could split up and halve the work. It would be very useful.
Sophie Godfree: Any questions?
Chris Leach: We had 2 ents officers for ents week which proved useful.
Sophie Godfree: We're amending the constitution
Passed on a General Aye
Motion text
Josh Heald: Anyone who was here last term knows we made an SMG officer to look after the common room. Dave and I have talked about this and we thought we should give the work to one person with an oversight over everything. We're proposing to get rid of the Laundry rep and House Rep and to give the jobs to the SMG officer, which is Dave Williams
Passed on a General Aye
Motion text
Josh Heald: Me again!
We ran a referendum last term to accept a new constitution; it was an absolute nightmare trying to get enough people to vote. The quoracy at the moment is a simple majority of the people who voted, with 50% of the JCR voting. The JCR's membership has changed. Almost everyone in the college now is a member, which means that even though the thing passed overwhelmingly, just to get the sheer number of responses was a bit ridiculous. We'd like to change it so the quoracy is a third with a 55% majority needed.
Sophie Godfree: Any questions?
Richard Gale: Doesn't it say something about the JCR that we struggle to get numbers?
Josh Heald: The issue is there are a lot of dry issues that people don't get passionate about... It's usually about changing bits and bobs. We couldn't say there were burning issues.
What has it been changed from?
Josh Heald: it was 50% to pass and the JCR needed 50% of the vote.
Richard Gale: If this was applied to all quoracy, is it applying to every referendum.
Josh Heald: It's every referendum.
Richard Gale: Could this not present the possibility of easy manipulation?
Josh Heald: A third is still about 150 people. It's far higher than at a meeting. It doesn't seriously undermine the correctness of the democracy.
Sophie Godfree: We're out of time.
Procedural motion to extend time:
Passed on a General Aye
Alison Dancer: I'd like to take issue with Believes 3. I don't think it's appropriate:
Josh Heald: I don't think that it should be in a motion about democracy.
Sophie Godfree: It's not a separate elected position.
Josh Heald: It means that one person is responsible for checking that things run democratically. It's the nitty-gritty of how something is conducted rather than changing democracy.
Passed on a General Aye
Motion text
Felix: Basically I'm in charge of the Part I account which is from the composition fee. The part II account is the JCR as a business. From this bunch of money, we decide at meetings what to spend the money on. There is a restriction to what control you have. We need to spend money in order to make money, e.g. The services manager doesn't have to ask because he's expected to make a profit. Part II Treasurers are here for this. These people can spend money under certain guidelines. The way this is written into the Constitution is quite misleading. The restriction is at £200. To this point in time this part of the constitution has been quite happily ignored. We reviewed it. From now on, Martin has an exception. There's the introduction of a Spending Form, available from the JCR flat. They need to be signed by the JCR treasurer. Stops people spending money without thinking about it.
Any questions:
Christine Leahy: Does that include the JWS?
Felix Schubert: How often do you order?
Christine Leahy: 2-3 times a term...
Felix Schubert: I am willing to change it to include the JWS Treasurer to have similar rights as Services.
Amended so it says JWS where it says Services
SG: We're voting to accept the motion as amended:
Passed on a General Aye
Motion text
Josh Heald: They do keep coming and coming. We've changed things about This Week to get it to people for Monday morning. We've looked into that and ways to change that, and we're going to have a deadline on the Thursday for This Week so we can get it out in time. The problem with this is that in the runup to a JCR meeting, the TW deadline is before the JCR Motion Deadline. We want to change it to match up with the TW deadline so everything is published in TW.
Chris Leach: Can we be sure that it'll be well publicised.
Josh Heald: We're putting a box in TW before the deadline falls.
James Evans: It was late this week
Passed on a General Aye
Ratifications
Ratified on a General Aye
Elections
Elected on a General Aye
Sophie Godfree: You get paid.
Laura Chamberlain: What does it involve?
Katie Wray: You put stuff in the pigeon holes.
Elected on a General Aye
AOB for JJCR
None
End of JJCR Meeting
JHJCR Meeting
A video about the Environment Reps was shown.
Elections
Martin Hodgetts: Please stand for this: it's not much work!
It's late already so I won't say too much, I have a lot of experience. Student2student. Nightline training. I'd love to do the job. Last time I applied I was stuck in the meeting. I'd like you to vote for me. I think I'm fairly friendly, approachable, and enthusiastic.
Phil Wallbridge: I'm sure you're good at this. Will you verify that you are, in fact, male.
Phil Durrant: Yes
Josh Heald: Is there anything in particular about our welfare that you'd like to change? Is it just the case of do more of the same.
Phil Durrant: Male welfare hasn't been used very much in the past. Maybe more male issues should be promoted. The DSU Mens' Officer does a lot of campaigns.
Alice Manuel: What would be your greatest weakness and your greatest strength.
Phil Durrant: I'm not very good at stocking up with milk so if you come for a cup of tea you'll have it black.
Alice Manuel: Get Marvel!
Phil Durrant: I have no weaknesses in that case!
Candidate: overwhelming votes
RON: 0 votes
Abstained: 0
Elected on a General Aye
Elected on a General Aye
Katie Wray: Basically you represent the views of your house in terms of maintenance. You attend one formal house committee once a term and some informal house committees. As well as representing your house you help me with coming up with new ideas... and clearing lock ups.
Elected on a General Aye
Elected on a General Aye
Elected on a General Aye
Elected on a General Aye
Elected on a General Aye
Katie Wray: CC is highly exciting. The week beforehand you have to ask people if they like the food. Or if you think there should be changes you can let us know.
It's basically about one meeting a term... be interested in food.
Both candidates were elected on General Ayes
Felix Schubert: Finance Committee chats about motions for spending. If you're a rep you represent the views of the student body to the Exec. There are three each term.
Sophie Godfree; Would anyone like to stand?
The candidates were elected on General Ayes
Jeanna Shalkowski: It's really important. If you want things changed in John's Library. You attend Library Committee once a term with Katie and the Librarian.
Katie Wray: There are lots of big changes that might be happening. It'll be quite interesting to be on at the moment.
I've got a lot of experience with a lot of computers, with troubleshooting., set up wireless networks. I'm in college, anyone can find me in my room in 11SB. So far the printer hasn't once run out of paper.
Chris Leach: Could you publicise where your room is more please.
Mike Hutchinson: There's a sign in the computer room.
Candidate: 42 votes
RON: 0 votes
Abstained: 1
AOB for JJCR
Dan Baxter: Come and buy a drink!
End of JHJCR Meeting
Minutes of JJCR meeting, 29-10-2006, 20:00
Related files
Contents
Preamble
Read by Felix Schubert.
Alice Manuel
Hannah Brock
Sarah Mullins
Katie McCraw
Megan Taylor
Ian Kent
The minutes were approved on a general aye, there were no matters arising.
Sophie explained the format of JCR meetings to those who hadn't attended a meeting before.
Reports
Hi guys, thanks for showing up. In the reports we just tell you what we've been doing since the last meeting. I've had a meeting about Unity which is a campaign about funding for JCRs, sport, and DSU from the University. I had a training day on Friday which was good. I've been discussing electricity contracts up at Margaret's. Aside from that it's the same old thing. Any questions?
Since my report in This Week formal signup has opened. I've started planning the house sports. I've ordered the two trophies, and had informal house committee and catering committee went very well.
Questions?
Ali: What are the trophies for?
Katie: Intercollegiate Table Tennis, and the College Tennis Trophy.
Hi everybody. Various things; we've appointed the student supporters
Jeanna gave a list of the new supporters.
There have been some more attacks by locals on students. Be careful when you go out, especially if you're walking alone as it's been unprovoked. I'm looking into arranging some listening skills workshops, run by the counselling service. Next week I have Health and Safety committee.
I've been asked to remind you that if you're sharing a room, please check with your room mates if you're having guests to stay. I went to the Careers Advisory Service and got a copy of everything they had.
Any questions?
Good evening. A couple of points from the world of finance. I've done the VAT return, and the accounts for the first 9 months of the term. It's pretty much as budgeted for last year. I've put together a budget as well. Lastly, from tonight on there will be the Debtors' List active again. If you're on it you may not use any of those services until you have paid us. I've sent you emails. If you pay us you can come off the list.
The biggest fun...I did the petition against increasing the residence fees. We got about 3-4000 students which is near a fifth of the student body in a week. I went to DSU Exec meeting, where we discussed the Nightbus, which is no longer going to Tesco. The DSU Website is being updated. University Challenge is going to happen soon. If you're interested, contact either me or the DSU President. The demonstration against removing the cap on top-up fees filled up a whole coach. On Wednesday at DSU Council we approved the DSU budget and some motions from the last meeting.
Hope you had a nice week. Since the last time you may notice we have a shiny new itBox; lots of new games. I reviewed all the prices of different things in the shop in line with the new shop at Margaret's. Unfortunately some things have to go up in price. I've done my accounts. With regards to Stash, I spent the last couple of days sorting out order forms. It might take a while to get them. Cranmer are getting some stash as well.
