Minutes of Hustings for JCR President

Hustings Minutes 

 

President (Sian) thanks people for coming

 

President explains how committee elections works and specifically how hustings works.

 

Nominee (Callum) introduces himself, explains his role this year as foodie, talks about why he wants to run for president - knows how jcr works, good opportunity to push initiatives through, he feels people undervalue what the JCR can do, he has a vision and he wants to get as many people involved as possible.. 

 

Q: Why do you think you would make a good candidate?

 

A: running pantry is very involved in college life, specifically liasing with college staff so he already has relationships with them. Good at delegating. Wants to give committee creative freedom so they can do bigger projects, and give them a clear idea of what their role is.

 

Q: Biggest strength and biggest weakness in terms of the role?

 

A: Biggest strength is being passionate and going into the role knowing what he needs to do and will be able to do it quickly. Weakness will be managing people as doesn't want to have to tell people what to do so it will be a learning curve.

 

Q: what are your top priorities of what you wants to achieve as President?

 

A: wants to establish a committee role whose job is to liase with the rest of the jcr, so that people can put on events even if they're not on committee. Also give updates every couple of weeks on the going on in committee so people know what's going on and members get the recognition they deserve. Keen to keep up with welfare stuff. Talks a bit about welfare review. Keep the jcr active, we have lots of money so want to run lots of events, support new societies, etc 

 

Q: President role is very diverse and lots of different problems presented. What would you do if a jcr member came to you and said that they feel a bit unsafe or uncomfortable in a college space?

 

A: First thing is to see if they're coming as a last resort. If first point of contact, send to welfare etc but also don't just want to hand off to someone. If it is a last resort, keep things confidential but talk to college about systems that are failing. Important to know what resources there are available.

 

Q: What would you do if there were some members of committee who are finding it hard to cooperate and can’t work as a team?

 

A: He'd hope people wouldn't be disagreeing just based on personalities as we should be old enough to look past that for the role. If disagreement is over ideas then look at where each person is coming from. Best way is to communicate well. 

 

Q: What if someone has obviously done something wrong.

 

A: Would take them aside and encourage them to sort it out between themselves. If it's serious enough may have to consider removing from committee but only for something very bad.

 

Q: What if someone is just not doing their job.

 

A: Talks about how it's important that people know exactly what their role is, so he will look at standing orders and make responsibilities clear to people. Asking if they need help, but eventually tell them it just needs to be done and it is their job.

 

Q: Do you have plans to do more for recycling and environmental initiatives.

 

A: We have E&E reps who have an uphill battle but liaise with college a lot and try to do a lot of these things.

 

Q: How would you ensure there would be support within the jcr for students struggling

 

A: Try to get more peer supporters. Focus on mental health as oxford is stressful. Keep talking about it, shouldn't be any shame, college isn't great at this so need the JCR to be on it.

 

Q: How exactly can the jcr go about this.

 

A: He's been consulting with director of mental health for Oxford. Talks about how we need help with how to deal with stress and deadlines. Making people feel as safe as possible. Important to continue welfare review process.

 

Q: What if someone has an issue with you as president?

 

A: A lot of the time just need to sit down and speak with them. Listen to them to see what their concern is about how he runs things. Wants committee to feel like a team. The President is a leader not a dictator

 

Q: Should there be a set way to deal with someone having an issue with pres without going through the pres 

 

A: New liason rep could deal with this. We have a big committee so there are lots of members who could be spoken to instead of President.

 

Q: What should the responsibilities of new JCR officer be.

 

A: Mainly about transparency so give updates on what's going on with committee but very short and sweet. Monitor a feedback form for jcr. Putting on events. Helping people form societies and represent societies on committee.

 

Q: How this is different to other roles, is it not just taking bits off other roles.

 

A: Some things just aren't done by committee members. Also good to have someone that serves the jcr.

 

Q: Is that not pres

 

A: President wouldn't be person that a random society would go to for an event. Instead of asking lots of different people just ask one.

 

Q: This seems like just adding a middle man and will make the process longer. Seems like it's taking bits of other roles and thinks would be less efficient. 

 

A: It's more about making it accessible to people who don't know who specific committee members are and so good to have first port of call.

 

Q: Is this not the same process that's happening by rewriting committee descriptions.

 

President jumps in and explains that in standing orders there are descriptions of roles. Lots of things in there that are not currently done. 

 

A: Idea is to be liaison for non committee members to deal with small stuff. Also will take a lot of work off Fran etc.

 

President asks to move on in the interest of time.

 

Q: What will happen if there's an unfilled committee role/someone doesn't do responsibilities.

 

A: Look at constitution and make clear what everyone needs to be doing. Tell them to do it, if gets serious get someone else to do it.

 

Q: What if a significant role is unfilled 

 

A: Would reopen nominations, try and smooth things over by distributing responsibilities until get someone in role probably to Pres and VPs.

 

Q: There are concerns about Balliol trying to sweep welfare issues under the rug. How will you keep them accountable.

 

A: Will liaise with Balliol community for safety. Would give them a voice as much as possible as they know more, so just try and be the best for them. Trying to make sure college are doing things in a timely fashion, and things actually happen. And that what is implemented is good enough. Keep pressure on College.

 

Q: How will BCFS have voice heard as college is trying to push them out 

 

A: Will meet with bcfs as much as possible and pass everything on.

 

Q: What is your policy on transparency and how will you increase engagement in the JCR as a democracy

 

A: Wants to have fortnightly reports on committee workings. In terms of democratic engagement is difficult as often roles are uncontested. Try to make GMs more democratic by making more anonymous and change voting system. And advertise GMs more.

 

Q: On manifesto you talk about giving committee members more agency, what will that actually look like

 

A: There are some things roles have to do. But also wants to encourage and support people doing more ambitious things. Wants people to know we are happy to invest in the jcr in general. The money is available to everyone and should be used by everyone. Talks abt how he can be an extra pair of hands on a lot of things.

 

Q: Day to day work of committee roles takes up too much time to do big projects how will you make these projects possible.

 

A: He will be an extra pair of hands, give an extra push. He will be meeting with college a lot so can take things to college for other people.