Please write your election statement here (max 25 words):
Please write (or attach) your election manifesto here (max 500 words/single side of A4):
Should I stand?You should be aware from the outset that standing for one of these elected positions should not be done lightly. Yes it will look great on your CV and yes you will learn and experience a whole raft of new things whilst having some fun, but (and it’s a big but) the roles come with a great deal of responsibility and commitment. You will be entrusted with representing the views of all students at the University of Winchester and in the case of the full time Officer Trustees, you and the other trustees will be legally responsible for the whole Union. Please don’t let this put you off – just be aware of, and relish the challenge!
For more information, current news and elections resources, please see: www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/suelections
How Do I Stand?
There are a number of stages that you need to go through to stand for election. The bullet points below take you through step-by-step, the things you need to do:
What do Exec do?
In a nut shell the 9 part-time executive officers are responsible for; promoting and defending the rights of Members; Campaigning on issues affecting Members; and the implementation of Student Union policy. Full time Officer Trustees have a wider remit, including the above and we would suggest that you read the constitution found on our website.
Nominations Open – Monday 9th February 2015: This is the first day that you can collect nominations. It is good to have an idea at this time of what position you want to stand for; we urge you in the strongest terms to speak to any member of the current Exec Team to find out more about each role. All current officers are available during this time to talk about their roles or to answer any questions.
Q&A pop-up session, should I stand?
We are holding a number of informal pop-up information stands to answer any questions for anyone who is or is thinking about standing for the elections. These are an excellent opportunity to find out from current officers, all that you need to know about standing for an elected position and to ask any questions you might have before you stand.
The pop-up stand will be at:
Tuesday 10th Feb, 10.30am: The Vault (as part of careers fair)
Wednesday 11th Feb, 10am: Terrace Bar
Friday 13th Feb, 12pm: Food Hall
Monday 16th Feb, 12pm: Terrace Bar
Wednesday 18th Feb: 11am: Stripe Plaza
Friday 20th Feb: 3pm: West Downs foyer
Monday 23rd Feb: 10am: Outside library / KKB area
Tuesday 24th Feb: 2pm: Terrace bar
Wednesday 25th Feb: 11am: Outside library
Gather Nominees and Write Manifesto: Make sure you fill out the form properly; you need five students to act as nominees and fill in the details on your form. You must also write an election statement & a manifesto; the statement is a maximum of 25 words and should represent your core values (i.e. A vote for Jane Doe is a vote for a calm, confident and considered candidate who will give a voice to your views – 23 words). The manifesto should be a more detailed page of A4 (max 500 words) stating what your aims are and why people should vote for you. Try to be realistic with your manifesto promises and remember to also email a copy to when you are ready to hand it in. We’ll also need an electronic picture (jpeg) of you too, so we can promote all candidates on our website.
Officer Trustees: (also known as Sabbatical Officers) These posts are full-time which means they are only suitable for students who graduate this year or for students who are willing to arrange a gap year. Sabbatical officers are required to be ‘in the office’ for a minimum of 7.5 hours per day, Mon-Fri. These post holders receive a payment equivalent to a salary, and will enter into a contract of employment with Winchester Student Union as well as holding elected office. In addition to their representative roles, they will be required to undertake many other tasks and to be formally & legally responsible for the union, along with the other trustees.
Part-time Executive Officer:
These posts are part-time and completed on a voluntary basis. A part-time officer has more flexibility to complete their portfolio and these posts are designed to fit well alongside study and part-time jobs. An executive officer might be expected to devote around 4-10 hours per week to their role.
National Conference Delegate:
Alongside the executive officer elections we are also opening nominations for the post of National conference delegate. This post is open to any student and you can stand for this alongside an executive role should you wish. The successful candidate will join the Student Union president at NUS national conference, 21-23 April 2015, and will be responsible for representing all University of Winchester students on the national stage. This post is only valid for the above specified dates, and purpose and is not a year round post on the executive.
