Setting Up a Medsin Branch

Why set up a Medsin Branch?

Medsin is a dynamic organisation, ever growing and changing to fulfil the needs and objectives of its members. It’s a great way to bring like-minded individuals together to improve global health through action on a local level.

What you need:

  • A Vision
  • Support
  • A Planning
  • Enthusiasm & Perseverance
  • Visibility

Step One: Getting the vision

Before you can set up a Medsin branch, you need to educate yourself about what Medsin is and how Medsin works - click here.

What is Medsin

You should also have an idea of how Medsin works nationally and internationally. This information can be found here.

Handy hints before you get started with your branch:

  • Find out what projects are already running
  • Most Med schools have a Marrow project running at the very least.
  • Get in touch with the National Committee
  • We can send you resources and contacts
  • Be nice to everybody and ALWAYS say thank you. It makes people keen to keep working with you – good business relationships are very important.

Step Two: Getting Support

Support is really important and comes from a lot of levels.

Student Support This is really important – a chance to inspire other people and share the vision!

The important bit – your committee

  • Running a branch is definitely NOT a one-man job!
  • Having an enthusiastic committee helps you plan for sustainability
  • You need a committee which is supportive, reliable & enthusiastic about Medsin's vision!

Ways to recruit your committee:

  • Hold a Medsin Explained event
  • Advertise with posters
  • Use the Medsin newsletter
  • Send emails through the University network
  • Write a piece for the Med school magazine
  • Get a stall at the Freshers’ Fair

Committee roles

Projects reps are a great way to facilitate the network and support your local projects while making them feel involved, without feeling like you are trying to take over. For example, if your Marrow branch decides it wants to hold the national Marrow conference at your university, they will probably appreciate your help, support and contacts!

The committee exists to facilitate communication between Medsin members, the national committee, national and local projects, other UK branches and international students – a huge job!

Faculty Support

Get the medical school on your side!

  • The National Committee has addressed the Council of Heads of Medical Schools.
  • They know what Medsin is and they’re expecting a visit from you. We can provide you with a copy of the information they already have about Medsin - contact the National President
  • They’ve also been encouraged to give you some money.
  • Get onside with your Med Student Society (MedSoc or equivalent)

Local Support

Work with local agencies to fund events, provide speakers and make your branch successful.

  • Register with your Student Union - they usually provide finance and allow room bookings for registered societies
  • Other societies – People & Planet, StopAIDS, Amnesty, etc.
  • Your local BMA rep
  • Your local MPS & MDU student advisors
  • Medical Sickness Society
  • Anyone else who is keen

National Support

The Vice President for Branches exists to help you. You can contact the VP branches or any other member of the National Committee at any time for anything! We’re here to help. Find our who we are and how to contact us, here.

Step Three: Planning

Planning for the year

  • Sit down with your new committee early in the year and make a plan
  • What do you want to achieve? E.g. setting up a new project or campaign, running medsinema nights, etc
  • What do you want to change? E.g. More global health on the curriculum
  • Which projects do you want to start? E.g. CPRiS
  • How are you going to attract new members for next year? E.g. Plan now for leaflets to go out to all prospective Freshers in August/September
  • Set target dates to make sure you achieve your aims!

Strategic Planning

  • Training and resources on Strategic Planning are available from the National Committee – contact the Training Director or click here.

Planning for Sustainability

Step Four: Enthusiasm & Perseverance

Staying Motivated

It can be really difficult to stay motivated when things aren’t working out. Here are some tips for re-kindling your Medsin passion!

  • Use your great Vice President to share the workload
  • Start handover early by keeping records of everything you have done
  • It’s great to look back and see what you’ve managed to achieve
  • Ask other branches for advice
  • The National Committee exists to help you - Please get in touch if we can help in any way. Contact VP Branches

Step Five: Visibility

So, you’ve got a vision, a committee and a plan....Now you just need to get out there and do something!

Medsin works because members are passionate about its aims and work hard to make things happen.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." MARGARET MEAD, ANTHROPOLOGIST

Reasons to be Visible

  1. It will aid your recruitment!

  2. It will convince people that Medsin is an organisation which DOES THINGS, not one which just talks

  3. It will increase support from the Faculty

  4. It will increase credibility when Medsin makes a stand on an issue

Ten Ways to be Visible

  1. Have regular events

  2. Mix fundraisers with free information evenings

  3. Have great posters!

  4. Use your medical student society - Have joint events, write articles for the magazine

  5. Have a website (and update it!)

  6. Have (and advertise) a mailing list

  7. Send flyers to Freshers

  8. Freshers’ Fair stall

  9. Wear your Medsin t-shirt to all events!!

10.Get your branch news in the E-Newsletter - Send to News Team

Important Information

Following is the information every branch president should know!

MedWHO?!

  • MedSIN = old name, DON’T USE THIS!!

  • Medsin-UK = National Committee – don’t use this without asking us, please!

  • Medsin-Branch (e.g. Medsin-Nottingham) is your branch name – use it lots and lots!

  • You should have a personalised Medsin-Branch logo for your medical school; if not, please contact Publicity Director

Medsin E-Newsletter

Get all the Medsin News in one single weekly email - click here to sign up.

Any Questions?

You can contact VP Branches or National President for more advice/support on setting up a Medsin branch.

Medsin has certificated IFMSA trainers across the UK, who can equip you in Project Management and Leadership skills. To organise training in your area, or to find out more about training opportunities, contact the Training Director.

Last updated on Thursday 22 May 2008 at 18:03.