Activities Awards Guide - University of Nottingham ... · Activities Awards Guide The Community Impact Award is given to groups that have gone above and beyond through fundraising

The annual awards series for all UoNSU student groups

2019-2020

Georgina Pittman - Activities Officer

Activities Awards Guide

Marc Holt - Development Coordinator

2

Introduction: What are Activities Awards? 3

Social Impact Award 4

Community Impact Award 5

6

8

9


Contents 1

Inclusivity and Wellbeing Award

Newcomer Award

Showcase Event Award

Celebration Event Award

Wildcard Event Award

Legacy Award

10

11

12

3

Introduction: What are Activities Awards?


Activities Awards are the annual awards given to any student groups from the University of Nottingham Students' Union based from any campus or learning site. There are eight awards in total and for every award, there is a winner and a highly commended group chosen by a panel of students and staff. Groups can apply to as many awards as they want to! How do I apply for the Activities Awards? Groups must complete an application using this form. You're asked to write 1,000 words answering several questions, asked in line with the SU's strategy. Although it's helpful to structure you’re answers around the questions, you don't have to answer all of them, though the more questions you answer, the more the panel will be able to understand why your group deserves the award. If you have any questions, please contact your Development Coordinator. Please note: the Legacy Award is the most prestigious Activities Award and therefore requires a more substantial application (see below for more information). What evidence do I need to include? Your written application should address the questions attached to the award you're applying for. You'll find it helpful to attach supplementary evidence help the panel to understand why your group deserves the award. Any evidence should be attached in one file at the end of the application form. Examples of evidence could include photos/screenshots of:

Online and in-person group activity

Event forms, trip forms, meeting minutes, event schedules etc.

Spaces used left in an organised state

Bank statements of responsible spending

Emails demonstrating communication or commending your group’s efforts Please note: we appreciate that, due to current global events, it's difficult to prove storage areas/spaces used have been left in an organised state this year. The panel will be sympathetic to this, but please still try to address this in your written application. When is the deadline for submission? The deadline for all submissions is Friday 24th April 2020. Any late changes/submissions will not be accepted. When will the results be announced? The results are usually announced at Societies Ball. This year, they'll be announced via a livestream in May. Keep an eye on your emails and the Activities Officer's social media for more information.

https://form.jotform.com/uonsusocs/societies-awards-2019-nominations

4 Activities Awards Guide

Social Impact Award The Social Impact Award is given to groups that have gone above and beyond to make a positive social impact on the student, local or global community. Activity worthy of this award could include physical or digital campaigns to lobby for change or awareness campaigns organised to increase publicity of or change attitudes towards a certain topic.

UoNSU Values Questions to Answer/Consider Examples of Evidence

Equitable

How have you offered varied ways for members to engage in your

campaign?

Hosting activity both online and in-person, organising activity tailored to differing skill levels/differing levels

of commitment, etc.

How have you tried to make your campaign wide-reaching?

Promoting your group's campaign or initiative (e.g. through social media, digital screens), sharing the

successes of your efforts with your members and/or those impacted etc.

Empowering

How has the campaign provided opportunities to your members for

self-improvement?

Helping members to develop in some way through involvement in your group's campaign or initiative,

either through practical skills (e.g. lobbying, creating media) or transferable skills (e.g. communication,

problem solving, teamwork)

How has your campaign been led by your members and/or those

impacted by it?

Creating a social media poll or survey to collect feedback and input from members/the people affected

by your work on next steps in your campaign etc.

Brave

How has your campaign brought new ideas to the UoN community?

Hosting activity that is creative or original from other campaigning activity hosted by UoN, UoNSU or any affiliated student groups, e.g. campaigning on a new

topic, organising familiar campaigning activity in a new way (and explaining which parts are new)

How have your targets for the campaign been ambitious?

Setting goals that are not easy for campaigners to achieve but their outcome/s would make a significant difference to the people affected by it, e.g. lobbying

the union to become carbon neutral

Responsible

How have you managed your group's finances and resources

responsibly in relation to the campaign?

