My involvement at Lancaster began (like many others) at Fresher's Fayre. In less than a term I was co-chair of the Jewish Society. As a result I ended up representing Lancaster within the Union of Jewish Students (UJS). When my role as chair finished I became the JSoc's education officer, as well as the Religious Societies Rep for Societies Council. I was also elected National Secretary of UJS during this period.

I was also involved in the GSA and through that became involved and was elected to the Executive of the National Postgrad Committee. While here at Lancaster postgrads have their own college, in many universities postgrad provisions are provided via a postgrad society. I've taken part in discussions, conferences and training related to postgrad and mature student societies and how Students' Unions can help them.

I still sit on the Societies Union Executive Committee (serving my second year) where I advise the General Secretary and LUSU Societies Officer on Societies issues. That's not to say I always get the changes I want, but we have made progress. Particularly on transparency. Funding in general is also being looked at. I am now also once again chair of the Jewish Society. At it says in LUSU's annual report, Lancaster JSoc is one of the most active in the UK.

• Took part in debate and decision making on Additional Grant Funding (AGF) allocations
• I created the break down charts of where Society money went (AGF) and presented this to Societies Council
• I found that half the money allocated to SUEC to give to societies at the start of the year had gone missing, I got LUSU to examine this, find the money, and put it back
• I've argued for independence for societies and less red tape
• I've help new societies form and given advice to get them started
• I've helped existing societies keep out of trouble and investigated and produced reports to help keep them running
• I've always been willing to explain SUEC actions (whether or not I supported them) and advise societies how they should proceed

At University (Monash University, Australia) I became involved in an attempt to revive the Student Television station (MUTvision). I was appointed to the executive by the Student Board (like our Union Council but smaller) but after 12 months of being messed around by the student union (who had other priorities and kept delaying meetings with us) we gave up. I know what's like to struggle with a union full of politics and not working for students.

During my first year of University (1999) I was also Secretary of Hineni Youth and Welfare Inc. A Jewish Youth group based in Melbourne. My role included managing budgets and suplies for a team of 20 or so youth group leaders as well as co-ordinating security arrangements. The youth group had over a hundred kids (ages 8 to 18) attend each Sunday.

In 1999 I founded my first university society, the CSSE Student Club. The Society (for the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department) was not registered with the Students' Union because their societies division refused to accept all our members. Our University had multiple campuses and two Students' Unions. The one on the main campus refused to allow students from smaller campuses to join. The union for the smaller campuses would gladly accept us, but required that at least half the members come from the smaller campuses. Given the division of students in the department this wasn't about to happen.

We took a principled stand, with the support of the union for the smaller campuses and the backing of the department and faculty; we remained indepdendent and in a state of perminent "ongoing" negotiations with the difficult students' union, and active cooperation with the other students' union. The society grew to an annual average of 300 members and had corporate sponsorship greater than any other on campus. At one event were gave out Microsoft software (including office) as door prizes to every person who attended. We also ran Booze Cruises on the river (boat + students + free drinks = fun) and high quality career events. The society took the place of the students union for students' in our department and faculty. It was given perminent seats on the departments staff student meetings, and eventually a seat on the Faculty Board. The club is still going and I am an Honourary Life Member and still keep in touch with them. LUSU needs to help societies become so good that student stay involved for life.

My initial experience of peer leadership was through Cubs (then Scouts, then Ventures), but my experience with Societies probably begins in 1995 when I was Secretary (later President) of the School Chess club. We were ranked second in our region and 5th in the state.

From 1995 I became involved in the school radio station, 3MS. I held the role of Producer (General Manager) for two years. This role involved selecting, training and supporting the Station Manager and their team. The station produced radio drama, news, and ofcourse played music. I initiated a system that enabled any students to host a show (without doing the technical work) without requiring the over head of training. I also established a high quality (but optional) training program that allowed students to learn to run and rewire the equipment. Once at University I visited other schools to advise on student radio. At school I was also a senior member of the Audio Visual team (I was in the Video Crew, Sound Crew and briefly the Lighting Crew).