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GSU Union By Elections Handbook

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Everything that you need to know in a nutshell to run in the Union By Elections

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Page 1: GSU Union By Elections Handbook
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Dear Students,Goldsmiths Students’ Union is a diverse, vibrant, award-winning organisation, providing a range of services for the students of Goldsmiths. By deciding to become an elected representative you can be a big part of it.

Being an elected officer of the Union is an excellent experience and I would recommend it to everyone. It puts you at the heart of the organisation and provides you with a position that can truly make a positive difference.

The elections process is apart of being a representative and regardless of the outcome you would learn greatly from it.

This handbook aims to provide you with an insight of what the elections process involves, but if you would like to speak to someone about it, feel free to contact the Unions Democracy and Representation Coordinator Denis Shukur on [email protected] and he would be glad to help you.

Yours Sincerely,Bindz PatelPresident

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CONTENTSP 1 The positions

P 2 How does it fit together?

P 3 Your questions answered

P 5 What do I do?

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Departmental RepresentativesVacancies: 16 one from each department*Role: Collaborative, Representative and Assembly MemberHours: Part time to fit around studiesStatus: VoluntaryDuties: You will represent the educational needs of Students to the Students Assembly. In addition you will liase with Departmental Student Coordinators and Course Representative on a monthly basis to identify educational issues. *Departments: Anthropology - Art - Education - Design - Drama - Cultural Studies - Computing - English - History - Media and Communications - Music - PACE - Politics - Psychology - Sociology - Visual Cultures

NUS DelegatesVacancies: 1 Role: RepresentativeHours: Part TimeStatus: VoluntaryDuties: You will represent Goldsmiths Students at NUS regional meetings, National Conference and attend NUS Compositing.

Ethical and Environmental Officer: Vacancies: 1Role: Campaigner, Representative & Assembly MemberHours: Part-timeStatus: VoluntaryDuties: You will lead on ethical and environmental campaigns for the Union, as well informing the student assembly of your actions.

Mature Students Officer Vacancies: 1Role: Campaigner, Representative & Assembly MemberHours: Part-timeStatus: VoluntaryDuties: You will represent the needs of Goldsmiths students at Assembly.

POSITIONS

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Your ideas, opinions and input are completely central to the governance structure of the Union. This diagram shows how you would get involved at all the different stages of decision making within the Union.

HOW DOES IT FIT TOGETHER?

You should now have a better idea of the roles and remits of each of the positions as well as how they all fit together. If you still have questions we’ve put together a list of the most frequently asked questions, and then answered them. 2

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YOUR QUESTIONS ...ANSWERED

Who can run in elections?Any registered student (this includes international students) except for visiting students can stand for election. In order to run for a departmental representatives position you will need to be a student in the department that you would run for. Likewise, if you want to be the Mature Students Officer, you will need to be a mature student.

What if I am already a member of student staff in the Union?That is not a problem. You can still run, however you wont be able to campaign while working in your position.

Where can I find out more about the rolesYou can go to the Union’s website; www.goldsmithssu.org and follow the links to the elections page,or if you can contact Denis Shukur, the democracy and representation co-ordinator. Denis’s details are located on the back.

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What is hustings?Hustings also known as candidates speech, is where the candidates will be given a set amount of time to verbally inform students on why to vote for them. Additionally, students are given the opportunity to ask candidates questions.

Where can I find out more about writing a manifesto and publicity?Come along to the candidates briefing at 6pm Thursday 14th October.

If elected, do I need to do anything before I start?We try to keep demand on time to a minimum before you start your role. However, we will be running a training session that will be compulsory for you to attend.

What are the time commitments?Assembly members are required to attend all the student assembly meetings for the coming year. In addition to this they will need to make sure that they fulfil their role either by representing their cohorts to the student assembly or by fulfilling the pledges highlighted on their manifestos. NUS delegate: you are required to attend regional meetings as well as the annual conference.

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I HAVE NOW DECIDED THAT I WANT TO RUN IN THE ELECTION, WHAT DO I DO?

Stage 1: Complete a nomination online

Stage 2: Complete online application before 4pm 14th of October

Stage 3: Attend the candidates briefing at 6pm Thursday 14th October

Stage 4: Submit your manifesto and publicity by 4pm Monday 18th October

Stage 5: Attend Husting @ the Great hall at 6pm Monday 18th October

Stage 6: Collect your publicity from 12pm Monday 25th October

Stage 7: Get Campaigning from the 25th October

Stage 8: 12pm Thursday 28th October, sit back and relax and wait for the result.

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CONTACT DETAILS Bindz Patel President [email protected]

Francesca Bancarino Welfare & Education Officer [email protected]

Manoj KeraiStudent Activities & Services Officer [email protected]

Graham Gaskell Chief Executive [email protected]

Doreen Duffin Office Manager [email protected]

Denis Shukur Democracy & Representation Coordinator [email protected]

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Goldsmiths Students’ UnionDixon Road

LondonSE14 6NW

Tel: 020 8692 1406Fax: 020 8694 9789

www.goldsmithssu.org