Spending group finances responsibly and not spending more than is in your group account, leaving storage

areas and spaces used in an organised state after use

Collaborative

How have you sought input from SU staff for your campaign?

Communicating with your Development Coordinator, the Representation Development Team or a relevant

SU Officer about your group's campaign via email, social media or meetings

How have you engaged stakeholders in your campaign?

Communicating with or organising activity with another student group or relevant business etc. to host joint activity, to obtain valuable insight from someone

more experienced in campaigning etc.

5

Community Impact Award


The Community Impact Award is given to groups that have gone above and beyond through fundraising and/or volunteering efforts to help the student, local or global community. Activity worthy of this award could include establishing or developing a volunteering programme or fundraising for a recognised charity or charitable cause.


Equitable

How have you offered varied ways for members to engage in your

fundraising/volunteering project?


of commitment, etc.

How have you tried to make your fundraising/volunteering project

wide-reaching?

Promoting your group's fundraising/volunteering (e.g. through social media, digital screens), sharing the

successes of your efforts with your members and/or those impacted etc.

Empowering

How has the fundraising/volunteering project provided opportunities to your

members for self-improvement?

Helping members to develop in some way through involvement in fundraising/volunteering, either

through practical skills (e.g. event planning, creating media) or transferable skills (e.g. communication,


How has the fundraising/volunteering project

been led by your members and/or those impacted by it?

Creating a social media poll or survey to collect feedback and input from members/the people affected

by your work on which fundraising activities to undertake or which charity to support etc.

Brave

How has your fundraising/volunteering project

brought new ideas to the UoN community?

Hosting activity that is creative or original from other fundraising/volunteering activity hosted by UoN,

UoNSU or any affiliated student groups, e.g. volunteering for a new project, organising familiar

fundraising activity in a new way (and explaining which parts are new)

How have your targets for the fundraising/volunteering project

been ambitious?

Setting goals that are not easy to achieve but their outcome/s would make a significant difference to the

people affected by it, e.g. raising money to afford a particular item for a charity, helping a certain number

of people to acquire a new skill

Responsible


responsibly in relation to the fundraising/volunteering project?



Collaborative

How have you sought input from SU staff for your


Communicating with your Development Coordinator, the Volunteering Team or a relevant SU Officer about your group's fundraising/volunteering via email, social

media or meetings

How have you engaged stakeholders in your



more experienced in fundraising/volunteering etc.

6

Inclusivity and Wellbeing Award


The Inclusivity and Wellbeing Award is given to groups that have gone above and beyond in their efforts towards the inclusivity of their group and/or the wellbeing of its members. Activity worthy of this award could include establishing or developing a wellbeing initiative or organising activity that actively attempts to engage minority, liberation and typically less-engaged students (referred to as "minority*" students from here onwards).


Equitable

How have you directly supported members' wellbeing/engaged

minority* students?

Hosting activity to actively support the wellbeing of your group's members, e.g. a meditation or baking

session or organising activity aimed at engaging minority* students, e.g. content aimed at

postgraduates or celebrating International Women*'s Day

How have you taken small actions as part of your regular activity to

support members' wellbeing/engage minority* students?

Undertaking small, regular actions to support members' wellbeing, from sharing signposting or

wellbeing resources as part of regular communication with members (e.g. newsletter emails or social media posts) to providing content warnings before sharing

sensitive content etc.

Empowering

How have your efforts to support members' wellbeing/engage

minority* students been led by your members?

Creating a social media poll or survey to collect feedback and input from members on what

signposting/resources they'd like to see, (confidentially) gathering Information on the most common wellbeing issues experienced by your members, asking members

for input on how to Improve the Inclusivity of you’re activity etc.

Brave

How have your efforts to support members' wellbeing/engage

minority* students brought new ideas to the UoN community?

Hosting activity that is creative or original from other wellbeing/inclusivity focused activity hosted by UoN,

UoNSU or any affiliated student groups, e.g. organising a series of workshops to inform your members on common wellbeing issues, running an awareness campaign to spotlight inspirational people from

minority* groups

How have your targets been ambitious in supporting members'

wellbeing/engaging minority* students?


people affected by it, e.g. increasing the number of wellbeing focused events run in a year by 50%,

increasing diversity within the speakers you host

Responsible


responsibly in relation to supporting members' wellbeing/engaging

minority* students?




