What is a society taster session?
Your taster session should be your first meeting of the year. It should be reflective of your regular activity as a society and offer prospective students the opportunity to try out your society without the membership cost. Hosting a taster session also gives your society the chance to gain new members.
Examples of past taster sessions:
- Film Society screened a film in their usual venue, the Void, and applied for funding to provided popcorn for their extra attendees.
- Band Society invited new members to attend one of their weekly rehearsals.
- Hallam Union Pole applied for funding to subsidise pole classes for a full week! Prospective members were able to attend for just £1.
When should we run our taster session?
Social Societies should host their taster sessions during Week 2 of the 2024/25 academic year (23-29 September 2024). Academic Societies should host their taster sessions during Week 3 of the 2024/25 academic year (30 September - 6 October 2024). Committee members will need to register their taster sessions with us by 17 September 2024.
Register your taster session
Taster sessions must be held by 6 October at the latest. Sessions taking place after 6 October will not be eligible for funding.
Can we get funding for hosting our taster session?
You can apply for up to £150 towards your taster session (including a maximum of £50 for food costs), and we'd encourage you to apply! You should request funding when registering your taster session. You'll need to state how much funding you want to apply for, and what the funding will be used for.
You must complete your Annual Risk Assessment before hosting your taster session
The Annual Risk Assessment can be found in the 'Committee Responsibilities' tile on the Committee Portal tile. There is an example template available to help you.
Competition time
This year we're hosting a society taster session competition where you could win £100 for your society!
To enter the competition, your society will need to:
- Opt in to the competition via Question 11 on the taster session registration form
- Tag us @hallamsu_societies in your Instagram post or story
- Have a minimum of 20 students attend your taster session
- Scan attendee tickets at your event via native
Competition prize winner will be drawn on 7 October 2024. Good luck!