YORK UNITED BLACK STUDENTS’ ALLIANCE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS NOMINATION PACKAGE
2015 - 2016
“United by Any Means Necessary”
Thank you for your interest in YUBSA and your willingness to become more involved in your York community!
By becoming a YUBSA board director, you will be given the opportunity to fight for the empowerment of Black students at York and in the community at large. This opportunity can further your skill sets; create immeasurable experiences while fostering your social, political, and academic growth.
We look forward to your active participation on the board.
Thank you & best of luck!
General Rules and Info:
- Ten (10) positions will be elected by the active membership of the Alliance through secret ballot majority vote (50 percent + 1).
- Coordinator Director positions are open to all applicants of indigenous African descent.
- Executive Director positions are open to applicants who have been in a Coordinator Director position or have been an active volunteer for at least a year, and are of indigenous African descent.
- The position of President is open to applicants who have held Executive and/or Coordinator positions for at least one (1) year, and are of indigenous African descent.
- Regarding the director’s supporter list (signature page), persons signing this page must be a York University student and have a valid student number.
- We kindly ask all applicants to familiarize and acquaint themselves with the constitution and advise applicants to carefully choose the position they wish to run for by reviewing the responsibilities and skills required to succeed.
- We encourage all applicants to seek support around the Student Centre (but not within the YUBSA office) during this nomination period and to be mindful and respectful to those competing for board positions as well.
YORK UNITED BLACK STUDENTS’ ALLIANCE
MISSION STATEMENT
YUBSA is an official non-profit, student-run, Pan-Africanist organization that acts as a representative body on behalf of the Black student population at York University, and also operates as agents for social, political, and economic change for the Black community.
The York United Black Students’ Alliance (YUBSA) was formed in 1996 as an amalgamation of the African Student’s Association, the Caribbean Student’s Association and the Black Caucus Association. YUBSA is an organization that represents the principles and tenets of Pan-Africanism of which the significance is the unification of Black peoples into an autonomous political, economic, and social world order. YUBSA’s mission embodies a mandate to build progressive programs and institute policies for Black students and community members that suffer under the auspices of racial discrimination in the form of institutionalized racism. We seek to engage students and the community in developmental activities to cultivate healthy minds, bodies, and spirits; to facilitate and maintain a space that assists students and community members in all aspects of their lives; to develop programs and initiatives that foster positive growth, seek to establish knowledge of self and build a Black community.
MANDATE
To facilitate a space for positive growth among Black students and Black community members, while providing developmental activities that cultivate holistic health.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
YUBSA is committed to reminding ourselves during every board meeting and major events, of our existence on Native American soil thus participation in White settler colonialism through this statement:
"I would like us all to continuously remember, acknowledge and think about our place here on the occupied lands of the Mississaugas of New Credit, The Haudenosaunee and Metis Nation of Ontario. As many people before me, with me, and after me have said -‐ North of us, South of us, East and West of us is and always will be Indigenous land. Not only does it inform our work at YUBSA but also with our daily interactions with both people & land"
Director Nomination Form
Please return completed form to the YUBSA office (Room 436) or e-mail to by April 20th, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Director Position Being Sought:
Last Name: First Name:
Contact Information
Address
Street Name and Number:
Apartment #: City:
Province: Postal Code:
Telephone Number(s)
Cell: Other:
E-Mail(s)
Main: Alternative:
Emergency Contact
Name: Relationship: Phone Number(s):
Student Number: Expected Year of Graduation:
Undergraduate Student or Graduate Student:
Program of Study/Research:
Please answer the following questions.
Explain your reasons for wanting to become a YUBSA director:
Describe any relevant skills that you possess that would be of benefit to the alliance and enhance your ability to perform in the position you are running for:
Describe the ways in which you would like to see the position you are running for help you develop as a leader, in your capacity as a student, and within your future career/community involvement endeavors:
Taking into consideration the position you are seeking, what aims or vision do you have for YUBSA?
What are your membership affiliations and/or position(s) held inside and outside of York University?
Applicant Declaration:
- I am the applicant to whom this nomination form relates
- I have read and understand the constitution of the alliance
- I am willing to stand for the position stated above and shall perform the duties required of it as stated in the YUBSA constitution
- The information contained in this form is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge
- I am competing in this election of my own free will
- I am aware that my application does not guarantee that I will be a candidate in the elections
Applicant Signature: Date:
Director Supporter List
Name of Applicant:
Director Position Being Sought:
Name of Supporter(Please Print Clearly) / York Student Number/E-mail
(Please Print Clearly) / Signature
Board of Directors
All Members of the YUBSA Board are required to uphold the constitution at all times and represent YUBSA and every event and public forum.
