Friday 29-01-2021 - 14:41

It’s that time of year again, Elections! While it only feels like yesterday since the 2020 Elections, almost a whole year has passed since last year’s officers were elected. With nominations opening once again this Monday for the 2021 Elections, we thought we’d put together a quick blog on all you need to know about the WGSU Elections.

Nominations for both part-time and full-time officers open this Monday, the 1st of February at 9am. This is where you can choose to either nominate yourself to run for a position or recommend a friend who you think would be the perfect fit. 

Did you know we’ve added more positions this year?

This year, there are three new part-time officer positions to represent you. These are: 

• BAME Officer
• Students at Partner Institutions Officer
• Degree Apprenticeships Officer
   

The Students’ Union could be one of the most important resources available to you during your time at Glyndwr, with various avenues of support available to students during their studies. The last 11 months has brought unprecedented challenges to everyone and has changed the way that your Union has been able to run. With safety being the priority, most of our staff are now working from home, with departments such as the Advice Centre moving to telephone and Microsoft Teams appointments.

How do the Elections tie into this?

Well, the Elections are crucial because it gives all students the chance to choose the people they want to represent them for the next academic year. Both full-time and part-time officers have a range of responsibilities and the power to make important changes to the way things go at the University.

Will I be paid?

There are two full-time salaried officer positions, those being President of the Students’ Union and Vice-President of the Students’ Union. These officers are fundamentally in charge of everything that goes on within the Students’ Union, and are members of the Board of Trustees at the University. These positions are paid, with the salary being £18,500, fixed term for one year.

Full-time officers are initiated into their roles in July, and if they wish to run again for the following year, they can run for election again and serve a second year as a sabbatical officer. For example, if a Vice-President is elected one year, they can run the next year for President.

Full training is given, including monthly meetings with personal development coach Steve Coole, and no experience is necessary; you just have to be a student at Glyndwr! Whether you’re in your final year of study and looking for the perfect graduate position to kick-start your CV, or you’re part-way through your degree, you can take a year out to fulfill the position and return to your studies the following year.

You could even undertake a part-time position when you're still studying, and then go for a full-time officer role when your studies are due to conclude. 

Part-time officers are voluntary positions, undertaking roles of equal importance to the full-time officers. You would do your part-time position alongside your studies.

What's in it for me?

Not only do the officer positions make fantastic additions to your CV, they also give you invaluable experience to significantly advance your future career prospects. The Students' Union exists purely to support students during their time at university, and without representation from our officers, it would simply not operate. Your input as either a full-time or part-time officer carries significant weight to the way that the Students' Union operates, and furthermore the way that the University operates. If you're the type of person who wants to be heard and make a difference, then running for election is perfect for you!

Read our blog from your current President, Ebony Banks, on why to run as an officer. 

Ebony began her SU journey as Student Council Chair, and later ran for Vice-President in the 2019 Elections, where she was successful. In the 2020 Elections, Ebony ran again for President, and upon receiving the most votes, she was named your SU President for the current academic year (2020/21). 

Watch our short videos from Representation and Democracy Manager, Marc Caldecott on full-time and part-time officer roles. 

As a former SU President at Glyndwr, Marc knows all about what it takes to become a sabbatical officer. If you have any questions regarding the Elections, feel free to email Marc at marc.caldecott@glyndwr.ac.uk.

Visit the Elections Page on our website to find out all the information you need regarding officer roles, how to nominate yourself and the full scoop on roles you can run for. 

Take a look at the below Elections timetable for this year, too, featuring all the key dates you should be aware of in the upcoming weeks.       

#StandUpStandOut

 

                                                            

 

Written by Lauren Hole, Digital Marketing Assistant 

 

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