Your Guide to AMM 2026!
The Annual Members Meeting (AMM), is Bristol SU’s biggest democratic event of the year!
Whether you’re navigating your way through the first year of Uni or find yourself on the final stretch of your Ph.D., this is an opportunity for every student to have a say on SU policy and changemaking!
Perhaps you have a burning idea for what the SU should be focusing on, maybe you’d love to debate your fellow students on a motion that’s been brought to the meeting. Or, you’re just interested in eating some free dominos and listening to democracy unfold 🍕
Whatever it is, you should come on down to the G42 Powell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, BS8 1TL on Thursday 19 February 5pm until 7pm.
If you have any questions or accessibility requests before the event, please email us at bristolsu-democracy@bristol.ac.uk
How does AMM actually work?
Democracy, Discussion, and Domino’s, sounds good right? 🍕
AMM is the perfect opportunity to get your voice heard and help improve your university experience by voting on new SU Policy!
As well as looking towards the future, this space will offer you the chance to reflect and hold your current Full-time Officers to account. Finally, AMM is also a chance to renew any policy that is about to expire, also known as Lapsing Policy. This year there are three policies up for renewal.
Any items, or motions, that pass will become active SU policy for 3 years!
What motions are gouing AMM?
Since student coucil, our Ideas Board has been open for new motions. These have then been developed with the help of our Liberations and Campaigns team here at the SU and now they go to AMM.
This year there are 3 motions up for debate:
• Raising awareness of gambling harm on campus
This motion asks Bristol SU to recognise gambling harm as a student wellbeing issue and improve awareness, education and support. It aims to reduce stigma, provide accurate information, and work with expert charities and University wellbeing services. The goal is to help students make informed choices and access support early.
• Cuts to Medical Leave for Part-Time PhD Students funded by a UoB scholarship
This motion challenges the University’s new medical leave policy, which reduces paid leave for part time PGRs and disproportionately harms disabled and chronically ill students. It calls on Bristol SU and the PG Education Officer to lobby for equal entitlements, reverse retrospective changes, improve communication, and ensure fair, transparent support for students who need medical leave.
• Regulating the use of generative AI in Bristol SU to safeguard students and their futures
This motion seeks clear SU guidance on ethical GenAI use, highlighting risks to student wellbeing, creative industries, skill development and the environment. It calls on Bristol SU to discourage harmful uses, help student groups find ethical alternatives, and gather student views to shape the SU’s stance on AI across university life.
As mentioned, here are the policies up for renewal:
• Sanctuary Scholarship Legal Fund
• Muslim Prayer Room
• Gender Justice (final wording to be confirmed)
Please get in touch with any questions: email our Democracy inbox or our Democracy & Campaigns Coordinator.
You must attend in person to contribute to the debate.
Wait, what even is a motion?
Sadly, we’re not referring to the old iconic nightclub on this occasion... 🪩🕺
For AMM, a motion is the formatted way that a student idea comes to us. It will include a background explaining why they are sending it, a purpose to describe its intent, and any actions that give clear guidance on how we can enact the idea. At the meeting, these actions will be displayed on a PowerPoint for each motion that is discussed.
What happens once a motion is approved?
The finished motions then get sent to Democratic Standards, to be approved for debate. Democratic Standards will make sure it’s appropriate to go to AMM and approve it if it is. The SU staff team will notify and brief the student that submitted the motion that they will have to propose it at AMM.
How is the debate structured?
1. Motion proposer gives a 3 minute speech for their motion
2. The audience has a chance to ask practical questions on the content of the motion. This is not a chance to debate the validity of the motion: it is strictly a space for you to clarify on the contents of the motion. Please scan the QR code on the screen to access Mentimeter and ask your questions.
3. You will have two minutes to submit your questions.
4. If you want to make a statement For or Against a motion, please also use this time to make your way to the front rows. Sit on the For side if you wish to make a statement in support of the motion, and on the Against side if you wish to make a statement opposing the motion.
5. The Chair will read out a maximum of 6 questions to the proposer, who will have a chance to answer.
6. The Chair will call for a speech against the motion. They will have 3 minutes for their speech.
7. If no one wishes to speak against the motion, we will move directly to voting. If someone does, the Speech Against concludes the first round of debate and kicks off the floor debate.
- The Chair will call on the first person in the queue in the For side to come give their 1 minute statement
- The Chair will call on the first person in the queue in the Against side to come give their 1 minute statement
- Rinse and Repeat until everyone has spoken, or, if the debate seems to keep going, until the Chair calls for a second round of 3 minute speeches, which will conclude the debate.
8. The Chair will call for a vote. You will vote by raising your voting card.
Key terms and definitions for AMM
- Policy – when a motion is passed by students, it becomes policy. This is in place for 3 years at the Students Union and can be renewed at the Annual Members Meeting.
- Amendment – a suggestion from another student to a student’s motion, which can “amend or change” what exactly the motion may enact.
- Chair – the person at the front leading the meeting.
- Democracy Desk – a group of elected students, Democratic Standards Committee, who you can ask procedural questions to any time.
Important terms:
- Speech For: 3 minute speech In favour of a motion
- Speech Against: 3 minute speech Opposing a motion
- Statement For: 1 minute speech In favour of a motion, delivered during the floor debate
- Statement Against: 1 minute speech Opposing a motion, delivered during the floor debate
I am still confused!
Hopefully, this handy guide has answered some of your questions about AMM and what to expect on the night. But it’s a confusing topic!
If you have any further questions or would like to find out some extra info that hasn’t been included, feel free to send an email over to bristolsu-democracy@bristol.ac.uk
Follow the fumes of hundreds of free pizzas and come along to this year’s AMM. We can’t wait to see you and check out the event listing for any final details you may need! ✅
