Invitation to apply to participate in:
A workshop to help co-design SSDP’s Campus Network
What are we doing?
In November 2020, SSDP Aus is conducting at least one 60-90 minute Co-Design Workshop, online, via video call with 6-12 existing SSDP members (SSDPers) & potential members to figure out the best way we can continue to build SSDP's Campus Network (CN) in Victoria, NSW and WA. Together, we will come up with a list of recommendations that will inform how we can:
Develop the Campus Network over summer,
Prepare Campus Teams (CTs) before their O-weeks at the start of Semester 1 2021, and
Plan further research about how SSDP can respond to COVID-19 to continue to effectively involve young people & students in SSDP’s drug policy advocacy and community building activities.
Who is invited to the workshop?
Anyone who is interested in helping us develop our Campus Network, or just has ideas about how we could engage tertiary students is invited.
We’re especially seeking:
Existing SSDP members who have been a tertiary student in 2020,
Existing SSDP members who will likely be a tertiary student in 2021,
People who have been a tertiary student in 2020, but are not yet properly involved in SSDP,
People who will likely be a tertiary student in 2021, but are not yet properly involved in SSDP.
Attendees will also be given the first opportunities to help form SSDP’s new:
National Campus Network Working Group (which will implement the recommendations, with the rest of the organisation's support) and/or,
National Campus Network Advisory Group (for those who cannot commit to the Working Group but still want to be able to submit ideas and feedback).
Note: Before we commit to launching these proposed Working Groups, SSDP’s National Team will first review the workshop’s recommendations and then see who we have, what resources we have and what we are best placed to do.
What happened to the Campus Network this year, and what are our current plans for the Campus Network?
At the start of semester 1 2020, we supported several Campus Teams to conduct outreach at their O-weeks, and it was looking like our Campus Network was about to have its best year yet. Then COVID hit. We all struggled to adapt, and we decided to redirect our limited capacity away from the Campus Network, towards solidifying the rest of the organisation’s foundations. Now, with many of those foundations finally in place, and with Australia having somewhat adapted to the initial shock of COVID, we’re ready to re-develop our Campus Network, co-designed with a wide range of tertiary students and their allies, to ensure it is still relevant and effective in this new COVID era.
Our current plans are to:
Bring together existing and potential members of the Campus Network to discuss its future, and how we can involve them
Use the first O-Weeks of 2021 to pilot our COVID-era Campus Network with at least one University Campus Team in each of Victoria, NSW and WA.
Research and test the viability of extending the Campus Network to TAFEs, starting in Victoria.
What is the purpose of the Campus Network?
The Campus Network exists to build Campus Teams and align them across Australia. Campus Teams connect with Australia’s tertiary students through activities focused on:
drug education (on topics such as safer use, destigmatising drug users, and the history of drug use and policy),
community building (including honest discussions on topics such as local drug use patterns, peer support, and access to support services) and
advocacy (on local, state and national campaigns).
The Campus Network provides Campus Teams with the digital infrastructure, tools and training (E.g. Facebook Page, Action Network, Slack, Trello) to effectively plan, promote and manage their outreach activities and events. Regular inter-campus meetings also bring teams together to reflect, review and improve upon their activities through the ideas and feedback of other teams.
What is the purpose of a Campus Team?
Campus Teams are led by local tertiary students (who are usually young, but can be any age) who want to learn & practice leadership skills while building their local community. Each Campus Team has at least one leader who is directly supported and mentored by SSDP Aus. Campus Teams may also be affiliated with their local Student Union. Campus Teams organise local events and activities, and build networks with their local peers, allies and wider community. They can run educational events, social events, community forums, surveys, advocate for solutions to local issues, and participate in larger campaigns that are led by SSDP Aus. They also provide a pathway for their peers to join other SSDP national projects and teams (E.g. Join our National Research & Advocacy Working Group).
What are some of the questions we are hoping to answer with this workshop?
What impact has COVID had on campus life, and how may this impact students’ drug use patterns, and interests in drug policy activism?
What sorts of support do Campus Team Leaders and members need from SSDP to thrive in 2021?
What sorts of projects could the Campus Network run?
What sorts of projects could Campus Teams run?
How can Campus Teams mobilise the support of their allies?
How to apply to participate in a workshop?
Fill out this form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RZHPLC3