2015/16

Arts University BournemouthStudents̓ Union

Elections Handbook

Contents

Guide to Elections - 2

Key Dates - 4

The Positions: Sabbatical Officers - 6

The Positions: Executive Committee - 8

Campaign Babble Breakdown - 12

Campaign Overview - 14

VVoting -18

FAQ - 20

Contacts - 22

Guide to Elections

Elections tip 1)

Speak Speak to as many people as possible and listen to their

opinions, recognise their

value.

Elections tip 2)

Be honest and realistic about your ambitions

and aims.

This guide is designed to help you understand how the elections work within the Students̓ Union, how it can be the start of a chain of events that shape your university life and how every student is an important part of the process.

The annual The annual Students̒ Union Elections is one of the most important dates on the student calendar. Nominating, campaigning, voting, it̓s a time for every single student to put their opinion across. This can be by nominating yourself to be President of the SU, supporting the campaign of someone you believe will be the best Events Exec Officer this UniUniversity has ever seen or casting your vote for your preferred candidates.

“Elections,” you hear the word and immediately conjure up the image of middle-aged men in suits and different coloured ties arguing over taxes. But, for a second, challenge that idea. Imagine groups of students in fancy dress, creating fantastic, thought provoking artwork to show themselves off, dancing, singing, and having fun… That doesn̓t sound like elections, does it? But it is, or at least it can be.elections, does it? But it is, or at least it can be.

Welcome, to the wonderful world of Students̓ Union elections...

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Key Dates

23rd Feb

6th March

9th -13th March

111th March

13th March

Nominations open

Nominations close

Campaign week

Hustings; Voting goes live

Voting closes; Results announced

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The Positions

The best thing about my job is being able to help make student voices heard,

recognised. And helping provide them with multiple platforms for them to

flourish.

- Dan BroadbentSU President 2014/15 

Sabbatical OfficersFull-Time, paid positions

The best thing about my job is being able to help students take their ideas and

make them a reality.

- Chloe WhittakerSU Vice-President 2014/15

The Sabbatical Officer positions vary between the two roles and what may have been included in their manifesto, however, the main responsibilities include:

Students̓ Union President

- Chair of the Elected Officer team.

- Representative on behalf of the student body to the Vice-Chancellor̒s Office of AUB

- Sitting on the Board of Directors and Governors and Trustees.

- Chair of the Trustees for the Students̓ Union.

- Providing creative opportunities for the Student body e.g. BUMF.

Students̓ Union Vice-President: Education and Welfare

- Overseeing and promoting the student course representative system.

- Lobbying to improve academic areas of the University including library, teaching and resources.

- Developing and celebrating diversity, equality, green policies and student welfare within the University.

- Sitting on the board of Trustees

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Executive CommitteePart-Time, volunteer positions

My favourite thing about being an Exec member is both the connections made and being involved in making things happen.

- Nkech NwokoloSU Communications OSU Communications Officer 2014/15

The best thing about the exec committee is that we are able to voice the opinion of students, as a collective of students ourselves and promote effective change.

- Jess Vaughn-MilantaSU GSU Green Officer 2014/15

Seeing students from the same country (and from different ones) bond with each other because of an event I organised couldn̓t be more rewarding.

- Babette WeatherallSU InSU International Officer 2014/15

The Positions

Communications OfficerThe The AUBSU Communications Officers will work closely with the Sabbatical Officers, The BUMF team and the other Exec members to ensure that students always have access to up-to-date information about the goings on of AUBSU. From updating the website, to helping prepare BUMF publications, the Communications Officers will develop existing and new lines of communications with the students.

Community OCommunity OfficerThe AUBSU Community Officer will work closely with the Sabbatical Officers and other Exec members to promote greater links between University students and the local community in particular with green and volunteering opportunities. They will also help to develop the feel of community amongst the AUB students.

EEvents OfficerThe AUBSU Events Officers will work with Sabbatical Officers and other Exec members to produce high quality events for students. They will work to help organise, organise and develop the annual events already run by the SU, such as Freshers and Graduation as well as organise new events that appeal to our students.

