Women's Officer Report

for AGM - 15 Feb 07

This year I have been trying to encourage the Women in Unison to take part.

I went to the Women's Conference, my first, in February 2006. This was a very encouraging time for me, meeting so many other women who want to make a difference. I was accompanied by women who were much more familiar with Unison than I am, I learnt a lot. I brought back a Women's Committee Briefing paper on 'Spikeys'. Since then, via another group of Women, we have started to give away thousands of caps to put over the open drink bottle to stop drinks from being spiked whilst out drinking.

I have attended the Women's Lives course and recommend it to you all. This is a course that any Women Unison Members can undertake free of charge. It is an excellent way of improving your communication skills and was a very enjoyable course. Again I met some wonderful women, whilst having a great time.

I have completed the Union Learning Representatives basic course in the hope that whilst raising awareness of the benefits of being a Unison member I can also encourage women to improve themselves, gain more confidence and self-esteem through education.

I went to Plymouth University to help Rose Gander raise awareness of UNISON to new Social Services students earlier this year. It was very multi-cultural, Thai food for lunch preceded by a Thai dancer and an African band playing music at the breaks.

I have attended as many meetings as possible this year but unfortunately due to pressure of work I have not made many Branch Executive meetings. I have attended Regional South West Committee as these meetings are at the weekend and covered in my own time. I also attended the Croyde weekend for Branch Officers. Again I had a great time, with lots of opportunities to meet others, learn lots and eat well.

I have organised a couple of events, Information & Quiz night and Pensions. Pensions held in Barnstaple at the Imperial Hotel, the speaker, Geraldine Fernandez was well informed; she made a complex subject much clearer for her audience. The Information & Quiz evening was called Just Desserts, held at Okehampton Rugby Club, we really liked the venue. It was a beautiful evening and we were able to sit outside whilst it was warm, soaking up the views. There was a £50 prize for the winner of the Quiz and we tasted some delicious desserts, brought along by the women attending. There was information available about lots of aspects of Unison.

In summary, if you want to learn more and socialise more get active.