I've not got much to say- I had a meeting about the website; we're interested to hear what you think, so we're starting a working group. If you're interested in shaping the website, email me. You don't need any technical knowledge.
I'm not Alice. Just to say quickly about the Bailey Ball. Tickets are going on sale tomorrow, but it's priority for 3rd and 4th years. They've gone up to £59. They were going to go up anyway. That's about it really.
OK, the last couple of weeks have made lots of money. More procedural things that we've changed; I've set a stock level. We've also shifted around our staff a bit. We have promoted #5 to #3 and appointed a new #5.
We have a new selection of Wine which is very nice. I'll put up a list. There's this big survey about smoking coming up. We had a bar quiz. We also had a BLUE event where everything was blue. Thanks for your participation. Apart from that, not much. I'm selling bottles; come and buy.
We have now got stash ordered. We were involved in the Principal's Commissioning Service. Our students are looking forward to Reading Week.
I'm Assistant Estates. My job is to organise Formal Hall every other Wednesday. Some people haven't been happy about not getting places; basically because online formal signup hasn't worked yet, we've been reverting to the old system in which people emailed in. I give out places to livers-in and livers-out.
About 50 people sent emails at the time. I literally take them as they come in on my email account. That's how it has always been. Some people were surprised. You have to be very quick to get a place. At the moment we have places for 55 livers in and 30 livers out. Formals are more popular with livers-out. I got an email concerning when I sent my emails out to people who hadn't got places. Last week signup was on Monday and I sent them out on Thursday. This week it was later. In my defence I had about 200 emails to sort out.
Also, people send me emails with more than one person's name on. I will put everyone on the list, but you have to realise that they will be in the order they appear on the list, and if I reach quota mid-list, half will not get in. If people are upset about it, I'm sorry, though it has been a bit out of my control.
I'm not complaining. I wanted to reassure everyone that it takes a lot of time but I will try and be more efficient in the future.
If you want to sign up in the future, don't worry, they happen all the time.
Ed McCarter: We've heard concise information about this; but every formal we see seats that aren't filled. At a lot of colleges they fine people who don't turn up.
Ben Salter: Sometimes guests don't turn up. Some people just don't turn up. Some people can't come and don't find that out until late. Maybe we could talk about fines but then we'd have to find out who wasn't there.
Katie Wray: We don't really have a culture of fining people.
Ed McCarter: Well it seems really selfish.
Ben Salter: I do say in my emails please email me if you can't go. I might include my number so people can text or call me.
Katie Wray: Point of information; the quotas are as they are because otherwise Alison has to prepare a large early dinner.
Can you change the time?
Ben Salter: It's something I'll discuss with Katie. I realise there's not a lot of livers-out, who are the main people who want answers.
Josh Heald: Can I add to my report that the new common room will be open tomorrow from 7:30.
This Wednesday is Back 2 School in the Union; if you want a ticket for it I'm selling them here.
Motions
Motion text
Sophie Godfree: If the Finance Committee approved a motion then we will show it to you without you needing to accept it.
Passed by Finance Committee.
Motion text
Felix Schubert: Hello, basically it's university policy to have 2 first-aiders at each match., We need to train people in First Aid; this is offered by DSU but costs money. It's about £7 per person. So this is essential to keep on playing sports games and so that people won't die if they're injured. We're releasing up to £252 to get people trained in First Aid.
Passed on a General Aye
Motion text
Ali Parry: Basically this is a motion for spending because running the patio heaters costs money. It won't cost anything to install them. They will go up on Linton Lawn. The money for the gas has already been passed by Finance Committee. We have to discuss the problems in that they're not entirely environmentally friendly. The table we have here is the government's claims; the other table is one I made to estimate how much CO2 the patio heaters will put out. 639 kg CO2 will be put out over the year as a maximum. Aesthetically there's no real issue.
Sophie: The issue is not the money as it's been approved by Finance Committee.
Alison Dancer: How did you come to the decision that they'd be used 12 weeks a year.
Ali Parry: Basically the gas is padlocked up so someone needs to open them up. The Bar Team will each have a key so they can switch them on at the mains to be used in the evening. If people want to use them at other times you will be able to get a key from Reception on a key-for-campus-card basis. If something then goes wrong, you'll be blamed for it.
Ed McCarter: SO we should have these because they are not bad for the world's environment. So these things are not going to be gouting fossil fuels over college and the world and they won't be ugly objects on Linton Lawn. It seems that this decision has been taken at a high level.
SJ: Listen: it's something to stop you from coughing!
Stuart Morris: There's something about being efficient. Regardless of the numbers involved, does it not seem that the most inefficient thing to do is to heat outdoors. These things only work by radiation, so the heat goes up. Are we saying that we're not bothered by the fact that global warming is happening? It seems rather gratuitous.
Ali Parry: The point is that electric patio heaters are free to the JCR. The point about the electric ones is that a third of energy is lost between the power station and your home.
Stuart Morris: Do you accept that in themselves they are incredibly inefficient in that they are located outside.
Ali Parry: OK, to be honest they are inefficient. They aren't as bad as publicised.
Stuart Morris: Are you worried about this image?
Ali Parry: I'm not, but college council is. If the college wants them then Josh and I will try to get College to get them
Josh Heald: These things may give college a certain image. We're asking the JCR if they're happy.
Ed McCarter: We've heard that patio heaters are more efficient if they burn it here rather than there. Does the majority of the heat go up or down?
Ali Parry: The heat does go up, but they will warm people.
Martin Hodgetts: They do do their job. They do actually work. It makes sitting outside more pleasant.
Alison Dancer: Can I oppose the motion.
Becca Davies: Maybe could we charge people per time unit if we discussed this again.
Ali: It comes down to whether you would like to pay to use them.
Josh: If this gets passed now, it doesn't mean that patio heaters will be put on Linton Lawn. If the JCR votes against it, that's what we say to college officers. It's not something the JCR can do on its own. We can always come back and put a policy in on it.
Formal opposition from Alison Dancer
Seconded Stuart Morris.
Vote
Alison Dancer: I think they're ugly and they are environmentally damaging. I have lots of jumpers. You can borrow them.
Ali Parry: I agree with the points. I'm willing to take them down and move them myself if necessary.
For
19
Against
22
Thus the motion falls.
Motion text
Felix Schubert: This has been here at the last meeting. The constitution says a lot about part II treasurers. We've changed it so it involves more security about how money is spent. It refers specifically to the Services Manager and Just World Shop.
Passed on a General Aye.
Elections
Enoch husted on Robert's behalf.
Robert apologises; he's supporting DSU on the fees march. He has the experience of working to represent people; mediating between groups. He was on School council so he has experience. He is interested in the workings of the JCR and DSU, and this is a good opportunity to see both of them. He promises to support Richard. He is a politics student, so he would get involved in issues. He would like more help available to Freshers. He suggests a website.
Candidate: overwhelming votes
RON: 0 votes
Abstained: 1
I'm a fourth year linguist. I wanted to let the JCR know that I'm very enthusiastic and hardworking. I feel I have some of the skills to do the job well. Anyone who rows will know how good I am at getting up in the morning. I already have a target list of contacts. Johns is awesome, so the notion of selling the Johns vibe won't be difficult. I have experience. In my gap year I raised £1500 through corporate sponsorship. In my second year as football captain I got O-Brien's to sponsor the end of year social. In Spain I helped an organisation on campus raise financial support for their organisation.
No questions
Candidate: overwhelming votes
RON: 0 votes
Abstained: 2
No call to hust;
Elected on a General Aye
James Evans said: it's quite informal; we have group meetings about events for the year. It's about raising money. You make posters.
Sophie: Would anyone like to stand?
There was no call to hust
Elected on a General Aye
No call for Richard to hust on Hannah's behalf
The candidate was elected on a General Aye
There was no call to hust.
The candidate was elected on a General Aye.
Christine Leahy read a statement on Chris' behalf: It may seem strange that I want to stand for it again. After all the reforms, I want to look after it for a while longer. I'll eventually take a back seat and get the team to work together.
Sophie: We're going to ask for your acceptance for Chris to do it despite living out
P: Christine Leahy
S: Alison Way
The proposal to let a liver-out continue the post was accepted on a general aye.
The candidate was elected on a general aye.
AOB for JJCR
Smoking in the Bar
Dan Baxter: Currently how we have it is that half the bar is non-smoking. How do you feel about that? I want to gauge your opinion on this.
The issue is that we're looking to advise college; we aren't taking a vote. No definitive conclusions. I'll go through a couple of points and then you can shout at each other. A ban will be legally enforced in 2007. The decision we make has to represent the whole community but at the same time the bar must act as a business. The main point on the plus side is that people who don't like smoke. On the negative side we may alienate many of our regular customers who enjoy smoking. We could have a trial ban.
Will Holloway: How is the ventilation system working at the moment
Dan Baxter: There are three parts to it; the extraction is not working, so it's been very hot.
