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Annual General Meeting and Ceilidh

Tomorrow is a busy day for GU Amnesty,: we’ll hear about Sri Lanka, hold our AGM and then head down ot the STAR/ GU Red Cross Ceilidh. It’s all part of our patented mixture of Human Rights, activism and dance. So if you want to spend next year delveing into the world of Amnesty International we are meeting Tomorrow – 5pm – QMU – Committee Room 1.
Annual General Meeting & Committee Elections
The AGM is arguable our most important meeting of the year. It’s our chance to review how the year has gone, what we have achieved and look forward to what we hope to achieve next year – a big part of that is mobdro free download electing our new committee. This year we had two by-elections early on and it really helped people who wouldn’t other wise get the chance to be invovled get involved, so next year the plan is to elect the two Ordinary Board members after summer rather than at the AGM. The positions up for election tomorrow will be:
President: Responsible for chairing meeting and the overall direction of the group.
Vice President: Responsible for assisting the president and filling in when they are unavailable
Treasurer: In charge of the groups finances and bank accounts
Secretary: Responsible for managing the group’s correspondence and affiliations
Publicity Officer: Responsible for getting out events and campaigns out there online and in student publications
Campaigns Officer: Coordinates and researches our campaigns
Fundraising Officer: Comes us with fundraising ideas and takes the lead putting them into practise
Website Convener: Keeps our webiste updated and looking slick
STAR/ GU Red Cross Ceilidh – Qudos – £4 otd
Since haven’t had a social in a while (and everyone love dancing in a non- Sauchiehall Street environment) the plan is to head down to Qudos for a Ceilidh. The tickets are £4 on the door to support Student Action for Refugees and GU Red Cross.
After the Holidays
This is the last newsletter of term, but don’t despair – there are alread ideas for the Human Rights related fun after the holidays! AmnesTea In the Park is a definite possibility, but we’ll have to wait until we hear Mobdro Online TV the ideas that the 2013-14 GU Amnesty Committee come up with. if you want to be a part of that You’ll have to come down tomorrow.
See you then,

Martin

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Arms Trade Treaty and Climbing Goat Fell

Today at 5pm in QMU Committee Room 1 we’re going to focus on the attempts to secure and international Arms Trade Treaty. The trade in arms and especially in small arms has a devastating effect on human rights around the worlds as weapons are use to suppress populations and to prop up brutal regimes. We are hoping that talks next month can finally bring into force a treaty that would mean this brutal trade is afforded the same level of seriousness as countless others (including bananas) already have.

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GUU Disaffiliation and Tomorrow’s Demo

This week we held events focusing on gender based violence, harassment and assault. These are issues that we visit every International Women’s Day, but this year the talks on sexual harassment, assault and abuse as well as our workshops on taking action against it, felt particularly relevant on Glasgow University campus this year.

 

The treatment of the female debaters at this year’s ancients was shocking but unfortunately not at all surprising. The misogynistic abuse they received was part in part of a culture we live in where it is sometimes acceptable to judge women purely on appearance and where sexual and gender based harassment is normalised, where victims are told to expect it and where the perpetrators are excused.

 

For some reason this appears particularly acceptable within the Glasgow University Union. The incident this weekend was not an isolated incident; it is the result of a pattern of casual sexism and institutionalised condoning of sexism in the union – it didn’t start and end on Saturday night. The loyalty to the LAMB club, the bizarre pride of being the last single gender union in the UK, and the general aggressive laddish attitude that characterises many events at the union, have all had a part to play in the incident.

 

At the start of term we affiliated with the GUU because we wanted to try to be a presence across campus. We haven’t held any events there this term out of a mixture of practical concerns and because some of our members are very uncomfortable with this history and the culture at the union, but some among us maintained hope that the stories and image were exaggerated – the incident at the weekend convinced that last few that it hasn’t been.

 

GU Amnesty International is disaffiliating with the GUU, until we can see evidence of real change in the way it deals with attitudes to gender. After consulting our members, we do not feel we can credibly argue for respecting the human while having any relationship with a group so relaxed about disrespect and abuse towards women. We look forward to the day when we can campaign for human rights across campus and we hope the promised new code of conduct and equality training sessions can help change the culture of the GUU.

