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General Council

General Council

General Council (GC) is the ruling body of SCM. The movement has a commitment to being student-led, which is why GC is made up predominantly of students. It is elected during the AGM which is normally held in June.

A large part of the work of GC is to shape the vision for the future of the movement. Smaller working groups plan a lot of our events and resources, but GC facilitate those groups, keep track of finances and staffing, and steer the overall strategy.

If you are interested in standing for SCM's General Council then please contact the SCM office at scm@movement.org.uk or 0121 2003355. We will send you further information about GC and how to stand for a position.

What does GC do?

As a whole, General Council:

  • decides what projects and events the Movement should undertake
  • makes decisions about SCM’s policy and vision for the future
  • has overall responsibility for the employment of staff
  • approves the Movement’s annual budget, as well as being responsible for SCM’s finances, fundraising and investments
  • promotes and represents SCM to students and to other organisations
  • attends SCM events, contributes to SCM publications and online activities, and contributes to other aspects of the Movement's activities
  • helps to organise and provide feedback on the programme and activities of the Movement

To be a member of GC:

  • You must be a member of the Student Christian Movement (therefore you must be a current student or have been in the last year.)
  • Be committed to the values and objectives of SCM
  • Be able to commit to being a GC member for at least two years.

How is GC structured?

Each member of GC has a ‘portfolio’, giving them oversight of a particular area of SCM’s work. This usually involves facilitating or taking part in groups made up of SCM staff and other volunteers, and liaising with the staff who actually do the day-to-day work. There are seven portfolios for elected GC members:

Convenor

  • Coordinates the work of the General Council
  • Acts as main point of contact between GC members and staff
  • Meets regularly with the Coordinator
  • Plans agenda and facilitates GC meetings
  • Has oversight of the finances of SCM and works with the Coordinator to set the annual budget
  • Works with the Coordinator to ensure appropriate strategical plans for the work of the Movement and for fundraising
  • Represents GC at meetings of the Council of Reference (an advisory committee for General Council)
  • Coordinates GC events, training and recruitment
  • Works with Staff Liaison Co-optee to coordinate staff appraisals and recruitment as necessary

Membership and groups

  • Works with staff to plan and implement strategies for growing the Movement
  • Works with staff to devise strategies for continued regional representation and work
  • Responsible for ensuring membership recruitment at conference and other events
  • Works with staff and publication portfolio to provide appropriate resources, training and support for groups and members

Events

  • Coordinates and convenes conference planning group(s)
  • Works alongside the Links Worker to facilitate Gathering and other events planning
  • Works with staff team to plan strategies to develop the SCM presence at external events e.g. Greenbelt
  • Works with the rest of GC to ensure appropriate events occur throughout the year and according to appropriate events budgets

International

  • Encourages engagement with the international nature of SCM
  • Encourages and coordinates attendance of SCM members at WSCF events
  • Coordinates or facilitates international related workshops/activities at Gatherings and Conferences
  • Acts as UK contact person for the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) and particularly the West European Sub Region of WSCF
  • Communicates WSCF news and press releases to the wider Movement: at events, through the website, mailings and via other communications as appropriate
  • Works alongside other contacts in the West European Sub Region to plan joint events, conference attendance, exchanges etc.
  • Takes a lead on international student solidarity, such as international donations, contact with other SCMs
  • Coordinates appropriate responses from SCM to international appeals and news

Publications

  • Oversees the production and management of publications for the membership such as newsletters, magazines and resources
  • Works with staff to develop and review publications strategy
  • Works with staff and membership and groups portfolio to provide appropriate resources and training for groups and members

Media and Communications

  • Oversees and develops SCM's marketing and publicity strategy
  • Works with staff to continue to develop SCM's online presence
  • Works with the Coordinator to write and send out press releases, and encourage suggestions from the wider Movement
  • Responsible for the continued updating, development and oversight of the website

Campaigns and Policy

  • Works with the staff to develop and maintain links with appropriate external partners
  • Responsible for ensuring SCM representation at relevant network meetings and events
  • Facilitates action/campaigns in response to the concerns of the Movement
  • In liaison with the Events portfolio, coordinates policy workshops/activities at gatherings and conference
  • In liaison with the staff team, Events portfolio and Regional links, develops appropriate regional events (such as policy study days)

If there are any other areas of SCM work which you are interested in, then there is also a non-specified portfolio position. Please speak to the Convenor about possibilities for this role.

There are also two co-opted members of General Council, Staff Liaison and GC Pastoral Support. These members are selected by the elected members of GC specifically due to skills and experience they have to offer to the roles and to GC as a whole. There is always the option of co-opting additional members, either temporarily or for longer periods, if additional expertise is needed to deal with a particular situation.