Support / advice for students

Hi Kate,


I think this is a great idea and one worth exploring. From my own experience a good place to start would be the various LGBT university committees. I know I would have valued the foresight from engineers already in the work place and how they handle and overcome the challenges we may face.


On a wider note I sit on the CCYP and looking to canvas some ideas as to how we can help support the IET Equality & Diversity Policy. The next committee meeting is in March and if there are any other ideas anyone has I would love to hear them.


I've been thinking about how we can kick start more of an active LGBT network and a few of my ideas/questions are:

• 
  Welfare & Support – how can we utilise the IET networks as a way of promoting support for diversity groups? An idea might be to encourage ‘drop in’ evenings to encourage new volunteers to become involved with the IET. I.e. promote a women’s or LGBT drop in evening at your local network?

• 
  How do we create more of an active LGBT network? Do we look to host a key event with high profile speaker? Can we arrange a kick off meeting to discuss?

• 
  Affiliation with any other LGBT networks (IMechE, or Stonewall...)

• 
  Referring to the recent(ish) survey the IET published on LGBT issues is there any plans to address or carry out a ‘lessons learnt’ exercise? Were there key issues as members we can help to address, change or influence?

As I said, just my thoughts and welcome any ideas,

Jeff

Thanks Jeff for your comments. I have a meeting with the students next week so will see where that leads me.

I like the idea of the network organising speakers but I am not sure how good the uptake would be. A one day meeting in London initially might be worthwhile to test the water - or something one evening...

Kate