Hi All
This will be my last post on this blog…. If you’re interested, I’ve started a new one here (but it’s only useful if you really love Higher Education, or me. I’m fine with either)
Below is the transcript for my leaving speech delivered to UPSU and University Colleagues on my last day at the Union. It won’t be as good in your head as it was when I delivered it, but that’s life.
Enjoy, it’s been a pleasure.
James
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Hello
I have spent a fair amount of time thinking about how to approach this leaving speech, and I’ve spoken to several people who have given their advice on what to say.
There are several options I suppose, all of which have their down sides;
My first thought, of course, was to reflect on my achievements over two years at the University of Plymouth Students’ Union. To tell you, essentially, how great I’ve been; Leading the Angels scheme for three years, helping to achieve an uplift in funding for volunteering at UPSU, working with University colleagues to develop informal learning through learning through volunteering and the Plymouth Award, bringing student radio to Plymouth, and generally being a delight to work with.
The danger there, of course, is that you just think I’m an arrogant arsehole, and nobody wants that to be their final memory of me.
Another option is to thank all the members of UPSU staff I’ve worked with, individually, for example to thank Rob Gofton for teaching me literally everything I know (hence the badge), but where the pressure of trying to be engaging with an audience whilst reading from notes at the same time means you are in danger of forgetting someone, normally finance (sorry!).
We all know, I think, that there’s danger in the use of humour, or dodgy ‘in-jokes’ which stand to offend people, or that the majority of the audience won’t understand: like the fact that I asked Chris Rees in July 2008 whether or not he wanted a cup of tea, he said that he did, but he’s taken nearly two years to decide what mug he wants it in. (see?)
Another option is of course to go all teary-eyed and emotional and to tell you how great an experience it has been working at the University of Plymouth Students’ Union. To spend hours telling you how the last 3 years or so have been the best of my life, and how lucky I think I’ve been in getting elected and then re-elected as VP Activities & Comms, how the phrase on the wall above me (‘transforming lives through experience’) couldn’t be more appropriate in terms of how I will always think of UPSU. But nobody wants to hear that kind of drivel do they…as true as it may be.
I even spoke to one person, who suggested the use of pyrotechnics! [Insert party popper here!]
But that’s just messy.
So I won’t use any of those thoughts or suggestions, but I will say this:
Students’ Unions are fantastic places, having experienced working both at Plymouth and to some extend with NUS I’ve seen so much evidence of the great work that Students’ Unions achieve. From national campaigns making real impacts, such as the Town Take-overs and the NUS proposal for an alternative to tuition fees, to the smallest group of student volunteers getting out in the community, making friends, learning new skills and making a difference in the community. If our Vice Chancellor were here, I would use this final speech as a representative of UPSU to remind her of this fact, particularly as she takes on the considerable challenge of dealing with a government agenda of cuts across the sector. (I’m sure the message will get to her via other members of SMT and her policy team who are here today 
)
I will also say thank you.
To three groups of people; Students’ Union staff, who have been so supportive and dedicated, especially over this particularly challenging year, the University staff, those of you here today and many others, who have, for the most part, been so positive and engaging, and helped myself and the sabbatical team navigate university committee structures and provided support for our ideas and suggestions in meetings and conversations with colleague.
Finally to the Sabbatical Officers. It has been a particularly challenging year this year, but it is testament to what I think has been a great team made of an excellent mix of people, that we’ve made it through the year. It’s been a pleasure working with you all.
Finally then, as this is a handover speech, I should probably mention my successor. I’ve known Abi for a few years now, but it wasn’t until she got involved in the Angels scheme this year that I got to know her properly, and started to think she’d make a good officer. The clue that she too was keen on the role was when one afternoon during Welcome Week she said ‘I totally want your job!’
I’m sure she won’t let you, me or the students down this year (no pressure!)
I tried to think of a physical object to hand over to Abi, something meaningful and inspiring that would help her achieve her goals this year, but I couldn’t really think of anything, so I bought some Berocca….she’ll need it!
Thank you, and Goodbye!
