Guide to Getting Involved 2013

GuideTo

GettingInvolved

How to make it your AMSS

Adelaide Medical Students’ Society

welcome

The Adelaide Medical Students’ Society (AMSS) is one of the most active student societies in the country.

Perhaps in the world.

There are activities and events of every size and shape aimed at making medical school, and the lives of those who attend it, just that little bit better. As a member of the AMSS, you are entitled to your own stake in the Society. As a stakeholder, you are invited and encouraged to be actively involved in the direction the Society takes and the activities and events it provides.

After all, it is your AMSS.

Whatever interest you may have and time commitment you wish to make, there will be something you can sink your teeth into. That’s a guarantee.

2-3 Welcome

4Committee

5-6Year level

Roles

7Represent

10-11

Recreation

14Publications

12 Health and Wellbeing

13 Foundation

15Philanthropy

16Initiatives

8-9Education

This guide has been compiled to provide a brief overview of the many areas in which you can become involved in the AMSS.

You are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant Committee member or representative for further information on anything that takes your fancy. They will be more than happy to tell you what’s involved and point you in the right direction.

So, get reading and... get involved. The Society is what it is today because of the amazing work of its passionate and talented members and your opportunity to be a part of this special organisation, whether it be big or small, may be contained in these pages.

For further information on all of the opportunities in this book, please visit http://www.amss.org.au

in this guide

awesome

committeeThe Committee forms the most important representative and organisational body within the Adelaide Medical Students’ Society (AMSS or the Society). It is a diverse group comprising approximately seventy Officers from all six year levels of the Medical Program. Whether you are the President, Skullduggery Convenor or a Year Level Representative, your vote counts equally on the Committee.

The general role of the Committee is to represent the voice of the wider membership of the Society. The Committee meets on an almost-fortnightly basis during the Academic Year to decide upon important directives regarding all aspects of the function of the AMSS.

The Committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society, which is held in September/October of each year. For further information on the Committee, positions descriptions and the AGM, please visit http://amss.org.au/

Each year level has one male and one female Year Representative.

Year Reps are responsible for representing the views and opinions of their year level on the AMSS Committee and acting as a communication conduit from the Committee back to the year level. The role is varied and malleable, and provides a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the AMSS at a Committee level.

Year Reps will be called upon for various tasks during the year such as organising

teams for MedFooty and Inter-Year Debating. Perhaps the most important role of the Year Representatives is promoting various events to their year level throughout the year and generally encouraging involvement with the AMSS and its activities. Year Reps are elected in the first 2-3 weeks of the academic year (February for clinical students and March for pre-clins) by a simple vote from the year level.

For further information, please contact the VPC on [email protected]

year level

AMSS Year RepresentativesWho to contact: Vice President (Communication) ([email protected] )

Timing: All year (March-October)Time commitment: Variable, generally 2 hours per week

be a voice for your...

The AMSS exists to represent its members, from the full spectrum of year levels and in many different arenas. To ensure that the Society is doing the right thing by its members, it is imperative to know just what each year level thinks about the issues affecting them.

That’s where the Year Reps come in.

The various Year Reps are a vital link between the AMSS Committee and organisational branches and the members, to ensure that the Society is fighting the right fights and that the members are kept informed on what is happening.

5 4 31

Education RepresentativesWho to contact: Vice President (Education) ([email protected] )

Timing: All yearTime commitment: Team Education meetings (3 hours, once a month), Committee

meetings and relevant Faculty meetings.

Do you enjoy being the voice for your peers? Would you like to represent your cohort to the University? Then the Ed Rep position is right for you!

Education Reps represent and advocate for their year level cohort. They are invited to attend Year Level Course Committee meetings, and participate in Team Education (Team Ed) and AMSS Committee meetings. Year Reps may be asked to investigate and provide feedback on a range of educational and representational issues throughout the year. They will be responsible for collecting

feedback from, and providing information to, their cohorts.

Clinical year Ed Reps also coordinate the Clinical Rotation Survey throughout the year and assist in the Rolling Handover (Rover) for clinical rotations.

Positions available:One male and one female Education Rep from each year level.

