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Thinking of standing in the Elections? Great. Start here.

hello!Well done. Why? I was once in your shoes, and taking the first step by picking up this nomination guide deserves a ‘well done’, because it signifies that you’re interested in how your Union’s run. In here you’ll find the information you’ll need in order to nominate yourself and hopefully run a successful Elections campaign.

The experience of standing in an election is an incredibly rewarding one, whether you win or lose. And while you have to be a little bit brave to take that first step, what you can gain through the process - regardless of the outcome - more than makes up for it.

Ever stumbled past something at Brunel and thought ‘I’d like to change that’? Good, then this is how to go about doing so. There’s a quote that rings in my head daily: ‘be the change you wish to see in the world’. So I urge you, if there’s a change you wish to see, then influence it. Good luck!

Promise Phillips, UBS President

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CONTENTSAbout the Union 04

Stand. 00

How to nominate yourself 05 Choose a role 09

Write your manifesto 18 Full timetable 21

Decide. 00

Run a great campaign 24 Full timetable 25

Results. 00

Full timetable 28

Your checklist! 29 Frequently asked questions 30

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ABOUT THE UNION This is us!

We’re here to represent the views of Brunel students and defend their rights, whether this be to the University, local residents, or national policy makers. To do this we’re student-driven, led by democratically elected positions, and supported by over 30 full-time staff.

If you’ve ever become a Student Rep, visited the Advice and Representation Centre, read Le Nurb, listened to Radio Brunel, join a sports club or society, volunteered, raised money for RAG, had a drink in Loco’s, or danced in the Academy at some ridiculous hour... you’ve used a service from the UBS!

One more thing we should mention: Student Assembly. It’s the Union’s main decision-making group, which creates and oversees our guiding policies, holds our elected students to account, and is involved in our campaigns and development. Meetings are held monthly, and while any student can attend, if you hold any position listed in this guide you’ll also have the ability to vote on whatever issues may be raised.

So, if you’d like to have an impact on what we get up to, here’s your chance!

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HOW TO NOMINATE YOURSELFSTEP 1: CHOOSE A ROLE

What do you want to run for? Are you interested in one of the full-time Student Officer roles? Could you be a student member of our Trustee Board, oversee our Student Rep scheme in your academic School, or lead one of our committees? Turn to page 9 and decide!

We also run ‘Thinking of Standing...?’ seminars for many of the positions so you can get your questions answered. They’re listed on the full timetable on page 21.

STEP 2: WRITE YOUR MANIFESTO AND LE NURB STATEMENT

Now you’ve chosen which position you’d like, you need to think about why. Your manifesto’s the key document in which you explain who you are, and communicate your key messages to students. It’s a public declaration of what you want to achieve if you’re elected, and needs to be carefully considered and produced - because it’ll be used by students to judge whether they want to vote for you. For advice on writing it, see page 18.

Additionally, Le Nurb will publish a list of candidates in the issue before the

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Elections, with a brief statement from each one. You’ve only got 40 words for this, so make them count!

STEP 3: FILL OUT YOUR NOMINATION FORM

There are two parts to this: the Online Form and the Signatures Form.

Head to our Elections website (brunelstudents.com/elections) where you can fill out the Online Form, which covers all the basic details we need about you and your nomination. This is where you also upload a PDF of your manifesto and your quick Le Nurb statement.

Once you’re done, you can also download the Signatures Form from the website. For this, you’ll need the signatures of two Union members (i.e. fellow students). These people should agree with you running in the Elections, and sign the form accordingly. Please make them aware that if they nominate you for a position, they can’t nominate anyone else for that same position. They can, however, run for another position themselves - or even against you!

Once you’re done, return the Signatures Form to us, as detailed on it. Just remember to complete both the Online and Signatures Forms before nominations close on February 20!

STEP 4: LET YOUR personal tutor KNOW

We’ve produced a letter from the Union (available for download from the Elections website) that you may, if you wish, hand to your personal tutor. Please note that this isn’t a ‘get out of jail free card’ and is unlikely to mean you can miss deadlines, but it does notify your tutor of the extra work

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and commitment you’ll be putting in over the next couple of weeks. It also raises staff awareness of the Elections, and so will hopefully generate even more interest in your campaign!

STEP 5: ATTEND YOUR BRIEFING

For your nomination to be official you now just need to attend either of the Candidates’ Briefing sessions (at 6pm on February 25, or midday on February 26), and bring a £20 Good Behaviour Bond along with you. Failure to attend a Briefing will disqualify your nomination, so if you can’t attend for any reason you’ll need to email Bex, our Democratic Support Coordinator, via rebecca.davies@brunel.ac.uk.

Upon receipt of your reason for not attending, the Returning Officer on our Elections and Referenda Committee may excuse you from the Briefing - but they also reserve the right to judge that your reason for absence isn’t adequate, and disqualify you.

YOU’RE A CANDIDATE! WHAT NEXT?

Congratulations, you’re standing in the Elections! But with so many students on campus, we highly recommend campaigning to make sure you get their vote when the Elections reach a later stage. We’ll give you a full guide to campaigning at your Candidates’ Briefing session - or take a look at the basics on page 24.

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...ONE MORE THING: INCLUSIVITY AND EQUALITY

The Union aims for equality in all areas of its operation, and to make all events and activities inclusive, as stated in Bye-Law N of our Constitution. We understand you may have special requirements, or cultural or religious preferences regarding training materials, catering, or the content, duration, or timing of meetings. If there’s anything that would stop you attending or benefiting from a meeting or activity, or from participating in the Elections, you’re welcome to email Bex, our Democratic Support Coordinator, via rebecca.davies@brunel.ac.uk.