 

Until then, we urge anyone reading this to attend the demonstration tomorrow (Library Hill – 12pm) against all misogyny on campus, whether at the GUU, on bullying Facebook Pages or anywhere else.

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International Women’s Day – Week of Events

Hey everybody,

This week we are teaming up with the GU Feminist Society, GU Oxfam, Rape Crisis Scotland and Get SVAI to deliver two fantastic days of workshops, film screenings and talks. Since this Friday is International Women’s Day, there are events focusing on Women’s Rights across campus this week (you can find a full list here). Our events are on Thursday from *5 pm* onwards in *Room 230* and *222* of the *St Andrew’s Building* and, in our usual time and place, on *Tuesday* in *QMU Committee Room 1* at *5 pm*.

Amnesty and Women’s Rights Talk: Tuesday 5 pm – QMU Comm 1

Amnesty speaker Elena Soper will talk about Amnesty International UK’s work on violence against women in the UK as part of the End Violence Against Women Coalition. “The End Violence Against Women Coalition is a unique coalition of organisations and individuals campaigning to end all forms of violence against women. We were set up in 2005 when women’s organisations and others came together to lobby the government to take a more strategic approach to ending violence against women, including making a commitment to work which aims to prevent violence against women.”

Women in the Media Workshop: Tuesday 6 pm – QMU Comm 1

A workshop looking at how the gender-stereotyped content of magazines affects the image of women today? There will be a mini presentation looking at the portrayal of women in both men’s and women’s popular magazines. Following the presentation a selection of magazines will be available to make picture boards for a follow-up discussion.

Rape Crisis Scotland: Thursday 5 pm – St Andrew’s Building Room 230

Rape Crisis Scotland are going to present on the work that they carry out, current campaigns and volunteering opportunities. This is a great oppertunity to learn more about a fantastic organisation, who are making a real difference to the lives of rape survivors here in Glasgow every day.

“For over 30 years, we have been at the forefront of campaigning against sexual violence. We have been influential in changing attitudes and in changing laws. From a handful of women who wanted to “do something”, we are now represented at the heart of government on the National Group to tackle Violence Against Women as well as partners with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS).” http://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/

Get SAVI: Thursday 6 pm – St Andrew’s Building Room 222

The Get SAVI bystander programme is designed to give participants the skills and confidence to challenge gender-based violence and harassment in everyday life. This session will be a short introduction to the programme, and will be a chance to learn more about gender-based violence and harassment, and what we can all do to stop it. http://togetherwecanstopit.org/get-savi/

‘How to Educate a Girl’: Thursday 7.15-8.30 pm Boyd Orr Theatre 222

FILM SCREENING: In 2000, 110 million children in the world were not in school—two thirds of them were girls. In 2010, filmmakers Frederick Rendina and Oren Rudavsky traveled to Nepal and Uganda, two countries emerging from conflict and struggling with poverty, to find the answer to one question: What does it take to educate a girl? Framed by the United Nations global initiative to provide equal access to education for girls by 2015, To Educate a Girl takes a ground-up and visually stunning view of that effort through the eyes of girls out of school, starting school or fighting against the odds to stay in school. http://www.ungei.org/

So there’s a lot on this week. We’ll keep the Facebook event (linked here) updated with details and I hope I see you all there.

Martin

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Wednesday’s Demo, International Women’s Day and Arms Trade Treaty

Hey everybody,

We have a busy few weeks of Amnesty fun planned – we’re doing a demo for our Conflict Free Campus Campaign, talking about the International Arms Trade Treaty and at the weekend it is the long billed Action for Change. So if you want to get involved you know where to find us Tuesday – 5pm – QMU – Committee Room 1.

This Week’s Meeting

This week we’re going to focus on the attempts to secure and international Arms Trade Treaty. The trade in arms and especially in small arms has a devastating effect on human rights around the worlds as weapons are use to suppress populations and to prop up brutal regimes. We are hoping that talks next month can finally bring into force a treaty that would mean this brutal trade is afforded the same level of seriousness as countless others (including bananas) already have.

Conflict Free Glasgow Demo

On Wednesday we are going to be on Library Hill collecting signatures for our petition for a conflict free Glasgow. The demo will run for most of the day, so if you can come for an hour or so between classes your presence will be greatly appreciated.

