[Klug-general] Future of KLUG, an offer/idea

[Peter Childs]

Think some important bit need to be put forward.

On 19 February 2012 18:11, Luc Tidy <luc.tidy at gmail.com> wrote:

> With some positive feedback so far I would like to expand on a plan to get
> this moving forward. I will aim for this to not be too long,, but it will
> outline my ideas. All of this, of course, is malleable. So we are clear I
> am offering to facilitate to enable our community to move forward and in no
> way wish to dictate.
>
> 1. What We Want
> First and foremost I would like us to have a discussion about where we
> currently are, and what people would like to see in the future. Ultimately,
> as we'll need it if KLUG becomes part of a society, is our mission
> statement. To this end I would recommend the society is separate from KLUG
> itself, this way KLUG can be a part of the society without being tied up
> and we can manage it as such. Similarly I think if we are going to get a
> broad catchment, then we need a broad society - "Medway Computer Society"
> (as these are done, MedComSoc), or along the lines will fit the bill and
> hopefully will not tread on any toes. This will mean that KLUG will be in
> association with 'MedComSoc'.
>

Right so were talking a Local Medway Computer Society similar in nature to
ICMP. but with a more computer slant.


>
> 2. What I Can Offer
> I've been doing this stuff at the institution for five years, when UMSA
> itself has only been about four, I've known the paperwork hassle since it
> all started up and can 'do the books' so-to-speak. So by proxy what does
> UMSA require, and what does it offer.
>


Sorry let me read that again, UMSA (Universities of Medway
Student Association) so you suggesting the "Society" should be part of the
"Student Union" (for want of a better term for us who left University 12
years ago!) Put on what I remember of the politics when I was at Canterbury
you idea is flawed.


>
> 2.1 UMSA Requirements
> UMSA asks for a membership "fee" of £3 per head (please read on, you'll
> like it) for the year, along with a constitution and some basic risk
> assessment. I can certainly handle the latter two. As for the former this
> £3 per head goes into an UMSA account, with a set amount (depending on the
> number of members) added to it for expenditure by the society. For instance
> for 12 members, there is an £80 investment from UMSA. So everyone puts in a
> total of £36 and the society has a total UMSA account to spend of £116.
>
> We also need to cater to students, as in my previous e-mail I feel this
> wouldn't be that difficult to get going at all. It may mean some
> advertising stuff, and attendance of Fresher's fayres but I'm sure we'll
> get the numbers. The minimum to be a society is 12 students, but with so
> much IT/CompSci/CompEng on the site I don't see this being a problem.
>
>
Strictly speaking we need to BE students. The "extra" £80 comes from
University sponsorship, read "Grant" and comes from SU funds. The use of
the Society fund is tightly governed as to what we can and can't spend the
money on and If we "Found" a UMSA society we need to ensure we agree
with those boundaries. Partically if we are allowing Non-Students to join.

There is nothing against us having our own funds and back account if thats
the way we want to be.


> 2.2 UMSA Benefits
> As I mentioned, depending on membership we receive a pot of money from
> UMSA that could be used in further advertising, trips, social gatherings,
> even to the extent of conferences/conventions if we want to do so.
>
> Similarly, a society pays nothing for booking rooms on campus, and to give
> an idea as our tabletop society is the most active on campus, we get two
> evenings a week, at least one Sunday and for some two Sundays each month
> all for free. These are generally lecture rooms, though I can liaise with
> my colleagues to see about computer labs - though I will admit this is
> something I've not entirely ventured into before.
>

When I was at UKC any Student Society, SU affiliated or not could book
rooms, Some "Major Societies" chose not to be Affiliated.

The two that did not in the main were.

UKCCU (The Christian Union) this was for hmm Political Reason as they
wanted to be able to have a "Selected" or called officers rather than
Elected as required by SU "Rules" and also so they could spend there money
on hmm what they wanted to.

The other was the "Computer Society" this was so they could spend there
money on Equipment ie computers rather than meetings. but that was 12 years
ago and things may have changed.


I've got nothing against a Student Computer Society afflicting its self
with KLUG. and would like to encourage them to do so and I am more than
happy to support that group in any way necessaries. If "MedComSoc" is able
to accept "Non Student Membership" then I'm more than happy to join, so
long the rules for it being part of the UMSA are not too "onourus" and
"Limiting"

I've rather given up on ICMP as they were too "Electronics" based for me
and I wanted a group more intrested in Computers!.

I would encourage, a MedComSoc to also look at other big organisations such
as ukuug, fsf and BCS - Kent Branch. all of which have benifits.