Nominations Close - Thursday 26th February, 2.30pm: This is the deadline when your nomination form, statement and manifesto must be submitted. Hand it in to the Student Union helpdesk (on level 3 of the University Centre) and don’t forget to email a copy to
Candidates Briefing - Thursday 26th February, 5pm, St.Alpheges 003: This is when you find out the rules and regulations of campaigning and are reminded of the voting process and when results will be announced. You can also ask any further questions you might have about the whole elections process. It is essential that all candidates attend if possible as if you break an election rule later that was explained in the briefing it will still count against you.
Campaigning - Thursday 26th February (immediately after the briefing) to Thursday 5th March: This is when you sell yourself, go talk to students and get them interested in the elections and get them to vote for you. Be aware that there are 'exclusion zones' where campaigning isn't allowed and other ‘rules’ which you will be told at the briefing.
Campaigning MUST NOT commence until after the meeting on Thursday 26th February 2015. This means that no flyers, posters, items of clothing associated to a candidate’s campaign or other means of written or digital publicity can be displayed before this time. Formal electronic/social media sites dedicated to your election are also not permitted prior to this time.
Candidates Q&A - Sunday 1st March, 5pm, Stripe Lecture Room: During the campaign period you will be expected to attend a Question & Answer session (known politically as hustings), at which members of Winchester Student Union can hear from full time officer candidates and ask questions of all candidates. You will receive more details about the Q&A at the candidate briefing.
Voting – Monday 2nd 12.01am to Thursday 5th March, 5pm: Voting is undertaken electronically via our website. So remind people to vote and make sure they know how to do it. www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/vote
Results – Thursday 5th March, 8.30pm (approx.): Results will be announced in the Vault… come along, cross your fingers; good luck!!
The posts available are:
President (Officer Trustee)
Vice President, Activities (Officer Trustee)
Vice President, Education (Officer Trustee)
Communications (Executive Officer)
Entertainments (Executive Officer)
Equality & Diversity (Executive Officer)
Ethical & Environmental (Executive Officer)
International Students (Executive Officer)
Mature & Part-time Students (Executive Officer)
Sports & Societies (Executive Officer)
Volunteering & Community (Executive Officer)
Welfare (Executive Officer)
National Conference Delegate (specific & timed portfolio)
For more details of what these posts are responsible for, please see the appendices attached or visit our website: www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/suelections
Appendix
Bye Law 1 – Executive Committee
Owned by: President
Date passed: 06/05/14
Body passing: Student Senate
Review required: 06/05/17
1. The bye-laws are made pursuant to the Constitution.
2. Words and phrases used in these Bye-Laws have the same meaning as ascribed to them in the constitution.
3. These bye Laws were last updated and approved on [30/01/2014]
Definition
4. The Executive Committee shall be the Officer Trustees as defined in the Constitution of Winchester Student Union; and a number of part-time student officers as prescribed by this bye-law.
Purpose
5. Representational: to promote and defend the rights of Members.
6. Campaigning: to campaign on issues affecting Members.
7. The implementation of policy.
Role and Responsibility
8. To represent the voice of the membership.
9. Attend regular executive meetings
10. To execute policy through committee and other methods.
11. To review policy annually.
12. To lead the Union in delivering on students’ representative and political priorities.
13. Receive a quarterly report from the Trustees.
14. To coordinate any proposals for honorary life time membership.
15. To create, maintain and form membership of any and all relevant sub committees as deemed practicable for effective representation and democracy.
16. To deliver project work commensurate with portfolio and within relevant policy & strategy.
17. The Committee shall be held accountable to the AGM usually through questions from members and at least a written termly report which should be available for reference online.
