Buckingham Societies - All for the title?

Many universities have active societies and being part of them is something prestigious, rewarding and of course sociable.

At the university of Buckingham, this does not appear to be the case!

Apart from a few societies that make a concerted effort to host parties and organize trips, there seems to be many that don`t do very much at all.

The society that I am calling into question is Amnesty International.

Apart from being a member of Amnesty for a few years, of late my responsibilities have been limited to donations and reading their newsletter.

Last year at the student fair I decided to join Buckingham`s Amnesty International society, I paid the required £5 fee and waited to hear what cause I would be able to volunteer for. Alas, this naive optimism led to a dead end - NOTHING! Not an email, not a meeting.

At the beginning of this year I decided to follow up on the situation of the society. Yes, admittedly my email was direct and may have come across as impatient. I used the word `scam` because money is being taken from people wanting to be members and where has that money gone? It certainly has not gone towards anything even mildly productive!

Last week Friday was the first meeting, in who knows how long. It was unorganized, the Executive were all late but it was positive and enthusiastic, which gave me hope.

It was agreed that another meeting would be held today at 5pm and surprise, surprise, it was cancelled. I went straight there from a tutorial so I didn`t have time to see the email that was sent at 3pm rescheduling the meeting.

Yes, I understand that there are personal reasons involved, which is why one member of the executive, understandably would not have been able to come but when you get told that the meeting was cancelled because the President of the Society is out of town and then you see said president in the parking lot waiting for a bus to Milton Keynes! You can`t help but wonder what intentions are really behind some of these societies.

The valid conclusion that I can come up with is that people want to have something to put on their C.V that makes it look like they give a shit!

Everyone is busy, everyone has other commitments BUT if you can`t handle it, the answer is pretty simple - DO NOT DO IT! I am sick of hearing peoples excuses for being completely self absorbed and inefficient.

It might seem like i`m getting worked up for nothing (which is what some of my housemates believe) but let me explain why this is bugging me so much:

1.) Amnesty International is an amazing cause and I would love to be more actively involved in doing some good in this world - what ever it may be.

2.) I don`t like the thought of someone using the title of a good cause, simply for their C.V. Hand it over to someone who is passionate and willing.

3.) Where is the money going? £5 membership. I`ve spoken to people throughout last year who had joined up and never heard anything. So again, what has been done with the money?

4.) Why does nobody seem to care about this? So many people are complaining but nothing is being done? Shouldn`t the Student Union set an ultimatium? Shouldn`t there be basic requirements for a Society?
And if nothing is being done why should the society exist?

I understand that you want your C.V to be something that stands out when you leave university but here is an idea... How about you actually do something to be rewarded with the title?