Student Voice Chair

As Student Voice Chair, you will need to;

• Attend training sessions for the role and also for Student Voice Members
• Prepare for Student Voice; reading all reports, liaising with RUSU Rep Team
• Agree format and timings of Student Voice with a member of the RUSU Rep Team
• Promote event and encourage student engagement
• Ensure all members of Student Voice have equal chance to discuss ideas
• Attend all Student Voice meetings and act as Chair
• Ensure officers are given equal opportunity to discuss what they have been working on
• Encourage students to ask questions and provide officers with opportunity to respond
• Agree minutes of Student Voice

You’ll develop invaluable skills to increase your employability whilst working with students and supporting democracy within the Students’ Union. It is a unique opportunity to gain experience within a democratic organisation. You will also;

• Develop and improve your transferable skills such as time management, communication, chairing, & public speaking
• Demonstrable your ability to remain impartial whilst displaying tact and sensitivity to other’s views
• Have the opportunity for personal development and training on Chairing Meetings
• Develop a sound knowledge of the organisation’s work and an insight into the role of a Full-time Officer
• Opportunity to network and work with RUSU staff, elected representatives and students

Although an important role, being Student Voice Chair won’t take up too much of your time. We estimate that you’ll need to commit approximately 15-20 hours throughout the academic year. The role lasts for one academic year. A Student Voice Chair may be re-appointed for a maximum further term of one year. A student may serve a maximum of two years as Student Voice Chair which may be consecutive or non-consecutive.

The successful candidate will have an interest in getting involved in democracy and in the Students’ Union. They will also have the following skills and outlook:

• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Strong inter-personal skills; be friendly and approachable
• Ability to listen to others and respond in a clear and concise way
• Ability to remain impartial and open in their approach
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Public speaking skills or a desire to develop these skills
• Well organised, reliable and able to meet deadlines
• Chairing skills or a desire to develop these skills

This role may be of particular interest to students who hope to work in media, journalism or politics as Student Voice is the key democratic forum within the Students’ Union. It may also be of interest to students who are interested in representation; or thinking of standing for a role in the RUSU Elections as you will gain insight into the work of Full-time Officers.

If you want to share your own views, get involved in the debate, scrutinise the work of the Full-time Officer team and vote at Student Voice, you should stand to become Student Voice Member rather than apply for the chair. Student Voice Members are able to share their own views and get involved in the discussion.

However, if you like to encourage others to participate, are able to remain impartial and can put aside your own views to allow others to share theirs, Student Voice Chair could be the role for you.

This role is voluntary and open to all students but you must be a registered at the University of Reading during the 2021/22 academic year whilst undertaking this role.

We welcome applications from undergraduate, postgraduate, home, international, full-time or part-time members.

If you are interested and want to discuss the role, speak to Kath Davey, Head of Student Voice & Engagement or Ben Knowles, RUSU President.

Alternatively, email Kath at k.davey@reading.ac.uk or Ben at president@rusu.co.uk.

With our 2021/22 Student Voice Chair currently in place, the next chance to get involved will be applying to be our 2022/23 Chair. Applications usually open in Summer Term, so check back then to find out more!

To apply for this role please send your CV (as PDF) and a statement of NO MORE than 500-words supporting your application for the role of Student Voice Chair. Send this to k.davey@reading.ac.uk.