Best Society
The award given to the society considered to be the best within the Societies Body as a whole. This award is chosen by the societies exec and is given to the group who have:
- Fully achieved their aims
- Managed their finances professionally throughout the academic year (accounts up to date, grant fully spent or accounted for, membership fees and any additional income spent to the benefit of the group, evidence of attempts to gain sponsorship where appropriate).
- The X-Factor (something that makes this society stand out from the crowd, something that highlights how this group has gone above and beyond their aims and objectives to further the activity of the group, something unforeseeable that the society has excelled in).
- Been most supportive of SU initiatives and resources (have worked on their SU homepage as well as / rather than external websites, turned up to all centrally-booked room bookings, taken advantage of STARS training, used the Den / Print Shop where possible, taken up volunteering opportunities with the Student Volunteer Centre, advertised events in the Activities or SU newsletter).
- Shown attention to (and appreciation of) membership (this society have maintained or increased membership numbers from last year, have actively recruited members all year round, can show evidence of a diverse and involved membership, are inclusive of all (no barriers to becoming a member), and are seen to look after members by keeping in contact all year round).
- Attended all meetings and submitted necessary paperwork on time (presidents meetings, council, freshers / refreshers stall applications, bronze briefings, grant forms etc).
- Provided evidence of a good handover and/or training of new committee members
- Provided evidence of long term development planning
- Collaborated with other student groups (have worked with other societies or utilised the advertisement opportunities possible via impact, NUTS, URN…)
- Provided development opportunities for members
Best Departmental Society
The award given to the society considered to be the best of all course-based societies. This award is chosen by the societies exec and is given to the group who have:
- Fulfilled as much of the above criteria as possible
- Gone the extra mile to ensure their members feel settled within their course (this may include (but is not restricted to) buddying schemes, mentoring, and social events encompassing all year groups).
- Attracted members outside of their course (and have extended opportunities to Postgraduate students)
- Organised a variety of events (including non-alocholic socials and course related events such as mentoring, speakers, careers talks, workshops, trips etc.)
- Good communicational links with their department (established a solid two-way relationship)
Best Newcomer
The award given to the best new society considered to have gone the extra mile since affiliation (in the past 12 months). This award is chosen by the societies exec and is given to the group who have:
- Fully achieved their aims
- Managed their finances professionally throughout the academic year (accounts up to date, grant fully spent or accounted for, membership fees and any additional income spent to the benefit of the group, evidence of attempts to gain sponsorship where appropriate).
- Been most supportive of SU initiatives and resources (have worked on their SU homepage as well as / rather than external websites, turned up to all centrally-booked room bookings, taken advantage of STARS training, used the Den / Print Shop where possible, taken up volunteering opportunities with the Student Volunteer Centre, advertised events in the Activities or SU newsletter).
- Focused efforts on gaining membership (the society who has gained a strong membership since affiliation, has actively sought new members and maintained interest throughout the year through good communications).
- Attended all meetings and submitted necessary paperwork on time (pre and post affiliation meetings and paperwork, presidents meetings, council, freshers / refreshers stall applications, bronze briefings, grant forms etc).
- Provided evidence of both short term and long term aims (the society who has not only set about establishing their society but has also begun thinking about long-term ambitions / development plans / events etc).
- Collaborated with other student groups (have worked with other societies or utilised the advertisement opportunities possible via impact, NUTS, URN…)
- Held more than one successful event
Best Event
This award is given to the society who runs the best event which is seen to fulfil the criteria below. This award is chosen by the societies exec and is given to the group whose event:
- Was well attended (sold out, or close to capacity)
- Was well publicised (to members and non-members, utilising SU facilities – notice boards, activities newsletter, mooch screens – as well as facebook groups etc.)
- Had good financial planning (was well budgeted, broke even or made a profit, utilised available funding – grants / sponsorship – was discussed with Stu Bailey if based on a budget of over £1500)
- Fulfilled the aims of the society
- Was open and accessible to all (price, location, sale of tickets and promotion of event)
- Had the X-Factor (stands out from the usual event, shows initiative and originality)
- Was well executed (ran smoothly and to time, well organised logistics (entrance, ticketing, exit, refreshments), was entertaining and looked good!)
