AGM: Helpline and Learning Rep report

The number of calls to the helpline continues to rise with 286 calls in 2007. The increased number of calls shows we are providing a useful service.

The helpline system only works because I can rely on the support of other members and we have a very good team of caseworkers: Bob Cross, Phil Dufty, Marje Hammond, Chris Miles, Dave Thomas, and Veronica Peppiatt and now Alison Baker.

I am happy to go on doing the helpline for another year if elected but we will need more caseworkers to cope with the rising load of casework especially in Crawley. One solution has been to involve reps in more casework. Proposed action over pay or Academy Status should be an opportunity to involve more people in the union.

Union learning rep is an interesting job and the union’s Continuing Professional Development and ICT work are very useful both in their own right and as a way of promoting the union.

I have continued to use a weblog which has been a useful way to publicise union activities, including CPD to members.


When I am not blogging I am tweaking my Moodle :) and my target for this year is to involve more members in online discussion and learning not just ICT but all aspects of CPD and union work. Anyone who is interested email wstalearn(at)yahoo.co.uk and you will be welcomed to the wonderful world of Moodle Lifelong Learning.

Having one day a week to cover our 4000 plus members, the internet has been an invaluable tool. However, for those who still prefer paper-based materials I have produced a Lifelong Learning newsletter.

Derek McMillan
Helpline Co-ordinator
Union Learning Rep
Website author, blogger and Moodler

(Moodle is an open-source online learning environment which is being used more widely in West Sussex and has a lot of potential for building the NUT.)