Welcome the candidates and introduce yourself and the role.
Introduce what you will cover in the next 45 minutes
This slide introduces Students’ Unions. Election time is an exciting and important time within students’ unions. Students’ unions hold more elections than any other type of organisation each year – when you consider course reps, faculty reps, sabbatical officers and the fact that these are yearly it is very different to the general election every 4 to 5 years. The elections develop student awareness of voting and democratic experiences and promote the work of the Union as a whole The most important thing for a returning officer to ensure is that the election is fair for candidates and the electorate – the student who vote at large Also we MUST hold SU elections due to the 1994 Education Act
A students’ union is a collection of students. It has 3 key roles – to represent, to organise and to provide
A students’ union officer is a representative elected by that collection of students. They have 3 key roles – to represent, to support and to direct
A collection of students have opinions and don’t always agree Elections are a mechanism for choosing people to represent you and lead on key areas of Union work. The opinions of the student collection is also shown through democratic structures such as student council which set campaigning direction and ask the elected officers about their work. You should choose who you vote for based on WHAT you want to change HOW you seek to change it WHO is trying to do it
What is representation? Here’s what Digby Jacks thinks
You are electing leaders of change – not just rubber stampers or people to make sure you have a good night out
As a candidate you have the opportunity to change things in several areas, but the key ones are In the Union In the Institution In the Community/Country To get voted in you need to be relevant to voters. They must see you as their representative and their leader of change. What changes will you make so you are doing what students want and need?
Explain the election process
Describe the returning officer’s duty and team
Explain why election rules exist
Explain the ethos of the rules – VERY IMPORTANT
Transferable voting may seem complex – but it really isn’t. It elects the ‘least unpopular’ candidate because voters rank their preferences
You need to reach ‘quota’ which is half of all the votes cast +1 – so you are more popular than any other candidate Counting occurs in a number of rounds. First #1 preferences are counted. If no-one wins the least popular candidate is excluded and the #2 choices from their ballots are put in to be counted. Second and third choices are important to get elected – as we will see
Being talked to directly is the most popular reason for voting
Voting is an unusual thing. If we consider shopping – supermarkets know that people will go food shopping each week, so they show what’s on offer and the public choose one. Carpet shopping is an unusual activity. Those shops need to explain why you need new carpet and then that they should come to them. Voting is unusual. You need to explain why students should vote and then why they should vote for you
Choose your policies carefully. Students are intelligent. They know beer prices can’t be set too low. They want something that means something to their daily lives. Having accessible Sabbs is laudable – but what about an accessible library. You are a representative so think what everyone wants – not just you
Watch out for the language you use. We are used to being sold at rather than listened to. Share your thoughts with students – don’t tell them what they should think
Here are some tips for planning the campaign. Think of which students you want to target and when – societies? Mature students? Get a team of reliable helpers together and plan when and where they will help you Think of some innovative ideas and things that will grab attention Make sure the activities all connect – do you have a brand identity such as a colour? Are your policies consistent throughout?
Go through the 8 tips for a candidate’s campaign team
Go through the top 4 tips for posters and flyers
Read through the next 3 pages of top tips
Explain where questions are directed to Explain who can make rulings If anyone wishes to make a formal complaint it must be written down or emailed and received before the count begins. You should include any evidence or witness statements. The count for an election which includes a complaint will not begin until that complaint is resolved.
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