STARS Form. *Only the union webpage will be judged for STARS criteria. Individual webpages & Facebook do not count!

Transcription

1 STARS General Information Club/Society Name: Law Society Date of submission: Insert Here Link to your Union Webpage: Insert Here STARS Form *Only the union webpage will be judged for STARS criteria. Individual webpages & Facebook do not count! Submission Instructions This form is due by 16:00 on Friday, 28 th April Once complete, please save the document at Club/Soc Name_16-17 and submit your form here. (Example: Chess society would save file as Chess_16-17) If you are having difficulty submitting the form, please a copy to shona.cooper@surrey.ac.uk. Please note that this form is broken down into two categories: 1. Items you need to submit for evidence 2. Criteria the union will check on their own To attach documents, please see instructions below: Click the area you would like to insert the file to. Then click the Insert tab at the top of the document (between Home and Design. The click on Object towards the upper right hand side of the screen. Click on the Create from File tab, then click on browse to search for the document you would like to attach and click open. Make sure you then click the checkbox marked Display as Icon before hitting okay. If you are still having difficulties, please watch this YouTube video. What You Need to Submit Bronze Requirements (supportive evidence) 1. Fundraise 100 or host one charitable event (Attach detailed /photo evidence of the request for finances to be distributed to charitable organizations. Or attach detailed paragraph description of charitable event also including photo evidence of the event)

2 Submit Answer Here: LawSoc raised funds for World Cancer Trust. Our Community Outreach Officer Hannah has organised a number of bake sales throughout the year with funds going towards Charities. Please see additional paragraph under *add notes* for further details of fund requests Achievement of one objective (Attach detailed paragraph description of how you achieved your objective (what steps did you take) including photo evidence of the event)

3 Submit Answer Here. Objective #1: The Social/ Support Objective; Breaking the Legal Stigma. As one of of our prime objectives, we used the social members in our committee (Student Support, Community Outreach & Social Secreatary) to try to expand the social infrastructure of our society. There have been a number of ways in which we have seen the society expand in respect of completing and maintaining this objective, these include: 1. Introduction and Upkeep of Monthly Socials & Membership Cards We have hosted monthly socials for our members. The nature of the events has varied from Bar Crawls to Pub Quizes & casual meetings at the Front Room. The fundamental purpose of the events has been to bring students together, and we know that as a result of some of our socials, study groups and friendship groups have been formed. We further introduced Membership Cards this year. We worked with local businesses such as Turtle Bay, Komos and Pews to establish discounts that could be given to students who presented a Law Society Card. The result meant that students could always socialise with each other, they received a discounted benefit from the society to do so. 2. Mentoring Opportunity We have held a Mentor/ Menteeship programme where older students have been paired with first year students to offer support and guidance. We sent out a compatibility survey to ensure that mentee s were paired with people they would likely have shared interests with, in order to ensure that students received support from mentors that could relate to them. We have received feedback that first years have found the support beneficial, in what is a very difficult first year of study. Our Social Support Officer, Deborah Martins, has been in regular contact with the Mentors to make sure that they have met with their mentee's and offered support. The programme has run throughout the course of the year and has provided students with the support that they often needed, in respect of their studies and managing their workload. 3. The Law Ball & Our End of Year Society Show Down Our two biggest events comprised of our Law Ball, to celebrate the student s success and the end of year show down. These events have taken meticulous organisation, but have thus far received the best feedback from students to date. The Law Ball was our biggest and most successful event. It brought students together to congratulatete them for their year of work, and give them a chance to network with academic staff, professionals and eachother. We have received all positive feedback from this event, which students said was the best Law Ball they have been to throughout the course of their study. 3.

4 Notes (any additional information you would like to include for Bronze) Submit here: The request for charity expenditure will be put through upon receiving our Sponsorship Money from BPP. At present, we do not want to see our account fluctuate in to negative funds and so are budgeting mindfully. We are certain that we will receive the Sponsorship money and that these requests will be put through accordingly. In the event that we do not receive the Sponsorship Money, the President will make a donation to the society, so that these charity requests are put through before the AGM. Please find further pictures evidencing events at the bottom of this document. Silver Requirements (supportive evidence) 1. Fundraise 250 or host 2 charitable events (Attach detailed /photo evidence of the request for finances to be distributed to charitable organizations. Or attach detailed paragraph description of charitable event also including photo evidence of the event) Submit Answer Here: Law Soc raised funds for World Cancer Trust. We hosted a Bake Sale where we fundraised for Charity Achievement of two objectives (Attach detailed paragraph description of how you achieved your objectives (what steps did you take) including photo evidence of the event)

