RAG

RAG stands for Raise and Give and is the charities appeal at Strathclyde Union. Volunteers co-ordinate with local, national and international charities to raise money for campaigns.  This is done in a variety of ways, from simple things like collection tins on Union bars to organising fundraising nights. The primary way of helping is getting students along to street collections or raids and getting money directly from the public.

What do RAG volunteers do?
Volunteers take on a variety of roles including:
•    Attending raids – collecting money, counting money, supervising collections
•    Events committee – envisioning ideas, booking events, blagging prizes, distributing publicity
•    Committee involvement – convenor, secretary, treasurer, etc

The RAG Committee are responsible for choosing which causes they support and are heavily influenced by the volunteers as interest in particular causes helps with motivation and turnout.

What experience is needed and what commitment is expected?
No experience is necessary as RAG is glad to accept help from anyone willing to give their time.  Attendance at Group meetings which are held every Tuesday at 5.30pm and normally last half an hour and time helping at raids and organising events is up to the individual volunteer. All members of the Students’ Association are welcome to attend meetings and sit on the committee but for raids anyone who is willing to come along and help out is welcome.

What resources and support is available?
RAG are given an annual budget by the Student Representative Council (SRC) and office space on Level 7 of the Union Building. Support is directly available from the Vice President Student Development and the Student Activities Development Co-ordinator.

The RAG Committee consists of: Convenor, Deputy, Secretary, Treasurer, Raids Officer, Publicity Officer, Events Convenor, USSA VPSD, USSA VPSC. There are over 30 RAGs spread across UK Universities with help and support provided by UkRAG.net.  Training guides are available to help with recruitment, retention and for collecting and organising events.  Typically transport and accommodation are paid for volunteers travelling to raids and usually some sort of entertainment is provided by host RAGs.  Committee members receive handovers from predecessors and the Association provides training for Convenor and Treasurer.

What will volunteers get out of it?
There are many benefits including: opportunity to meet new people, learn negotiation, networking & influencing skills and assertiveness.

How do I join and where can I find out more?
Further information can be found by stopping by the RAG Office in the Student Involvement Zone on level 7 of the Union Building or by contacting the Convenor at RAG@theunion.strath.ac.uk