Those present – Joseph Cooper (UCLAN), Alisdair Denholm (Lancaster), Katy Young (Liverpool), Libby Bateman (Cumbria), Geoff Banks (Leeds), Ian Johnston (Lincoln), Glyn Parry (Bangor), Rick O’Toole (Sheffield Hallam), Laura Stafford (Sheffiled Hallam), Dawn Yates (Sheffiled Hallam), Lauren Smipson (Sheffield Hallam), Larua Buckland (Sheffild Hallam), Fergal McCullough (Man Met)

Apologies – Peter Kidd (York), Mike Riley (Sussex), Ian Boulger (Man Met), Phil Kynaston (Man Met), Alison Fleet (Bath)

Guest Speaker – Rick O’Toole gave a presentation to the meeting about the history of SASA the influences surrounding its creation and the impact that it has had on student activities over the past 11 years. 

Rick outlined the work that SASA undertook with the tour organisation I Love Tour and highlighted the benefits that he has gained from SASA.

A discussion followed regarding the current role of SASA and what members that SASA should be working towards.  There was a strong feeling that SASA needs to link up with other organisations such as AMSU, BUSA & UCS.

Other suggestions included SASA undertaking surveys of current practices with in different unions and also that as an organisation and as individuals we should be pushing NGBs who we affiliate with to compile advice for students in that chosen activity.

Some members outlined that NGB information doesn’t always come through to them as it goes directly to the club officers.  Other organisations ensure that the SU address is used for the secretary on the affiliation form and not individuals home addresses.

Open Agenda

Transport

Mini Bus Limiters – a new regulation had been brought in regarding the speed limit for all mini buses now being 62mph.  All mini buses must now be fitted with vehicle limiters.  An enquiry was brought as to what kind of limiter is needed and where you can get them supplied and fitted.  Members were advised to refer to the DVLA and VOSA website for information.

Post meeting advice from VOSA = The speed limiter requirements for minibuses only applies to those registered on or after 1 October 2001. If your minibuses are older than this then speed limiters are not required. Minibuses registered from 1 Oct 2001 to december 2004 are required to have speed limiters by 1 Jan 2007 althought there are some exemptions. Minibuses registered from 1 Jan 2005 are required to have speed miniters by 1 Jan 2008 - Chris Jones. PSV Techincal Officer, VOSA, Swansea.

Transport policy – Does your Union/University have a student transport policy?

What do you do with regards to students using their own vehicles as club transport?

Do you have section 19 permits for your mini buses? Even if they are hired in you are still essentially the operator and should have and display a section 19 permit for your bus.

Societies Risk Assessments

Some societies involve sitting in a room around a table.  Do you still need to do a risk assessment for this activity?

All activities need assessing,  there are still risks involved in sitting around a table eg environmental hazards such as fire procedures.

How often do risk assessments need redoing/updating?  Some organisations update every semester,  some annually and some biannually. Most update when committees change.

Duty of Care Information

When do organisations give their Duty of Care briefing to their club and society committees.  Most give it at the end of the second semester when the new committees have been voted in for the following year.  Some organisations reported issues with societies changing their committees mid way through the academic year which has caused problems with committee members not being briefed.

Applications such as pebblepad and blackboard are a handy tool for ensuring that the information is available to all for reference purposes.  Other suggestions were to film the training sessions so that you can play them back to new committees as and when they are voted in.

Training Programmes

What training programmes do institutions deliver and how often are they delivered?

Organisations deliver standard programmes to committee members at the beginning of their term in office and then add further training in specialist areas as and when they are needed.

A need for a collective approach to training was identified as many organisations had programmes running in separate departments where there was a cross over of training and there may well be opportunities in other departments that you  are able to tap into for specialist training.  Such as Volunteering Departments, SU Officer training and even training with in the academic structure of the organisation.

A question was raised about working at height training and scaffolding for stage lighting etc.  An organisation called PASMA was recommended for training for tower scaffolding use.  Libby to put a link on the web site to this site. The HSE also provide information about The Work at Height Regulations 2005.  Again Libby to put a link on the site.

Contact was also recommended with the Facilities Management Department with in your organisation as they may already be holding training courses for this kind of work.

Usefull Links were you will be able to find advice on some of the discussion points