Matt Porterfield
Association volunteer
My OU Studies
I have been an OU student since 2013 and study Msc in Finance.
My volunteer roles
Central Committee Representative
Previously VP Administration as part of the Student Leadership Team.
Why I volunteer
Attendance at 2018 Conference inspired me to volunteer as previously I had just worked at a Graduation Ceremony.
How has volunteering helped me?
Volunteering with the Association has given me a greater understanding of the OU and Higher Education in general. It has also provided me with a leisure occupation which I enjoy and a sense of satisfaction when I can contribute to student experience.
What a 'typical' day in my volunteer roles looks like
The first thing to do in any day is read the emails, forums and Teams postings to get up to date, then look at three separate calendars to see what I have on that day (I have other non-OU roles and they have separate calendars). Then meetings, meetings, meetings.
Patrick Johnson
Association Volunteer
My OU Studies
I have been an OU student since 2017 and study Social Sciences and Business Management
My volunteer roles
Current Deputy President of the Association
I have been a Central Committee Representative on the Access/Open Board of Studies since 2017. Recent I was appointed to the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship Board of Studies. I am a member of the Senate Reference Group. In addition to these roles, I have assisted with cataloguing OU Students Association materials at Milton Keynes and cataloguing photographs at home. I have participated on the selection group for projects. On two occasions I have acted as a Graduation Coordinator for a Degree Ceremony.
Why I volunteer
I wished to enjoy as much an experience of university life as possible. That wish has been fulfilled through my various roles. It has added to my understanding of the university and higher education.
I have a life time experience of volunteering as Secretary/Treasurer of many committees and organisations.
How has volunteering helped me?
As a mature student (80 soon) living in a retirement villlage surrounded by people of my age bracket volunteering has brought me into contact with students of a different age group. This has broadend my understanding of the modern world and exposed me to different ideas and approaches to life.
What a 'typical' day in my volunteer roles looks like
A typical day does not involve a heavy call on my time. Unless engaged on particular project it will be monitoring various forums, etc. My heaviest days would be that of a Graduation Coordinator which involves hours of planning beforehand and then a full day at the event.