There are six separate mandatory training sessions tailored for specific committee positions, which certain 2026/27 committee members are expected to complete.

While these sessions are only mandatory for committee members in specific roles, we welcome attendance at all sessions from any committee member!

November Training Schedule

All sessions will take place in the Greenhouse, unless otherwise stated.

Week 7 – Commencing Monday 02/11

• Society Finances 101 – Thursday 05 November, 10:00–11:00
• Society Safety & Security – Thursday 05 November, 15:00–16:00
• Society Welfare & Working Together – Friday 06 November, 10:00–11:00

Week 8 – Commencing Monday 09/11

• Your Society & VAT – Monday 09 November, 11:00–12:00
• Running Successful Events – Monday 09 November, 14:00–15:00
• Society Finances 101 –Wednesday 11 November, 10:00–11:00
• Society Safety & Security – Wednesday 11 November, 11:00–12:00
• Society Welfare & Working Together – Thursday 12 November, 13:00–14:00
• Your Society & VAT –Thursday 12 November, 15:00–16:00
• Running Successful Events – Friday 13 November, 13:00–14:00
• Society Finances 101 – Friday 13 November, 15:00–16:00
  
  Week 9 – Commencing Monday 16/11
  
  
• Society Safety & Security – Monday 16 November, 11:00–12:00
• Society Welfare & Working Together – Monday 16 November, 14:00–15:00
• Your Society & VAT – Tuesday 17 November, 11:00–12:00
• Running Successful Events –Tuesday 17 November, 15:00–16:00
• Bystander Intervention Training – Wednesday 18 November, 10:30–12:00
• Society Finances 101 – Thursday 19 November, 11:00–12:00
• Bystander Intervention Training – Thursday 19 November, 13:30–15:00
• Society Safety & Security –Friday 20 November, 11:00–12:00
• Society Welfare & Working Together – Friday 20 November, 14:00–15:00
  
  Week 10 – Commencing Monday 23/11
  
  
• Your Society & VAT –Monday 23 November, 11:00–12:00
• Running Successful Events – Monday 23 November, 14:00–15:00
• Society Finances 101 –Tuesday 24 November, 11:00–12:00
• Society Safety & Security – Tuesday 24 November, 15:00–16:00
  
• Bystander Intervention Training – Wednesday 26 November, 11:00–12:30
• Bystander Intervention Training – Thursday 26 November, 11:30–13:00
• Society Welfare & Working Together – Thursday 26 November, 14:00–15:00
  
  Week 11 – Commencing Monday 30/11
  
  
• Your Society & VAT – Monday 30 November, 11:00–12:00

What training sessions do different committee members need to attend?

There are six separate training sessions which are mandatory for specific core committee positions. These sessions and the committee members required to attend them are as follows:

1) Handling Problematic Behaviour - Bystander Intervention Training for Society Leaders 

This is a mandatory training session, facilitated by Lewis Nurton, the Learning and Development Manager for the University of Exeter and co-delivered by members of Academics Against Assault. This training will help your society’s Welfare Leads to handle difficult situations and address problematic behaviour should it occur during society activities.  

In this session, you will learn:  

• Methods of intervention and supporting techniques  
• Strategies and approaches that allow for early intervention  
• How to recognise and contribute positively when wrongdoing is occurring  
• How to handle individuals who are intoxicated  
• How to report problematic behaviour and escalate it to the University or the Guild 

This training is mandatory for the following incoming committee members: 

• The designated Welfare Lead for your society (aka Welfare Sec) 

If your society does not have an identified Welfare Lead, this training is mandatory for the President.  

This training is mandatory for the committee roles defined above; however, we encourage all our Society Leaders to attend. Societies where all 2026/27 committee members have completed Bystander Intervention Training for Society Leaders will be awarded a Gold Badge on their group webpage. This badge recognises their commitment to challenging inappropriate behaviour, promoting best practice, and creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members.

2) Running Successful Events For Society Leaders 

This is a mandatory training session, facilitated by a member of the Guild Activities Team.  