5 Submit Answer Here: Objective 2: The Professional Objective Our careers advisor, Sara Sherani, sent a survey around to students asking which career most students wanted to enter in to. The response, unsurprisingly, was a career in Law; either as a Barrister or Solicitor. In order to accommodate this we hosted a number of events, the purpose of which was to allow student further insight in to legal careers, and the opportunity to network. 1. Clyde & Co Speech (hosted with Careers.) A Partner from Clyde & Co attended the University to give a speech on what it takes to work for an International Legal Firm, and how to become Partner. The event was beneficial to students who were informed of their legal development opportunities, and the challenges which you face in working for a corporate firm. 2. Guildford Chambers Speech (hosted with Careers.) A Barrister from Guildford Chambers gave a speech on the processing of becoming a Barrister x BPP Workshops We worked with our Sponsors at BPP University to host two workshops for students instructing them on the skills necessary to become a Legal Professional. The first of these workshops Stand Out From the Crowd focused on ways in which to complete applications and send these to employers in a unique manner. The second workshop focused on application processes and also interview skills which students would need when applying for vacation schemes and legal work experience. U- Law Event We worked with our second sponsors, the University of Law to host a Spring Board in to law workshop, which was predominantly held for first years.

6 4. Aspiring Solicitors Event (hosted with Careers.) We have an attended from aspiring solicitors come to the university. The organisationn aims to provide support to students who may face an unfair disadvantage in entering the industry (gender/ race/ class.) It aims to promote equal opportunities and teach students what they need to do in order to become a Lawyer. 5. Law Alumni Networking Event One of our most successful professional events was our annual Law Alumni Networking Event. We worked with the alumni office to bring together former students who currently act as legal professionals, and allow them the opportunity to work with and network students, in a speed networking evening. 6. Law Ball with Professional Networking Opportunities The Ball saw attendees from over ten firms/ chambers join us to network with students.

7 3. 3. Host a non-alcoholic event (Attach detailed paragraph description of your event including photo evidence of the event) Submit Answer Here: Our non-alcoholic social took place at Halloween where we hosted a relaxed social at the Front Room. This had the opportunity for student to apple bob and generally relax, and socialise in a spooky setting. As part of fulfilling our Professional Objective there have been a number of nonalcoholic events hosted. The details of which can be found above Collaboration with another affiliated Student Group (another society or sports club) (Attach detailed paragraph description of your event including photo evidence of the event) Submit Answer Here: We have a scheduled event on the 6th May 2017: The Society Showdown, which we are hosting with Politics Society and Chemistry Society. We have managed to exclusively hire out a Club in Kingston for Surrey to access. Working with Chem Soc and the Politics Society, we aim to bring students together from different courses, to allow an opportunity to broaden social opportunities. We have further worked with the Stag throughout the course of the year; the President, Connor, has acted as our photographer for two of our events and has been extremely helpful in offering support to our society Implementing feedback to gain members insight (Attach detailed paragraph description of what you did to collect data, and how you incorporated the results it into your club/society. Include photo evidence.)

8 Submit Answer Here: We have placed two surveys out throughout the course of the year. Our careers advisor, Sara Sherani, placed a survey our which had a purpose of investigating what careers wanted to practice in. The results, unsurprisingly, detailed that most of our members sought to have a career in law. We therefore catered the majority of our events to accommodate students career goals and hosted events specifically catered to the wants of students. Details of these events can be found under the professional objective, detailed above. Our Social Support Officer Deborah Martins placed a second survey in November, at the start of our Mentoring Programme. The purpose of this survey was to ensure that students were placed with mentors that they would be compatible with. We wanted to ensure that mentors/ mentees were as compatible as possible. We believe this helped the mentoring programme as it allowed us to arrange mentors/ menses together who, for example, would be comfortable communicating over the same medium; one of the questions asked where students would best like to meet/ speak with their mentor. Students were paired together who shared the same medium (e.g. coffee shop, library, or just speak over messenger). We further asked for information on concerns and worries, and asked what mentors felt they could offer most constructive advice upon (e.g. if a mentee was concerned over workload and the mentor could offer support in respect of this matter, they would be paired.) We were pleased to hear that mentee s felt supported as a result of the programme. We further instructed a first year representative: Mark Sheppard, whose responsibility it was to gain feedback from first students in respect of events so that we could improve them throughout the course of the year. Where there were concerns (e.g. cost of law ball tickets) we explained this to our members in lecture shout outs and through our social media, in order to ensure that members were happy. We would be regularly updated in our weekly meetings and over our Slack Channels, as to updates from students. 6. Notes (any additional information you would like to include for Silver) Submit here: Please see additional photos for evidence, as attached at the end of this document. Gold Requirements (supportive evidence) 1. At least one signatory present AND one other representative at all sport/society standing throughout the year (Members will have signed in at the meeting. Apologies for absences will not count toward requirement.) Submit Answer Here: 2. We have confirmed attendance and completed our form for all Society Standing Meetings. There has always been one signatory present. October: Steph & Emma November: Steph, Ume & Mark December: Emma & Kanwar January: Steph & Emma February: Kanwar & Zygimantas March: Steph & Emma