Composition
18. There shall be the following Executive Committee Officers:
18.1. President (Officer Trustee)
18.2. Vice President, Activities(Officer Trustee)
18.3. Vice President, Education (Officer Trustee)
18.4. Communications (Executive Officer)
18.5. Entertainments (Executive Officer)
18.6. Equality and Diversity(Executive Officer)
18.7. Ethical & Environmental (Executive Officer)
18.8. International Students (Executive Officer)
18.9. Mature & Part-time Students (Executive Officer)
18.10. Sports & Societies (Executive Officer)
18.11. Volunteering (Executive Officer)
18.12. Welfare (Executive Officer)
Portfolio
19. The President shall:
a) Be the prime representative of the Student Union.
b) Be a University Student Governor and attend Board of Governors meetings, and other relevant senior university committees, and report back to the Student Union.
c) Normally lead delegations to conferences and meetings to external bodies.
d) Work with the Vice President, Education to ensure student academic queries are dealt with and feedback is relayed to the relevant staff.
e) Liaise with the National Union of Students and the local NUS Area organisation.
f) Supervise the General Manager of the Student Union.
g) Meet the university management regularly, and report back to the Student Union
h) Encourage students to join and get involved in the Student Union.
i) Whenever possible, ensure the Student Union works as a motivated team and encourage executive committee members to work to the best of their ability.
j) In conjunction with the Senior Manager of the Union, draft the Student Union annual budget, and monitor expenditure alongside the Union’s trustees
k) Be a cheque signatory to the Union account.
l) Ensure that the Student Union accounts are audited annually, and that these are presented to University Board of Governors for information.
m) Be the official spokesperson of the Union to the media and other external bodies.
n) To be pro-actively involved in campaigning on a local and national level on issues specific to Winchester Student Union or instigated by other affiliated and relevant organisations.
o) Work with relevant officers to ensure that the views and opinions of students who suffer discrimination are reflected throughout the Student Union’s work.
p) Establish, maintain contact and provide information from groups and organisations which work on equal opportunities issues.
q) Liaise with the university, and ensure an input into the development, monitoring and review of the university equal opportunity procedures.
r) Keep up to date with developments in the field of Equal Opportunities to ensure a contemporary knowledge specific to this area.
s) Be aware of political discussions surrounding the Higher Education sector.
t) Be responsible for recognising union achievements and developments and celebrating these to our membership and stakeholders.
u) Be responsible for organising and monitoring student representation on all University & Union meeting groups & forums.
v) To ensure that the democratic and representational structures of the union our fit for purpose and upheld.
20. The Vice President, Activities shall:
a) Publicise the clubs and societies in the union, encourage students to participate.
b) Be responsible for any clubs and societies that are formed in accordance with the relevant schedule of the Constitution.
c) Be responsible for the allocation of grants to clubs and societies and Student Union commercial services.
d) Monitor the expenditure and activities of all clubs and societies, ensuring their compliance to health & safety legislation, and Union policy and guidelines.
e) Monitor the expenditure and receive reports of activity from, all commercial services; ensuring their compliance to students needs.
f) Submit reports to the executive on the funding and activities of clubs and societies.
g) Issue guidance and advice to clubs and societies officers on organisational, promotion and financial matters.
h) Help students to set up new clubs and societies.
i) Be responsible for overseeing and giving feedback to exec on all money making activities of the Union.
j) Organise a clubs and societies forum to discuss the development of clubs and societies.
k) Attend all clubs and society’s Annual General Meetings.
l) Ensure clubs and societies have a profile at all student induction events.
m) Assist clubs and societies in their administration with external bodies where necessary.
n) Develop opportunities for all students; developing initiatives, campaigns and activities to help our students be distinctive.
o) Be responsible for ensuring club and society officials have access to relevant training and resources.
p) Be responsible for ensuring clubs & society officials are elected in accordance with Union regulation.
21. The Vice-President; Education shall:
a) Deputise for the President in their absence
b) Be responsible for academic queries and advice for all Student Academic reps, maintaining regular contact with reps and departmental heads & administrators.
c) Have a good working relationship with relevant University staff and ensure student opinion is listened to and considered at every level.