Will Holloway: It's an issue if you're not smoking.
Ben Salter: I don't have a problem sitting around smokers, but I feel that if a smoking ban was introduced, then smokers could come to the bar for the social aspect and then have a smoke on the lawns and in the DVD room. What about visitors to John's?
Dan Baxter: A question is, will we lose custom because of that?
Richard Kelly: As a point of information; John's may be the only college bar that offers people the chance to smoke in it.
Dan Baxter: that may be a good thing for business.
Alison Dancer: DO people stay there on bar crawls long enough to smoke?
SJ Odutolu: It's just like John's has nowhere to have a smoke. If there are people in the DVD room then you can't smoke there.
Tom Briggs: I know it's an obvious point, but this is people's home and people live here.
Dan Baxter: People don't have the choice whether or not they want to inhale other people's smoke. Also it's a working area and the staff don't have a choice.
Alison Dancer: As far as like choice goes, surely people have more of a right to socialise, work, walk through an area which won't damage their health. The university has an anti-smoking policy. I think it's a higher priority than people feeling they have to have somewhere to smoke.
Will Holloway: I'd like to reiterate that I have a lot of friends in college who smoke. If I want to socialise in the bar I have to go into the smoking section to talk to my friends.
Richard Kelly: I wanted to say there are a lot of regular customers who smoke who would go off to Cuths instead. I think it's a point to bear in mind.
SJ Odutolu: I want to talk about what Will says. You don't want to go into the smoking section. You might have to go outside to smoke.
Dominie Heald: The point against it here is that some people don't want to breathe other people's smoke. It doesn't seem like a valid argument for alienating some people. The bar's a business.
Dan Baxter: We're not banning people. By banning smoking we may alienate smokers; by not banning them we may alienate non-smokers
Dominie Heald: It's not alienating non-smokers much.
Daniel Martin-Thomas: I agree with what Dominie said that it's not a matter of health as it's going to be banned soon anyway. In my experience not a lot of people smoke; it doesn't make that much of a difference to the atmosphere.
Ben Salter: This is a neutral comment; from one point of view it's going to get banned soon so do we let the smokers have their last months of freedom or do we ban it now to get used to it.
Josh Heald: Can I propose that we extend the time on this by 5 minutes.
Alison Dancer: The analogy with drinking doesn't stand. As far as smokers having some kind of comfort, you choose to smoke. You have an impact on people around you. We cannot do anything to avoid the impacts of your decision. You should take responsibility for that.
Is it at all viable to improve the air conditioning in the smoking section?
Dan: i don't know. A lot of things in the bar are restricted. I can look into it. The control panel is currently broken. In the smoking area it's good, in the other area it's not so good.
James Rainer: If the case is that smokers are deprived, ideally we would have a smoking room where non-smokers would never need to go. One of our two smoking rooms is underground.
Richard Kelly: It's a matter of space. Smokers down the bar are regular customers. Will they still come down and buy drinks? I think people will still come down. If we ban it in the bar we will have a lot of people wanting to watch a DVD having to have smokers in there.
All those around a smoker suffer the consequences. It's rather selfish to smoke. Relatively few people affect the enjoyment and pleasure of other bar members.
Charlotte: The non-smokers can go down to the bar and get a drink in the non-smoking section and then go to the non-smoking section., It seems that it's the only area where smokers can go not to disturb other people.
If you can ban smoking in the bar, people tend to smoke around doors outside; it gets inside anyway. You have to go past them. There needs to be a motion passed about provision to smokers.
Becca: I'd like to speak up for the workers at the bar who are damaging their health.
Jeanna: I think when the bar isn't open, people have to do what they would otherwise do. People do go into the DVD room; it's not nice, but that happens when the bar is shut as well as not shut.
Dan: By closing the bar's smoking room, we're not changing that.
Martin: There are quite a few chains outside of colleges and university who haven't banned it. I doubt that those which have would lose that much business. If the bar does ban smoking in the other room, is there a chance of readdressing college policy of where they are allowed to smoke, as the DVD room is the only place people may watch DVDs and have a larger social gathering. Can we perhaps reconsider policy.
Dan: Ideally we will have a room specifically dedicated to smoking.
If it's going to be banned in 9 months, wouldn't it make sense to introduce things gradually. People would have to get used to it anyway.
Laura Heathcote: I think drinking is ruining our health, and it's silly that we're saying that it's damaging our health when we pass smokers all the time anyway. It's their social interactions down the bar. Why should we ban it.
Ben Salter: it's important that we see that the reason for banning smoking is for the health of people around them. When you're smoking you ARE damaging people's health.
Dan Baxter: The ban is a ban on working areas. The ban will be for my health and the rest of the bar team's health. We've had a survey in the bar. Only 23 people replied. 12 said ban it, 11 said don't.
In Scotland the ban's been in place for a long time. People aren't complaining any more. Clubs and bars are fine.
James Evans: If the bar team want the ban then I'd go with that; it's about their health.
Dan Baxter: I'll ask all the bar team. There's the question of the trial period. A week is a good period to see how that goes.
End of JJCR Meeting
JHJCR Meeting
Elections
There was no call to hust
The Candidate was elected on a General Aye
There was no call to hust
The Candidate was elected on a General Aye.
Enoch Cheng: Good evening. It is my great honour to stand for this., I believe I can contribute new and successful ideas to the JCR. The services are very important to St. John's College life. The mechanism of providing services is of high importance. I want to serve and try and make a difference to the students. In terms of experience, I ran the yearbook, art competition, and bonfire night of my old school. If i am chosen as assistant services manager I want to create a better relationship between our JCR shop and the Just World Shop as everyone needs good neighbours.
Thanks very much,
Dan Baxter: Participation's quite a tricky thing to tap into., How do you propose to get people to volunteer for shop shifts.
Enoch: Most people don't realise they could do a shift. More awareness is important.
Jeanna: How would you make the shop more accessible and how would you cooperate with the JWS?
Enoch: I would like the JWS products to be more available at the JCR shop when the JWS is closed. We can work out a mechanism.
Richard: If you could get one new product into the shop, what would it be?
Enoch: It's difficult. I'd like to have information packs of the Durham Students' Union!!!
APPLAUSE
Ron: 0
Abstentions: 1
Candidate: overwhelming
Enoch returned, bowing.
Jeanna: Stand for it, it's really good. If you use the library and you aren't happy, you can change it. Put it on your CV
There was no call to hust
The candidate was elected on a General Aye.
Richard Kelly: This was Sophie Loewendahl last year.
Felix: This involves some things like the phone lines the JCR has for international students to call from.
Richard: You'd be a contact for international students.
Procedural motion to allow a joint candidature
Proposed: Jeanna Shalkowski
Seconded: Felix Schubert
Accepted on a General Aye
There was no call to hust
The joint candidates were accepted on a General Aye.
Jane Disney, seconding, on behalf of Vanessa.
While it will not affect us it will affect those who follow us. I wish to continue the friendly reputation of St. John's., I am approachable and friendly and sensible to welcome students. I am dedicated and an arts student. I have good organisational and coordination skills. I was a senior prefect and youth leader and I have a qualification in team leading. I would come up with individual ideas. Vote for me so that we can show that Durham, but more especially Johns, is a good place to study and party.
Ben Salter: Is she prepared for the open days?
Jane: Yes.
Ron: 1
Abstentions: 2
Candidate: Overwhelming.
Sophie Godfree: Anyone may stand.
Ben Salter: Yeah., me and Becca were doing this. I was a coordinator. So you know what it involves, it's hard work and you have to be very very prepared for the open days and you have to come back early and stay late at the ends of terms. Every week between now and the middle of February you will get between 1 and 6 interviewees and you will have to show them around John's. Lucy Knight used to come back from Hockey caked in mud and find interviewees in reception and have to spend all evening with them. That said, it's one of the most fun things you can do.
Megan Taylor: Being an interviewee and open day rep does NOT help you get freshers' rep posts.
Daniel Martin-Thomas:
Well, I thoroughly enjoy John's and would advertise it very well. I have an attention to detail which attracts people and I wouldn't like people to miss out on things that are good about college. I would enjoy meeting people and also I think I'd be good at calming people when they're nervous.
Ben Jarvis:
I've done this before in Sixth Form. I want people to be begging to come to Johns. I'm good at spin.
James Rainer:
I had a good time last time. It's a good opportunity to show them what college is about.
Laura Heathcote:
Well basically I love Johns and I feel like I've come out of my shell here. I've got a sense of humour and I'm very approachable when I want to be. I'd love it and I'm very good one to one as well. When I showed people round 6th form I made them laugh.
Luke Wells:
I did it at my sixth form. I remember coming out of an AS exam and the first thing I had to do was show people around. I'd find it very rewarding and an opportunity to give something back to John's
Joanna Crawford:
I came to an open day and I had a really good experience.
Sophie Godfree: There must be enough boys and girls.
Ben Salter proposed a Secret Ballot.
Seconded: Will Holloway.
The proposal to move to a Secret Ballot was accepted on a General Aye.
