The Role of a class rep • Leader – if there is a problem, your class will turn to you for guidance. If your class wants to do something, they will look to you to help organise it. • Spokesperson – if your class has something to say, it is up to you to say it. • Lobbyist - If a decision needs to be influenced in a student’s favour than it is up to you to try. • Advocate – If your class needs someone to stand up for them, then they will look to you. • Organiser – If your class wants to get together and have fun outside of class then it is up to you to plan an event. • Communicator – If something important needs to be said, you must ensure your class listen to you. • Listener – If someone wants to talk about something, they are going to want you to listen. • Carer – If someone in your class is having personal issues, they might ask you for advice. The key thing to remember is that there will be plenty of support for all of you from the Sabbatical Officers and Exec. Most of the time you will not have all that much to deal with, but if you ever need a hand with anything during the year, just ask one of us. We are here for you!
Duties Representation The most important part of your job is to represent your classmates. You are the voice of your class and it’s up to you to make us Executive officers aware of problems you’re facing, and bring us ideas for how to make the Students’ Union more effective for students. It’s important to realise you are representing your class, and not yourself when you’re in a class rep meeting. So if you know your classmates are opposed to an idea that’s being discussed, you must reflect that in your vote at the meeting, regardless of your own personal views. Try to get the support of your classmates if there’s a contentious issue up for discussion at a later class rep meeting (such as the Facebook ban or parking issues).
4 - Class Rep Handbook