Kent Union
strategic plan
2008 - 2012
Welcome to Kent Union’s summary strategic plan
2008-2012.
The plan is the product of 12 months work, involving
comprehensive consultation, revision, thought and final
approval by the Union’s Board of Trustees in January
2008. We have been on an incredible journey over
the past ten years, taking Kent Union from a ‘small’
students’ union that punched below its weight and
delivered mediocre service for our members, to one of
the largest and most successful students’ union in the
world. We are now a sizeable provider of commercial
and non-commercial services for our members, as
well as the main representative body for the University
of Kent’s 16,000 students. Our annual turnover is
approaching £8million; we employ close to 400 people
and support over 1,000 volunteers.
We have achieved a number of quality marks and
standards including Investor in People status, Investing
in Volunteers status and the Community Legal Services
Quality Mark, and won a string of awards, including
National Student Volunteering Awards, a National
Training Award, Best Bar None National Winner and
the Sound Impact Award. Our vision is ambitious; we
aspire to be recognised as an exceptional students’
union that ranks amongst the best in the provision of
representation and services for students. In order to
achieve this vision, we need a clear strategy to focus
our staff, officers and volunteers. This document
summarises the Union’s strategic plan 2008-2012.
I commend this plan to you and hope you find it
informative.
Achike Ofodile
Union President 2007/2008
introductionThe strategic plan is divided into four themes -
representation, democracy, customer service and
social, ethical and environmental issues; and three
enablers - staff, finance and technology. A detailed
plan has been written for each of these seven
areas; this document summarises the content
of each. The plan has been developed through
a comprehensive consultation process, involving
staff, students