Responsible

How have you ensured knowledge among your committee and general members of appropriate signposting

channels to escalate wellbeing issues?

Educating group members and committee members on the appropriate resources to signpost to and the

appropriate channels for escalating serious welfare cases, e.g. signposting to welfare and wellbeing support through social media posts, committee

meeting minutes showing a discussion of signposting for those in need of support

Collaborative

How have you sought input from SU staff in supporting members'


Communicating with your Development Coordinator, the Wellbeing and Welfare Team, a liberation network or a relevant SU Officer about your group's efforts to

support members' wellbeing/engage minority* students via email, social media or meetings

How have you engaged with stakeholders to support members'



more experienced in wellbeing/Inclusivity etc.


Newcomer Award The Newcomer Award is given to groups that have gone above and beyond in their offer to group members this year despite only recently affiliating with the University of Nottingham Students' Union. Please note: groups applying for this award must have gained affiliation to UoNSU In the last 12 months. If you are unsure, please contact your Development Coordinator.

UoNSU Strategic

Value Questions to Answer/Consider Examples of Evidence

Equitable How have you offered varied ways

for members to engage in your group's activity?


of commitment, etc.

Empowering

How have you provided opportunities to your members for

self-improvement?

Hosting activity that has helped members to develop in some way, either through practical skills (e.g. learning a

language, dance, gaining a qualification) or transferable skills (e.g. communication, problem

solving, teamwork)

How have you been led by your members?

Creating a social media poll or asking members to complete a survey on group activities, society clothing,

a charity to fundraise for, etc. and using feedback to improve your group

Brave

How have you brought new ideas to the UoN community?

Hosting activity that is creative or original from other activity hosted by UoN, UoNSU or any affiliated

student groups, e.g. organising a new event/initiative, organising familiar activity in a new way (and

explaining which parts are new)

How have your targets for the year been ambitious?

Setting goals that are not easy to achieve but their outcome/s would make a significant difference to your group and its members, e.g. running a specific project,

organising a large-scale event

Responsible How have you managed your

group's finances and resources responsibly?



Collaborative

How have you sought input from SU staff into group activity?

Communicating with your Development Coordinator or a relevant SU Officer etc. about specific group activity

via email, social media or meetings

How have you engaged with stakeholders?


more experienced in your group's activity etc.


Showcase Event Award The Showcase Event Award is given to groups that have gone above and beyond in organising an event to showcase the talents of their members and their group as a whole. Activity worthy of this award could include organising a performance to demonstrate members' skills or hosting a competition to celebrate the talents of various students and student groups.


Equitable

How have you offered varied ways for members to engage in delivering

your showcase event?

Offering ways for members to engage in delivering the showcase through both in-the-spotlight and behind-the-scenes activity, e.g. stage managing your group's performance, performing In your group's competition

How have you tried to make your showcase event accessible to all

attendees?

Sharing information about venue accessibility with participants and audience members (e.g. stairs

alternative, quiet spaces), creating a digital copy of the showcase for those unable to physically attend etc.

Empowering

How has your showcase event provided opportunities to your


Helping members to develop in some way through involvement in the showcase, either through practical

skills (e.g. contingency planning, negotiating with external providers) or transferable skills (e.g. communication, problem solving, teamwork)

How has your showcase event been led by your members and/or

audience members?

Creating a social media poll or survey to collect feedback and input from members/audience members,

providing members with the opportunity to take on added responsibility by leading parts of the showcase,

e.g. directing, producing etc.

Brave

How has your showcase event brought new ideas to the UoN

community?

Hosting activity as part of the showcase that is creative or original from other showcase activity hosted by UoN, UoNSU or any affiliated student groups, e.g.

developing a new showcase concept, organising familiar showcase activity in a new way (and explaining

which parts are new)

How have your targets for the showcase event been ambitious?


people affected by it, e.g. aiming for a certain rating in a review of the showcase, aiming to increase

member/audience engagement by a certain amount

Responsible


responsibly in relation to the showcase event?


areas and spaces used in an organised state after use, actively considering your event's

environmental/financial sustainability etc.

