Categories: uncategorized
Date: 15 October 2010 09:04:39
Good practice, when you stumble upon it, should be recognised and shared. That's what I'm doing today.
Dundee Uni's LGBT group is getting things right! Now ok I might be biased, (they gave me time to speak), but I was really impressed by these young people. Word here, the website isn't great but that's because they've focused more on substance than image in this case.
So what are they doing right?
1) Networking. This bunch are bridge building activists who are networking: 1) with other groups in the uni, 2) with groups from other universities and 3) with people in the city who aren't students.
2) Welfare. This is a group of people who care and are looking out not only for their own members but also for those they're networking with.
3) Imagination. They understand about using and mixing up technologies and methods of communication. On Wednesday night they showed "For the Bible Tells Me So" before I did a talk leading into a q&a and discussion. I understand for other events one of the things they're doing is going to be using Skype to access an international speaker.
4) Funding. Now this one may actually work because the uni SU is not affiliated to the NUS, I don't know. However, this group have learnt how the funding system at their uni works to benefit students and societies. They respect the system and use if effectively. The fact they do what they need to in regards to the small items means they have built up the trust needed for the larger events, which will include a spoken word evening later in the year.
5) Mixing it Up. This is a group focusing on the social, the serious and the artistic - seeing their membership as whole beings. This means beyond "the core membership" they have different events which attract different audiences and build up awareness and networking.
6) Willingness to be Personally Challenged. After last nights event there were several comments of "I didn't know", "I didn't expect" and "I'm finding out". These are young people who are willing to change their perceptions of things when required.
One word of caution I would sound is that they need to think about how far they buy into the cultural norms in the uni around drinking. Last night we went out afterwards and due in part to a heavy night previously, and cost, almost everybody was on water or soft drinks. I understand though that many of the uni socieities have "initiations" which involve very heavy drinking. Whilst I know people will drink and that's fine, (I do), I do worry that things like "initiation" will encourage people to drink to success whether they want to or not. Also these types of things might implicitly exclude from membership those who aren't into heavy drinking.
Finishing, though, on a more positive note. This is a group who are willing to move out of their comfort zone to benefit both their members and the wider community. This, I believe, must be hugely commended.