Convocation Committee Members
Convocation
Convocation, the University of Bristol’s alumni association, is a statutory body of the University of Bristol. With its existence enshrined in the Charter of the University and its composition and duties defined in Statutes, Convocation forms a consultative and representational body. It comprises all graduates and past students, honorary graduates, academic staff and some officers of the University and encourages their participation in the further development of the University. It discharges its constitutional responsibilities, as established in the Charter, Statutes, and Ordinances of the University, by:
- Electing Members to serve on the University Court, and nominating or electing Members to serve on Council and other University bodies or committees.
- Making representations to the University Court, Senate or Council, as appropriate.
- Electing from within its membership a Convocation Committee.
- Acting as the voice of Convocation to the University, soliciting the views of Members, representing these views to the University, and reporting to Members on matters raised on their behalf with the University.
- Convocation also works to promote the interests of its Members and to enhance their welfare.
The Convocation Committee meets at least twice a year, initially to coincide with the meeting of Court (a Friday in early December) and the Alumni Reunion Weekend (early July). Convocation Committee Members and Officers are elected by the Convocation Annual General Meeting in July each year, for three year terms. There are a total of twelve elected Members (four are elected each year) and three Officers (one elected each year in turn on a three-year rolling cycle, to the posts of: Chair, Deputy Chair, and Treasurer). Additional Members may also be co-opted from time to time.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Convocation Committee Member:
- Attending official Convocation events including at least two committee meetings a year and the AGM, normally in Bristol and sometimes in London.
- To participate in Convocation Committee and one of its sub-committees, whose meetings are often arranged to coincide with the Committee meetings.
- A willingness to keep up-to-date with University strategy and to contribute constructively to debates where the University seeks the opinion of Convocation as representing the broader alumni community.
- To participate in and support local alumni group activity, and to encourage other alumni to volunteer for the University.
- To respond to requests for assistance and advice from the University Campaigns and Alumni Relations team.
- To promote the University of Bristol in a positive manner, including fundraising activity.
- To provide an overall vision and direction, including setting priorities for such Sub-Committees as are established.
Desirable Skills and Experience for a Convocation Committee Member:
- Familiarity with committee structure and procedures.
- Commitment to the future development of the University as a high ranking institution of educational excellence.
- Understanding of strategic goals in a global institution.
- Computer literacy and access to email.
Further information:
- Committee Members and Officers should be prepared to travel to Bristol for meetings, and to London from time to time.
- Further meetings may, if needed, be called by the Chairman or at the request of three members, or, where preferred, urgent business may be discussed by telephone, email correspondence or online forum.
- In electing the Members and Officers of the Convocation Committee, the Annual General Meeting shall have regard to the desirability of (i) ensuring, so far as practicable, that the Committee broadly reflects the age range of the members of Convocation, and (ii) trying to ensure that communities such as faculties, Hall associations and Convocation branches are reasonably represented. However, there needs to be flexibility to ensure that vacancies are not caused by categorisation.
Registering you Candidacy
All members of Convocation are eligible to stand for the Chair and as Members of the Convocation Committee. You will need to have a proposer and seconder, who are members of Convocation, and they will need to declare their support in writing to the Clerk to Convocation for your candidacy to be valid. To register your candidacy as a member of the Convocation Committee or for the Chair of Convocation you will need to complete a form, either electronically or in hardcopy.
Details of how to register your candidacy and to see if the role is up for election can be found on our 'how to take part' webpage.
If you wish to enquire about the Convocation Committee please contact: The Clerk to Convocation, University of Bristol, Campaigns and Alumni Relations, Senate House, Bristol BS8 1TH
Tel: 0117 928 7940
Email: alumni@bristol.ac.uk
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