Scotland’s ten years on the web
by Kate Ramsden
 John
Stevenson, Chair of the Communications and Campaigns Committee
was uncharacteristically lost for words at December’s Scottish
Council as Convenor Mike Kirby announced the 10th anniversary
of the UNISON Scotland website and thanked John for his
work as “webmaster” over the past 10 years.
Describing the website as an essential communications tool
for the union, Mike told Scottish Council that it was used
not only by activists and members, but also by the “body
politic” from outside UNISON, from MSPs to researchers,
who see it as key point of reference. This has resulted
in over 13 million “hits” on the site in the past year.
Mike added, “The website is also an excellent example of
a staff/lay member partnership and we are very proud to
have that in Scotland.”
The anniversary was also recognised by UNISON’s General
Secretary, Dave Prentis who wrote describing the UNISON
Scotland site as a “flagship.”
Sue Highton, the UNISON National President, presented
John with a specially commissioned cartoon by Frank Boyle
of the Edinburgh Evening News. The cartoon reflected not
only the 10th anniversary and John’s prowess as webmaster,
but also his unwavering support, through thick, and often
thin, of the Heart of Midlothian football team and his past
career as a magician.
Thanking the Council, John paid tribute to David Andrews,
from Orkney Branch, sadly deceased, who helped set up the
website and to the excellent support from the Policy and
Information team and especially from Chris Bartter.
John said, “Chris is an inspiration and a great pal and
proof of how the lay and full time partnership should work.”
John was almost speechless but not quite as he went into
campaigning mode.
“Through the changes to the website at UK level, we need
to make sure we keep our own lay-controlled Scottish website,”
said John.
The presentation at Scottish Council follows on from a
celebration at the last Communications and Campaign Committee
in November, when the website’s 10th birthday was marked
in style with a drop of bubbly and a specially designed
cake, courtesy of Jane Aitchison, Vice-Chair.
See www.unison-scotland.org.uk/10years
for more details
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