Overseas and Multicultural RepsWho to contact: Overseas and Multicultural Rep ([email protected] )

Timing: All yearTime commitment: 1 hour per week

roles

Medicine can be hard enough when you are living at home, having your mum cook your meals for you. Coming from overseas and doing it all away from home can therefore put a lot of extra strain on academic pursuits and

the wellbeing of international students.

Overseas and Multicultural Reps (O&M Reps) are charged with ensuring

that the needs and concerns of international students are represented to the University, Faculty and also the wider student body. This can be with regards to academic needs or mental health and wellbeing, and involves canvassing opinions, discussing them with the AMSS Committee and any subsequent action.

Positions available:One O&M Rep from each year level.

year level

representation

Team Rep is the external representative branch of the AMSS. We advocate to the Australian Medical Association (South Australia), Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA), South Australian Institute of Medical Education and Training (SA IMET) and other organisations and groups as the need arises.

We have six 2 hour meetings throughout the year. Meetings provide a chance to educate students on the issues being dealt with by these external groups, gauge student opinions on issues, identify any areas in which AMSA is lacking policy that we may like to draft and to talk through AMSA National Council Agendas.

What issues are dealt with by Team Rep?

Advocacy issues include:•Increased student numbers•Quality of clinical training placements•Internship availability and allocation•Health and wellbeing of medical students•Student professionalism•Student registration

Team Rep also canvases student opinion on upcoming Agenda items for AMSA’s National Council (where AMSA Reps and Presidents discuss student issues over three days). You are also invited, whether you attend Team Rep meetings or not, to apply to attend any one of AMSA’s three National Councils. These occur in March, July and October and application processes will be made known to you well in advance. For more information, visit the AMSA Website – www.amsa.org.au

When are the meetings?

Team Rep meetings are generally held on weeknights, at 5:30pm to allow all students the opportunity to attend.

How do I sign up?

You don’t technically have to ‘sign up’, but if you would like to be added to the Team Rep router, email [email protected]. You don’t need any experience to join and we would love to help you understand the issues facing us as students of today and as doctors of the near future.

Team Representation (Team Rep)Who to contact: Senior AMSA Rep ([email protected] )

Timing: 6 meetings throughout the academic yearApproximate time commitment per week: 6 Meetings of approx 2hrs duration

education

The Fifth Year mock OSCE is delivered by current Sixth Years for Fifth Years in the lead up to their barrier exams. There are a variety of positions available and involvement can be very flexible. Involvement opportunities range from running the program, to setting up the facilities or being an assessor on the day.

Positions available: assessor, curriculum writing and group co-ordinator.

ClinPrac is a Team Education initiative. It involves Second Year students running through basic Clinical Skills with First Years. If you are in Second Year and are interested in being a tutor, please email [email protected]. It is a great way to practice your clinical skills and meet the First Years.

Positions available: clinical skills tutor, observer and Standardised Patient (SP).

Team Education (Team Ed)Requirement: Must be an Ed Rep

Who to contact: Vice President (Education) ([email protected] )Timing: All year

Time commitment per week: 1-2 hours with meetings, extra when needed

Fifth Year Mock OSCE GroupWho to contact: Vice President Education ([email protected] )

Timing: OSCE in Sept – OctTime commitment per week: 1-2

hours per week normally, 3-4 closer to the OSCE

ClinPracWho to contact: Education Events

Coordinator ([email protected] )Timing: April-September

Time commitment per week: 1-2 hours per week

The AMSS is the peak representative body for medical students at the University of Adelaide. AMSS representation to the Medical School is coordinated by Team Ed. Members of Team Education sit on various committees within the Medical School and relay the student position on educational issues.

Team Education also holds a series of educational events for your interest and to help supplement your learning. Keep an eye and an ear out for them!

The Medical School Transition Program (or MedTransit for short) is a mentorship program run by the AMSS designed to ease the transition to Medical School for First Years.

It involves Second Year students working with First Year students in small-group sessions to:

• Provide basic assistance with CBL, Resource, Medical Personal and Professional Development (MPPD) and Clinical skills sessions;

• Bring them into contact with older students;

• Offer general support for First Year students over the first few weeks of their Medical School experience.

