2020 Guide
ABOUT THIS GUIDE Just by downloading this information pack you’ve taken the first step towards becoming an elected officer, but don’t worry if you don’t know how the Students’ Union runs, it’s all explained on the website and at candidate’s briefing! There is no experience necessary for any of these roles, you’ll get training if elected, all you really need is enthusiasm and confidence to convince other students you’re the best candidate for the job! Being an elected officer, whether a full time or a part time Officer will give you skills for the future which will look fab on your CV! I mean, not many people can say that they were the head of a company and a charity straight after graduating!
This handbook contains everything you need to know about running in our elections! It might look like a long and scary document but I promise it’s not scary… maybe a little long but we want to make sure you know absolutely everything you need to! This Guide provides practical guidance for candidates standing in the elections and is underpinned by the elections byelaw within our Constitution. It will be interpreted solely by the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) and Returning Officer (RO) during the elections process when guidance and rulings will be issued accordingly. The DRO is the person within the SU who facilitates the elections and where rulings and complaints are addressed to. If they feel it’s necessary, they will refer the matter to the RO who is a member of staff within the National Union of Students. If anything in here doesn’t make sense or you want more information on something you can come into the Students’ Union or e-mail: Marc.Caldecott@Glyndwr.ac.uk Good luck and happy campaigning!! Marc Caldecott Deputy Returning Officer and Students’ Union Representation and Democracy Manager.
Overview of the Students’ Union
Part time (PTO) Positions
WHAT POSITIONS CAN YOU RUN FOR? Full Time Officer (FTO) Positions There are two full time, paid positions in the elections.
There are 14 part time voluntary positions in the elections Positions: Please see the Student’s Union website for a list of positions
Positions: 1 x President, 1 x Vice President.
Length: One year part time, Voluntary from July 1st 2020 – June 30th 2021.
Salary: £18,000 P.A for each role.
Overview of Duties (but not limited to):
Length: One year full time from July 1st 2020 – June 30th 2021.
As a PTO you will become full members of Student Council and are required to attend up to 4 meetings per year
Overview of Duties (but not limited to): • •
• • •
Both FTOs will be a member of the Students’ Union’s (SU) Board of Trustees with the President being Chair. This is where financial and strategic decision about the SU are made. Both positions will represent every Glyndwr student on senior University committees such a s the Board of Governors, Vice Chancellors Board, Academic Board and Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee. You will be accountable to Student Council (PTOs) and will deliver on the work set out by Council throughout the year. You will deliver campaigns set out in your manifesto’s, by Student Council and as a result of student feedback. You will regularly be out talking to students about their experience and encouraging them to use their SU!
Full training and ongoing support will be given to officers – you will never be thrown in the deep end! Please refer to the FTO job description on the elections page of the SU website or the Student’s Union’s Bye Laws.
• • • • •
Represent your demographic of students to council and to the University – you may be required to attend University Committees. You will hold the FTOs to account and steer their work for the year. Deliver on campaigns relevant to students. Create and vote on suggestions from the student body to set Union policy Be ambassadors of the SU promoting it’s services and encouraging students to get involved.
Full training and ongoing support will be given to officers – you will never be thrown in the deep end! Please refer to the PTO job description on the elections page of the SU website or the Student’s Union’s Bye Laws.
Key Dates – Compulsory for Candidates
Failure to attend Candidate training will result in you being removed from the elections – if you cannot attend, please speak to Marc.Caldecott@Glynd wr.ac.uk
HOW TO REGISTER AS A CANDIDATE? If you want to run in the elections, you must do so online through the Students’ Union website. The deadline to do this is 5pm on March 11th 2020.
Step 1 – You will need to prepare a written statement (also known as a manifesto) introducing yourself ( The Careers centre or a member of the SU can help you with this), setting out why students should vote for you and most importantly what you plan to do if elected. For FTO positions you will have up to 500 words and for PTO 300 words. Step 2 – Have a photograph of yourself prepared (headshot). Step 3 – Head over to www.wrexhamglyndwrsu.org.uk and sign in using your University log in details (please contact the SU if you have trouble with this.