Executive Directors
President (1)
Vice-President Operations & Finance (1)
Vice-President Programming (1)
Vice-President Advocacy (1)
Vice-President Communications (1)
Vice-President Engagement (1)
Vice-President Events (1)
Coordinating Directors
Director of Fundraising (1)
Director of Partnerships (1)
Director of Services (1)
Alliance Advisors (TBD)
General Alliance Advisor
Graduate Student Affairs Advisor
NB: It is to the discretion of the board to appoint Alliance Advisor positions to students or community members who have expressed interest and/or been deemed valuable in assisting YUBSA in its decision making process.
Description and Responsibilities of Executive Directors
President: The President is the Chief Elected Officer of the Alliance. They shall be the official spokesperson of the Alliance to the general public, York University, campus groups, and at University and community functions, as well as oversee all the Affairs of the Alliance.
Responsibilities:
Outline and implement a Presidential plan of Action for the Alliance and its Board of Directors in his/her term that reflects the mandates, needs, goals and priorities of the Alliance
Work closely with directors to build and implement the Board of Directors plan of action
Works with:
Vice-President Operations and Finance and Director of Fundraising to oversee operations of the Alliance
Vice-President Events to actively engage in building community networks of support and collaboration through YUBSA events
Work with the Vice-President Advocacy and Director of Partnerships to develop political and equity based campaigns and support groups that address issues facing Black Students and Community Members
Work with the Vice President Programming to create and maintain an effective Pan-African programming and service base for the Alliance
Work with the Vice-President Communications to ensure that YUBSA media is effectively circulated on all social media forums
Work with the Vice-President of Engagement to assure YUBSA’s volunteers and outreach is managed efficiently
Form committees as necessary to fulfill the needs of the Alliance
Work with Board of Directors to establish and maintain effective holistic Pan-African programming and initiatives
Maintain correspondence to and become actively involved in pertinent constituents (e.g. administration, faculty, York Federation of Students [YFS], York University Student Centre [YUSC], Black Student Organizations, Trans Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay Asexual at York [TBLGAY], Centre for Women and Trans People [CWTP], and community oriented Black owned business etc.
Form committees as necessary to fulfill the needs of the Alliance
Actively engage in building alliances, internal and external, to York University that reflect the YUBSA’s purpose and mandate
Safeguard the overall interests of the Alliance
Chair all board meetings and general membership meetings unless otherwise agreed upon
Responsible for the preparation of Executive meeting agendas
Required Skills:
Task delegation to manage YUBSA efficiency
Perseverance and dedication to the organization
Excellent interpersonal skills
Time management
Problem solving skills
Patience
Vice-President Operations and finance: The Vice-President Operations and Finance is the official Operations Coordinator and Financial Officer of the Alliance. They manage the Operations and financial affairs of the Alliance.
Responsibilities:
Work with the President to oversee the general management and supervision of the affairs and operations of the Alliance
Maintain YUBSA domain
Maintain sustainability of the Alliance
Work closely with all directors to manage YUBSA affairs
Manage YUBSA finances and report financial conditions to Board of Directors and members
Prepare an annual budget and annual report
Receive and administer all funds acquired by the alliance from membership fees, donations, gifts, bequests and all other sources without any considerations for personal and/or individual gain, but within the best interest of the alliance
Assure all expenditures are paid and all receivables are collected
Develop and maintain a fundraising program for the Alliance
Responsible for hiring and overseeing the Director of Fundraising
Required Skills:
Basic accounting knowledge (fund, cash basis, usage of excel)
Attention to details and diligence in recording all transactions
Scrupulous record keeping
VP ENGAGEMENT: The vp engagement is the primary contact between YUBSA and a large volunteer body and facilitator of outreach with the black student body
Responsibilities:
Create and maintain an active database of volunteers
Work closely with YUBSA directors to assess need for volunteers
Communicate Volunteer needs to YUBSA board
Provide volunteers with reference letters, volunteer time records etc.
Manage YUBSA’s Frontline outreach (e.g., tabling)
Manage the intake of new members
Manage the office hours of board members
Required Skills:
Co-ordination and delegation
Active Listening
Organization and time management
Good communication through e-mail, telephone, etc.
Vice-President of Events: The vice president of events is responsible for coordinating and hosting yubsa social events.
Responsibilities:
Organize main YUBSA social events (e.g., BLACKFEST).
Directing and Coordinating the Events Committee
Works closely with Communications team for outreach
Monitor event productivity from beginning to end
Required Skills:
Ability to delegate tasks
Great time management and organizational skills
Ability to complete tasks efficiently and in an orderly fashion
Works well under pressure
Creative
Vice-President Advocacy: The Vice-President Advocacy is responsible for protecting the well being and interest of YUBSA members, as well as raising awareness/ organizing around issues relevant to the GTA 's population of Indigenous African Descent.
