union elections 2009

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Your complete guide to the 2009 Union of UEA Students Elections

6, 9 & 10 MARCH

The DatesTuesday 3rd March

Campaigning begins

Thursday 5th MarchCandidate’s Question Time

12 noon - 2pm, LCR

Friday 6th March Voting Day One

9am - 5.00pm, Edith Cavell Building

Monday 9th MarchVoting Day Two9am - 9pm, Hive

Tuesday 10th March Voting Day Three9am - 5.00pm, Hive

Results announced around midnightUnion House LCR

and on www.ueastudent.com/vote

TAKE CONTROLWelcome to your chance to take control of your Union and use the power you have. This guide will help you work out how, when and where to use the power you have and make the change you want to see at UEA.

Each year, real UEA students are elected to lead the Union and listen to what you - their bosses - want them to do. The Union of UEA Students is one of the biggest and best stu-dents’ unions in the country, which makes it all the more important that you choose care-fully who you want to lead the Union next year. Amongst the faces in this book are the people who will be speaking for you next year.

They’ll also be overseeing the running of the Union bars, shops and entertainments, will be organising campaigns, allocating clubs and societies budgets and running all the Union’s student support services.

Over the next few days make sure you take a few minutes to look through the candidates’ manifestoes in this guide and have a chat with any of the candidates who stops to talk to you during the campaign.

The Union ExecThe Union is a democratic organisation that is run for students by students.

Its chief decision making body, Union Council, is made up of representatives from all schools at UEA, as well as the Union’s clubs and so-cieties. Council makes Union policy, which is then implemented by the Executive Commit-tee.

The Executive Committee is made up of eleven officers - four full time, seven part time - who are elected by a cross-campus ballot of all stu-dents at UEA.

The Exec are in charge of executing policy made by Council and are held accountable by Council. In short, Union Coun-cil tells the Exec what to do and sacks them if they don’t do it.

This year no candidates have stood for one of the part time posts on the Exec - the International Officer. If you’d like to stand for one in a by-election in week 11, contact us on su.comms@uea.ac.uk.

STUDENTS

UNION COUNCIL

EXEC

Equal opportunities campaignsThe Union is a collective voice for all students, and ensures that everyone is treated fairly and in a non-discriminatory way. There are some groups of students who face discrimination on campus or in wider society based on their gender, disability, race or ethnic origin or their sexuality.

The Union recognises that these students deserve their own campaigns that they have control over and decide their own issues and ways to overcome the problems they face. New this year are four campaign convenors who will lead groups of students in the fight for equality.

These campaign convenors will be elected only by students who self-define as being part of the particular group that the campaign deals with. Ballot papers for these elections will be available with the other ballot sheets.

Faculty convenorsFaculty Convenors are four students who are elected to represent all the students in a partic-ular faculty, which itself is made up of groups of schools. Faculty Convenors co-ordinate groups of representatives in each school and ensure that the University is hearing students loud and clear!

You will only be eligable to vote in one Faculty Convenor election.

NUS ConferenceNUS Conference is the highest decision-mak-ing body of the National Union of Students, of which the Union of UEA Students is a member.

Every year the UEA Union sends eight del-egates to Conference in Blackpool to help decide National Policy and elect the National Executive Committee - the officers who repre-sent all students in the UK.

NUS has a lot of power to change things on a national level.

How to voteVoting will take place on Monday 3rd and Tues-day 4th between 9am and 5:30pm. The ballot boxes will be in Union House in the Hive cafe, which faces the Square and the Library on the main campus.

All UEA Students are automatically members of the Union and can therefore vote in all Union elections simply by coming to Union House or the Edith Cavell Building with your campus card at the times specified.

If you are not here on the voting days you can still vote! If you’re not going to be on campus on the voting days, email elections@uea.ac.uk for an electronic ballot paper. You will need to include your full name, registration number, school and year, and email from your “@uea.ac.uk” email address. Once you’ve made your choices, you will need to email the ballot paper back to us and, provided you haven’t already voted, you will have your vote added.

The deadline to apply for electronic ballots is XXXXXXXXX and you must return them by XXXXXXXXXXX

voting tacticsVoting in Union Elections is done ac-cording to the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, full details of which can be found in the Elections minisite on www.ueastudent.com/vote.

STV allows you to vote preferentially in each election, so instead of marking your preferred candidate with an ‘X’ you rank the candidates 1,2,3,4 in your order of preference. Marking a rival candi-date ‘2’ will not harm your first choice candidate’s chances as the only time the second preference vote is taken into account is when your first candidate can no longer win.