Megan Taylor asked that the result go out in This Week.
There was no call to hust
The candidate was elected on a General Aye.
AOB for JJCR
Dan Baxter: On Wednesday from 5pm the bar will be open to sell wine for formal.
Stuart Morris: Shouldn't we have had an assistant environment rep election?
Sophie Godfree: Yes
Stuart Morris: There's a new program going on this year so there's so much more going on about the environment this year. If you're interested then do go for it.
End of JHJCR Meeting at 22:10
JCR General Meeting
Sunday 12th November; 20:00, Leech Hall
Opening Prayer
Read by Ian Kent
Apologies
Chris Leach
Stuart Morris
Alison Dancer
Dan Baxter
Richard Gale
Dan Beresford
Amanda Taylor
Approval of Minutes; Matters Arising
The minutes were accepted on a General Aye; there were no matters arising.
Reports
Josh Heald, JCR President
I'd like to say thank you to Alice and SEC for a great ball on Friday. Now onto what I've done... I've been working on the FInancial Memorandum which governs how the University sees our finances. The original one would have severely curtailed our ability to spend money. I've had another meeting for the Unity campaign, and we're working on the mass participation side of it; I've written a paper about it with the President of Hild Bede. The Committee agreed on the document, and PresComm has agreed on all the documents. I went to NUS's regional conference which was really useful to see what other people are doing in the North East. We also held their president to account for the national demo a few weeks back, where NUS had a load of placards campaigning for free education again, which is a foolish argument. The issue is keeping the fees at the lower level. I went to Bar Committee and Resources Committee.
Any questions?
Katie Wray, VP:Estates
I had a meeting about the PA equipment in Leech Hall, had a meeting with the gardener, and formal signup worked.
Ed McCarter: What were the projects (in the garden)?
Katie Wray: There were trees in the city wall which need to be taken down. I want to clear the walk down by Cruddas down to the river.
Jeanna Shalkowski, VP:Welfare
Not much going on in the world of welfare since my report in This Week. I went to the Health and Safety committee meeting and we discussed issues such as lighting on the main stairs outside college. I've been preparing for Sexual Health Awareness Week.
Felix Schubert, Treasurer
Good evening everyone. We had the Bailey Ball, which involves financial work. We're finalising everything over the next couple of days. We had resources, bar, and finance committees. We've been working with the BTC helping to get the play going for next week.
Richard Kelly, Senior DSU Rep
OK, haven't done enormous amounts since my last report. DSU Exec has reratified all societies. There's a general meeting on Wednesday in Dunelm house at 7:30, where there will be a talk on climate change, and another thing on residence charges. Thirdly there's a DO NOTHING campaign about housing next year, and there's no need to rush. Even next term there's no huge rush.
Martin Hodgetts, Services Manager
Hi everyone, sorry I was a couple of minutes late. There's not much going on since the last meeting. i met up with Enoch about things, getting him ready. He's your main contact in college, so if you have immediate problems see him. The stash is sorted and I have had telephone meetings with companies to make sure things run smoothly. I gather there have been problems with the laundry; it's difficult to get people out at the weekend. If you've lost money oin the laundry let me know. On top of that, you CAN'T do laundry in Cruddas at night, as I've had complaints about people being woken up. That's about it.
Phil Wallbridge:
When's the SMG piano being tuned?
Katie:
I rang the tuner and he said the piano needed time to acclimatise.
Tim Marshall, Comms. Officer
I haven't much to say - I went to bar committee which was fun, and I've been updating the website - if you want to get involved, please email me
Alice Manuel, Social Secretary
Yeah, not much... laughter
Everyone knows what I've been doing! It's over! I can sleep again. In a couple of weeks time, there'll be a small SEC event in College that everyone can come to. the next big thing after that is the christmas feast. Any questions?
Ian Kent, Cranmer President
I don't have very much to say either. I went to cranmer committee and resources committee. Been talking to the Principal about resources and estates. Most of the Cranmer students are on reading week.
Ed McCarter, MCR President
Right, good evening, I'm Ed McCarter. I need to tell you what me and my exec have been up to for the last fortnight. You can ask me nasty questions in public. We were elected last week and have achieved a functional exec.
I and one other exec member now have a fortnightly meeting with the senior tutora and postgrad tutor.
We started with the intention of creating a solid base of members. We spent a lot of time at Margaret's. A lot of people in the MCR haven't been to a collegiate university before. We have been comparing ourselves to MCRs and Hatfield Castle and Chads. We intend to evolve our organisation, so changing meetings to make them more fun than dull. We are going to get board games, books, and a Nintendo. We intend to put our subscribing members up to 35. We need to work out where the physical manifestation of the MCR will be. Any questions?
Non-exec reports:
None
MfS: To Pay for First Aid Kits
Passed by Finance Committee.
MfS: Referee Courses
Passed by Finance Committee.
Motion to create John's Ultimate Frisbee Team
Stuart Morris: Basically we already have a team, it's just a case of getting it official. There isn't much to explain really.
No questions.
Motion Accepted on a General Aye
Policy Renewals.
Nestlè Boycott policy.
Martin Hodgetts: Has research been done about whether or not Nestle are committing the same problems that caused the boycott originally?
Ed McCarter: May I oppose it?
Josh Heald: The last time it was re-ratified, a member of Exec put a lot of work into proving how bad they were.
Ben Jarvis: Why?
Felix: They do things like selling baby milk powder to people in Africa so they become dependent on it. There are a whole load of other issues.
Ian Kent: THe methodist church has a policy of boycotting nestle which was recently overturned. They were advised by David Clough who is a tutor here. THe gist is that many other companies are just as bad and we would ythen need to boycott them.
Martin Hodgetts: If you're going to boycott one company, unless some form of action is taken outside of the boycott it's a pointless motion. We haven't been spending money with Nestle since 1978, so I'd like to propose that if this is kept in, we should look at doing something else alongside the boycott.
Sophie Godfree: Would you propose that we suspend it until the next meeting?
Ed McCarter: I'd like to consult the MCR. A lot of other colleges don't bother with this any more.
Phil Wallbridge: If we postpone it will it remain active?
Sophie Godfree: Yes
Martin Clarke: They recently bought shares in the Day Chocolate Company which manufactures the chocolate in the JWS.
Richard: This is JWS policy.
Martin Hodgetts: I propose that we postpone the motion until the next meeting so we can work out if the problems are still going on, and work out if this is the most effective means of opposing their policies.
Katie Wray: Who's going to do the research?
Felix and Martin volunteered.
Ed McCarter: Can we also find out the legal dimensions of this?
Felix seconded Martin's proposal
Accepted on a General Aye.
Poster Policy
Josh Heald: I'd like to amend this., College would like to have a system in which cleaners and exec could come round college and pull stuff down if it's not authorised. I'd also like to have a policy about the size of posters. Large ones get stuck over smaller posters which may well be more of interest to college people. The idea being that all posters be approved by the President, Comms, and Estates.
Phil Wallbridge: Is there a poster rep?
Josh Heald: It's just an office manager position.
Stuart Morris: What about posters which don't go out of date?
Ian Kent: Can I add the CCR and MCR presidents?
Josh Heald: Yes
Josh proposed himself, Katie, Tim, Ed, Ian, and the Office Manager as the people able to change posters.
Ed McCarter: There's an issue with poster size. it might cause problems for the union society.
Felix: The Union Society wouldn't come and ask us anyway.
Josh Heald: It would be good to limit the size of posters anyway to A3. It might cause problems for DUS but if they can afford A1 posters every week then they can afford smaller posters.
Martin Hodgetts: What size are the Bailey Ball posters?
Alice Manuel: The issue is more things like the Union Society posters.
Ed McCarter: you should have a personal option as to who takes the call.
Josh Heald. i'd rather have a policy that said the rules in stone, rahter than having to say a personal no to each poster.
Proposed Amendment to Limit Size to A3
Proposed: Josh Heald
Seconded: Alice Manuel
Amendment Accepted on a General Aye
Rosie Bishop: Some of our posters don't have an appropriate noticeboard. Can we still put them up on the wall?
Josh Heald: What do you mean?
Josh Heald We could list them as signs rather than posters.
Enoch Cheng: It says that people have to put a date for posters which don't have an expiry date.
Motion Accepted on General Aye
Communion Wine
Ian Kent: This was passed in 2003. This was intended to make provision for those who wouldn't have alcoholic cpommunion wine. It's quite difficult to enforce this as canon law in the Anglican church says you must have alcohol. It's hard to enforce this as it's out of our hands. My suggestion is that we ditch the policy but that if it's still important that we have the wine then it's important to have a discussion.
Accepted on a General Aye.
Elections
Drum Kit Rep.
No Candidates
Sponsorship Assistant
No candidates
DUCK Secretary
Josh Heald: you get involved on the committee in college and in the events that happen. Get involved.