Responsibilities:
Shall work with the President to develop political and equity based campaigns and support groups that address issues facing Black Students and community members
Maintain a database of scholarship and bursary opportunities
Building relationships with progressive advocacy groups on and off campus
Oversee the Director of Partnerships
Required Skills:
Developing and implementing YUBSA policy
Acute understanding of systems of opression
Vice-President Programming: The Vice-President Programming actively seek to maintain holistic afro-centric programming for the alliance and build and maintain an active service base
Responsibilities:
Work with the President to create and maintain effective Pan-African programming and service base for the Alliance
Actively engage in building community networks of support and collaboration through outreach to other student and community based organizations and businesses to provide volunteer, mentorship, internship, and job opportunities for the membership
Hiring Mentorship Director and other programming facilitators
Facilitate various community based forums/conferences to address issues facing the Black community as a whole
Oversees the Director of Partnerships
Required Skills:
Ability to research (potential facilitators, topics to discuss, etc.)
Great time management and organizational skills
VP Communications: Ability to use / navigate (social) media forums to communicate YUBSA information in a succint manner.
Responsibilities:
Maintain communication tools for the Alliance (i.e. website, e-mail, newsletter etc.)
Express the issues and concerns of the Black student population at York through electronic/printed media e.g. newsletters and website
Build and promote the interests of the Alliance
Publicize the Alliance and its events within and outside of York University
Develop information packages and other materials to inform Alliance members of its activities and services
Required Skills:
Time management
Creative and artistic
Excellent writing skills
Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop; asset)
Ability to navigate social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.)
Description and Responsibilities of Co-ordinating Directors
Director of services: The Director is responsible for the co-ordination and maintence of YUBSA
Responsibilities:
Organize and maintain the records of the Alliance and the office filing system.
Create and maintain office displays (i.e. Calendar, bulletin boards, book case displays)
Dissemination of information to all directors
Preparation of minutes for all meetings (general membership and Board of Directors)
Date and room bookings for conferences, meetings and other events
General administrative tasks
Managing the ‘Good Food Initiative’
Required Skills:
Meeting facilitation and minute-taking skills
Presentable personality and active listening
Organization and time management (ability to keep a team on one schedule)
Frequent communication using e-mail, telephone, etc.
Director of partnerships: The director of partnerships is the point of contact between YUBSA and existing BSAs on campus and at other post secondary institutions in Canada and/or abroad.
Responsibilities:
Actively seek to build, maintain relationships, and represent the interest of all organizations with a large Black constituency, at post secondary institutions, within the GTA and globally.
Engages heavily with the elected board of the BSAs
Actively attends events and forums put on by the BSAs
Work with external BSAs to create events and/or forums to link the Black community between post secondary institutions
Build and maintain the Alliances relationship with relevant constituents on the York Campus. (I.e., Centre for Human Rights, Harriet Tubman Centre, Women’s Centre)
Work Closely with Vice-President Advocacy
Required Skills:
Ability to network
Interpersonal skills
Time management
Outgoing personality
Excellent oral and writing skills
Flexibility to travel across the Greater Toronto Area
General Rules and Info:
Election Date: Monday, April 26th 2016
Time: Speeches - 4:30pm Elections – 5:30pm
Location: YUBSA Office (Student Centre Room 436)
- Eleven (10) positions will be elected by the active membership of the Alliance through secret ballot majority vote (50 percent + 1).
- Coordinator Director positions are open to all applicants of indigenous African descent.
- Executive Director positions are open to applicants who have been in a Coordinator Director position or have been an active volunteer for at least a year, and are of indigenous African descent.
- The position of President is open to applicants who have held Executive and/or Coordinator positions for at least one (1) year, and are of indigenous African descent.
- Regarding the director’s supporter list (signature page), persons signing this page must be a York University student and have a valid student number.
- We kindly ask all applicants to familiarize and acquaint themselves with the constitution and advise applicants to carefully choose the position they wish to run for by reviewing the responsibilities and skills required to succeed.
- We encourage all applicants to seek support around the student centre (but not within the YUBSA office) during this nomination period and to be mindful and respectful to those competing for board positions as well.
- If the application is approved applicants will then proceed to elections: Submitting an application does not guarantee the opportunity to run for elections. Application will go through a screening process by current board members.
- Once approved applicants will have one week to promote and campaign until the day of the elections.
- Applicants must arrive on time to elections or will be disqualified
- Each applicant will have four minutes to present their speech
- After speeches there will be a 10 minute question/answer session
- Elections will then proceed
- Applicants can no longer campaign on their own behalf after speeches
- One representative can be assigned to do final campaigning on applicants behalf until end time of elections
- No campaigning can be done within 12 meters of designated electoral station