International Women’s Day Event 7th March

To mark international women’s day we are working with the GU Feminist Society and GU Oxfam to put together an event. The venue is yet to be confirmed but we already have confirmed talks from Rape Crisis Scotland and the SRC Gender and Equalities Officer, Frances Bell, will be giving us a presentation as part of the Get Savi campaign. The Facebook event will be up soon with more details.

Arran – April 13th & 14th

We are planning a fundraising trip up Goat Fell on Arran for the weekend of the 13th and 14th April. It’s a fantastic hike and shouldn’t be too strenuous, so if you are interested or simply want to sponsor us come along tomorrow and we’ll take your name down.

See you tomorrow,

Martin

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Conflict Free Glasgow Petition & Human Rights in the UK

Hey everybody, We’re got another still doing our best to keep up the pressure on the university to become a conflict free campus. With the SRC, Patrick Harvie and numerous other public figures on our side what we need now if to demonstrate how much support there is for our campaign on campus. So if you haven’t done yet please sign our petition online here or better yet come along and sign in person at our usual time and place at 5pm tomorrow in QMU Committee Roome 1. This Week’s Meeting: The meeting this week is going to focus on human rights issues that we face in the UK. We’ve been thinking that the meetings so far this year have been a wee bit arts and crafts heavy. So it’ll be more of a discussion orientated meeting. Coming Up: Action for Change is the weekend after next (1st and 2nd of March). It’s a really fantastic opportunity to learn some campaigning skills and if you are planning to stand for the committee next year, I really do recommend you come along. It’ll only cost you your travel expenses down to London, which if you book now will be about £20-30. http://www.facebook.com/events/463814903674353/?fref=ts See you guys tomorrow, Martin

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Secret Policeman’s Success and Tomorrow’s Meeting

Hey everybody, I’ve got to say that Saturday was a rampant success even by our own already high standards.

Our first Scottish Student Conference was a succession of powerful and lucid speakers in front of an gather of activists from all over Scotland. The after party hosted by Philanthrobeats was the perfect end to a night that saw our Secret Policeman’s Ball raise a staggering £2248.85 – the highest total yet!

We’re going to have a meeting as usual tomorrow at 5pm in QMU Committee Room 1, but we’re going to take it relatively easy and head down to Jim’s after.

This Week’s Meeting

Since it’ll just a short meeting this week we’re just going to focus on an Urgent Action appeal from Amnesty International regarding the situation in Cambodia. It ties into quite a few things we have already touched on this year including women’s rights and forced evictions. We’ll head down to Jim’s afterwards to say thanks to everyone and who helped out on the Saturday night and try to take it a bit easy (if only this week).

Coming Up

There are a few good events to look forward to in the near future: 8pm Wednesday in Qudos – the GU Independence Referendum are having a debate on the Foreign Policy of an Independent Scotland. Regardless of your opinion on Independence this will be a talk worth seeing (even if only for our campaign video star Patrick Harvie MSP). http://www.facebook.com/events/101019473410409/ On Thursday Philanthrobeats are hosting a night at the SubClub to raise money for anti domestic violence campaign One Billion Raising. http://www.facebook.com/events/552663334755030/?ref=ts&fref=ts Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd of March is Action For Change – a fantastic training weekend at Amnesty International HQ in London. The weekend is free to attend and includes food and accommodation. It is a great opportunity to learn some campaigning skills and I can’t recommend it thoroughly enough. http://www.facebook.com/events/463814903674353/?fref=ts

See you tomorrow, Martin

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GU Amnesty International takes over the QMU – this Saturday 10am to late

p>Hey everyone, This week is the big one.

Our Scottish Student Conference, the Secret Policeman’s Ball and our After Party mobdro free download are all on Saturday. For one glorious day GU Amnesty International will take over the QMU. We’ll raise a lot of money, we’ll hear some fantastic speakers and we’ll have a nice wee boogie. Although Saturday is the climax of the week, we’ll still be in our usual place at the usual time hearing about another important Human Rights cause – tomorrow – 5pm – QMU – Committee Room 1.

This Week’s Meeting

Much of tomorrow is going to be us laying the final few plans for Saturday, but we’ll do our best to keep it as much like a normal meeting as possible.

