AGM March 2010, Young Members Officer

YOUNG MEMBER'S OFFICER REPORT FOR AGM - MARCH 2010

Dear Members, Stewards, Convenors & Officers. I was co-opted onto the Unison Barnardo's National Branch Committee at the June 2009 Branch Executive Committee Meeting and am working to try to get the role of Young Member's Officer up and running and active. Any ideas, input, suggestions and questions will all be greatly received and welcomed.

I am also working to become an active steward and have begun taking on cases within the Lease region where I am based. I would like to say that the training and guidance I have been offered to help me to undertake this role has been invaluable and I have felt very supported. I am growing in confidence daily. I would recommend to anyone that is thinking of becoming active to do so as I have found the experience to be very positive and rewarding as well as personally increasing my skill base with skills that are transferable into lots of areas of life.

I have attempted to put together a list of all Young Members of our branch (under 27 years old). I believe there are 36 Young Members within our branch. I have emailed all Young Members; however if you are reading this and believe that you are a Young Member and I did not include you in my email, I sincerely apologise and urge you to get in touch (laura.drislane@barnardos.org.uk).

This up and coming year I would like to meet with Young Members and hear your experiences and/or issues. I would be happy to set up a group or groups that would suit geographically for us to meet and raise any points or to just share experiences.

I would also like to encourage Young Members to attend the Unison Young Members Conference from Friday 14^th May to Sunday 16^th May 2010. There are places available to join me at the conference on a first come first served basis so again please get in touch to express your interest. The branch arranges travel to the conference and covers reasonable costs incurred (I can give individual guidance on this). I will get further information out to all Young Members about this Conference in the near future.

I would like to take this opportunity to encourage people to let their colleagues know about Unison or point them in the direction of one of the Unison Committee with any questions they may have or for further information.

Can I ask that if any stewards have a case involving a Young Member that I am kept informed so that I can offer further support?

Thank you for a great year and I look forward to further challenges and growth in the year ahead.

Laura Drislane

Young Member's Officer - UNISON Barnardo's National Branch