AMOSSHE membership includes access to:

·         professional training events at discounted rates 

·         annual conference 

·         knowledge communities 

·        national and regional groups 

·         networking with Student Services professionals and peer support 

·         international exchange programme 

·         policy briefings and summaries 

·         opportunities to influence UK HE policy 

·         tailored sector news and opportunities 

·         participation in and exclusive up-to-date reporting about the sector via of the members’ survey

·         savings

Professional training events

In 2008, AMOSSHE commissioned a report to scope the leadership and management priorities of its members.  The report, funded by the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE), identified the areas: personal development, knowledge base, and strategic capability.  These are addressed in AMOSSHE’s CPD programme, which includes at least three one day events each year.

AMOSSHE also worked with the LFHE to develop a two day Development Centre for senior Student Services managers.  This will be delivered three times by the LFHE.

AMOSSHE supports several external events, and in doing so secures discounts for AMOSSHE members to attend these conferences.

Annual conference

Each summer, AMOSSHE hosts an annual conference.  The conference is the pinnacle of the CPD programme, and ties together the themes and activities of the previous year.  It is an invaluable opportunity for Student Services professionals to meet their colleagues across the UK and network, learn more about the sector, and enhance their professional training.

AMOSSHE members are charged a significantly lower rate to attend the annual conference than non members.

Knowledge communities

To give members additional discussion and networking fora, AMOSSHE offers several  “Knowledge Communities”.  These are currently:

• using technology to improve services;
• multi-faith issues; and
• healthy universities. 

AMOSSHE may add further knowledge communities in future.  As well as sharing good practice and providing a safe environment in which to discuss complex issues, the knowledge communities feed into the annual CPD programme. 

National and Regional groups

AMOSSHE members meet in their regions, to discuss themes affecting them, network with colleagues and provide local peer support.  Usually, one named AMOSSHE member at each HEI represents that HEI on the regional group. 

AMOSSHE regions are (listed alphabetically):

• East Anglia 
• Ireland
• Midlands
• North
• Scotland
• South East
• South West
• Wales.

International Exchange Programme

AMOSSHE hosts a bi-annual exchange programme with the US student affairs organisation, NASPA.  Up to five AMOSSHE delegates will visit a selection of universities or colleges in one or more US states; two years later a similar number of AMOSSHE members (HEIs) host visits from US student affairs managers.  This is an excellent way of finding out more about international practices, and new ways of working.

AMOSSHE is exploring other international options, including closer liaison with the International Student Affairs Association, IASAS.  AMOSSHE is developing links with, amongst others, professional sector bodies and colleges in Australia, Canada and China.

Policy briefings and summaries

AMOSSHE issues briefings about major policy publications.  These briefings are deliberately short, including a summary and discussion of the key issues that might impact on Student Services’ work.  They provide an overview of the detailed document, allowing members to be up to date with legislation and policy development without having to carry out intense and time consuming research themselves.

Influencing UK HE policy

The AMOSSHE Executive and National Office are in regular contact with AMOSSHE members, and active in national debates, consultations and policy discussions.  For example, in 2009, AMOSSHE took the lead in gathering sector views on Student Finance England’s performance, feeding into the Hopkins review.  AMOSSHE participates in all the Student Loans Company stakeholder groups and contributes to a broad range of other sector groups and initiatives, covering the whole Student Services ‘landscape.’

Tailored sector news and information

AMOSSHE communicates with its members via a range of media including:

·         quarterly members bulletins, including updates on AMOSSHE national and Executive activity, policy news, events and CPD

·         JISCmail lists, including regular messages to all AMOSSHE members about policy developments, projects, events and funding opportunities; regional JISCmail lists; email groups for each knowledge community

·         the Twitter profile @amosshe_uk, which alerts members to current trends in the sector, reports immediately on AMOSSHE events, and is the first place to hear about member offers

·         the website www.amosshe.org.uk.  The members’ only area includes exclusive resources such as our policy briefings and survey reports. 

Members’ survey

AMOSSHE delivers an annual members’ survey to maintain its broad understanding of UK HE Student Services. AMOSSHE issues a report of the survey findings to its members, commenting on major trends across the sector. 

The survey provides valuable information about the scale and scope of Student Services in UK HE. Members can use the data for benchmarking and comparing. As a national organisation, the survey enables AMOSSHE to present a clear and accurate picture of Student Services in policy debates.

Leading the Student Services sector

AMOSSHE conducts research and project work to support Student Services managers.  In 2010, AMOSSHE was awarded £73,000 from the HEFCE LGM fund towards a national project looking at the value and impact of Student Services.  The 15 month Value and Impact Project (VIP) will generate a toolkit for HEIs to measure and benchmark their services.  It will enable Student Services professionals to provide greater evidence about the value of their services, and offer improved mechanisms to evaluate and promote their work.

AMOSSHE members are conducting pilot work as part of the project, will have priority access to the findings, and access to previews as the work develops.

 Savings

Generally, it is more cost effective to take out an additional membership for people intending to participate in one or more AMOSSHE events.  For example: