goldsmiths su elections 2012 handbook
DESCRIPTION
A guide for all of you who wish to find out more about more about how to get invovled in elections.TRANSCRIPT
elections handbook
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Welcomekey datesthe positionshoW does it all fit together?your questions… ansWered contact details
contents334567
3 Time DateNominations Open 10:00 09.01.2012Nominations Close 16:00 26.01.2012Candidates Briefing 18:00 26.01.2012Publicity Submission 12:00 30.01.2012Hustings 18:00 02.02.2012Publicity Collection 15:00 03.02.2012Polling Starts 12:00 06.02.2012Polling Closes 14:00 10.02.2012Results 17:00 10.02.2012
Goldsmiths Students’ Union is a diverse, vibrant, award-winning organisation, providing a range of services for the students of Goldsmiths. By deciding to become an elected representative you can be a big part of it.
Being an elected officer of the Union is an excellent experience and I would recommend it to everyone. It puts you at the heart of the organisation and provides you with a position that can truly make a positive difference. The elections process is apart of being a representative and regardless of the outcome you would learn greatly from it.
This handbook aims to provide you with an insight of what the elections process involves, but if you would like to speak to some one about it, feel free to contact Denis Shukur Representation and Democracy on [email protected] and he would be glad to help you.
Welcome
key dates & times
Dear Students
Yours Sincerely,James HaywoodUnion President
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the positions
Assembly Members:Vacancies: 15Positions: Black & Ethnic Students Officer, Campaigns Coordination Officer, Campus Officer, Disabled Students Officer, Ethical and Environmental Students Officer, International Students Officer, LGBT Students Officer, Mature Students Officer, Palestine Twinning Officer, Part-time students Officer, Postgraduate Students Officer, Societies Officer, Sports Officer, Student Parent Officer, Women’s Officer. Hours: Part time, 1 yearStatus: VoluntaryDuties: You will be responsible for developing and delivering the Unions Key campaigns and policies, and responding to issues as they arise. Sitting on the ‘Student Assembly’, you are representing all Goldsmith Students.
Assembly Chair:Vacancies: 1Hours: Part time, 1 yearStatus: VoluntaryDuties: Primarily, you will chair the Student Assembly, a body of over 25 students. You will ensure the meetings are outcome focused and make effective decision. You will also be involved in delivering the Union key proactive campaigns and policies.
Student Trustees:Vacancies: 4Role: Charity Trustee Hours: An average of 3 hours per month plus training. Status: VoluntaryDuties: You will sit on the Unions Trustee Board and be making key decisions about the Union’s long term strategy and finance.
Sabbatical Trustee (Sabb):Vacancies: 4Positions: Union President, Campaigns Officer, Educations Officer, Welfare & Diversity OfficerRole: Representative, Campaigner and Chairty TrusteeHours: Full Time, 1 yearStatus: Remunerated (c. £22k)Duties: You will represent all Goldsmiths’ students at individual, College, local and national level full time for one year
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Your ideas, opinions and input are completely central to the governance structure of the Union. This diagram show’s how you could get involved at all the different stages of decision making within the Union.
To design diagram with Gamel.
You should now have a better idea of the roles and remits each of the positions as well as how they all fit together. If you still have questions we’ve put together a list of the most frequently asked questions, and then answered them.
hoW does it all fit together?
Open Meetings
E-Referenda
Student Assembly
Student Reps
Student Elections
Annual General Meetings (AGM)
Trus
tee
Boar
d
Stud
ents
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Who can run in elections?Any registered student (this includes international students) except for visiting students can stand for election. In order to run for a departmental representative’s position you will need to be a student in the department that you would run for. Likewise, if you want to be the Mature Students Officer, you will need to be a mature student. If you are an international student and wish to run for a sabbatical position, please consult the colleges Advice team you can contact them on [email protected].
What if I am already a member of student staff in the Union?That is not a problem. You can still run, however you won’t be able to campaign while working in your position.
Where can I find out more about the roles?You can go to the Unions website and follow the links to the elections page or if you can contact Denis Shukur, the Representation and Democracy Manager. Denis’s details are located on the back.
What is hustings?Hustings also known as candidates speech, is where the candidates will be given a set amount of time to verbally inform students on why to vote for them. Additionally, students are given the opportunity to ask candidates questions. Please note that hustings are recorded.
Video Manifesto’s a new introduction.Each candidate will be given the opportunity to have a 1 minute video manifesto, which will be recorded and edited by the Union’s Communication team. The recorded manifesto will go up on the Union’s website as well as being made viewable on the Electronic Ballot Sheet (so all students that vote, could find out more about the candidates). The video is not compulsory, but is highly recommended.
Where can I find out more about writing a manifesto and publicity?Come along to the candidates briefing at 6pm 26.01.2012
If elected, do I need to do anything before I start?We try to keep demand on time to a minimum before you start your role. However, we will be running a training session that will be compulsory for you to attend.
What are the time commitments?Sabbatical Officers: are required to work as full time representatives thus working a minimum of 35hours a week. In addition to this Sabbatical Officers are required to attend respective college committee and sit on internal committee of the Union ranging from the Trustee Board to the Staffing Committee.
Student Trustees: are required to attend all trustee board meetings of the Union?Assembly members are required to attend all the student assembly meetings for the coming year. In addition to this they will need to make sure that they fulfil their role either by representing their cohorts to the student assembly or by fulfilling the pledges highlighted on their manifestos.
your questions...ansWered
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I have now decided that I want to run in the election what do I do?
Stage 1: Decide what position you would like to stand forStage 2: Complete a online nomination before 4pm 26.01.2012Stage 3: Attends the candidates briefing @ 6pm 26.01.2012Stage 4: Submit your manifesto and publicity by 12pm 30.01.2012Stage 5: Attend Husting in the Great hall @ 6pm 02.02.2012Stage 6: Collect your publicity from the Union from 3pm 03.02.2012Stage 7: Get Campaigning from the 06.02.2012Stage 8: sit back and relax and wait for the result on the 10.02.2012
your questions...ansWered
James HaywoodGraham GaskellDoreen DuffinDenis Shukur
Students’ Union PresidentChief ExecutiveOffice ManagerRep & Democracy Manager
[email protected]@[email protected]@goldsmithssu.org
Time DateNominations Open 10:00 09.01.2012Nominations Close 16:00 26.01.2012Candidates Briefing 18:00 26.01.2012Publicity Submission 12:00 30.01.2012Hustings 18:00 02.02.2012Publicity Collection 15:00 03.02.2012Polling Starts 12:00 06.02.2012Polling Closes 14:00 10.02.2012Results 17:00 10.02.2012
Who to contact
Goldsmiths SUDixon Road
London SE14 6NW
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