Candidate:
Katherine Sleight
Proposed: Katie Wray
Seconded: Joanna Crawford
Elected on a General Aye
Toastie Bar Manager
Candidate:
Natalie Freeman and Emma Matthews
Proposed: Chris Leach
Seconded: Harry Broadbent
Phil Wallbridge proposed the joint candidature
Martin Hodgetts seconded
Accepted on a General Aye
Elected on a General Aye
Asst. Environment rep
Candidate:
Martin Clarke
Proposed: Enoch Cheng
Seconded: Laura Devitt
JJCR Meeting closes 20:40:12
JHJCR Meeting
No business to discuss.
End of JHJCR Meeting at 20:40:58
Minutes of JJCR meeting, 26-11-2006, 20:00
Related files
Contents
Preamble
Read by Esther James.
The minutes were approved on a general aye; there were no matters arising.
Reports
Hi everyone; thanks for coming; it's the last meeting of the term so it's your last JCR fix until January. I've chaired a big meeting between Presidents, Principals, and University Officers. We got a lot of agreement and we got a chance to show the united side that we all want what's best for colleges. It was a productive meeting where we got our views across. I've been dealing with the issue of Residence Charge Committee in which it was a case of deciding what we would ask the committee for. I went to the Cathedral Founders and Benefactors service today. I've done lots of research into having a Sabbatical President and done little bits and bobs.
This is my report. We've had House Sports which were quite a success. I've set up a new lost property system. I've been to Library Committee, there's been a garden work party, and the prints in Haughton are to be replaced. I've started to organise the Room Ballot.
Ed McCarter: Is there a chance we could consider the MCR as a house for house sports?
Katie: If you want to, yes.
Becca Davies: Is the room ballot going online?
Katie Wray: I'll take the names and I'll put the list on the internet.
Since my report I've had a SENDA committee meeting for disability needs in college, in particular mobility needs in college. We've been seeing if there are special needs for the fire alarm. We were thinking of creating a corridor with provisions for disabled students. Had Welfare Committee with everyone involved in welfare in college, discussing welfare provision for those who live out. Hopefully we will get emergency contact cards. Hopefully we will increase the frequency of livers-out and LGBT officer reports in This Week.
There have been more attacks on people around Durham so be careful.
This week I have done all sorts of average Treasurer's jobs including ordering a safe for the shop. I ordered a printer for the JCR flat and some envelopes. I went to the bank with the Bailey Ball cheques. I've had various meetings with the Bursar and the JWS Treasurer.
I've been to DSU Exec. For final year students, the national student survey is online, and it helps students in years to come. Encourage your friends to fill that out. The DO NOTHING campaign continues. I've been on about it, but do vote for the NUS Conference Delegates. John's traditionally has the top voting turnout from any college. If anyone's interested in PR and publicity, the DSU Comms. Officer is trying to get a working group together. I attended a meeting about Residence Charges.
Hi. First thing I want to do is give a couple of apologies; I was at home this weekend and next weekend. If I'm not around and you can't get hold of me I will still have a mobile on me. Otherwise there are general day-to-day things, keeping loose ends up to date. I know the laundries haven't been working well. I haven't cashed your stash cheques, they'll probably be cashed about this week.
Any Questions?
Phil Wallbridge:
Are the posters advertising the meeting yours?
We had an SEC social; it was very fun. There was a bop on Friday which was quite fun. Next time it will be better advertised. Otherwise not much going on. The next thing is the Christmas Feast.
Hi everybody; my main report was in This Week. Bar quiz was good, off licence was good. Excitingly we've started work on the Exec Panto...
Martin forgot to say... He is going to be selling leftover Freshers' T-shirts and stash from the shop starting tonight. I have some bottles over here, so come and buy some drinks!
Erm, since the last meeting we've elected our first year rep. I had a chat with Josh about the sabbatical president and thinking about that.
Right. Good evening. I have been continuing the process of consolidation and getting the structures in place for the MCR, manifesting itself in the form of meetings. There will be minutes and things. We are in the process of sorting out MCR stash as it'll have round shields. The meeting on Tuesday: there wasn't a strong opinion. Broadly speaking we're prepared to accept a sabbatical president but we're not willing to pay for any salary of the future president. The new emphasis on involving postgrads in college is beneficial to college. We don't want to have to pay higher membership fees than we do now.
Felix Schubert: I want to say a couple of things on why there's a ban in the first place. David is going to share some of his research with me.
I personally stand on neutral ground; I do like kitkats. A couple of factors why big organisations like UNICEF have promoted boycotts on Nestle. One thing is child labour, but the main one is their strategy for promoting baby formula milk. This is mainly a problem in the Third World where there are very low health standards. Basically what they're doing is they're promoting their products to hospitals, carers, mothers, and using methods which are not really ethically comprehendable. They give free supplies to hospitals, give free gifts to mothers and health workers, and promote that their supplementary products should be used rather than breastfeeding. They utilise the fear of AIDS transmission in their marketing. The dangers are that mothers will start using these substitutes and make them dependent on using them. There are other issues which aren't addressed in this in that the water might be contaminated in the first place. Weighing up the odds about the risks between AIDS and not having enough milk for the child and starving them to death. The latter is significantly higher in some parts of the world. Since 1977 there has been a ban because Nestle is violating all these points. In 1987 the ban was lifted for a short period of time as Nestle signed a paper agreeing not to do this any more. In 1988 the ban was put back in place as they were doing it again. The ban has been held by UNICEF.
There's a four point plan for when to lift it:
1. if Nestle signs a contract saying they're not going to do this.
2. Nestle needs to have independent people testing that they're keeping the contract.
Currently Nestle is not complying with any of the four points.
Bottom line is that Nestle is promoting its product in an unethical manner and as such the JCR has decided since 1978 to ban Nestle from college.
David Clough:
Hi. I teach ethics in Cranmer Hall. My involvement in this issue comes from a committee I sit on with the Methodist Church. Before this I had no specialist knowledge about it. Three years ago the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church came to us and asked if there was an ethical problem with us investing in it. I'd seen reports over time, but we decided to look into it seriously, and got in touch with Nestle and Baby Milk Action. Nestle are dubious about involvement with media and were quite nervous about getting involved in the discussion. We got both parties to participate in a day. They wouldn't be in the same room at the same time (!) but we took evidence from both of them and had a specialist from a nutritionist/advisor. We listened very hard, and heard from Baby Milk Action about the horrible things Nestle was doing. We had lots of input from Nestle about how in the 1970s there had indeed been inappropriate marketing, but now they were now signed up to the WHO code. We as a committee had to decide what to make of these clashing claims. There's one point that Nestle disagrees with in interpreting the WHO code. The point was whether the WHO code should apply in developed countries, which is the biggest point of dispute; 95% of the abuses that BMA pointed out were in developed countries like Germany and the UK. Almost everyone who sells infant food sells things for 4-6 months. Nestle said that these countries had their own laws about how to promote things. If Nestle followed the code, they would be at a competitive disadvantage. We were clear as a committee that we were not concerned that much about developed countries. These countries have their own laws about how to promote things. The breaches we were interested in were those in developing countries. We pushed Nestle on it, and some of the incidents they said were a concern to them and wanted to take up. The impression we got as a committee was of a company that is the most boycotted of any brand, but we couldn't see what the good reason for that was. We saw a company that recognised it had signed up to the code and was doing its best to see that its staff were abiding by it. We couldn't see a reason to advise the Central Finance Board not to invest. My judgement overall is, as someone who teaches ethics, is that I don't think boycotting Nestle is the key issue. If you want an ethical consumption policy, buy Fairtrade, buy local, buy organic, buy free range wherever possible. I don't see the Nestle thing as the key issue; I think it was when the JCR signed up for it, but I don't see it as where the ethical consumption stuff is at at the moment.
Sophie Godfree: Any questions.
Rob Seddon: What was the 5% of cases in numbers.
David Clough: That was about 10-15; Nestle said on about half that the facts were not true, and with the others, they took action. On a few of these Baby Milk Action could not give enough evidence.
Rob Seddon:. What you said about laws... Could you elaborate about the distinction between developed and developing world?
David Clough. First World countries have laws which can protect people. Also, using formula is very risky when there aren't good quality water supplies available; in developed countries water is ok. It's less likely to be infected in developed countries.
Felix Schubert. The issue is also that if you can't afford it, you water it down but the children starve, hence the companies have scared people into it... if there's bad water or you can't afford it you expose your child to bigger risks.
Ed McCarter: What we're talking about here is whether the Nestle issue is dead or not, yes? Is this just an issue about baby milk.
Felix Schubert: There are a lot of organisations doing bad things, but Nestle is a special case; they're going against a lot of regulations. The WHO says that 1.5m children are dying as a result of incorrect use of formula milk products.
David Clough. Nestle have done silly things, but it's hard on any other issue to see them as worse than others.
Ed McCarter: How many of these 1.5 million deaths are traced by Nestle?
David Clough. Of all the companies producing formula, I'd say Nestle was the most compliant because it's had to sharpen up its game. Infant formula makes up about 2% of Nestle's turnover.