Step 4 – Click on your name in the top left corner and then click ‘account/profile’. On the left hand side click ‘my nominations’ and finally click on the elections and follow the instructions (if there are no elections showing, please contact the Students’ Union). Step 5 – Wait for a confirmation email from the Students’ Union informing you of the next steps and start gathering your team and planning your campaign.
.uk TOP TIP: Have your written statement/manifesto and photograph ready before you fill out the online registration.
HOW TO CAMPAIGN? We encourage students who wish to run in the elections to plan their campaign straight away. Start gathering your friends in order to build a team or why not work together with candidates running for other positions in order to combine efforts, ideas and budgets! PLEASE NOTE– YOU MUST NOT CAMPAIGN BEFORE CANDIDATE TRAINING (I.E ACTIVELY HAND OUT LEAFLETS OR ASK PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR YOU).
Social Media – It’s 2020! Get that page set up (don’t make it live until after candidates briefing)
Speak to students! – Sounds basic, right? But you’ll be surprised how many people don’t! Find out where the most popular spots are! Brief your team on what to say.
Good old fashioned bed sheets! – Be creative and create a giant sign using old bed sheets! We will tell you where to display these at candidate training!
Create a Video – This has proven extremely popular in the past, make it fun and cheesy! Have a look at other SU election videos on Youtube!
T-shirts – Who won’t love seeing your face on a t-shirt! Get the whole campaign team one!
Top Tip: When planning your campaign make sure you are following the rules and sticking to your budget
Posters! – Make sure you create effective posters with bullet points on what you will do if elected, keep it short though!
RULES ON CAMPAIGNING • Candidates may not obstruct, deface or tamper with any other candidate’s campaign material.
• Candidates or members of their Campaign Team may not actively campaign in the following areas: • WGSU Offices (The bar is allowed) • Wrexham Glyndwr Library • Any dedicated IT suite on campus • Candidates must respect any University regulations on the positioning of posters or any other campaign material. The position on this will be explained at candidate’s training. • Any aggressive, offensive or malicious behavior from candidates should be reported to the Deputy returning Officer as a written complaint which will be dealt with accordingly. • Current SU elected officers must not campaign whilst actively engaged on SU business and current Sabbatical officers must book annual leave from their duties through the usual channels to campaign on their, or someone else’s behalf. • Where a candidate has access to a singular opportunity or significant competitive advantage due to a personal relationship or circumstance which could be used as a campaign aid, they must either declare a cost at a level agreed with the Deputy Returning Officer or offer the opportunity to any rival candidate contesting the same position. • Any candidate found to be in breach of any of the above rules may, at the discretion of the Returning Officer, be disqualified from the elections.
BUDGET • Candidates have a budget of £50 to spend on their campaign. This is £50 of candidates OWN money. This cannot be topped up by any sponsorship or any other form of income.
• ALL expenditure must be accounted for. At candidates training you will be given a budget form which you must complete and return to the Deputy Returning Officer no later than ONE HOUR before voting closes. • In order to keep things fair, certain items have been given a ‘cost price’ E.g. Professionally printed t-shirt £3 taken from budget Hand drawn/sprayed t-shirt £1 taken from budget • If you have not spent anything you still need to return the form stating that. • Candidates campaigning together may combine their budgets to purchase shared publicity. This must be shared equally between the candidates in the group.
• Printing posters will come out of your budget – you can print at the University’s I.T desk. TOP TIP: If in doubt, ask the Deputy Returning Officer
TO DO LIST
1. Thinking of running? Explore which role would be suited to you. A member of the Students’ Union or Careers can support you with this! Still not sure? Come to one of our information sessions. 2. Found the perfect role? Great! Now you will take the perfect headshot and write your written statement (The Careers Centre can help you with this). 3. Now you need to think of your campaign! Gather a team together and plan your campaign (Come to a campaigning/Information session to receive help with this). 4. Register to be a candidate online before the deadline - have your picture and written statement ready for this. 5. Attend Candidate Training, this is compulsory. (can’t attend? Please speak to the Deputy Returning Officer) 6. Now you can start campaigning! Get out there and speak to students! 7. Attend the results evening and bring along your campaign team – Celebrate the hard work that you’ve put into your campaign!