My Campaign Page

I'm a final year student, running for Sports President 2015 in UUSU Elections.

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One Hour

You have ONE HOUR left to vote, so if you haven’t already please visit uusuvote.org, or go via the banner on your portal.

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Last Day of Voting

Today is the LAST DAY of voting, make sure to get on and vote! Go via the portal or directly to uusuvote.org

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Current vote count

Had great day campaigning in Coleraine, was unable to get to Magee, but I hope they don't hold that against me. Still waiting for an end of day count, but at 1pm, over 1800 students across all campuses had voted. Keep voting and get everyone who will listen to vote! The link is on the portal or go directly to uusuvote.com Spread the word! Hopefully today's count has broken the 2000 mark, I will post again as soon as I know.

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24 Hours Remaining

You have 24 hours left to vote, please visit uusuvote.org or follow the link in the portal or uusu.org.

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Voting Day 2

Today is the second day of voting, you have until 12:00 tomorrow to vote so go via your portal, follow the link on uusu.org or go directly to uusuvote.org

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First count of votes

As of 4:30 this afternoon, 1126 individual students have voted, out of over 20000 students. That's a great start, but let's see much more than this! I'm hoping, now that the bulk of classes are over for the day, people will find the time to look at materials and vote. There are 3 (4 for sports union members) positions to vote for, it will take less than 5 minutes and the link is live on the portal. Let's see if we can break 3000 by tomorrow afternoon's count!

uusuvote.com

[gillianforsports]

Student SHOUT

While I've already talked about problem solving and fighting your corner in times of adversity, it's not always bad news. Student Shout plays a role in celebrating achievement across the whole university. I want to make us shout even louder! Achievement no matter how big or small should be celebrated.

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Voting is now open!

Voting for the UUSU Sabbatical elections is now open, remember to take some time over the next 3 days to vote.

Voting closes at 12 on Wednesday.

[gillianforsports]

Don't know if anyone's reading these, but I'm still going to post regardless.

I've said about how the first 3 things you should approach sport with are 1 Have fun 2 Try something new 3 Find your passion

But now I want to go on a bit more. My current club experience had made me realise the importance of health and safety training, especially specific to the sport area. Safer sporting environment will mean a better sporting environment for all those involved.

Over the next year, I want to see more people trained in the relative health and safety qualifications relating to their sport, whether this be specialised rescue training, basic first aid or concussion training. Sure it's important to have fun, but there should also be a decent level of safety surrounding that fun.

[gillianforsports]

I've seen a Facebook page for a R.O.N. campaign. For anyone that doesn't know, R.O.N. stands for Re-Open Nominations.

If that's being led by someone who wants to enter themselves, that's great! I welcome that bit of competition, but where were you when the initial nominations were open? There was plenty of time and it was well advertised that nominations were open. I think you have to question the commitment of someone who initially has shown no interest in running.

Remember, we can only fit so much into a 5 minute speech and into a 2 page manifesto. I'm expanding what I've written here and even then I won't get all I want to do written here.

To date my only experience of University Sport is in Jordanstown, where I study. I only have so much time in the week and I spend it with the canoe club and mountaineering club. They are among the most dangerous sports, so it gives me some perspective for knowing about things like adequate training, coaching, competency qualifications, competitions, safety and safety training, coaching training. Just because they're the only clubs I'm actually a member of, doesn't mean I won't concern myself with others.

On the site committee, I have helped the badminton club in their efforts to expand across other campuses. The Jordanstown Ladies basketball faced some problems because their membership was below the 15 minimum required of sports clubs. HOWEVER, they had enough fully committed members for a full team and subs. After discussion within the site committee they were soon able to function as a club, which will set a precedent that if clubs find themselves below the 15 prescribed minimum, they can successfully appeal to the Sports Union to be considered a fully functioning club,

You need someone who will do the work necessary to ensure a successful union. You need someone who has ALREADY shown their worth not only in sports but on Student Council as well. You NEED someone who will do the job RIGHT.

You need me.

[gillianforsports]

Club Management

As you've possibly seen in my manifesto, part of what I want to do is improve the handover of club committees. I want to ensure clubs are able to operate as well as possible and can participate in events as fully as they aspire to.

I will do everything I can to provide adequate committee training for all members, and try to make it work so that they can be equipped with the tools to properly run a sports club.

If people take up positions throughout the year, I would do what I could to help them integrate into the committee and be as involved as they could. I also would greatly encourage clubs to identify people with the potential to engage more with the club through a management role.

Watch this space for more from me on this topic. It is one of my main areas from my manifesto and I may post some more within the next few days.

[gillianforsports]

Equipment Storage

A few clubs have raised the issue of equipment storage with me already. For example, for the past two years, the Jordanstown mountaineering club has been forced to store equipment at members' homes. This is inconvenient and also a security issue.

I have also heard about other clubs and societies having their storage space taken away. The university seems hell bent on taking away student spaces and storage away. I will do everything I can to push against that and regain spaces and storage we need.

In the plans for the new Jordanstown Campus for the 2018 move, there does not seem to be any provision planned for equipment storage. This was put forward as a state-of-the-art sports facility, instead, what it will be is an absolute state, pandering to the whims of the select few.

If elected, I will do everything I can to secure adequate storage for all club equipment.

[gillianforsports]

Sports Club Budgets

A few sports clubs have said to me about problems they have with the current budget system. They could have a surplus in one budget and need money for equipment and not have enough in that budget. This is really inefficient and is not working at all.

Firstly, I would propose that clubs draw up a rough budget proposal at the end of each year, nothing too detailed, just enough to give an idea of what their next year's spending is likely to be. This will give some time for planning how much of their allocation will be for what purpose.

I would then ask clubs to submit a final budget, which I more than willing to go through with them. If I have to guide all 70+ clubs in this, then I will. I want the budgets allocated to work for the clubs not against them, as the current system seems to do.

Each club will know what they will spend their money on throughout the year better than a one size fits all approach. Clubs will then be able to use their money in the ways that they need, rather than having to just make do and be left doing things they don't need to. 

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Day 2

Belfast and Jordanstown Hustings were today. Thanks to all who attended, there was a good turnout at both. I'll be posting periodically until next Wednesday all about my campaign.

Even though Belfast has no official Sports Union, I spoke today at both campuses how I want to use the existing clubs in Jordanstown -especially those who train in Belfast- to facilitate better access to sport in Belfast. I also spoke about my plans to link up with Queens University and external clubs, so that all Ulster students can get the access to sport they need, want and deserve.

Jordanstown had moved to the mall, and I was unable to post about the change, but thanks to those who listened, even for five minutes. It was good to meet the VP student and academic affairs candidates at both campuses and hear their policies.

Videos of all the hustings will be available online and as soon as they are, I will post links here and on Facebook

facebook.com/gillianforsports

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Social Sport

A number of students with Social Sport memberships have asked me if they can vote for the Sports President, which unfortunately, they can't. I think this is unfair on them. Social Sport members have as much right to contribute to the Sports Union as full Sports members. I would do my best to allow for Social sport members to be allowed to vote in future elections, as one of the things they can be more involved.

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Campaign Video for Elliot Lyness

VP Campaigns and Communications

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Day 1

Hustings Magee and Coleraine went off with a good start, I had a bit of a wobble during my Coleraine speech and while answering questions, but otherwise I hope I got my message across.

Tomorrow is Belfast and Jordanstown Hustings, so if you're about, make sure to check them out. Come and find out more about the candidates and we'll be happy to answer any questions you have for us.