Edmund Waddelove

johns.chair@durham.ac.uk

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

As Chair, I preside over the thrice-termly JCR Meetings, keeping them on track time-wise, and ensuring that people can discuss anything and everything brought forward. I am, in essence, the Speaker of the JCR: while I rule on procedure, I have to be independent on every issue brought forward. I sit on a number of committees, generally ensuring that everything is done fairly, and by the book.

Why is this important, I hear you cry. The JCR is a charity; we are obliged by law to seek certain objectives, act in the best interests of members, and keep lots of rules. It's my job, along with the President, to make sure that, from a democratic angle, we follow our Constitutional documents (currently being edited), that these are as up-to-date as possible, and that everyone can feel able and happy to get involved.

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

This doesn't mean that I hold any power: most decisions will ultimately come back to you, in JCR Meetings. Ironically, I will not vote or express any views unless the end of the world is nigh – and even then I'd have to step down first. The only other person in this position is the Vice-Chair, David Bufton (vice-chair@johnsjcr.org.uk), a First-Year Lawyer, who in his capacity as Senior Returning Officer does much of the organisation for elections.

Additionally, there are a number of administrative and organisational duties that the Chair and Vice-Chair work on together, such as signing off posters. I work closely with most members of Exec, but especially the President, Treasurer and Comms Officer.

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