Starting a Volunteering Project
If you're interested in starting a new YUSU Volunteering Project, you're in the right place! Having your student group ratified by YUSU will give you training and funding opportunities, access to resources, and support from your Union staff.
If you have any questions throughout the process, you can get in touch with:
Jasmine Pledger, Student Citizenship and Employability Development Coordinator - j.pledger@yusu.org
Anna Njoroge, Activities Officer - activitiesofficer@yusu.org
Contents
You can use this contents section to navigate through this page.
What is a Volunteering Project?
A YUSU Volunteering Project is a student-led, student-run project that involves a group of volunteers who share a common interest and passion; they get together to do something about it for the good of the community and for the volunteers’ own development.
Some of our projects are also linked with national charities such as York Marrow, whereas other volunteering projects have arose from a group of students that had a passion and identified a problem. Music Group was established by a group of students who saw a gap in the national curriculum as a result of cuts to music education in schools The project initially aimed to deliver workshops in schools and nurseries, however it has since expanded to deliver sessions in care homes, mental health institutions and hospitals.
See our current projects here.
What is the difference between a Society and a Volunteering Project?
Our Societies offer student-led activities to students on campus, and there is a huge range, including academic, campaigning, special interest etc. There are some societies that have been ratified in the past that represent and campaign for a specific Charity, such as Amnesty International. However, the main difference is that a Society’s primary aim should not be to charitably fundraise or volunteer. Volunteering Projects have the same requirement that a project’s primary aim should not be to charitably fundraise, as this is the role of YUSU RAG and College RAG. The added requirement for Volunteering Projects is that the Project must demonstrate a benefit to the community, whereas societies must only demonstrate a benefit to the student body.
If you think your group may fit better as a YUSU Society, here is the Guide to Starting a New Society that should also help further.
Is ratification right?
You can run your student group without being ratified by YUSU. Ratification comes with a host of benefits, but we will ask things of you in return. There will be documents you need to fill out; meetings you need to attend; and minimum standards you must fulfil in order to continue.
Before you start the ratification process, think carefully about whether becoming a YUSU-ratified project is the right option for your student group, or if it’s best to run it your own way. This page will go some way towards helping you make that decision, but if you need further guidance on what ratification will involve, email j.pledger@yusu.org
Application Process
Once you've decided ratification is right for you, you need to complete the New Volunteering Project Application Form.
You will need:
To provide as much information as possible about your project proposal, so the more detail, the better!
To have at least three people willing to commit the group and act as a Project Coordinator, Secretary and Treasurer.
To make sure your application fulfils the table of requirements (see right).
The application will then be reviewed by Volunteering Committee. Volunteering Committee are a group of students who have been appointed to represent YUSU Volunteers as well as promote and host volunteering opportunities to all students. Volunteering Committee is chaired by the elected YUSU Volunteering Officer, and one of the key duties they fulfil is to ratify new volunteering projects.
The committee will use the application form they receive and judge whether your project proposal meets the criteria within the table of requirements.
The committee will then vote after reviewing the application, deciding whether or not to ratify the project. You will be notified of the decision within 2 working days of the vote taking place.
If volunteering committee decide that your project is eligible for ratification, you'll receive an email explaining your next steps. This involves filling in some important documents.
This includes completing a Full Committee List, Project Constitution and Risk Assessment. You will also have to agree to relevant policies and complete mandatory training.
If you are not successful, you'll receive an email explaining the reason(s) behind the decision. It'll include recommendations of what to do next, which will include submitting a second application for consideration, and our guide for non-ratified projects and societies.
Good Luck!
Whether you just want advice about starting a project, or you’ve been running a group on campus for a while and now want to consider ratifying, we’re always keen to hear from students with great ideas. Don’t forget to chat to the Activities Officer first to discuss your plans, and, if you’re sure that ratification is the best way forward for you, put as much detail into your application as you can. And, if you’re unsuccessful - don’t worry! There are plenty more ways for you to run your student group without it.
Questions?
Contact:
Anna Njoroge, Activities Officer - a.njoroge@yusu.org
Jasmine Pledger, Student Citizenship and Employability Development Coordinator - j.pledger@yusu.org