Question timeEvery year all the candidates in all the elections come together in the LCR to make speeches, answer questions and try to persuade you to vote for them.

Question Time is sometimes known as ‘Hus-tings’. It’s a once-in-a-campaign chance to see all the candidates together, to cheer on those who you’ll be supporting and ask tough ques-tions of the people who want to represent you next year.

It’s free to get in and anyone who wants to ask a question can. It’s also one of the noisiest and most informative parts of the campaign, with all the candidates vying to get the best soundbite in.

The CampaignAside from Question Time, your best chance to sus out the candidates and decide who you’re going to vote for comes during the campaigning period, when all the candidates will be dragging themselves round UEA trying to per-suade as many students as possible to vote for them.

Talking to candidates makes it easier for you to choose who to vote for and ensures that any complaints/ideas/thoughts you have will be taken up by them if they get elected.

Remember that the candidates will be spending up to 6 hours a day campaign-ing and they are likely to be very grateful for a cup of tea/pint of lager/piece of cake/sensuous massage on their way round. Treat them well ... they’ll be rep-resenting you next year.

academic

officer

the candidates

the jobRepresent the academic needs of all students

Have overall responsibility for all academic casework

Be responsible for academic representation throughout the University

Co-ordinate the work of school representatives

Co-ordinate the Union’s academic services

Liaise with the Graduate Students Association and their academic representatives

Co-ordinate the training of Union, School of Study and Union Council representatives

Have overall responsibility for the NSLP training scheme and the development of opportunities for members to gain transferable skills

Consult with and support the work of the Faculty Convenors.

Meet with the Faculty Convenors at least once a month in University term-time, reporting the minutes of these minutes to Union Council.

RICHARD REYNOLDS (Fight Fees!)SAM ELIOTTDAVID SHEPPARD (Re-elect Shep!)

RON

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

the candidates

the jobBe responsible for the organisation and publicity of Union elections, including those for the Union Council, general meetings and policy ballots

Be responsible for the production of each issue of the weekly Union newsletter

Have overall responsibility for internal and external Union communications including those with external and student run media

Have overall responsibility for the administration of Union policy

Have overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Union’s Constitution

Co-ordinate the Executive and be responsible for producing the Executive Report for Union Council

Be responsible for Union House publicity including notice boards

Work to improve the relationship between the Union and its members with the local community

Liaise with the National Union of Students

BECCY BOWNASJIMMY DONCASTERNATASHA BARNESMATTHEW DAVISONROB MORBIN

RON

comms

officerAND NUS CONFERENCE

DELEGATE 2010

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

the candidates

the jobLiaise with the University over internal environmental matters

Provide a link between relevant societies and the Executive

Improve awareness of environmental issues and be responsible for relevant campaigns

Work on improving internal recycling facilities

RACHEL LEUCK (“Use the Force!)JOE McCROHONLEEJIAH DORWARD

RON

environment

officer

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

the candidates

the jobLiaise with the University over internal ethical matters

Provide a link between relevant societies and the Executive

Improve awareness of ethical issues and be responsible for relevant campaigns

Work on maintaining and enhancing the ethical status of the Union and the University.

SARAH WATERFIELDTHOMAS JACKSON

RON

ETHICS

officer

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

the candidates

the jobHave overall responsibility for the administration of Union finances

Be responsible for the overall allocation of the Union’s resources

Be responsible for recommending the allocation of the resources available, on a fair and equable basis, between the Union’s clubs and societies

Be responsible for ensuring that the Union operates within appropriate ethical and environmental standards

Act as the representative of the Executive in its relationship with the Union Staff

Work with NUS Services Limited to further the Union’s commercial interests

Co-ordinate the development of the Union’s commercial and non-commercial services

Have overall responsibility for the running of Union House

Co-ordinate the training programme for officers of the Union’s clubs and societies and peer support groups

Co-ordinate the provision of information to officers of clubs and societies in order to support them in their role.