The program is not designed to be another p2p, but a ‘buddy system’ to help with the transition to the unique degree that is Medicine.

Older students provide guidance to the First Years regarding study techniques, pointing out available resources and being an easily accessible contact point for any questions.

Peer-2-PeerWho to contact: Vice President Education ([email protected] )

Timing: April-OctoberTime commitment per week: 2-3 hours

Peer-2-peer (or p2p) is an exiting mentoring program pioneered in Adelaide. The mentoring and tutoring initiative was started formally in 2008 and utilises clinical students to tutor pre-clinical students in First and Second Years. The program involves a pair of senior tutors (Fourth to Sixth Year) attached to a group of 6-8 junior students (First and Second Year) and together they can discuss tricky concepts, the approaches to identifying symptoms and diseases, exam technique and generally anything to do with medicine.

The best thing about p2p... Anyone is welcome! In the past few years, the p2p program has been hugely beneficial for all involved, with younger students learning relevant material while senior students have gained invaluable teaching experience.

education

Med TransitWho to contact: Education Events Coordinator ([email protected] )

Timing: First SemesterTime commitment per week: 1-2 hours

recreation

The Events Team is responsible for running the 80-or-so AMSS events throughout the year. Under the guidance of the VPC and several specific event convenors, members of the Events Team can be involved in any aspect of any event!

With events ranging from sports and debating, to fundraisers, pub-crawls and parties, the

scope of the Events Team is almost limitless. Whether you would like to help book venues, design posters, sell tickets, organise budgets, make decorations, or cook BBQs… there will always be an opportunity to be involved. No experience is required, and your role can take up as much or as little of your time as you please.

The Events TeamWho to contact: Vice President (Communication) ([email protected] )

Timing: All year – whenever you would like to be involved!Approximate time commitment: It can be as little or as much as you choose!

MedRevue is a (hilarious) show produced, written, and performed by students from the Medical School in which recent events, popular fads, well-known figures and common practices are parodied.

Volunteers are needed to dance, act, sing, play instruments, coordinate sound and lighting, usher, bake, locate and secure sponsorship, build sets, create costumes and generally be

awesome and hilarious. All profits will be directed to charity and rehearsals will start late in the first semester.

Positions available: script writers, lighting tech, audio tech, backstage and crew, actors, choir members, band members, dancers, prop/costume creative director, set designer, front of house, ushers, snack bar operators and fund-raisers.

MedRevueWho to contact: MedRevue Convenors ([email protected] )

Timing: April-SeptemberApproximate time commitment per week: 0.1-20 hours (as much as you want)

Skullduggery is one of the great traditions of the AMSS. It is likely that if your parents attended the University of Adelaide, they went to Skullduggery and did bad things there. In short, Skullduggery is a living legend.

In more specific terms, Skullduggery is a welcome-back party held by the AMSS for all students at the University during O’Week and approximately 2,000 people attend! It is a mammoth logistical exercise so two (sometimes three) dedicated Co-Convenors are elected to carry out this critical task.

The job takes dedication, some prior event organisational experience, and lots of hard work; the benefits include having too much fun, gaining many new skills, and entering the hallowed ranks of ‘Skullduggery Convenor’… living legend.

Applications for election as Skullduggery Co-Convenors open in the middle of the year preceding the party. It is strongly encouraged you contact past convenors in the lead up to applications.

Skullduggery ConvenorsWho to contact: Skullduggery Convenors ([email protected] )

Timing: September-FebruaryTime commitment: Convenors -Light until December. Then approximately 20 hours per

week from December to February. High workload in O’Week.Helpers: 3-4 hours per week from December to February. High workload in O’Week.

MedCamp ConvenorsWho to contact: Past MedCamp Convenors ([email protected] )

Timing: September-February/MarchTime commitment: Convenors: Light until December. Then 20 hours per week from

December to March. High workload in the lead-up and during O’Week.Helpers: Light until February. Then up to 5 hours per week during February and March. Full

weekend commitment for MedCamp Weekend.

MedCamp is first big Medical School event the fresh-faced First Years are exposed to and is their first introduction to the AMSS... this means it is vital in setting the scene for the next six years! It is a weekend with little sleep but insane amounts of fun, for both the First Years and also the team of Second Year helpers. As a helper or Convenor, you get to work with a great team and build, at the risk of sounding cliche, life-long friendships.