Gender EGender EqualitiesThe AUBSU Gender Equalities Officer is a new role within the Exec committee. They will work closely with the Sabbatical Officers and others within the Exec Committee to ensure that all genders are represented and treated equally during their time at AUB.

Green OfficerThe The AUBSU Green Officers will work closely with the Sabbatical Officers and other Exec members to develop green campaigns and encourage students to become involved with environmental issues.

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Halls OfficerThe AUBSU Halls Officers will work closely with the Sabbatical Officers and other Exec members to ensure halls life is enjoyable, from organising halls events to forwarding complaints.

International OfficerThe The AUSBU International Officers will work with the Sabbatical Officers and other members of the Exec committee to promote the interests of the growing number of International students we have here at AUB.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Officer (Equalities)The The AUBSU LGBTQ Officer will work closely with the Sabbatical Officers and other Exec members to ensure that the LGBTQ members of AUB are well represented and supported through their time at university.

Mature and Postgraduate Officer (Equalities)The The AUBSU Mature/Postgraduate Officer will work with the Sabbatical Officers and other members of the Exec committee to ensure that those enrolled as Mature or Postgraduate students are well represented within the University.

Prep HE OfficerThe The AUBSU Prep HE Officer will work closely with the Sabbatical Officers and other Exec members to represent all those students enrolled onto Prep HE, ED or National Certificate courses.

Race Equalities OfficerThe The AUBSU Race Equalities Officer will work with the Sabbatical Officers and other members of the Exec committee to ensure that all students, whatever their background, culture or nationality, are represented and treated equally during their time at AUB.

RAG OfficerThe AUBSU RAG Officers will work with the Sabbatical Officers and other Exec members to encourage volunteering opportunities amongst the students and to develop charity fundraising for the chosen charities of the year.

Societies OfficerThe The AUBSU Societies Officer will work closely with the Sabbatical Officers and other Exec members to develop existing and new Societies. They will work to ensure that all Societies are following SU guidelines and work out ways in which to promote Societies across AUB and BU.

Sports OfficerThe The AUBSU Sports Officer will work closely with SU President, Vice-President, SU Staff and other Exec̓s to develop existing and new Sports Clubs. With the aim to get more of our Clubs into BUCS, our Sports Officers will encourage participation and engagement of students in sport. Sports Officers can also encourage cross collaboration between clubs and help in organising socials and events.

SStudents with Disabilities Officer (Equalities)The AUBSU Students with Disabilities Officer will work closely with the SU President, Vice-President and other members of the Exec committee to ensure that all students who identify as having any type of disability are represented and supported.

Volunteering OfficerThe The AUBSU Volunteering Officer will work closely with the SU President, Vice-President and other Exec Committee Members to promote volunteering opportunities within the University, the local area and further afield.

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Babble Breakdown

Manifesto - A document the candidates make which says all the things they want to do if they were elected.

Fly Posting - Sticking up posters/stickers on walls/doors without prior permission and in areas that are not allocated for publicity purposes.

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Hustings - A platform where all candidates are able to make a speech about why they would be the ideal candidate for the position. A neutral person often prepares questions in advance and all candidates are asked to ansanswer them as best they can.

Returning Officer (RO) and Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) - Impartial representatives of the Students̓ Union who ensure that all election rules are followed by all candidates. All publicity, queries and complaints to do with elections must be dielections must be directed to them.

Proposers - Two students who support your nomination to run for a position.

Slate - Running a campaign for two people to get elected for two roles i.e. President and Vice-President.

Elections tip 3)

Don̓t be afraid of speaking confidently about what your

campaign is about.

Elections tip 4)

Be visible in your campaign and think of ways to show how you

are able to make difference for students.

Campaign Overview

Elections can be an exciting time at University, a chance to get really involved in how things are run, a shot at a fantastic full-time job however, there are some rules that everyone must follow. A full list can be found in the By-Laws but we̓ve put together some of the most important/relevant ones.