9 2. Hold one event at a different campus (Manor Park and/or Hazel Farm) (Attach detailed paragraph description of your event including photo evidence of the event) Submit Answer Here: Our Annual Law Football event took place at Manor Park. The event was hosted with lecturers and students and was a friendly football match which brought students together with the Law School Faculty. The event was a social, non-alcoholic event, which was done to help students real and relieve stress around the Christmas Break. We hired a football court at the Sports Park and invited students & lecturers along. The event was highly successful and we intend on it becoming an annual event Fundraise 500 or host 3 charitable events (Attach /photo evidence of the request for finances to be distributed to charitable organizations. Or attach paragraph description of charitable event also including photo evidence of the event) Submit Answer Here: We hosted a raffle at our Law Ball Achievement of all objectives (Attach paragraph description of how you achieved your objectives (what steps did you take) including photo evidence of the event)

10 Submit Answer Here: Objective 3: Breaking the Boundaries and Going National. For the first time this year we entered in to six different different National Moot Competitions. The Essex Chambers Moot, Telders Moot, The UKSLA Moot, The Landmark Chambers Moot, The OUP/ BPP Moot, and the National Criminal Moot (hosted by Kent University.) All students performed extremely well, with us receiving first place in one of these competitions. Two students received a minipupilage as a result of their winning. We got through to the second round of all of these competitions. Our external mooting officer, Ruby Jamieson, worked unbelievably hard to train students and prepare the for competitions. Our internal mooting officer, Zygimantas, provided training to students who wanted to expand their skills but who were not ready to compete at a national level. We further entered in to National Interviewing and Negotiations Competitions. We received second place in the National Interviewing Competition. For each of our competitive events we held workshops, and internal competitions which were open to all of our members and law students, in the University. We provided beverages, and worked with the law school to offer training to students in respect of developing skills and improving capacity Provide evidence of how your club/society has helped members grow in a professional/personal capacity. i.e. Improving communication skills, wellbeing awareness or leadership.( Attach detailed paragraph description of how you helped your club/society members grow (what steps did you take) including photo evidence of the event)

11 Submit Answer Here: Growing in a Professional Capacity: We are firmly of the view that the professional events listed under objective two of this report helped students develop in professional capacity. We think the mixture of events; from workshops, to speeches, and casual networking opportunities, have allowed students to develop their skills and work to improve their professionalism. Many students received business cards and have gone on to receive further work experience as a result of these networking events. The skills sessions and workshops have worked to help students gain skills that will help them in interview and application processes. Growing in a Personal Capacity: The training and skills sessions provided, particularly in respect of our third objective (competitions) has allowed student str gain key legal skills which we believe will help them develop in personally. Mooting helps advance research skills, and advocacy skills. Interviewing works to inspire personable skills. Negotiations works to improve communication. We feel our mentoring programme has helped to develop self confidence and belief. 6. Notes (any additional information you would like to include for Gold) Submit here: Further photos evidencing events:

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14 We can provide further evidence of all of our events upon request, or by visiting our social media pages; Please note we are currently working towards further improving our account. We still have sponsorship money due in to the account (from BPP). We have our end of year social which we are using to generate funds, and some of our cash funds needs to be placed in to the account. We are further aiming to secure more sponsorship deals. In reaching our objectives, we have had increased pressures from the hosting of events, purchase of beverages, cost- fees of competitions, and of course, the Law Ball which has obviously had an impact. We do believe that our members and have benefited from this, and have received feedback stating the same. As a student led society, we have worked to bring sponsorship and funding in to our acocunt. At times we have had over eight thousand pounds within our account. As a result of trying to extend and improve opportunities for students, our outgoings have been increased this year. We pledge to meet with next years committee to inform them of ways they can save money next year. What The Union Will Check (for your reference) Basic Requirements Requirements (Union Will Check) 1. Good standing with the student union (no frozen paperwork handed in on time, own funds & budget in the positive, successful room bookings (no strikes)) Our accounts will definitely be positive by the end of the year. We are currently waiting for 2. Completed all relevant documents as required by the Activity Office according to USSU Policies & Procedures (Risk assessments, annual report, development plan, budget request) To our knowledge, all of the relevant documents have been completed. The only outstanding document to my knowledge is the annual report which I will send before our AGM 3. Hold an AGM within allocated time frame (Sign up and complete an AGM) Scheduled for May 4th at 6:30pm 4. Attended your status meetings (Have successfully scheduled and attended your status meetings (at least 1 in fall and 1 in spring) with the specified individuals))