Positions available: Co-Convenors, Activities Officers, Food Officers, Logistics Officer, Multimedia Officer, MedCamp Brother, MedCamp Sister, MedCamp Helpers.

Applications for MedCamp Co-Convenors occur in the middle of the year preceding the event, and will be well publicised to all First Year students. Applications for helpers are then opened in the final months of the year.

wellbeinghealth and

SportsWho to contact: Sports Officer(s) ([email protected] )

Timing: Events throughout the year Time commitment: Variable, depending on the upcoming event(s).

Health and Wellbeing Working PartyWho to contact: Vice President (Communication)

([email protected] )Timing: Ongoing throughout the year

Approximate time commitment per week: Variable

As busy students it is very easy to get tied up with study and University life, and often ignore the fact that we are exhausted, sick, stressed and needing some time to relax.

The AMSS Health and Wellbeing Working Party (AHWWP) was formed in 2010 to ensure that student welfare remains a priority. Several initiatives have been launched so far, with a number of health and wellbeing focused events planned each year. The aim is to ensure that students have access

to a range of help and support services, and provide them with opportunities for healthy recreational activities.

If you have any ideas for new health and wellbeing events or initiatives, or would be interested in helping out during the year, please contact the Vice President (Communication).

Positions available: event organisers, ideas generators, general helpers.

The AMSS offers a number of sporting events and teams in a variety of areas. Sporting events include: MedFooty, MedVolleyball, Corporate Cup and City-2-Bay.

On top of these AMSS-run events, there are also groups of students who regularly go bike riding (The Peleton), running (Team

Proteolysis) and even a walking group.

These sporting events require a number of helpers, including year level representatives, to successfully run and offer low to medium level involvement to those who are interested.

The Adelaide Medical Students’ Foundation (AMSF) is an exciting initiative that was launched in 2009 and which exists solely to serve

and support medical students at the University of Adelaide at an individual, group and organisational level.

The Foundation is led by a Board of eight individuals that include one Patron Director, three Graduate Directors, one Financial Director, two Student Directors and one

AMSS Director. The values of the AMSF are: benevolence, integrity, vision. It has long-term goals to develop significant

investment capital which can then be re-invested to the benefit of medical students at the University of Adelaide. You can find out more about the AMSF by going to their website (www.amsfoundation.org.au)

The AMSF Working Party (AMSF WP or the Working Party) is a new group specifically designed so medical students can get involved in the Adelaide Medical Students’ Foundation (AMSF). The Working Party is open to all medical students from First Year to Sixth Year, and with any level of experience: everyone is welcome! It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, from branding development through to event management and financial planning. The great thing about the AMSF WP is that it is extremely flexible: whatever your interest, a suitable role will be found for you.

The role of the Working Party is diverse. It will follow the directions of the Board in progressing a number of important objectives for the AMSF, including:

- Developing branding and marketing material;

- Organising events for students and Graduates;- Promoting the AMSF to current students and clinicians;- Researching areas of interest to the AMSF.

There is scope within the Working Party for younger students to take on leadership roles in driving the pursuit of these specific sub-areas. It represents an excellent opportunity to learn skills which might otherwise be restricted to involvement at a more senior level in the AMSS or in the corporate sector.

There is an Executive for the Working Party which includes roles such as Chair, Sponsorship Officer, Scholarships Officer, Marketing Officer and Secretary. These positions provide an excellent opportunity to become even more involved in the AMSF, so please come along to some meetings of the Working Party to see how it all works!

Adelaide Medical Students’ Foundation Working PartyWho to contact: Foundation Board Student Members

([email protected] )Timing: Intermittent through the entire year

Approximate time commitment per week: At your discretion.

foundation

[stimulus] aims to be the voice of each and every part of the Medical School student body. So if you’re thinking something… we want to hear about it!

The Pub(lication)s team produces the Society’s flagship magazine, [stimulus]. Two to three editions of [stimulus] are published each year, containing articles, photos, illustrations, step-by-step guides, words of wisdom, random mindless thoughts, restaurant reviews and just about anything else you can think of that communicates some aspect of the medical student experience.