– Debbie is going to give us a presentation about the IF campaign on human rights and poverty
– Siuan and Louise are going to be putting the final touches to the decorations for Saturday
– Elena and Me are going to sort out who wants to help out where on Saturday. There’s a lot of Mobdro Online TV setting up and clearing down we’re going to have to do on the day and the more help we can get the better for everyone.

GU Amnesty International takes over the QMU this Saturday

Amnesty International Scottish Student Conference: We’re delighted to bring you a day full of inspiration speakers and a fantastic opportunity to meet up with activists from all over Scotland. Starting at 10 we’ll have speakers on Scottish Gypsy Travellers, Falun Gong and guests from Amnesty International Scotland. The conference is on all day in Committee Room 1 so feel free to come any time. Secret Policeman’s Ball: Our pride and joy, the best comedy night on campus and the biggest student fundraiser in the UK. It kicks of at 7:30 pm in Qudos with tickets available on the door, but it could well be a sell out so I’d recommend getting yours early from the QMU Box Office or http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/tickets SPB After Party: We’re all going to head up to Jim’s after the comedy for a great night put on by GU Philanthrobeats and featuring some of the best DJ’s on campus. I’ll see you guys tomorrow, Martin

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This Week’s Meeting: Syrian Civil War, SPB and More

Hey everybody,

We’ve got another interesting week ahead of us, our main meeting is going to focus on Syria and we’re making a start on the table decorations for the Secret Policeman’s Ball. So if you want a varied and full session of human rights action, come along and meet us at our usual time a place Tomorrow – 5pm – QMU – Committee Room 1.

This Week’s Meeting:

Jana is gong to give us a presentation on the Syrian Civil War in a human rights context. It is the other end of the spectrum from what we heard last week about refugees and it’ll be a great opportunity to get an insight into the kind of conflicts that so many people flee.

Siuan is going to be organizing a group, getting stuck into the decorations for the SPB. We’re going to try to sort out candles based on the amnesty logo so if you’ve got any jam jars kicking around, please bring them along.

Nathan is going to go along to the QMU events committee to run our ideas for the after party past them, if any of you are keen to get involved in running club nights, this is a great opportunity.

Louise is going to be sorting out the PR rota and taking any tickets or money you guys have from the SPB.

Coming Up:

STAR are having Michael Collins from the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns along to give them some training on Wednesday. If any of you were inspired by our meeting last week this is a great opportunity to get some training.

On the 30th January – Glasgow Friends of Tibet are Screening ‘Dreaming of Lhasa’ (http://www.facebook.com/events/462818350444455/) which is a film about former polical prisoners in Tibet.

On the 31st Kate Allen, UK Amnesty International Director is giving a talk in the Wolfson Medical Building. Tickets are free but you need toregister ( http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5151251532/eorg) – fun bonus there are drinks afterwards.

The busiest day of GU Amnesty history 9th Feb: Scottish Student Conference – during the day Secret Policeman’s Ball – 7:30pm Secret Policeman’s Ball Afterparty – party o’clock (11:30pm)

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Refugee Rights, Destitution and SPB Publicity

Hey everybody,

 

It’s nice walking around campus seeing the orange Secret Policeman’s Ball posters everywhere. Plans are pretty much all in place and we’ve even got tickets on sale both online and in the real world at the QMU box office. A fair few took tickets away last week to punt to their friends, so can you guys make sure that you bring either the tickets or, preferably, the money along to the meeting tomorrow – 5pm – QMU – Committee Room 1.

This Week:

It’s a really good topic this week, we’re going to be focussing on Human Rights for Refugees and focussing on the problem destitution especially in the UK and especially Glasgow. It is a real eye opening subject and one that has a pretty big impact on almost everyone who encounters it. It is at once a pretty sad indictment of the state of human rights in the UK and a pretty inspiring example of how some small groups are making a big difference.

It will mean a wee break in format though. No tables this week, we have a presentation and video followed by a postcard writing action.

Secret Policeman’s Ball Chat:

We’re getting closer and closer to the big day and its time to start sorting out who is going to flier where and when. If you want a piece of the fliering action please fill in rota on the Doodle here:

Coming Up:

  • Secret Policeman’s Ball – 9th February
  • Lecture by  Kate Allen, Director of Amnesty International UK – 31st January

See you tomorrow,

Martin

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