- Took safety implications into account (completed and submitted an event form and risk assessment to Student Activities)
Best Performance Event
This award is given to the society who runs the best performance-focused event. This award is chosen by the societies exec and is given to the group whose event :
- Fulfilled as much of the above criteria as possible
- Was well attended by both members and non-members
- Was recognized to be of a high standard (performance-wise)
Inter-Society Collaboration
This award is given to two or more societies who have organised a single event or series of events which help further the aims of all parties involved, especially with respect to members of the society. This award is chosen by the societies exec and is given to the group whose collaboration:
- Shows evidence of good financial planning
- Fulfils each societies aims and objectives
- Has an equal mix of attendance
- Is open and accessible to all (with regards to reasonable pricing, location, sales of tickets and promotion of the event)
- Has the X-factor (stands out from the usual event, shows initiative and originality, utilises all of the societies resources)
- Was well executed (ran smoothly and to time, well organised logistics (entrance, ticketing, exit, refreshments), was entertaining and looked good!)
- Took safety implications into account (completed and submitted an event form and risk assessment to Student Activities)
- Is successful as a direct result of the collaboration (quantify the reasoning for hosting a ‘collaborative’ event rather than an individual event).
Most Improved Society
The award given to the society considered to have improved the most this academic year within the Societies Body as a whole. This award is chosen by the societies exec and is given to the group who have:
- Significantly increased the activity of the society as a whole (increased the number and type of events held, increased the number of members, have put considerable time and effort into the improved running of the society, have begun working with other societies).
- Improved the opportunities and quality of events run by the society (e.g. moving the focus of your society away from socials and towards that of all-encompassing events such as lecture series’, workshops, performances, campaigns, careers fairs etc.)
- Noticeably improved the society to fulfil its aims and objectives
- Improved the management of finances
- Improved awareness and use of SU resources and initiatives (have begun to utilise the opportunities provided by the SU more than in previous years – perhaps in the form of training or support)
- Shown greater attention to membership (better communications with membership, gained feedback from membership, sought to improve the running of the society for their benefit and to provide better value for money).
- Attended all meetings and submitted necessary paperwork on time (presidents meetings, council, freshers / refreshers stall applications, bronze briefings, grant forms etc).
- Have begun thinking about long term development
Best Fundraiser
The award given to the society considered to have held the best fundraising event. This award is chosen by the societies exec and is given to the group who have:
- Organised and hosted a successful fundraising event
- Raised a significant sum of money for a good cause
- Used initiative to create an original fundraiser
Best Website
The award given to the society considered to hold the best website (SU or external). This award is chosen by the societies exec and is given to the group who have:
- Created an attractive and informative website
- Made the website a useful resource for both existing members as well as potential members
- Put an SU logo on the website!
- Inclusive (clear formatting, user friendly etc.)
Best SU Homepage
The award given to the society considered to hold the best SU homepage. This award is chosen by the societies exec and is given to the group who have:
- Fulfilled the above criteria
- Utilised the available facilities (news and events feeds, online ticket selling, sign ups etc.)
Best Trip
This award is given to the society considered to have held the best trip inside or outside the UK. This award is chosen by the societies exec and is given to the group who have:
- Organised a trip that fulfils the aims and objectives of the society
- Ensured the trip is both fun and informative (or beneficial) to members (provides personal development opportunities to members)
- Opened the trip up to as many members as possible (the trip is not exclusive or limited to only a small number of the society)
- Provided evidence of good budgeting and management of finances (including any necessary contingency, particularly for those groups travelling outside of the UK).
- Taken safety implications into account (completed and submitted the necessary paperwork – trip planning, risk assessments, and next of kin details to Student Activities)
- Was well executed (ran smoothly and to time, well organised logistics (transportation, ticketing, refreshments, information), entertaining!)
Individual Award for Outstanding Contribution to their Society
Each year individual awards for outstanding contribution are presented to the committee members who you feel have gone the extra mile. If you have any committee members who have given their all to your society throughout the year ensuring its smooth running and continuing success, then make sure you nominate them for this award. Any member of your committee can nominate another for this award so make sure you pass the message on as your committee may well want to celebrate your efforts as President this year!
