I’m Imogen, the current Speakers’ Officer.

From debates on the issues that matter, to great speaker and social events, a vibrant bar, and so much more, if you elect me, Lent 2014 at the Union will be fantastic.

But all the candidates will tell you this, and I’m running for President because the best possible Lent 2014 requires a changed Union, and I have the energy, vision, experience and understanding of the Union, and excitement to effect this change.

The success of our Speaker Events this Easter has relied on our weekly-meeting Speakers Committee, which I started. We need more committees – in all aspects of our work - and greater member involvement to achieve such success across the board. For this, we need to be much more open and approachable. We also need much greater efficiency in our internal structures, so that we can better cater to member wishes, and so that we can invite, and thereby secure, more and better speakers.

Please have a read of my ideas below, and email me at iks23 if you have any questions at all.

A FANTASTIC Lent

• I’ve been Speakers’ Officer this term, and our speaker events, from Michael Sandel to David Moyes, and Peter Singer to Lisa Kudrow, have seen packed chambers. I would build on this experience to put on great, relevant speaker events which cater to our diverse membership, and smaller speaker events in other rooms of the Union building, to cater to niche interest groups.
• Debates on the issues that matter. My ideas include China, the NHS and LGBT issues, and I would love to hear your suggestions.
• The Union as a forum for discussion and a buzzing student hub, through themed weeks - eg. a China themed event to tie in with a debate on China’s role in the world.
• Social events with employers – Cocktail workshops sponsored by corporates to help members with careers, and to subsidise costs.
• The bar as a hub for Cambridge student social life.
• Investigate putting on a TED event or Any Questions with Radio 4.
• Advertise Union facilities: we have a beautiful library, snooker tables, and rooms for members to rent. Students should be aware of the benefits of membership.

An APPROACHABLE Union

• Expand Union Access work, and an Access debate to tie in with the CUSU schools Shadowing Scheme – eg. ‘This House Believed University is not worth the fees.’
• Greater interaction with the student press – Union officers on CamFM and CUTV, enthusing members about upcoming events.
• A members’ leadership – a better flow of contact between officers and members. Officers in the bar talking to and getting feedback from members after events.
• Cut down dinners for Union officers.
• A transparent applications process for Union appointed positions.
• Improved relations with CUSU

An EFFICIENT Union

• Survey to record new members’ interests when they sign up in Michaelmas 2013 so that Lent 2014 caters exactly to what members want.
• Reformed committee structures to expand member involvement, and improve all aspects of the Union’s work. I started the Union’s first Publicity Committee and weekly-meeting Speakers Committee, placing me in the perfect position to spearhead further change. 
• A modernised speaker-invites policy: by streamlining the process, and collating previous terms’ and officers’ resources, we will save time, enabling us to send more invites and secure more speakers.

I really do believe I am in the best position to bring you the best yet Lent Term, and begin the process of really bringing the Union into the Twenty-first century. If you agree with me that the Union needs change, and agree with the ideas I’ve set out above, please do vote for me today.