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| Sikh Society Online Handbook |
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| 1.1 Who is B.O.S.S.? |
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The British Organisation of Sikh Students (B.O.S.S.) has been set up to aid and assist Sikh Societies at institutions of further education in raising awareness amongst the Sikh Students. Promoting the profile of the Community and provide a social network for interaction.
B.O.S.S. aims to provide resources and information for Sikh Societies throughout the United Kingdom. Along with guidance and support on how to organise events in order to elevate their objectives.
(Now we have got over the serious stuff….) |
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| 2. Why A Sikh Society? |
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Well…you must already have a few reasons as to why you wish to set up a Sikh Society. However, could you answer this question if asked by someone or if someone asked “why should I join?” – Here are some reasons, which will assist you.
1. Ask them why not? – If the Christians and Muslims can have their own society, why can’t we? Are we ashamed of being Sikhs? Do we want to hide it?
2. Is Sikhi really all about wearing the biggest Kara you could find in Southall or is there really more to it? How can we openly call ourselves ‘Sikhs’ when we don’t even know the basics of our Dharm? So a Sikh Society is there to raise awareness not to preach or convert (people will make up their own minds, just present them with the facts).
3. At University one of the prime aims of the Sikh Society is to unite the Sikh Student community under one banner. Members can socialise and enjoy the privileges of student life (i.e. do absolutely nothing until the last minute), learn the facts of life according to our Guru's teachings, discuss and debate controversial issues e.g. marriage, caste, student life (.....and reincarnation. That's when you come back to do an MSc because you can't get a job), play sports, go to the Gurdwara and have lots of fun.
4. The Sikh Society should bridge the age-gap, which restricts youth activity at the Gurdwara. On your own you may feel left out where as if you go with fellow Sikh Society members or people you may have contact with, you may feel more comfortable. Going out as a group can also aid in understanding Sikhi and Gurbani as it will be easier to relate the interpretation of your peer group than what is said by the Granthi (especially if you can't understand a word of Punjab!!).
5. Most importantly the Sikh Society should not alienate themselves from other religious bodies, instead it should promote unity between all students irrespective of race, religion or colour. |
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| 3. Aims & Objectives For A Sikh Society |
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It is important for us young British born Sikhs to realise our own full potential. To rise above petty disputes and to follow a path given to us by our Guru’s. Here is list, (by no means extensive), to help convince your fellow students to join and to feel part of a community:-
@ Unify the Sikh Community at the institution.
@ To give a voice and raise issues affecting student members and the Sikh Community generally.
@ Organise talks, seminars and workshops on aspects of concern and interest to Sikh members.
@ Raise awareness of Sikh practices, culture and customs through discussions and celebration of dates and festivals on the Sikh Calendar.
@ Raise understanding of Sikh practices, culture and way of life by (re) production of literature, dissemination of literature, guest speakers and discussions.
@ Positively involve students in all aspects of activities and events at the local Gurdwara (e.g. by participation in seva and contributing financially towards costs student Langar, Kirtan and Akhand Paath programmes).
@ Act as a forum through which the Sikh student community at the institution can meet other Sikh members to socialise amongst themselves, enabling young people to share the same/similar interests and to have fun together (within the constraints of the Sikh doctrine-that means no all night hangars rave at Vaisakhi, or pub crawl at Diwali. Let the Asian Society do that: Why give unfair competition?).
@ Organise leisure/sports events and tournaments- don’t stop at a 5-a-side tournament for the Boyz, get a wide variety of activities programmed to include everybody particularly the sisters. By having a Sports officer: its practical to have someone who does sports!).
@ Participate in national sports competitions by other Sikh Societies or B.O.S.S.
@ Serve the needs (not necessarily requests) of members
@ Lobby and act on student problems: channel advice through SU and University services.
@ Promote a positive image of the Sikh way of life, Sikh community through programmes, charity events and day-to-day actions.
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| 4. Setting up the Society |
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Freshers fair - A freshers fair is organised by the Students Union to market societies to the first year students. Stalls are set up by societies to promote activities and recruit members.
Contact a BOSS rep or email  info@boss-uk.org to advise of the Freshers Fair dates and any assistance you may require.
Before the freshers Fair - Get posters out at least 3-4 days in advance and put them in all the prominent positions in all the University buildings on and off campus.
About the posters- Make sure you include the following points:
(i) Who - Sikh Society.
(ii) Where - Student Union, Stall Number, etc?
(iii) When - date.
(iv) What - event Freshers Fair.
When designing posters do not use Gurbani since there is bound to be smoking or drinking of alcohol occurring somewhere near by.
The Fresher Stall - Plan this at an early stage and try to get a good spot by contacting your Clubs and Societies officer. The aim of the stall is to attract members so make it interesting and lively i.e. a dhol player or a cd in the background (but not a bhangra cd), T.V. and video of something like gatka, kirtan, etc. So make sure you have a power supply with an extension lead.
