So, today is my final day as President of KeeleSU. This also marks the last day of there being a President of KeeleSU, which is probably more momentous, but please, humour me a little for my last blog.
This year has been long and difficult at times, but I have quite genuinely enjoyed the opportunity to work in this organisation. Working with and for you to make KeeleSU a Union that represents you, champions your voice and that you can feel proud of.
To all those I have worked with and met during the year, even if I've just bumped into you on a night out and we've chatted, thank you. Thank you for having me as your President, for sharing your views on Keele and your student experience here.
As I get to the end of this year, of course I will look back over things that have happened or that I hope will bring about positive change, much of which has happened a bit more behind the scenes. We now have a new Chief Executive Officer for KeeleSU, bringing new insight, ideas and direction to the Union and a great deal more support to the officer team. The officer team itself has seen change, moving into next year with a flat structure and newly defined portfolios to give them clearer direction and also giving the members (you guys) clearer guidelines to hold the officers to account.
I've worked on more public campaigns with NUS, including #CutTheCosts and #BursaryOrBust, and attended numerous conferences and events during the year. Through this I met absolutely outstanding officers in other, very different Unions, and have learnt a lot from them. We've also gotten more people in the student movement actually aware of KeeleSU, where we are and what we do, which is always good.
There have, of course, been some less pleasant times this year, which have caused me to despair and struggle through day by day. Being an elected officer is not easy, nor is it all shaking hands and public speaking. However, at the end of it all, looking back and especially looking ahead for what is coming for KeeleSU, I can honestly say that it has been worth it.
I'm passing on the reigns for democratic engagement and membership development to Emily Horsfall, your new (and first) Union Development and Democracy Officer. Having worked alongside her this year and during handover in June, I believe that she will do absolutely incredible things in post. She's also lovely, so don't be worried about speaking to her about anything!
For now, it's goodbye from me (although I am processing at Graduation for 9 ceremonies, so see you finalists there!) I'll be continuing to spend my spare time - which I'm about to have a lot more of - applying for jobs, all of which so far are in other Students' Unions around the country (I've been bitten by it). I'll be back though, no one ever really leaves Keele.
And now my watch has ended.