Collaborative

How have you sought input from SU staff for the showcase event?

Communicating with your Development Coordinator, the Events Team or a relevant SU Officer about your group's showcase via email, social media or meetings

How have you engaged stakeholders in your showcase

event?


more experienced in showcases etc.


Celebration Event Award The Celebration Event Award is given to groups that have gone above and beyond in organising an event to celebrate the successes of their members and their group as a whole. Activity worthy of this award could include organising a ball, boat party or recognition event to reward members and the group for their efforts throughout the year.


Equitable


your celebration event?

Offering ways for members to engage in delivering the event through both in-the-spotlight and behind-the-scenes activity, e.g. organising entertainment at the

event, presenting an award

How have you tried to make your celebration event accessible to all

attendees?

Sharing information about venue accessibility with attendees (e.g. stairs alternative, quiet spaces),

creating celebratory videos as part of the event to share with those unable to physically attend etc.

Empowering

How has your celebration event provided opportunities to your


Helping members to develop in some way through involvement in organising the event, either through

practical skills (e.g. writing applications, public speaking) or transferable skills (e.g. communication,


How has your celebration event been led by your members and/or

attendees?

Creating a social media poll or survey to collect feedback and input from members/attendees on what

kind of celebration event they would like to see, gathering input on different awards to present etc.

Brave

How has your celebration event brought new ideas to the UoN

community?

Hosting activity as part of the event that is creative or original from other celebration activity hosted by UoN,

UoNSU or any affiliated student groups, e.g. developing a new way of recognising/rewarding your members, organising familiar celebration activity in a

new way (and explaining which parts are new)

How have your targets for the celebration event been ambitious?


people affected by it, e.g. aiming to increase the number of nominations for awards by a certain amount, aiming to increase member/attendee

engagement by a certain amount

Responsible


responsibly in relation to the celebration event?



environmental/financial sustainability etc.

Collaborative

How have you sought input from SU staff for the celebration event?

Communicating with your Development Coordinator, the Events Team or a relevant SU Officer about your

group's event via email, social media or meetings

How have you engaged stakeholders in your celebration

event?


more experienced in celebration events etc.


Wildcard Event Award The Wildcard Event Award is given to groups that have gone above and beyond in organising an event to bring members together in a unique way that's different to regular group activity. Activity worthy of this award could include organising a networking event, trip or an explicit series of smaller events that couldn't be recognised through other Activities Awards, i.e. not primarily focused on fundraising, volunteering or wellbeing.


Equitable


your wildcard event?

Offering ways for members to engage in delivering the event through both in-the-spotlight and behind-the-scenes activity, e.g. organising entertainment at the

event, presenting an award

How have you tried to make your wildcard event accessible to all

attendees?

Sharing information about venue accessibility with attendees (e.g. stairs alternative, quiet spaces),

creating a montage video to memorialise the event to share with those unable to physically attend etc.

Empowering

How has your wildcard event provided opportunities to your


Helping members to develop in some way through involvement in organising the event, either through practical skills (e.g. contingency planning, creating

promotional media) or transferable skills (e.g. communication, problem solving, teamwork)

How has your wildcard event been led by your members and/or

attendees?

Creating a social media poll or survey to collect feedback and input from members/attendees on what

kind of event they would like to see added to your society's usual calendar, giving them a choice between

multiple options for what the event could be/do etc.

Brave

How has your wildcard event brought new ideas to the UoN

community?

Hosting activity as part of the event that is creative or original from other activity hosted by UoN, UoNSU or any affiliated student groups, e.g. developing a new way of engaging your members, organising familiar activity in a new way (and explaining which parts are

new)

How have your targets for the wildcard event been ambitious?


people affected by it, e.g. aiming to increase member/attendee engagement by a certain amount

Responsible


responsibly in relation to the wildcard event?



financial/environmental sustainability etc.

Collaborative

How have you sought input from SU staff for the wildcard event?

