Hello and welcome to GSA Grad Groups 2023!
I’m sure, by now, you’re already sick of receiving emails from me, so sorry! But this one is important. (I promise!) So, find a nice comfortable chair, pour yourself a coffee, sit back, and enjoy!
Constitution
As it is the start of a new academic year, we are welcoming new Grad Groups and new leaders to our existing groups! (WELCOME!) If you haven’t already, please familiarize yourself with the GSA Constitution.
The Grad Group Portal
This is your one-stop shop for all your Grad Group needs. From Event Registration to Annual Funding, Submitting special grants to resources and document templates, it’s all here! (Note: we are aware some groups have been having issues logging in this week. I’ve attached a document with a temporary work-around if you encounter this. If you have further issues, please contact us immediately so we can support you.)
You can edit your Grad Group details through the portal (such as your group description and website links). It is important to keep your Grad Group details up to date so make sure to check this as soon as possible. Especially things such as bank details, contact email, and website links. Also, while you’re doing that, please check our Join a Grad Group page to make sure your information is correct here too. If anything is wrong, or needs changing, you can do so through the portal, or by directly emailing the gradgroups email. We will be migrating to a new website in the next month or so which will make the grad group search far more user-friendly. 😊
Grad Group Survey
Thanks to those groups that have already completed the survey. If you haven’t yet, please do this asap! We have already implemented some changes based on survey responses (which you’ll see below) so make sure you get your voice heard and ideas shared!
Grad Group Leaders Private Facebook Group
Based on our survey results so far, groups have asked for a platform to share ideas, events, and questions quickly and easily with the GSA team and other Grad Group Leaders. I will also use this platform to share info and trainings with you, so I don’t continue to clog up your email inbox!
Facebook Groups was the preferred choice so let’s all give Mark Zuckerberg more of our juicy data and join the Grad Group Leaders Group here or by using the QR code below.
Leadership Training
Again, based on survey results which highlighted Leadership training as a priority, we are taking steps to support you in all aspects of your role as a Grad Group Officer.
1) Online Training: Not-for-profit law and understanding your Rules
With: Justice Connect
When: Thursday 23rd March 2023, 3:00 – 4:30pm
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84231506728?pwd=WnVsWnZVWjBkWkZtSTQrdnRFT0Rldz09
Meeting ID: 842 3150 6728
Passcode: 681151
This training is crucial to understand your role on the Executive Committee and will cover all legal aspects for running your Grad Group. We recommend at least 1 member from each group attends, but you can extend the invite to all members of your committee. Don’t miss it! (You can expect a few more reminders about this closer to the date 😊 )
2) Weekly Grad Group Q&A
Another survey request! To ensure you always have an opportunity to speak with us directly, we are introducing a weekly Grad Group Q&A that will be hosted by myself and our wonderful Finance and Compliance Officer, Kelvin (who is the font of knowledge for all things grants and funding!)
This Q&A will be held weekly over Zoom every Thursday from 2:30 – 3:00pm.
The first Q&A will be on Thursday 16th March. This is an initial trial, and we may increase sessions if there is demand for it.
Zoom link here https://unimelb.zoom.us/j/88603537139?pwd=bjhidTFwV1FucDM4WHFTbEtmYUc1UT09
3) University trainings
If you are not aware, as a Uni Melb student, you are entitled to sign up for a heavily subsidized Mental health first aid training (just $50!) through CAPS. Click on this link and scroll down to the bottom of the page for sign up and date details. I highly recommend this course to aid you with the confidence and skillset for supporting your group members. (Note, there is also a free “Supporting Student Mental Health as a Student Leader” online training available on the same link which is also useful)
Going forward, we are also looking at other trainings that will support you in your wider leadership role so stay tuned! If you have any ideas, please send them to me or record them in our survey!
Finally, for those of you attending our Grad Group Expo next week, I’m so excited to meet you all! We will also be joined by Melbourne Plus, Melbourne Uni Sport, and the University’s Sustainability team, who are all keen to meet and discuss who they can support and collaborate with your groups going forward!
After the expo, around 3:45pm, we will be nipping across the road to the Prince Alfred Pub for an informal Grad Group Leaders social. If you can’t make the expo but want to come along for a chat, feel free to join!
Ok! You made it! It’s the end of the email!
Thanks again for all your patience and support in the last month. I’m still learning a lot of the processes so might take a little longer to answer your questions but we’ll get there!
Again, don’t forget to Join the Facebook Group, complete the survey, and attend the Justice Connect training on Thursday 23rd March!
See you next Thursday!
Paul