December 2008 

Responsibilities: 

• Student Development (Fresher’s Packs)
• Working Life
• Region 4: Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire & Worcestershire, Birmingham & Solihull
• Development in Wales

INTRODUCTION 

It has been an interesting and busy 3 months since my last report. Firstly, I must apologise for not writing this report in November, when it was due; with other things going on it slipped my mind. It certainly feels like a lot has been going on since my last report, but much of my work on portfolio matters has been slow, and behind the scenes.

We have now completed an important stage in the year, with the reforms to the internal structure having been agreed by the NME, and the new Regional Coordinators now taken up their positions.

Freshers’ Packs and the Student Campaign 

I have been working with CCHQ to secure funding for a proposed re-freshers campaign, but unfortunately with internal changes at CCHQ and budget restrictions, we have not been able to secure the finance for a full campaign.

Most branches should be able to support a re-freshers campaign using left over material from the September campaign. Additionally, I will be emailing out some poster artwork over the next week for branches to print off their own posters if they wish. Anyone who is struggling to support a re-freshers campaign should contact me ASAP.

I have also published the results of the freshers’ campaign survey on the Executive blog, which can be viewed at http://executive.cfbranch.com. Thanks to all those who took part.

NO2ID Campaign

CF is continuing to push forward with out NO2ID campaign across campus. A draft motion has been posted on the executive blog to submit to your student union, and Patrick Sullivan is working to ensure the motion is heard on the floor of NUS Conference.

The NME Tour 

I am in the process of updating my map on my website (www.owenmeredith.co.uk), which contains details of my visits across the country in my capacity as NME member. Hopefully this will demonstrate by the end of my term that the NME is not London centric and will allow CF members to ensure I am working as hard as you expect. 

Working Life

As you know I have been conducting a consultation in the future of Working Life. Having taken on the Working Life portfolio, I wanted to make sure CF was doing the right thing for young professionals and working members and fulfilling our role in bridging the gap between university and association politics.

The NME has agreed new proposals for the future of Working Life, following the consultation. I am working with CCHQ to implement the strategy and we will be having a launch event for Working Life Network in the coming weeks.

My analysis and proposals are details in the document “Working Life: The Future” which can be downloaded and viewed here: Working Life: The Future

Wales

Paul Rogers has now taken up position as CF Wales Chairman and will be taking over as Regional Coordinator for Wales, allowing an on-the-ground approach to moving CF forward in the principality.

We are making progress with new members joining all the time, and supporting the Conservative campaign in Wales.

Final Word 

As ever I would like to remind members that I am always happy to hear from you with issues, concerns or suggestions for CF. I try and attend as many events and campaign days up and down the country as possible, but have not been able to attend as many recently as I would like, due to work commitments and other things. Hopefully this should improve in the new year.

Many of you will already know that I have announced I will be resigning from the NME at the end of my elected term in the next couple of months. I’d like to reassure members that I will be working for you right up until my last day on the NME, and will be delivering as much as possible to continue improving the organisation.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all the new Regional Chairman on their positions, and look forward to working with you over the next few months.

If anyone has anything they would like to discuss with me, please do not hesitate to contact me on 07816 156925 or on email: owen@owenmeredith.co.uk.

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