Communicating with your Development Coordinator, the Events Team or a relevant SU Officer about your

group's event via email, social media or meetings

How have you engaged stakeholders in your wildcard event?


more experienced in running similar events etc.

12

Legacy Award


The Legacy Award is given to groups that have gone above and beyond in their offer to group members this year. This award aims to recognise group committees whose efforts have had such an impact on the group that their achievements this year will have a lasting legacy for years to come. Activity worthy of referencing for this award could include establishing a new, relevant and valuable series of events or fostering a new culture within your group. Please note: the Legacy Award is the most prestigious Activities Award and therefore requires a more substantial application (see below for more information).

UoNSU Strategic

Value Questions to Answer/Consider Examples of Evidence*

Equitable How have you offered varied ways

for members to engage in your group's activity?

- Hosting activity online - Hosting activity in-person - Organising activity tailored to differing skill levels (e.g. beginner and advanced) or differing levels of commitment (e.g. members and non-members)

Empowering

How have you provided opportunities to your members for

self-improvement?

- Hosting activity that has helped members to develop through practical skills (e.g. learning a language/dance, gaining a qualification) - Hosting activity that has helped members to develop through transferable skills (e.g. communication, problem solving, teamwork)

How have you been led by your members?

- Creating a social media poll/survey to make a small-scale decision (e.g. what charity to fundraise for) - Creating a social media poll/survey to make a large-scale decision (e.g. what activity your group organises)

Brave

How have you brought new ideas to the UoN community?

- Hosting activity that is creative or original from other activity hosted by UoN, UoNSU or any affiliated student groups etc. - Hosting activity explicitly inspired by activity hosted by UoN, UoNSU or any affiliated student groups etc. (and explaining how you adjusted It for your group)

How have your targets for the year been ambitious?

- Setting achievable goals to improve your group that are quick fixes (and assessing their progress or explaining why there was a lack of progress) - Setting goals that take a lot of time and effort to improve your group (and assessing their progress or explaining why there was a lack of progress)

Responsible How have you managed your

group's finances and resources responsibly?

- Spending group finances responsibly - Leaving storage areas and spaces used in an organised state after use - Actively considering the financial/environmental sustainability of your activity

Collaborative How have you sought input from SU

staff into group activity?

- Communicating with your Development Coordinator for support etc. via email, social media or meetings - Communicating with other relevant staff from the SU, University or a national organisation etc. for support via email, social media or meetings


Collaborative How have you engaged with

stakeholders?

- Communicating with or organising activity with another student group to host joint activity or share knowledge/experience - Communicating with or organising activity with a relevant business to host joint activity or share knowledge/experience

*For the Legacy Award, you should aim to give examples for every area, e.g. three pieces of evidence for three areas in response to "How have you offered varied ways for members to engage in your group's activity?". However, since these criteria are new for this year, the panel will be lenient; just try your best! As part of your application for the Legacy Award, you must have reference statements from:

One former committee member, currently not on committee

One current group member, currently not on committee

One incoming committee member, currently not on committee Reference statements should be submitted in the appropriate textboxes of the submission form, separate to your written application. Please note: if you have yet to elect a committee for next year, please substitute this statement for a second statement from a current group member. Reference statements should be no longer than 500 words each. Please ensure you give enough explanation for the panel to understand why your group deserves the award. Reference statements from former committee members must answer the following questions:

How long were you involved in the group and what committee position did you hold?

What three positive changes has the current committee and its members made/continued from the previous committee and its members?

In which three ways could this group improve in the future?

What do you believe is the legacy of this year's committee/membership on the group and UoNSU?

Reference statements from current group members must answer the following questions:

How long have you been involved in the group?

What three positive impacts has involvement in this group had on yourself and your peers?



Reference statements from incoming committee members must answer the following questions:

How long have you been involved in the group and what committee position will you hold next year?

What three positive changes has the current committee and its members made and which changes do you hope to maintain/develop next year?



Documents

Activities Awards Guide - University of Nottingham ... · Activities Awards Guide The Community Impact Award is given to groups that have gone above and beyond through fundraising