15 Complete USSU Website Requirements (Union Will Check) 1. Have an up-to-date list of club/society committee positions (List of signatory & committee names and positions viewable on your union webpage) Complete 2. USSU contact information (University account for students to contact you Complete 3. Membership button (Located on home page: clear to join and working) Complete 4. Description of club/society (Description of the club/society outlining what you do and your aims/objections) Complete 5. Membership (Minimum of 20 members registered with your group) Complete 122 Members Bronze Bronze Requirements (Union Will Check) 1. Presence at all Club/Societies Standings with either one signatory or committee member as representative (Representatives have signed into every meeting and this is reflective on the attendance tracked by Sport/Society Executives. Apologies for absences will not count toward requirement) Completed. 2. Presence at Fresher s Fayre or Refresher s Fayre (Successfully booked a stall and/or participated in Fresher s or Refresher s Fayre evident via registering for the event) Completed. 3. Host or participate in one volunteering event (Club/Society should have submitted volunteering form after completion of event) Completed: We have volunteered weekly at the Surrey Law Centre. 4. Nominate your club/society, another club/society, or an individual for colours or student awards (Must be nominated by the society, not an individual) We intend on nominating our Mooting Officer, Ruby Jamieson. Bronze USSU Website Requirements (Union Will Check) 1. Logo of society displayed (Logo is on both society/club website homepage and individual union webpage AND meets the university and USSU criteria) Completed. 2. All internal and external links working on webpage (All links should be working, they should not go to a dead webpage or an under construction page) Completed. Silver Silver Requirements (Union Will Check) 1. At least one signatory present at every Sport/Societies Standing (Members will have signed in at the meeting. Apologies for absences will not count toward requirement) Completed.

16 2. Host or participate in two volunteering events (Club/Society should have submitted volunteering form after completion of event) A full form outlining our weekly responsibilities at the SLC has been forwarded to you by Emma. 3. Participated in one union event. Examples: One World Week, Give It A Go Week, Varsity, Free Fest, Wellbeing week. Freshers/Refreshers does not count. Participated in: Give it a Go Week by hosting a number of workshops for Mooting. 4. (Participation in these events does not count as showing up as an observer. It means signing up for a stall/taking part in the running of the event via a performance or other means and hence adding to the event. For example, competing in Varsity or running a stall during One World Expo count towards accomplishing this criteria. However, watching Varsity or wandering through the expo do not count.) 5. Publicize through the GIAG Programme for one term (fall, spring, summer) (Programme is distributed at the beginning of each term and s are distributed to accounts encouraging students to submit) Completed- Fall Edition. 6. Efficient application and management of budget bank account (Own funds reflect a positive balance, or there is evidence of positive growth/improvement (ex: reducing club/society debt over the year)) Silver USSU Website Requirements (Union Will Check) 1. Engaging website page with pictures of the committee and information about committee (Pictures & names of signatories /committee members and something about them (either something personal or what they do within their role)) Complete, we hope. 2. Calendar or list of events that is updated and maintained throughout the year on the webpage (Facebook does not count) (It is clear when the club/society is meeting and/or hosting events. Information includes when & where. You do not need an actual calendar, a list of events will suffice) Complete 3. Photos of past events (Pictures to demonstrate events and activities clubs/societies participate in) Complete- Law Ball Photos are posted.

17 Gold Gold Requirements (Union Will Check) 1. Host or participate in three volunteering events with one of them taking place within the local community (Members will have signed in at the meeting. Apologies for absences will not count toward requirement) We would again refer to our weekly SLC volunteering ventures which have occurred over three times (once weekly) and all include work within the local community. 2. Participated in two union events. Examples: One World Week, Give It A Go Week, Varsity, Free Fest, Wellbeing week Freshers/Refreshers does not count.(participation in these events does not count as showing up as an observer. It means signing up for a stall/taking part in the running of the event via a performance or other means and hence adding to the event. For example, competing in Varsity or running a stall during One World Expo count towards accomplishing this criteria. However, watching Varsity or wandering through the expo do not count) Give it a Go Week. BOP Week Wellbeing Week- launched mentoring for our members. 3. Publicize through the Give It A Go Programme for two terms (fall, spring, summer) (Programme is distributed at the beginning of each term and s are distributed to accounts encouraging students to submit) Complete- Fall & Spring Gold USSU Website Requirements (Union Will Check) 1. Files managed and accessible for students to see (Documents are available to the students through the main page (not the back end/site contents). Examples include STARS applications, development plans, annual reports, minutes from meetings, information relevant to your club/society (training tip sheets, etc.)) Complete 2. Interactive aspects to the webpage (Links to social media sites such as facebook, twitter, etc.) Complete- we have links to all of our social media.