This training will help society’s Events Leads to:  

• Understand the stages of event planning  
• Know their responsibilities when planning and running events  
• When and how to complete event budgets and risk assessments  
• Plan trips overnight or abroad  
• Market their events  

This training is mandatory for the following incoming committee members: 

• The designated Events Lead for your society (aka Events Sec) 

If your society does not have an identified Events Lead, this training is mandatory for other members of your society committee.  

This training is mandatory for the committee roles defined above; however, we encourage all our Society Leaders to attend.  

3) Safety and Security for Societies 

This is a mandatory training session, facilitated by a member of the Guild Activities Team.  

This training will help society’s President to:  

• Understand the importance of what is required in your society’s Annual Risk Assessment  
• Know the meaning of GDPR and how to ensure data security within their society 
• Understand Free Speech, its limitations and how this applies to student groups  

This training is mandatory for the following incoming committee members: 

• The designated President of your society  

This training is mandatory for the committee roles defined above; however, we encourage all our Society Leaders to attend.  

4) Society Finances 101 
This is a mandatory training session, facilitated by a member of the Guild Activities Team.  

This training will help society’s Treasurer to:  

• Create an Annual Budget and avoid debt  
• Know the funding options available to their society, including generating income, applying for funding and sponsorships  
• Understand the different financial processes available and what to use them for 

This training is mandatory for the following incoming committee members: 

• The designated Treasurer for your society  

This training is mandatory for the committee roles defined above; however, we encourage all our Society Leaders to attend.  

5) Societies and VAT 

This is a mandatory training session, facilitated by a member of the Guild Activities Team and Finance Team.

This training will help your society’s Treasurer to:

• Better understand VAT and key terms associated with it 
• Understand why the Guild is now VAT registered and how this affects your society 
• Know the VAT status of your society and what this means for you
• Know what actions you need to take for your society to be able to reclaim VAT

This training is mandatory for the following incoming committee members: 

• Your society's Treasurer  

While it is not essential, we would encourage all Presidents to attend this training also.  

This session will be delivered in a hybrid format. When confirming your attendance, please indicate whether you will attend online or in person. For those attending in person, hot drinks and snacks will be provided. 

Accessibility Statement 

• The session will be taking place in person in the Greenhouse, Devonshire House, Streatham Campus. This space is wheelchair accessible.
• Toilets are located on the same floor, as well as a water fountain. 

If you have accessibility needs that have not been addressed in this statement, please contact us via activities@exeterguild.com, and we can make suitable adjustments for you in advance for this session. 

6) Society Welfare and Working Together  

This is a mandatory training session, facilitated by a member of the Guild Activities Team.  

This training will help society’s Welfare Leads to:  

• Work together as a committee  
• Address conflict and conduct concerns  
• Plan accessible events  
• Support and signpost your members  
• Protect their own well-being  

This training is mandatory for the following incoming committee members: 

• The designated Welfare Lead for your society  

If your society does not have an identified Welfare Lead, this training is mandatory for the President.  

This training is mandatory for the committee roles defined above; however, we encourage all our Society Leaders to attend. 

What do if I cannot attend sessions because of timing issues or accessibility requirements?

We will be holding multiple training sessions throughout Term 1 (September to November) to ensure all societies have ample opportunity to attend before the deadline of Friday 11 December.

All sessions are currently planned to be delivered in person rather than online to maximise participant engagement and interaction, except our Societies and VAT sessions. 

Training sessions will be available on both the St Luke's and Streatham campuses. Wherever possible, sessions will be held in accessible venues. An accessibility statement for each training location will be available when booking a session, allowing participants to review the facilities and access arrangements in advance. 

If you are unable to find a session time or location that works with your schedule, or if you have an accessibility requirement that cannot be accommodated by the available sessions, please contact the team at activities@exeterguild.com.

Why are these training sessions mandatory? 

All society leaders are expected to attend required training sessions, as outlined in your Committee Agreement and Guild Members’ Code of Conduct.

All Society Leaders have until the end of Term 1, Friday 11 December, to complete the relevant mandatory training.

After this deadline, there will be consequences for those societies that have not attended, and your society will not be eligible for the Committee Excellence Award if training is incomplete.

There will be plenty of opportunities to attend throughout Term 1 if your group missed our May 2026 training window!

We are also introducing society badges to be added to your Guild webpage to recognise all groups that have completed training and to highlight those groups that are following best practice.