CWU National Youth Committee 2015/16
Nominations will very shortly open for the National CWU Youth Committee 2015/16. The new committee will take up office on 1st July 2015 and the term of office will be one year. I am writing to ask for your support in identifying and supporting candidates for this important role. Under the current structure one member is elected from each region.
The National Youth Committee’s remit is set out in national rule 8.13. It occupies a unique place in the CWU structure having responsibility for representing, co-ordinating and campaigning activities across the union’s 20,000 members aged 30 and under.
Both in the British labour movement and further afield, CWU Youth has a high profile and enviable reputation.
Serving on the National Youth Committee is both a great privilege and a great experience.
As the democratically elected leadership of the CWU’s young members the committee will determine the strategic direction of CWU Youth. It will be responsible for making sure the union is well represented in the TUC, STUC, ICTU and Labour Party’s youth structures. The committee is also responsible for making sure the union is well represented within youth structures of our international confederation – UNI Global Union.
CWU Youth also organises a number of key events in the CWU’s calendar. Primary amongst these is the annual National Youth Education Event which takes place every Autumn. But there is also the annual Youth Conference; traditionally held in January. On top of that there are meetings of Branch Youth Officers, and the CWU Youth Women’s Under-representation Working Party.
Therefore it is important to have an understanding of the responsibilities of members of the National CWU Youth Committee. Whilst it is a great privilege to represent the union in this role, and also greatly stimulating and satisfying, it is not something to be entered into lightly or without due consideration.
If you are attracted by the idea of being part of the National Youth Committee you need to ask yourself certain key questions:
First of all, are you sure you have the time for the task? Everyone has busy lives and competing commitments, but there are some key events in the calendar:
• Most important of all is the induction event for the new committee which takes place from 26 – 28 June at Alvescot Lodge.
• Then there is also the Youth Conference provisionally scheduled for 23 January 2016 in Manchester.
If you are not going to be able to attend these events, you need to consider whether or not you will make the most of your time on or be able to contribute effectively to, the National Youth Committee should you be elected.
The National Youth Education Event from 30 October to 1 November in Birmingham and the four scheduled meetings of the Committee (dates for which will be agreed at the induction weekend) are also important – but it is recognised that everyone cannot be reasonably expected to do everything!
Second, we will give committee members every support, advice and assistance to help them make the most of their time in the role – we know people rarely come “fully formed” onto the Committee. But it would be good for candidates to have an idea about why they wish to stand for election.
I hope that all the foregoing gives an accurate and balanced flavour of the role and responsibility associated with membership of the National Youth Committee. There is a lot more detail at www.cwuyouth.org. There is no doubt that it is great fun and you have a fantastic opportunity to make a significant and lasting contribution. But application and hard work is also part of the picture.
If anyone has any queries about the work of National Youth Committee members or would like an informal and confidential discussion about the role they are verywelcome to contact my office at CWU headquarters.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Sapper
Assistant Secretary
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS
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