Nominations•• Any AUB student can nominate themselves for position within the SU Elections.• Some positions require students to self-define for the role. For example LGBTQ Officers must define as a member of the LGBTQ community.• Nominations must be made via the AUBSU website or on an official paper form available from the SU office.•• All nominations must have 2 proposers. Proposers must also be AUB students. • Nominations made after the deadline will not be accepted.

Manifestos• All nominees must upload a manifesto to the AUBSU website by the deadline. •• For Full-Time (Sabbatical) Officers the manifesto must be under 500 words. • For Part-Time (Exec) Officers the manifesto must be under 250 words. • Manifesto guidance will be available from the Student̓s Union.•• Manifestos are an important part of your campaign; a strong manifesto can encourage people to vote for you and gives you a great guideline for how you want to work during your year in office.

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Elections tip 5

Be committed to the cause/individual/group you

are campaigning for.

Elections tip 6

Promote who you are and what you̓re about- think about how students will relate to what you̓re passionate about.

Campaign Overview

Campaigning• Campaigning can only start at the time set by the DRO• Campaigning can only take place between 12pm-2pm, and only be in the areas designated by the DRO, no lecture theatres, workshops or near the ballot box.• No negative campaigning.•• Each candidate will have a chance to speak at Hustings.• No bribery or any similar incentives.

Publicity• Candidates for Sabbatical positions are awarded up to £30 for publicity materials, don̓t forget to keep those receipts. •• Up to 2xA3 posters can be printed, these will be placed in poster frames by the DRO, and flyposting is not permitted.• No negative campaigning.• Candidates are responsible for their supporters, if they do something against the rules it will count as if the candidate had committed the offence.•• Candidates running for Sabbatical positions will have access to the SU music table, during lunch time hours. Use will be fairly allocated by the DRO and advanced notice will be given to the candidates. • There is a limit of 200 fliers per candidate.

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“Voting for policies means that your beliefs can actively play a part in what happens in the future.”

“Voting is the opportunity to have your say, to be valued and to shape your world.”

“It's important to get involved whether it be by running or voting as what the SU achieves will benefit us all.”

“It̓s important for students to know they have a voice as well as other people in the same situation as them.”

Voting

At the SU we work hard to ensure all the right people hear your voice. We give your voice direction but it̓s you, the students, who give it power. You may not want to nominate yourself for a position but voting makes sure that your voice is still heard.

DoDon̓t lose your voice, make your vote count.

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FAQ

Who can run for Sabbatical/Committee positions?AAny member of the Students̓ Union can run for these positions and as a student of AUB you are automatically a member. Sabbatical positions are generally filled by 3rd year or MA students who finish their degree this year and Exec Committee positions have to be taken by current students.

Where can I find out more about the roles?A list of all A list of all the roles and descriptions of responsibilities can be found on the aubsu.org.uk website, on the Facebook group or from the SU Office.

If elected, do I need to do anything before I start?If If you̓re elected into any of the positions you won̓t start your role until 1st July. Before that time we will ask you to attend a training session to help you get the most out of your role but we try to keep things to a minimum so you can focus on your studies.

What are the time commitments?The tThe two Sabbatical positions are full-time, 37 hours a week. The Exec Committee positions are part-time and are highly flexible to fit around your studies. On an average week most exec members will give over a maximum of a couple of hours to their position, however, if you decide to undertake projects and expand upon your role then you may put a little more time into it. There are times in the year wheyear where the SU will ask for your help at events such as Freshers or where you will be required to attend meetings or training. We always expect studies to come first.

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Contact

Rebekah Isaac - Student Union Liaison Officer - Deputy Returning Officer (DRO)

- risaac@aub.ac.uk

Dan Broadbent – Student Union President – db– dbroadbent@aub.ac.uk

Chloe Whittaker – Student Union Vice-President: Education and Welfare

– cwhittaker@aub.ac.uk