As a Student Voice volunteer, you should:
1. Complete your online training
All new Reps must undertake the online training. The training provides you with a great overview of the role and enhances your understanding of how we all work together. There will be the opportunity to take part in online and optional face-to-face skills-based training events throughout the academic year, as well as a suite of extra resources you can use to enhance your role available in the Volunteer Zone.
You are also required to make use of the @open.ac.uk email address given to you for rep business, as some communications, papers or documents may be confidential.
2. Get involved in the conversations
Learn how to get the most out of your time as a Rep by engaging with each other and with the Student Leadership Team. Some representatives will know more about specific aspects of a committee or a hot topic, so ask each other for guidance if you get stuck. The OU is a large institution with numerous departments and services. To be an effective Rep you’ll need to develop an understanding of how it works and fits together, and the best way to do this is to attend events and talk to other reps.
3. Promote your role to others who may be interested
If you are active on our forums and social media, do let other students know about your role! At times throughout the year, we may also ask you to help write blogs and articles for our newsletter and for The Hoot online magazine so we can spread the word about what we are doing. It works in everyone’s favour for the student body to know that your roles exist to help students.
4. Keep records and be organised
It’s useful for you to keep a record of any research you do, issues that you deal with, and dates of any meetings attended where you have gained a win. If you get into a habit of recording your successes it will be easy to draw upon them when you’re writing your reports and when asked for feedback about the impact of your role at the end of the year. You will need to develop effective time management and organisational skills to make sure you can fit in your work and studies around your Rep commitments. Keep a track of important dates and be sure to let people know if you will be unavailable for any meetings well ahead of time.
5. Signpost
Some issues are best dealt with by talking directly to the relevant tutor, Student Support team or SLT member at the Students Association. Whenever a tricky problem arises, raise the issues as soon as possible for a quick resolution. You can always ask the staff team at the Association if you are worried about signposting or confidentiality.
6. Communication skills
From presenting information in meetings to writing reports and emails, you will need well-developed communication skills to put your point across effectively. The best way to build on these skills is to take part in training activities, conversations and gain further clarity by doing your background research. To get the most from your role, it is important that you demonstrate effective listening to gain the fullest picture of any situation. This means fully listening to and not arguing against an idea or thought immediately different to yours. Be open-minded to new suggestions, projects, and initiatives when they are in the students' best interests and listen carefully before you form an opinion.
Don't just take it from us though! Here are some top tips from past and present Student Reps on how to succeed in your role.
"It may seem obvious but by keeping all your papers, reports, and student feedback in one place it is a lot easier for you to look back at what you have been up to. Also, by keeping the minutes and action sheets from previous meetings you are better equipped to check on the work of other members of the committee when they have said they will carry out an action."
"Always check whether a fellow student who has raised an issue is happy for their name to be mentioned when the issue is raised. If not, be sure that their confidentiality is maintained."
Keep a record of any research you do or any times that you feel an item you have brought up has been resolved. If you get into a habit of recording your successes (and training needs) it will be easy to draw upon them when you’re asked by others.
"Don't be afraid to ask questions if there's something you don't understand. When there is so much jargon and acronyms used in the Student Voice realm it is always good to check."
"Talk to your fellow reps - including SLT members – as it makes it easier to discuss more formal things if you have already established a relationship. You can use the Student Voice Café forum for informal interaction and chat."
"Remember to enjoy the experience!"