Sophie Godfree: We're bringing this policy for renewal. Does anyone want to formally oppose it?
Ian Kent said last time Nestle had shares in the company which produces products for the JWS. We ought to think about other companies we get things from, such as Coca-Cola.
Christine Leahy:
Nestle don't own shares in the Day Chocolate Company.
Martin Hodgetts: Can I say about a boycott policy, that this policy was made in 1978-79... the issue is that the boycott may not be effective. The point is to affect the company's money. If this policy has been in place since 1978-9 then there's no effect. This is a passive way of doing things so much so that it seems not the solution. It would be much better, if we wanted to continue the boycott, that we should have something else to go with it, such as a letter to Nestle, so that might prove more effective and far more active than passive.
Felix Schubert: I think a boycott is not going to affect Nestle. The point is that it's all about the chain reaction; because we would boycott, people from John's might pass it on. The idea would spread. John's JCR itself has not a great effect on Nestle's income but the idea behind it is what makes the difference.
Martin Hodgetts: This is only open for ratification every three years; people don't know that it's going on; some sort of publicity would be more effective than a passive policy.
Ed McCarter: I think Martin's right. What is this policy for? This policy won't help as Nestle aren't the main offenders. If we're having an ethical policy, this is too narrow and has become a habit.
Sarah Mullins. You're talking about the breastmilk problem being an old one; I think that you mentioned that as a small thing. They tried to sue Ethiopia while there was a famine.
Christine Leahy. To add to what Ed's saying; we need to think about what we're doing if we stop the boycott.
Sophie Godfree: You can amend this, or indeed call for a new policy.
Ben Jarvis. If we did stop the boycott, other places would want to know why, and we could explain this.
Martin Hodgetts: Can I propose an amendment to this motion that we should mandate the JCR and potentially the Services Manager and the JWS manager to look into ethical companies once every two years in order to ensure that we are buying more ethically. If we amend it to become an Ethical Policy which we will then ratify at the next meeting.
Sophie Godfree: Shall we say that you have to vote this down to do that?
VOTE
For keeping the policy:
3
Against keeping the policy
28
Abstentions
8
The SMG laundry, which I understand was in a good state on Thursday, had a powder fire extinguisher let off. It renders the laundry unusable, made it need to be cleaned, it's a criminal act, and it's a fire risk. It is really serious and when I sent an email around on Friday I asked Josh to let me come here and underline how unfunny it is. From my perspective I hope we can find the person responsible and get them to be appropriately dealt with by the Senior Tutor. I hope they will come forward. If they don't I would hope we could discipline them more severely.
Ed McCarter: Are we sure that this is an internal thing?
Campbell Grant: We can't tell; it is a number to get in but it hasn't been changed for a while. If we don't find anyone ever, maybe it wasn't.
Martin Hodgetts: Have the non-John's students been told?
Josh Heald: it's underway
Alice Manuel: Can I suggest the codes be changed for the laundry. The laundry has been the same for years.
Campbell Grant: The photocopier which was at the far end of college was destroyed fairly comprehensively in the Easter Term, and the bill was fairly modest; if we knew who had damaged it then we would bill them and the matter would be settled; it wasn't possible to find who trashed it. I'm pleased that the motion suggested that it was likely to be a John's student. It could have been someone from outside. I think it is most likely it was an internal culprit. Thinking about who should pick up the tab for this bill, I think there are three factors which reduce the bill to the JCR. There's no direct evidence, I would accept that being in a corridor by a door does put it in a vulnerable position, and also the college had decided to reduce the insurance bill we had to pay (about £40000pa now) by increasing the excess on the policy, meaning we couldn't claim. That has now been changed, so that electronic equipment has a lower excess. Those factors push the bill towards the college. The reason that the JCR should vote to make a contribution towards the photocopier is about John's Spirit; I would hope we would negotiate with the student body in a grown up fashion, hence John's doesn't have a damage levy. In other colleges you have to put up some money for this levy. In John's we don't do that because the level of damage is small, and because if something like this happens, it is an unpleasant surprise; I want to commend the motion to you as it's in accord with that spirit. The students could say "we don't want anything to do with it", but meeting halfway seems to be a responsible and John's style way of doing things.
Motion accepted on a General Aye
Good evening; this has been my first term as the SMG officer; I've been up here since mid- to late- august overseeing the construction of the new common room we've got up there. That's gone really well; General Maggie's business:
The first thing is that not all the flats were filled up this year; a few rooms have been empty which has been a problem; I think it's to do with last year's freshers missing out on the gem that is Margaret's. I lived there for two years and I'm still here and sane. Currently a high-budget (Well) film is being made to be shown to the Freshers at the end of term.
Smoking; there have been people disposing of cigarette ends in not very nice areas; the Yellow Wellies nursery has had ends dropped in their area. We're trying to sort out a designated smoking area. Recycling; we're working with the environment team with green boxes collected bi-weekly. We're trying to get a better system in place. There's been the not-so-nice business of the laundry. Thanks to the people who helped, including the cleaners and some other residents.
The common room; got a pool table, a shop, toilets, soft seating. It's a really good room to be in the winter. We're trying to get that sorted out at the moment. There's a music room attached to it. We're trying to work on that over the holidays. Thursday BT are installing lines to get an ITbox and a Juke Box. Hopefully the Pool Table will be sorted soon, and maybe a darts board. There is some extra space there, which we want to sort out over the holidays. We need to sort out contracts; there are non-John's people there and we need to be able to hold people accountable. There should also be a party in the common room over the next few weeks.
That's all my jazz...
Ed McCarter: are you marketing this to the second years?
Dave Williams: I've done some flyers and the video. It's quite easy to send flyers out to more people.
Ed McCarter: If Margaret's isn't full then that's bad news for college.
Josh Heald: Can I make a point to people that they can make their way into the common room with your college ASSA. Do go up and use if if you ever need to.
Phil Wallbridge: Will non-John's people be able to use this?
Josh Heald: it's not a policy decision that they can't get in. Ideally we wanted a swipe card system to be put in; we then looked at putting it on a Margaret's ASSA. Annoyingly you can't get a general key for those ASSA keys. The only recourse we had was to put it on a college ASSA, but it's temporary.
Ed McCarter: Well isn't there a code?
Alison Way: The college is finding problems getting us ASSA keys.
Katie Wray: You can get them for reception.
Stuart Morris and Rosie Bishop presented:
Rosie: Me and Stuart are the environment reps for college, and Alison and Martin are our assistants. This is what we have been doing:
putting out more green boxes in college, updating our new environment board outside the Bailey Room.
Stuart Morris: There are signs,
Rosie: We've made a recycling video. We helped sort out recycling problems at Margaret's. We want bigger recycling bins. We've been involved in SLAG. It's coordinated by a climate change expert. We're trying to encourage recycling, energy conservation; there's a survey on DUO about it. There's the possibility of an eco-formal, and themes about fairtrade, ethical giving, and an environment themed cartoon competition.
Ed McCarter: I have never been bothered to wrap up presents.
Got a bit of DUCK news... the DUCK race has happened; it was a big event with lots of community involvement. This coming weekend we have planned DUCK Weekend; we are doing a weekend of events in college and at Margaret's. We would like to get a DUCK cocktail sorted. There will be a Christmas Shopping trip to York. Email me at j.i.j.evans. Saturday evening will be a Jazz evening with a couple of bands. We're having a big DUCK quiz in Margaret's common room on Sunday. We're going to have film nights in the Linton Room. Advertising will be coming out for these things. We want you to get involved in this.
Motions
Sophie Godfree: We discussed this in Chair's Committee and we decided that the JCR Treasurer should not be involved in the issue of kit.
Phil Wallbridge: You've been a captain, do you think this works?
Sophie: It will.
Ed McCarter: If we keep this system going, will we eventually decide people have to buy their own kit?
Accepted on a General Aye.
Motion text
Passed by Finance Committee
Passed by Finance Committee
Josh Heald: Before I say anything on this, we aren't deciding on it this evening; we're hoping to look further into the issue but at the moment I have 60-70hours of work and an overworked exec. It was last looked at about 7 years ago and the decision was made to get two VPs. The situation has changed dramatically in the last 7 years; this sets up a working group to look into the issue. There would then be a referendum
Could people give me any questions they might have?
The notion of a sabbatical president. In ten of the 16 colleges there is a president who has usually finished their degree who gets a free room and a wage, free to devote their entire life to the JCR.
Sophie Godfree: Guys, please put a gown on to speak..
Esther James: It's on the grapevine that the JCR fee will rise to £70-100; will this go onto the fees of those who are joining, or will it be that everyone has to pay more.
Josh Heald: Legally we wouldn't be able to charge everyone more.
Sarah Mullins: Are they all the largest colleges?
Josh Heald: No.
Ed McCarter: Do we think we'd have to pay about £100 each
Josh: Your maths would be wrong then.
Ed McCarter: Ah. So would this be incurred by the whole JJCR?
Josh Heald: That would be for the working group.