Have some leaflets, pictures and posters of previous years events organised by yourself or B.O.S.S.
When signing up new members ensure that you get the form filled in correctly and that people pay on the day since it is difficult to chase people up for money at a later date.
Make sure you get a separate sheet of paper or input straight on to a laptop; the name, year, address, contact telephone and mobile numbers as well as email addresses of the individual members. A copy of this should be made and passed onto a BOSS rep.
When people arrive explain to them why you are setting up a Sikh Society and try not to preach to them. Only discuss a religious topic if they bring it up otherwise talk about other events you plan to organise. |
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| 5. Filling in the S.U. Forms |
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Fill in all forms as instructed to do so and ensure that you hand it in on time. If you have any difficulties contact B.O.S.S. and we will help you with any queries you may have. Most importantly try to fill in all sections of the form.
There may be at some institutions a minimum number of members required to set up a society. So ensure you find out about this prior to the freshers fair so as you can recruit enough people.
If your society is new and there wasn't a Sikh Society last year, you might need ratification from the Union .
Find out in advance how to hire S.U. minibuses and if any costs are involved so as you can book as soon as possible before all of the dates are allocated.
You will also need to set up a committee as soon as possible mainly for the Students Union records. Normally an election is not required if no one objects to the people standing. To make the Students Union take you more seriously we can provide Sikh Society Constitution for you to give to the Clubs and Societies officer, this will make him sit up and take notice of you. |
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| 7. What to Organise |
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This list is not exhaustive it is only suggestive!
(i) Kirtan Darbar, Akhand Path, Langar
Excellent to get the community feeling and everybody involved. Liase and build up links with the Gurdwara Committee who may provide sponsorship. Try to keep all programmes short and fun and contact the B.O.S.S. Activities Co-ordinator to arrange a date to prevent clashes with other societies.
(ii) Guest Speakers
Try to have interesting subjects and ensure that the speaker knows his/her topic in advance and is confident to speak on it. See enclosed list for contact names and numbers of speakers.
(iii) Sports Competitions
Arrange Five-a-Side football, Pool tournaments, Bowling, Paintball etc; between members as well as other societies. This will get you training for the B.O.S.S. National Sikh Society Sports Tournament.
(iv) Martial Arts/Gatka Displays
See contact list for telephone numbers.
(v) Cha & Samoas Party
This always goes down well at the start of term. It lets people meet each other and gives you a good reputation. |
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| Appendix I - Budget Form |
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Example
Items of Expenditure |
Specific Details of Expenditure |
Estimated Cost |
For Office Use Only |
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| Publicity - Maximum of 25 A4 posters per week to advertise a meeting date & time
-Up to £10.00 for colour copying to advertise a special event or function | -6 Events to be advertised per term
-6 Events and displays/Exhibitions
| £60
£60
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| Speakers
-The Union to cover 100% of a standard rail or bus fair for travel expenses
-The Union to cover 50% of the cost of payment to Speakers up to £50.00. | -6 speakers for each of the events - first to take place on 11 th October 2000
-Travel expenses
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£650
£300
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| Transport
-The Union to cover the cost of all inter site transport | Visiting other Sikh Society events and places of Sikh interest i.e. Gurdwara-religious & social events. Sports Tournaments, Conferences etc |
£600.00
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| Equipment/Books
-The Union to cover 100% of the cost of relevant equipment | -Books on Sikh History and the Sikh Diaspora.
-Weekly Punjabi weeks paper
-‘Awakening' Magazine
-CD rom package on the Guru Ganth Sahib
-pens, paper, flip chart stand |
-£500.00
-£20.00
-£50.00
-£100.00
-£120.00
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Items of Expenditure |
Specific Details of Expenditure |
Estimated Cost |
For Office Use Only |
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| Affiliation to National Organisations
-The Union to cover 100% of the cost |
British Organisation of Sikh Students |
£100.00 |
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| Awareness Campaigns
-The Union to cover 100% of the cost of literature, posters, photocopying, etc. which is relevant to the campaign |
-Problems facing ethnic minorities students from poverty, abuse and harassment
-Equal opportunities and rights for women
-Religious intolerance and physical violence |
} £300.00
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| Trips
-The Union to cover 50% of the cost for trips of an educational purpose/or one that is clearly relevant to the Societies aims and objectives |
-Trip V &A museum
-Trip to Alton Towers
-Paintballing
-Trip to Paris to visit the Gurdwara and interact with different communities |
} £500.00
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| Misc
-To include any expenditure not covered in the above |
-Refreshments, food, disposable cups & plates, etc |
£150.00
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| Events/functions
-please give a complete cost break down for an event. |
-Gatka Display-ancient Sikh Arts
-Photographic Exhibition |
£300.00
£210.00
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