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Staff Networks and Unions

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This section contains details on the various staff networks and associations that members of staff are welcome to join, as well as the Unions and Professional Associations that may be of interest to you.

Black and Minority Ethnic Staff Network (BME) 
The Black and Minority (BME) Staff Network is a supportive environment for staff to meet and share workplace experiences and concerns while also working to increase the awareness and understanding of BME issues.

The Network is one of the stakeholder groups that will be used for consultation purposes on issues relating to Cardiff University policy and procedures, particularly regarding BME issues.  For further details, please contact the Equality and Diversity Administrative Assistant, Bethan Clemett at Clemettb1@cf.ac.uk.

Carers Network 
As part of the Positive Working Environment initiative, the University hopes to set up a Carers' Network for Staff, to bring together and support members of staff with caring responsibilities. It is proposed that the network will operate like our existing staff networks and later agree on its own terms of reference.

A Carer is someone who has the responsibility for providing or arranging care for someone else, such as caring for children or caring for relatives or partners with a long term illness, disability or old age, or perhaps an elderly relative who has developed Alzheimer’s and therefore not able to care for themselves. Most carers would still not recognise themselves under the term 'carer'. They are just people trying to cope as best they can.

The Caring Network will be part of the Positive Working Environment, the University-wide initiative which seeks to improve working life for all members of staff. If established, it will be the latest in a number of networks already in place to encourage and facilitate more effective and transparent communication between the University and its staff.

For more information on the Network or if you are interested in being part of it. contact Gill Wilkings on 02920 870 650 or email: wilkingsg@cf.ac.uk.

Staff with caring responsibilities may also be particularly interested in the University's Work-life Balance Schemes which are available on the Policies and Procedures section of the HR website.

Disability Staff Network 
The Disability Network is a supportive environment for staff to meet and share workplace experiences and concerns while also working to increase the awareness and understanding of Disability issues.

The Network is one of the stakeholder groups that will be used for consultation purposes on issues relating to Cardiff University policy and procedures, particularly regarding Disability issues.  For further details, please contact the Equality and Diversity Administrative Assistant, Bethan Clemett at Clemettb1@cf.ac.uk.

ENFYS – the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) staff network.  
ENFYS is a network which seeks to provide an informal and friendly space for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) staff and postgraduates.  ENFYS is not formally part of the University structure, but there are opportunities for the network to inform policy and raise awareness of LGBT issues across the University. The overarching aim of the network is to provide a forum for LGBT and any other supportive or interested university staff and postgraduates to meet, socialise and discuss pertinent issues.  For more information please contact lgbtstaff@cf.ac.uk. 

Payroll Giving  
Payroll Giving is a way for staff to give a regular amount of money to charity every month by having donations deducted directly from your salary. The money is deducted before tax is calculated. You can donate to any recognised charity, church or charitable organisation and you can make donations to more than one of these each month. In order to arrange this, either download a form from the website above or contact Sian Williams in FINCE (x74550) for further information. The scheme is run and managed by South Wales Charitable Giving.

Social and Community Action Network (SCAN) 
The SCAN Network was set up to increase social interaction within the University, to provide a central focus for charity action and to build links with our local community. All staff are warmly welcomed to take part in events and contribute to the Network. Recent events have included pub quizzes, a meet and mingle event and a Black Tie Ball, and a five a side football tournament – if you have any ideas for future events you may be interested in joining the Committee Team. Please visit the SCAN website for further information or contact Clair Jenkins on 02920 876242.

Staff Association  
Approximately 800 University staff are members of the Staff Association, which organises various trips and social events for a small monthly subscription fee of 50p per month. The Association tries to cater for as many interests as possible ranging from skittles, tennis coaching and the annual golf tournament, to theatre outings and coach trips to places of interest throughout the year. The Association also welcomes family members to participate in its events. For further information or for a membership form please contact the Membership Secretary, Jean Loudwell (PURCH) at Loudwell@cardiff.ac.uk or on x74524.

Staff Reference Group 

The Staff Reference Group is a forum designed to facilitate two way communication between staff and the University, to keep staff informed and allow staff to comment on University activities. It is comprised of representatives from all Schools and Directorates and meets three time per year. Here you can find more information including Terms of Reference, a Members Role Description and details of past and future meetings.

Staff Volunteering 
Student Volunteering Cardiff (SVC) is one of the largest volunteering centres in the UK, with more than 30 projects, five dedicated staff members and more than 700 volunteers. Approximately 700 students give their time and talents to support good causes, undertaking activities including providing adventure weekends for disadvantaged teenagers, helping children in ethnic minority schools, working with the elderly, people with autism, mental health or learning difficulties and with refugees.

If you are a member of staff interested in volunteering, or are looking for volunteers for a project you are involved in, please contact 02920 781 510 or email svc@cf.ac.uk. SVC can try to organize volunteering in an area of interest to you, and it may possible to volunteer with members of your family – the more the merrier!

The Association of University Administrators  
All administrative members of staff are entitled to join AUA, the professional association for all higher education managers and administrators. Members are kept informed of current issues in higher education and given the opportunity for professional development and the sharing of best practice. Members also have the opportunity to participate in conferences, regional activities and can benefit from electronic expertise with colleagues. For further information please visit AUA’s website.

Unions  

Cardiff University recognises three trade unions. For more information and for links to the websites of the Trade Unions, please click on the link above.

Welsh Language Staff Network Group 

The Welsh Language Staff Network is open to all members of staff, academic and support, and to Welsh speakers, Welsh learners and non-Welsh speakers alike.  

This network is a chance to get together and share ideas on how to identify opportunities to enhance the University's Equality and Diversity Strategy and Policy of treating both the Welsh and English languages on the basis of equality across all activities of the University.

As well as being an informal chance to meet up and share workplace experiences, it will give the members a chance to discuss developments regarding the Welsh language and the University, such as developments in academic provision, the Coleg Ffederal and the new Welsh Language Measure.

For information on the Welsh Language Staff Network Group, please contact the E&D assistant, Bethan Clemett (clemettb1@cf.ac.uk) on 02920 879919

Women Professors Group 
The Women Professors Group is a relatively new Group at the University. If you would like any further information on the Group, please do not hesitate to contact Gill Wilkings on x75440.

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