PAUL WELLSCHRIS JOYCEOBID ALIMARTIN JOPPSTEVE FANNER

RON

finance

officer

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

the candidates

the jobLiaise with the University over matters affecting international students

Provide a link between international students and the Executive

Liaise with other organisations in the University or City of Norwich offering services to international students

Improve awareness of issues affecting international students and be responsible for relevant campaigns

UGO ONYKAEMAD ABO-HOUSSINSITARA AMIN-TILLY

RON

EQUAL

OPPORTUNIES

OFFICER

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

the candidates

the jobAssist the Communications Officer with the publicity for elections, general meetings and policy ballots

Provide guidance for clubs and societies to assist them to produce their own publicity

Assist the Communications Officer with Union House publicity including notice boards

FELICITY ALLMAN (Felicity for Publicity)STUART TAYLORANDREW TAYLOR (Competent social, environmental and financial sustainability)

RON

PUBLICITY

OFFICER

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

the candidates

the jobProvide a link between the Union’s societies and the Executive

Liaise with the University on matters affecting the operation of societies

Advise and assist Union members wishing to establish new societies

Assist officers of societies to carry out their duties

Assist the Finance Officer with the training of society officers

Arrange and set up Soc. Mart and Soc. Mart 2

JACK KIFFIN

RON

societies

OFFICER

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

the candidates

the jobProvide a link between the Union’s sports clubs and the Executive

Liaise with the University on matters affecting the operation of sports clubs

Advise and assist Union members wishing to establish new clubs

Assist officers of clubs to carry out their duties

Assist the Finance Officer with the training of club officers

Arrange and set up Sports Mart and Sports Mart 2

ANNA THOMLINSON

RON

sports

OFFICER

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

the candidates

the jobWork with the University on all student welfare related matters

Co-ordinate the Union’s welfare service

Have overall responsibility for all non-academic casework

Be responsible for all issues relating to student accommodation including University residences

Be responsible for all issues relating to student employment including Employability

Be responsible for all issues relating to Equal Opportunities within the Union.

Liaise with the Equal Opportunities Officer and the Campaign Convenors to ensure that all groups are represented in the Union.

Co-ordinate Undergraduation and reception including international students arrival

ALEX DENNISTOM SUTTON

RON

Welfare

officer

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

the candidates

the jobRepresent the academic needs of the students in the relevant faculty

Liaise with the student representatives from all the schools in the relevant faculty

Provide a link between the school representatives and the Students’ Union

Represent students on faculty level committees

Liaise with the faculty staff on academic issues effecting students.

NICK CHURCHRACHEL HANDFORTHRON

FACULTY

CONVENORS

HUM FACULTY

FACULTY of HEALth KAYTE McCANNRON

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

the candidates

the jobRepresent the needs of the group of students in the relevant campaign.

Liaise with the members of the relevant clubs, societies or peer support groups

Represent students on the relevant Union or University Committees.

With the assistance of the Equal Opportunities Officer, and the Welfare Officer, liaise with University and Union staff on relevant issues relating to their constituents.

Meet with the Equal Opportunities Officer at least twice a semester to discuss relevant issues.

Be responsible for campaigns relating to their constituents and convene regular meetings between themselves and their constituents.

Equal Opportunies

Campaign CONVENORS

LIZ BISCOERON

LGBT cammpaign convenor

women’s campaign convenor

BERNADETTE SCHULZRON

and nus womens conference delegate 2010

the candidates

the jobAttend the National Union of Students’ Annual Conference in April.

Vote on behalf of UEA students to influence national policies for all students in the UK.

Elect a new leadership of NUS.

We may elect 7 of the 11 candidates standing.

TOM SUTTONMARTIN JOPPTHOMAS JACKSONMYLES SMITH DAVID SHEPPARD (Shep for NUS!)RICHARD REYNOLDS (Fight Fees!)ANDREW TAYLOR (Competent social, environmental and financial sustainability)

RON

nus

delegation

“Re-Open Nominations” (RON) is a candidate in all Union elections.

If you think none of the candidates deserves your vote, you can vote RON to have the election re-run at a later date.

Remember to vote preferentially 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. This cannot harm your first candidate’s chances.

10 things to do before you voteRead all the candidates’ manifestoes

Click on the elections minisite at www.ueastudent.com/vote

Flirt outrageously with one candidate

Cheer wildly at Candidate’s Question Time

Make a candidate a cup of tea

Tell a candidate that you’ve already voted just to get rid of them

Stick up your special Rabbit Election wall chart

Pursuade at least five other people to vote

Go to the Hive to vote without your campus card and feel stupid

Decide you’re going to stand in the elections next year

DON’T MISS THE CHANCE TO SEE AND HEAR ALL THE CANDIDATES AT THE

question times

THURSDAY 5th MARCHLCR, 12 noon

www.ueastudent.com/vote