So, if you are a writer / poet / photographer / artist / designer / trendwhore / hipster / conformist / rebel / someone with something to say, [stimulus] is YOUR magazine.

The Pubs team is required to publish a new edition of the First Year Guide during the summer holidays for distribution in O-Week.

Ways to get involved:If you can put pen to paper, hands to keyboard, stylus to tablet, knife to lino, or even voice to dictator… We’d love to hear from you! You can tell us how and what you’d like to contribute, or we can send you a particular topic to focus on.

Are you comfortable working with digital media and get excited when you see a blank A4 page? Help us make the pages of [stimulus] live up to the magazine’s name… As a graphic design assistant you can help with the nitty gritty of the magazine and really leave your mark.

publicationsPublications Team

Who to contact: Publications Officers ([email protected] )Timing: 2 times a year

Time commitment: Editors: Very busy in lead up to publication dateContributors: Any! Volunteers contribute as much or as little as they want

philanthropy

Events

There are many AMSS events lumped under the banner of philanthropy (such as Close the Gap, Movember, City-2-Bay) which require a team effort (where specific roles can be negotiated but are briefly outlined below). There is also room for proposals or suggestions for new philanthropic events! If you have a specific idea that you would like to have backed by the AMSS please feel more than welcome to ask for the Philanthropy Officer’s support.

Philanthropy is not confined to fundraising either, so feel free to suggest ways in which you feel we can make a positive contribution with our minds and our time, not just money!

Positions available:

Poster design for events (on approval by the AMSS Executive), participating/helping to promote/set up the World’s Greatest Shave, helping to promote/set up/run the Close the Gap BBQ, Movember (participating or promoting) and many more events.

RedParty

RedParty is an End of Term Party with a RED theme that aims to raise awareness and funds to support those living with HIV/AIDS. The

week leading up to RedParty is Red Week and involves a variety of

activities, such as a cake stall and REDucation

Forum, to further raise awareness and money

for the cause.

A p p l i c a t i o n s for election as RedParty Co-Convenors open towards the end of the year, along with

MedCamp and other convenor positions.

Who to contact:AMSS Exec (exec@amss.

org.au) or past convenors ([email protected]).

Timing: April – September.

Time commitment: Convenors: Light until July. Then approx 20 hours per week in the month leading up to the event.

Helpers: Light until September. Then up to 5 hours per week during September.

PhilanthropyWho to contact: Philanthropy Officer ([email protected] )

Timing: Intermittent through the year Time commitment: <3 hours a month, time commitments are likely to be

concentrated around a particular event rather than on a regular basis.

initiatives

AMSS Initiative Funding ProcessWho to contact: AMSS Treasurer ([email protected] )

Timing: Whenever you want! Time commitment per week: Whatever you have in mind...

if you have an IDEA that could benefit students... but don't know where to begin.... The AMSS Initiative Funding Process

is for YOU


The AMSS is always looking for new ways to help its members and the community, whether it is through educational opportunities, social events, philanthropic ventures or members services.

Sometimes it can be difficult to find the start up capital, both financial and human, to get a great idea off the ground. The AMSS Initiative Funding Process offers both financial and human capital to assist you in realising your vision.

The process involves developing your idea into a formal proposal, with the help of the Executive and relevant Committee members. Following this, your idea will be discussed by the Executive, who will provide feedback and further advice on your proposal. You will then present your idea to the Committee, who will determine what support the Society will provide and to what extent your idea will be initiated. So, if you have an idea that you think could be beneficial for members, or serve the wider community, get in touch with the Executive ([email protected]) for further details on exactly what the AMSS Initiative Funding Process can offer you.

summary

CommitteeYear Reps

Ed RepsO&M Reps

Team RepTeam Ed

Fifth Year Mock OSCEGroupClinPrac

Peer-2-PeerMedTransit

The Events TeamMedRevue

Skullduggery ConvenorsMedCamp Convenors

SportsHealth and Wellbeing Working Party

AMSF Working PartyPublications

PhilanthropyInitiatie Funding Process

https://[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]


Guide to Getting Involved 2013

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