Esther James: You know that letter; you said the workload had gone up. How do you explain that?
Josh Heald: It's been a gradual increase since 2000; the reasons I put were that there were more students etc.
Becca Davies: Will the working group be given a time limit?
Josh Heald: The motion states a time limit. The JCR would have to decide to give them more time.
Dan Baxter: Can I propose an amendment in Notes: At least the last five JCR presidents have received a 2:1 or better.
Josh Heald: People had been on course for better degrees than they got. Roddy and Simon could have done better.
Sarah Mullins seconded the amendment to change part 3.
Ian Kent said that previous CCR presidents had said to him that their degrees went down by a class; Josh has more meetings.
Sarah Mullins: Surely people take this into account when they stand for the position.
Josh Heald: I accepted that, but it's a fact that the degrees do suffer.
Richard Kelly: The fact that the degree could take a class knock and this could restrict the candidates who could apply, especially science students.
Chris Leach: We shouldn't make it so people couldn't do it because they wanted to get a good degree...
Ed McCarter: I think that people clearly can do well in their degree.
Rich Gale: Nathaniel was an engineering student so it was possible to do both.
Amendment to take Notes 3 out.
For 8
Against 19
Abstention
Amendment fell
Amendment to move point 5 to Believes
Josh accepted this.
Dan Baxter proposed that point 4 should move to Believes.
Josh Heald: I'd argue that that's a fact. I think things come up as things that you can't categorise.
Josh accepted
Alison Way: Can you give us an idea of how your working week is spent?
Josh Heald: Yes; I logged my time for a two week period. OK. For one week I spent 15.5 hours on correspondence, 11.75 hours on college stuff, 18.25 on meetings in college, 19 in university meetings, 2 hours in welfare; that's 66 and a half hours
Ed McCarter: Can't you delegate this to your VPs?
Josh Heald: The VPs have enough meetings as it is and there's no way of reducing my meetings.
Martin Hodgetts: So how much was delegated to the VPs? Do you feel they fulfil the additional time with meetings more so than they would have previously?
Josh Heald: I haven't thought about it in that much detail. Things that go off to VP are the committees that the President used to go to.
Richard Kelly: I wanted to say that this was quite interesting, but this isn't about whether or not we want one, but whether or not we want to look into it. If you think it's even a question, vote on this, as we're not voting to create it now.
Becca Davies: But we are voting about what the working group can do. Would it be able to look into having other possibilities or rearranging Exec?
Josh Heald: The way I wanted to word it was to have a working group about bringing the presidency to a reasonable size.
Dan Baxter: I think this is very important, and I don't think it should be rushed. The idea with the deadline is good, but we really should take more time over this; I'm not happy with it being that soon.
Josh Heald: I couldn't find a way of writing the extra time into the motion. If that's what the working group want to do, the JCR should consider that request.
James Evans: When would the elections be held? Today?
Sophie: Yes.
Sarah Mullins: When it refers to input from all parts of the student body, would it relate to previous presidents and students?
Josh Heald: Yes.
Rosie Bishop: So we would have a student say?
Josh Heald; yes, the working group can't decide it.
Rosie Bishop: So the person would do it after their degree?
Josh Heald: It's not necessarily so, but it's usually what's done.
Dan Baxter: Has Trevs taken a few months to decide it or has there been a longer discussion?
Josh Heald: They only really started bringing it in two weeks ago. It's been on the cards for a few years.
Ed McCarter: I think we're in silly season now... Straight after the Christmas Holidays you want a considered opinion; I don't think people are ready to debate it; I don't think we can produce a reasoned report.
Josh Heald: The 17th January is there because the working group needs to come up with a decision, we then need to enact CRC. The 17th gives us time to convene CRC before the elections next term. We should at least give the option to offer it before the elections next term.
Martin Hodgetts: The wording is that it should be reached by the 17th January; it could be reached prior to that date; if there's a later deadline, you have more flexibility in that sense.
Ed McCarter: We should really change the date; if we reach the decision in a hurry...
Becca Davies: The recommendation could be that we need more time.
Dan Baxter: I'm proposing an amendment to change the date until 2nd Epiphany.
Seconded: Alison Way
Josh Heald: I'd like to oppose it because if the working group thinks it needs more time, it'll need most of the rest of the year; to put in the arbitrary date doesn't either get it in on time or give us enough time to discuss it.
Voting for Dan's amendment to change Resolves 2 to read 2nd Epiphany.
For
11
Against
28
Abstentions
3
Move to a vote on the motion
Formal Opposition to the motion
Phil Wallbridge: I don't want the motion to go on a General Aye
For
37
Against
2
Abstentions
2
Elections
Proposed: Christine Gaston
Seconded: Chris Schikaneder
I feel enthusiastic about John's and I'd like to put across that vibe.
Candidate elected on a General Aye
Sarah Mullins: The JWCS can be what you want it to be. It's a coffee shop held in the Bar Overspill; we have a coffee machine and our stock comes from the JWS. It's as much of a commitment as you want to make it.
Richard Kelly: I think the JWCS is brilliant; get into it; help people out; it's a nice service. It can make a little money for the JCR
Proposed: Enoch Cheng
Seconded: Ed McCarter
There was no call to hust.
Candidate elected on a General Aye
I have read the constitution in bits and bobs and was involved in setting up things in school.
I'm able to do this job and I'm quite involved in college; I'm happy and able.
I've got a great deal of love for this college and I want to make sure that the decisions are right.
I want to use my many years of experience for this college. I saw this go wrong on my year abroad.
I'm really committed to college and I want to have a member of Exec voting on the committee who isn't the current president.
I'm a second year and I'm not representing the typical person who goes to a JCR meeting
Ian Kent: can we make this a manifesto position?
Sophie Godfree: In the rest of the group are Josh, Me, Felix, and Tim.
Stuart Morris: Can I say that if they've turned up to this then they're committed.
Ballot papers to be handed out.
Josh Heald: Write the candidates in the order they are on the screen and then give your preference number.
AOB for JJCR
The ENVIRONMENT VIDEO was shown.
End of JJCR Meeting
JHJCR Meeting
End of JHJCR Meeting
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HUSTINGS:
Candidate: Becca Davies
Proposer: Ashley Greenwood
Proposer's introduction:
Ashley spoke:
Last year, when people began talking about the presidential elections a lot of the freshers naturally began debating about who should stand for president in their year and one name was mentioned far more than any other. Rebecca Davies. I’m telling you this because it is a simple way of showing you how long Becca has given her time and commitment to the JJCR.
The decision to stand for president is never an easy one but what is most important is that when you do decide to stand you know why your are. When Becca sat down to talk to me about what she wanted to achieve; whether it be ways of making the college less apethetic, improving communication so that everyone remained informed or simply getting more people involved, it was always you, the members of the JCR that were central in her ideas.
Becca’s long involvement with the JCR, from being vice chair to a member of the Sabbatical President Working Group, not only shows how important the JCR is to her, but also has provided her with an essential knowledge of the internal workings which no other candidate could have. She knows what she letting herself in for.
I also want to add a personal note. Becca has been my friend for just over a year now and there are many things that I admire about her that I know will make her an excellent president. She’s strong but compassionate…like the next Margaret Thatcher but with a heart. She’s energetic and enthusiastic about what she sets her mind to…unlike myself who tends to get rather highly strung when we’re down at the boathouse at 6.30 in the morning in the freezing rain, with no boathouse key, one crew member short and no lights to go on the boat, Becca sorts the problem out calmly and effectively. Finally she’s loyal and dependable making her someone who not only I can turn to, but to whom you can too.
Devoted. Knowledgeable. Dependable.
Vote Becca Davies for JCR President
Candidate's hust.
Thanks Ashley. Thank you all for coming. For those of you I haven’t met before, my name is Becca and I’m a second year social scientist. Although my degree does have the title of a scientist I vary rarely venture up to the science site and certainly don’t have the lecture timetable of a scientist. Since arriving at John’s I soon discovered that my tutor was completely right when he said that “a degree is only a very small part of your time at university”. I’m here now to tell you that I would really like to dedicate the rest of my time to being your President.
I realise that it may feel like a waste of time coming to this hust, or even voting in this election, seeing as I’m up here all by myself. And although this RON chap has an impressive, unflagging dedication to the JCR, I fear he may not be entirely entertaining this evening. Nevertheless, we still have an important decision to make, and it’s one I’m certainly taking seriously.
I’m not sure that you will all of had a chance to look at my manifesto, and those of you who did I’m not sure that you will have been able to read it, what with the font being so bloody small, sorry about that. One of the concerns that I raised is that very few of us seem to know what the President and the Exec, and even the JCR, is for. What they’re meant to do, and how they fill their time being quite so busy. I know a large number of first years have never been to a JCR meeting, that a lot of the college doesn’t know who college council are, or who these Pres Comm people Josh goes out drinking with are. As Vice-chair, I’ve realised that it can all be a little complicated, the different motions and constitutional niggles, perhaps unnecessarily so. I’m not proposing that if I become elected I will hold communal constitution reading sessions, or compulsory lessons on John’s democracy. I realise that going to meetings and reading long dull documents is not how everyone wants to spend their time at university. What I want is for us to recognise that the JCR is us. When you here someone down the bar say “but the JCR is boring, it’s a waste of time”, they are talking about us, as individuals and as a community. I want us to realise that we’re not boring, that investing in our social life, our welfare, our sports teams is not a waste of time.
