It’s been a busy week in RAG world, with info meetings for all of our projects, challenges, hitches and events during the week, and then a leader training day – followed by the all-important social – on Saturday.
As Communications Coordinator for RAG, it’s my duty to make sure absolutely everybody knows what’s going on and when. I do this by managing the website: http://www.leedsrag.org.uk/ , and also Facebook and twitter (@LeedsRAG). I was asked by Laura, our President to do a short spiel about how our leaders can best promote their project, challenge, hitch, event or raid at the leader’s training day at the weekend. Now, when it comes to presenting in front of a group, I turn into a nervous wreck, so whilst I love all things RAG, this was never going to be something I looked forward to. I’ve never really understood why this happens to me, but my voice does that thing where you sound like you’re crying and I say things I don’t mean, for example I told them that if they wanted to submit a blog post it had to be 500 words minimum, minimum! I definitely meant maximum, so I’ll be looking forward to sorting through those when they’re submitted! Besides my brief emotional trauma, the day was fun, we played a round of extreme Pictionary, I shamefully got stuck with “Bangkok” but in the end my team won the classic box of Celebrations.
The social, I have to say was so good! We all went down to Hukaz on Brudenell Grove and indulged in a free buffet and drinks vouchers, I’d never been before but will certainly be paying a second visit. It was great to be able to talk to a few of the leaders, as my role is usually sitting behind a computer, there’s little opportunity to put names to faces.
Being a leader is great fun, you have the opportunity to manage a group of RAG participants, on our Projects (in places like Uganda or Peru) our Challenges (Bike to Berlin, Kili Climb) Hitches (Xmas hitch to Munich for example) or you can organise an event, like the Fashion Show, or Safer Sex Circus. You also play a big part in getting the group together, socialising and providing support when it comes to fundraising. Some of those I met had taken part in RAG things before, some were complete novices, which is the great thing really, you can learn so much just by talking to different people.
What continues to amaze me about RAG is that we’re a student led society, for students, and everyone gives their time for free. With uni work, and minimal funds it’s pretty fantastic that lots of people are so dedicated. Of course, you can gain valuable skills through organising, leading or having a role on the committee like mine. But to raise £325,743.31 for charity in a year, must mean we have something spectacular going on here!