Students’ Union

Elections

Handbook 2018

Elected members will be in position from 01 August 2018 to 31 July 2019

What is the Students’ Union (SU)?

The SU is a group of students who take positive action and make decisions to improve the College for everyone. This includes:

  • Representing student views to College management
  • Organising clubs, events and societies
  • Organising charity fundraising activities
  • Promoting student discounts
  • Gathering and promoting student opinions

The SU is run by students for students

How much time do you have to give up?

The positions are voluntary and can be done alongside your course. It will make demands on your free College time and you therefore need to think carefully about whether you are prepared to do this for one full academic year.

What do they actually do?

You will represent the views of students, work with the College and its staff, deal with local issues and oversee the day-to-day running of the SU.

The following positions are voluntaryand can be done alongside your course

President

The main role of the President is to representstudents. The President also promotes the learner voice, acting as a link between students and the College. This will involve sitting on the board of governors and various SU committees. You will also be involved in organising and promoting events and activities that will be open to all students, running student campaigns and generally raising awareness of the SU.

Vice President (VP)

The Vice President will act as deputy in the absence of the President. The VP will work in collaboration with the President to promote the SU. The VP will also sit on the board of governors and attend relevant College committees to represent student views.

Events & Engagement Officers

The Events & Engagement Officers will represent the interests of all members. They will develop new educational, social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate as well as design and produce materials, resources and media products, which aim to improve the exposure of the activities being delivered and the SU as a whole.

Higher Education Officers

The HE Officers will represent the interests of HE students. They will work closely with the Events & Engagement Officers todevelop new educational, social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate.

LGBTQ+ Officers

The LGBTQ+ Officers will represent the interests of the LGBTQ+ students. They will providea LGBTQ+ perspective on all matters concerning the SU and the College and ensure there is a regular forum / group where LGBTQ+students can meet.

What are the benefits of being an Officer?

Each position can provide you with many skills to help you develop a career and really impress employers and universities.For example:

  • Team work
/
  • Planning
/
  • Public speaking

  • Management
/
  • Negotiation
/
  • Diplomacy

  • Working to deadlines
/
  • Organisation
/
  • Communication

  • Experience of committee meetings

These are just a few of the things you can expect to gain.

But most of all it’s fun!

Things to think aboutif you run

Am I committed? Being part of the SU is an important role, you will be representing students and making decisions as a team on their behalf or organising things to improve their College life. You will need to attend a short weekly meeting to help the team make decisions and carry out your role so make sure you can commit that time for the whole year before deciding to run.

I’m interested, what position should I run for? Your position will decide what your responsibilities and job role will involve, so think carefully. Try to choose a role that matches your own interests or hobbies; you will find it much easier to make a difference this way. All positions are voluntary and can be done alongside your course.

Your aims - If you run for a position, you should have a rough idea of what you would like to achieve or make available for students during your time in office. If you don’t have any ideas, think about how you would improve or change your area for the better.

Remember, you should always aim to leave the SU in a better place than when you started!

OK, I want to run – what happens now? If you have decided to run, you must complete the election nomination form (page 4)and hand it in to Learner Services –Student Services @ Berkeley, Room CG24 @ Filton, Room 228 (in the LRC) @ Stroud or Room G32@ Wise by the 27 April 2018.

Elected students will be in position from 01 August 2018 to 31 July 2019.

Election Procedure

Candidates can produce a manifesto and a poster which must be handed in with the completed election nomination form. Candidates may start campaigning on 30 April 2018. The Elections take place over two weeks and it is your job to get as many people to vote for you as possible. Election deadline is 11 May 2018.

Whilst we encourage all students to be active in the SUelections, we realise campaigning can be time-consuming. Please remember elections should not take priority over your course.

Good Luck!

Contact: Nicola Cretney, Student Services (Berkeley),Jo Johnson, Room 228 in the LRC (Stroud Campus) or Emily Jessop, Room CG24 (Filton Campus) or Ben Johnson, Room G32 (WISE Campus). Alternatively email us

Election Nomination Form 2018

Please complete in block capitals

Candidate Name:
SGS Student Number:
Standing for position of:
Telephone:Mobile:
Email:
Address:

Declaration

I confirm I am a student at South Gloucester & Stroud College and a member of the Students’ Union. I will abide by the constitution, election rules and the policies of both the Union and College.

Signature:Date:

Candidates must return this form to Learner Services by 27 April 2018.

Don’t forget to attach your manifesto and poster.

Manifesto 2018

What is a Manifesto?

This is a brief overview of who you are, what position you are running for, what you would like to achieve and why people should vote for you. It is displayed around campus so students can make an informed decision on who they would like to vote for.

Guidelines

  • It must be no more than 1 side of A4
  • Should include a suitable picture of you
  • It should be handed into Learner Services –Student Services @ Berkeley, Room CG24 @ Filton, Room 228 in the LRC @ Stroud or Room G32 @ Wise or emailed to along with your election nomination form.
  • Remember the SU Team can help if you are unsure, email us at

Candidate Name:
An introduction to who you are…
What position are you running for?
Why you think you can carry out the role?
Any experience you may have in relation to the role…
If elected what are your plans / objectives:
1.
2.
3.
Slogan (if you have one):