I was in the Bar with Stephen Hampton on Tuesday night and he answered my question ‘What does the President actually do?’. His answer was that the President was there to amuse him. And although I’m sure we could have some lovely chats about rowing and the like, I’m feeling a little more ambitious about the role of President than simply being an amusement to Dr Hampton. Fundamentally, I believe that the position is one of representation; representing the students to college officers, and representing the college on a university wide level. I am excited about the opportunities to represent the JCR and college. I’m proud of our community. Despite knowing very little about rugby, I think it’s brilliant that our college team has done so well against much bigger colleges. I’m proud that John’s has one of the most successful production companies in the university, that we have the best college choir and that the women’s football team never stops trying. I have held a number of representative roles before, which I’ve listed on my manifesto, so I won’t bore you with them. Suffice to say I’m confident that I have the skills required to take on the Presidency at John’s.
I want to make sure that, if elected, I am aware of the diverse opinions in college, so that I can make balanced decisions and represent us fairly. It’s clear that JCR meetings aren’t working as the only arena in which the President can gather/gage the JCRs opinion. I would like to look into why they’re not working, why attendance has fallen. I’d like to explore the possibility of making the meetings more convenient and fun for everyone. However, along side that, I think it has become essential that the President actively seeks the input of JCR members. If I’m asked to help college make an important decision which will affect our time here, then I want to have listened to those people who are extensively involved in college politics, but also to those who have ventured out of John’s, those who have braved DSU politics, or have dedicated their time to a university sport, or society. To do this I would ensure that I was approachable and easily accessible, that I generally took to time to engage with my fellow Johnians, and that I was a familiar face around Johns’s, in the dinner queue and down the bar.
I would particularly work hard to keep in touch with our second years. It’s just unrealistic to expect a hard-working, busy 2nd year to always want to trek down to college to sit through a long meeting and vote in our elections, or to be able to have a quick word in passing with the President about something they’re concerned about. I would look into holding more elections online and into posting Presidential and Exec manifestos to livers-out. But I would also encourage them to come back to college. I’m particularly keen to set up livers-out formals that perhaps run at the same time as normal formals, but they’re down the bar with a few pizzas for those many, many 2nd years who never make the formal list. Living out can be quite isolating, and a President at John’s needs to make sure that they’re not just representing those they happen to see regularly.
Recently I think it has become clear that the role of President has a lot to do with handling the unexpected situations that arise. I believe that I am capable of acting responsibly and sensitively. I am aware that if I become President, I will learn much more about the job, about the JCR and the things I could achieve as President. Situations are bound to arise that will take up my time and attention. So, considering this I want you to vote for me not because livers-out formals are a great idea, or because I would start planning an amazing party for our 100th birthday, but because of the way I would approach the whole Presidency. Because I will always seek to represent you fairly, I will consult you as much as possible, I will take on my tasks responsibly and enthusiastically, I will support and lead and your exec, and I will try my hardest to be fun and to listen. Thank you.
Questions
Martin Hodgetts: John's is an independent college and walks a fine line between independence and the University. How would you keep the balance?
Becca Davies: Josh let me shadow him. I hope to learn more about how the President can be involved. It's interesting to hear how the different JCRs are run. I'm interested in the University, but I recognise the benefits of independence. I realise from what people have said that it's something worth trying to save and protect.
Katie Wray: Obviously it's commendable that you're wanting to make the JCR more accessible; you have to have projects - what are they?
Becca Davies: Well I think I did identify projects; my major priority will be trying to be in touch. I will have to chat to everyone about it. I think that because there are so few people here, that has to be my first concern.
Ed McCarter: Is it possible to be a boatie and a President at the same time?
Becca Davies: I'd like to continue rowing; I wouldn't run for a Boat Club exec position.
Tim Marshall: How would you help the Exec work as a team?
Becca Davies: Well, I don't know who will succeed me yet.
Josh Heald: We're a very diverse community, but the differences between Cranmer and John's Hall are significant. How would you address what I think is currently a problem in terms of our integrations with our other half.
Becca Davies: I realise that Josh has been working hard on bringing the MCR and Cranmer and John's together. I wondered why they don't come to the Bailey Ball and our formals. I would want them to be invited and welcome. Some inter-John's and Cranmer marriages... we keep ourselves to ourselves at the moment. I don't think we should rule them out just because they're older.
Martin Hodgetts: Delegation is important; could you give me an example of a situation where you had to delegate something although you didn't really want to?
Becca Davies: Well, last year, in the Boat Club, I didn't delegate as well as I could; this term I have and I now find I have much more time to row and to be in touch. I think that if I do become President, delegation will be essential.
Dan Baxter: OK... I see one of the main issues at the moment is apathy. Certain candidates have highlighted this in their husts. How would you let ideas flow?
Becca Davies: I think the first years were let down in Freshers' Week. Something I would do would be to, right on top of Freshers' Week, have a JCR meeting. I don't think we should lose hope at the moment. Maybe our new exec might have some fun, fancy dress, that sort of show. I like the idea of having a Loo News type feature in a JCR meeting. We need to come together as a community and take time to laugh at each other and celebrate things together.
Enoch Cheng: What's your position on increasing college fees?
Becca Davies: I'm not very impressed, though I don't know the full details. It's not in line with the student loan, and the student loan has increased, which creates more debt.
Jeanna Shalkowski: Delegation happens most often to the VPs; how would you use this Spearhead configuration most effectively?
Becca: I'd try first of all to ensure that I had a relationship with the VPs. I think if we sat down and analysed all of their roles and the duties that they have... it depends who's elected and particular skills.
(not possible to see who asked question): More of a question about the sabbatical presidency: how would it affect your Presidency whether it swung one way or the other? How would it affect students in John's.
Becca Davies: I joined the Working Group as I was interested in this. I was willing to listen to both sides. I still haven't made my mind up. If we do have one, then that will be a big job for me as I'd have to look at the constitution. If that doesn't happen I would still like to continue researching how the JCR Exec can function most effectively. I think that the Working Group is very useful. Even if we don't have a Sabbatical President... it's something we should continue to look at. I would want to consult the JCR about it.
Richard Kelly: Obviously Durham is very different in that colleges are very important. What role do you see the DSU having for students in John's?
Becca Davies: We had the best DSU involvement in Durham a few years ago. I'd like to encourage people to branch out of John's. I think we can enjoy being involved in the University community. It's something that we can encourage. I went to the meeting last night and I did actually enjoy it. I feel a bit geeky and nerdy standing here and saying this. It's not for everyone. It might just be me and Richard that enjoys them. Even if it's not just an individual thing, I think that the DSU make some important decisions that affect the college and the community. Things that we should consider.
Dan Baxter: I want an honest answer here. What is your biggest weakness as a Presidential candidate?
Becca Davies: My biggest weakness would be... perhaps I have too much faith in diplomacy and being reasonable and chatting about it. I should try and be a little more assertive; I should work on that.
Ashley Greenwood: The main role is making everything behind the scenes work. There's a certain level of socialising, which decreases as work accumulates. Do you think you can balance the social aspect, the bureaucratic aspect, and your degree?
Becca Davies: My degree seems to require very little work. I will have all the rest of my time to commit to the presidency. It will be difficult to get used to it. I think it's something I would be able to do.
Dan Baxter: The role of President encompasses a lot of supporting and moulding John's. How do you see the role fits between supporting John's and representing it to the University, and how would you approach it?
Becca Davies: Getting involved in the University level might not be something that John's students really normally see. They're things I'm really interested in getting involved in. I'd approach it depending on what was happening at the time. If there was a university issue that John's students were really passionate about I'd take that and focus on it.
Ed McCarter: When they outlawed hanging it was unpopular. If you felt you were right would you feel confident doing something unpopular?
Becca Davies: I'd have to have lots of discussions. I would have to see what college said, as I'm representing them. I'm there in a position they elected me to, so I would hope they had some faith in me.
Josh Heald: In the process of being President through your year, you'll be presented with lots of times when you won't have time to consult the JCR on issues. How comfortable are you at reaching the decision, and how comfortable are you with defending that once you've made the decision?
Becca Davies: If college wanted me to make a snap decision then I'd try and fight for more time to bring it back to students. If I've made a decision I will of course have to defend it. You will have voted me in to do that for you.
Jeanna Shalkowski: JCR Meetings: Sunday or Thursday?
Becca Davies: I'm leaning towards Sunday.
David Lorimer: What is your position on Margaret's?
Becca: I don't live in Margaret's. I don't know as much as the Exec do. I don't agree with college not renting it out to others.