Societies FAQ

UMSU Societies FAQ

Frequently asked questions are split into two sections:

 

  • one for people who are members, or looking to become members of a society
  • one for those running a society

 

For society members

For Society Committees

Answers for society members and prospective society members:

Do I have to be a student at the University of Manchester?

Our societies are generally open to anyone who wishes to join, whether or not you're at student at Manchester University. Just check out the societies list on our website to sign up online.

Societies please remember that funding is only granted for UoM students- you don't get money for non-student members!

 

How do I participate in a society?

Generally by going along to a society event or meeting - check the Union website diary or the society's own website for details.

Although for some societies you need to be a member first (e.g. the skydiving society will give you some safety training before throwing you out of a plane) generally, email the contact address on the website and ask what's coming up next and you should hope to hear back from them soon. If there's anything you need to know in advance, they'll tell you.

Many societies also have a facebook page, so may be worth checking that out!

Most societies get tens (some hundreds) of new people who are all new to the society, so don't worry if you've not done anything like it before.

 

I missed Welcome Week, can I still join?

Yes! Most societies warmly welcome new members throughout the year. While Welcome Week is the focus of the start of the year, many people don't find the society for them for a few weeks (either by not leaving your hall for a month, or by going along to things which weren't quite right).

Some societies have major events which they work towards as their sole activity (e.g. Panto society, whose panto is in December- you should see it, it's great!) and so you can get involved at any point before, or join afterwards ready for the next thing. Most societies will welcome members around those major events, as there's always last minute things to do!

All active societies have some social aspect, and that is often a good way to be introduced. If you email the chair and say that you're new and coming along, they'll often tell you how to find them and then make you feel welcome.

 

Can I set up a new society?

We only allow new societies that are substantively different to existing societies. Please check the List of Societies.

If none of the societies take your fancy,  you can read about setting up a new society on the societies' pages.

 

I want to set up/join a Sports Society, How do I do this?

While we do have some sports societies at UMSU, many of the University's sports clubs are run through the Athletics Union. The AU is affiliated with British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), which is the national organisation for higher education sport in the UK.

You can find out more details about the sports clubs on offer at the Athletics Union

If you don't find the club or society you are looking for please come and speak to us in the Activities Office and we will advise you what to do next!

Answers for committee members

Can non-students sit on my society's committee?

Only fully registered university of Manchester students can be chair, treasurer or secretary, same with cardholders. The society has to be made up of 70% University of Manchester students. So technically non students can run but will depend on the individual society constitution.

 

I am a re-registering society, do I need to fill in my aims & objectives?

Yes, you do need to fill them in again. You can tweak them as long as your aims & objectives have not significantly changed this will not affect your re-application for society status.

 

My pigeon hole has gone! Why and how do I get back?

Societies are allocated pigeon holes when they are fully registered by handing in all the paperwork to societies committee- this is done at the beginning of each academic year. Your pigeon hole may therefore change when the list of societies for that year is finalised.

How to get a Student Fair stall?

Only registered societies in the previous academic year can have a stall inside the Student Fair.

Please check back here in Semester 2 for details of how to get a stall at next years fair!

Who should I speak to about Student Fair & Events in Welcome Week?

Please speak to the Activites Team regarding eny society events in welcome week.

How do I advertise my society events at UMSU?

You can advertsie your events in the Societies Spotlight section of the Mancunian newspaper. Email Ceri Wills societyspotlight@mancunion.com with any news, updates and info on your society.

 

You can also put up posters around the Union- these need to be signed off by the Activities Manager so please come to the Activites Office first.

 

How do I change the Societies Contact details and Committee details?

To change either your society's contact details or committee details, you will need to fill in society amendment forms and hand them into General Office, Ground Floor, South Campus SU. The amendment forms can be downloaded from here.

 

When is the Activities Office open?

General Office is open from 10am - 5pm, Monday - Friday.

 

I am a cardholder for my society, What does this mean and where do I get my card?

Each society has two cardholders whose library card number is registered with the Students' Union when the society forms are submitted at the start of the year (you can change it later by filling in another form). The cardholders are responsible for making room and resource bookings and must be fully registered students at the University of Manchester. When booking rooms or resources the cardholder will need their library card. We will not accept room or resource booking by anyone but the 2 Society Cardholders.

Sorry you don't get given a card as you are a cardholder in name alone, but you will need your library card when booking SU resources.

 

What are the requirements for booking the minibus?

Societies can book mini buses for £25 per day, plus any fuel you use. The driver needs to have been trained by the SU.

To get trained you will need to be over 21 and have 3 yrs driving experience- please see the Activites team for more details.

 

What information is there on funding?

Full details of the arrangements for funding societies can be found on the Society Funding page.

Society funding does not cover hire of non-UMSU venues. Societies booking external venues should be covered either by the tickets for the event or with money raised by sponsorship, fundraising etc.

 

Can I claim for venue hire?

The Union does not reinburse costs for external venues, unless we can not provide the appropriate space or facilities, and proof is provided that the SU room booking process has been followed.

For example, when considering hiring a bar or an event, the union can provide bar space in Harry's, Burlington and Solem (plus Paddy's etc) and that these are unavailable must be shown.

 

Where can we put publicity?

Publicity is only permitted on designated noticeboards.

Please also see the rules against flyposting.

 

How can I contact societies to tell them about my society's event?

Emailing societies individually, with customised emails for each society, is one of the best approaches, all societies contact details are online and listed by categories (which helps with targeting specific societies).

List of societies

 

The information on our Society Contact Page is wrong for my society, how do I change it?

Please contact the activities team with the required updates.

Only committee members or cardholders can request changes. You contact page will be updated within 5 working days.

 

When are University buildings open for us to book rooms?

That is different for each building (although generally from 8am-7pm in term time), and varies depending on events in each building on a particular day. Local knowledge is needed here (usually by walking up to the building and trying the door).

The University Online Room Booking system can be helpful for this information. Room bookings must be made through Activities Office.