Handover(s)

All of last week was officially set aside for 121 handovers. In my case this mean't being given an in depth briefing on the role by former SSO (2004-5) Tom Goff, with assistance from his successor Laura Morris (2005-6). I am incredibly gratefully to both for the two and a half hours or so that they gave last Monday, even if the staff of the Selly Sausage didn't look to pleased at the length of time we were on the premises.

Handover is an essential part of the training process and has given me a great deal of thought and direction in approaching my role in the coming 12 months. I believe that a good handover can make the difference between hitting the ground running in September; or fumbling around still wondering what you're meant to be doing come December. Therein lies my gratitude.*

With this in mind, I have been looking forward (not prematurely I hope) to next year. One of my manifesto pledges, and indeed one of the indicators of my success as SSO, is my ability to find a successor. This is why the good work must start now, if I am to inspire the students of Selly Oak Campus - or wherever - to run for SSO next time around, I need to make it clear what the Guild can do for them and why it remains relevant. Satellite Sites Officer has always been an uncontested position in Exec elections and that is something I am anxious to change.

Because no matter how successful (or otherwise) I may be this year, without someone to handover to, any anchiements can so easily fall by the wayside. For Satellite Sites students to really get a better deal, they need long term commitment from the Guild and long term commitment from a number of SSOs

Cheers, and best wishes to all SSOs, past and future.


* to avoid overlooking anyone, I should also mention that other predecessors, in addition to members of the outgoing exec, have also given their assistance in the past few months.