You’re expected to act in accordance with Bye-Law N of the UBS Constitution, which covers equality and diversity, at all times during your campaign. There’s a copy of our Constitution and Bye-Laws on the website.

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CHOOSE A ROLE: STUDENT OFFICERS

Our four Student Officers are at the heart of our decision-making processes, and are recognised by the University and the general public as the voice of 14,000 Brunel students. They help direct the Union’s work, overseeing the delivery of its services and functions.

These are one-year, full-time positions for which you’ll receive a salary, so if necessary you’ll need to take a year out of your course to do it. Student Officers automatically join our trustee board, and the Union’s constitution allows any elected Officer to spend a maximum of two years in their role if they’re later elected for a second time. You’ll also receive all the necessary training, so don’t worry if you don’t have any previous experience!

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PRESIDENT

As the nominal head of the Union, you’ll take responsibility for engaging with the University (particularly the senior staff and bodies involved in governance), local community leaders, the media, and other external bodies in order to represent Brunel students and the Union as an organisation.

VICE-PRESIDENT ACADEMIC REPRESENTATION

You’ll be responsible for ensuring effective academic representation within

the University and will oversee the institution-wide Student Reps scheme. Taking up a variety of

seats on University academic committees, you’ll ensure the student voice actively contributes to the

development and quality assurance of courses and academic-based services. Plus, you’ll run campaigns and lobby the University on key academic issues like assessment feedback and personal tutoring.

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VICE-PRESIDENT COMMUNITY WELFARE

You’ll consider the development of the student community, and the welfare of students at Brunel. This will involve overseeing some of the services offered by the Union, and running campaigns on issues that most affect their wellbeing. You’ll also work on enhancing the profile of students within the local community.

VICE-PRESIDENT STUDENT ACTIVITIES

You’ll have responsibility for the development of all sports clubs and societies within the Union.

In addition you’ll oversee activities within RAG, supporting the RAG Chair and their team to ensure

quality provision for our charity fundraising initiatives. On top of that, you’ll work with external bodies and relevant parts of the University to further the Union’s aims in relation to student activities like these.

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CHOOSE A ROLE: STUDENT CHAIRS

Ten groups oversee some of the core functions of the Union and are made up of student members. Each is led by a student who’s elected to the position, of which nine are appointed in these Spring Elections.

This is a one-year, voluntary role that’s suitable for fitting around your studies. Again, no previous experience is required, and we’ll make sure you get all the training you need.

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MEDIA CHAIR

You and your team will be responsible for overseeing and organising the production of Le Nurb and broadcast of Radio Brunel. You’ll work with them to coordinate student writers and radio presenters, ensuring diversity of both content and the students

involved. You’ll also oversee the actual make-up of the newspaper and programmes for the radio station.

RAG CHAIR

You and your committee will be responsible for coordinating the Union’s charity work. You’ll be in charge of organising events and fundraising activities within the student body and the wider community, and will work with your team to pick the charities that the Union will support for the year.

SOCIETIES CHAIR

You and your committee will be responsible for overseeing the development of all the student societies within the Union, including agreeing on all their budget allocations. You’ll look at ways of increasing awareness and participation of societies on campus, while also promoting the diversity of our societies and of the students who are members of them.

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SPORTS FEDERATION CHAIR

You and your committee will be responsible for overseeing the development of all the sports clubs within the Union. This’ll include agreeing the budget

allocations for our sports clubs, developing policies relating to club activity, and also looking at ways of increasing participation in sports at both a social and competitive level.

CAMPAIGNS CHAIR

You and your team will help identify the campaigns that the Union needs to run, on anything from library opening hours to student fees. Your group will then be responsible for promoting and running those campaigns in innovative and exciting ways.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHAIR

You and your group will be responsible for reviewing and overseeing the implementation of the Union’s Environmental Policy, and making suggestions for

improvements we could make to our environmental performance. You’ll also help to run awareness-raising

campaigns about environmental issues.

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EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY CHAIR

You and your team will be responsible for reviewing and overseeing the implementation of the Union’s constitutional commitment to equality and diversity, and making suggestions for how the Union could better cater for all students regardless of disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion/beliefs, or age. Plus, you’ll help us implement the changes you suggest.

VOLUNTEERING CHAIR

You and your group will be responsible for improving the number and quality of volunteering opportunities for Brunel

students both on and off campus. You’ll also help to raise the profile of those opportunities and of volunteering as a whole, promoting the benefits that it has to students.

WORLD STUDENTS CHAIR

You and your team will be responsible for representing the interests of world students at Brunel. You’ll identify issues of particular relevance to these students and ensure that the Union and University are responsive to these. You’ll also help to organise events that raise the profile of world students and emphasise the diverse array of nationalities at the university.

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CHOOSE A ROLE: STUDENT TRUSTEES

Our trustee board meets four to six times a year and is responsible for overseeing the Union’s management and admin. It takes ultimate responsibility for things like governance, finances and legal requirements, as well as safeguarding our reputation.

The Board consists of up to three independent trustees appointed for their skills in their individual fields, but you can join it as one of up to three student trustees. The four student officers complete the lineup.

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CHOOSE A ROLE: SENIOR REPS

Our Student Reps are elected by you to work closely with the University’s Schools and the Union to address any concerns that students raise. We’re now looking for this year’s Senior Reps, to lead the Reps scheme in their academic school and make sure it’s working effectively.

If you’re a Senior Rep, you’ll attend board meetings for your School and liaise with School Reps to find out the most important issues facing students. Plus, you’ll talk to our Vice-President Academic Representation and your School’s Links Officers and management staff to resolve any issues, feeding back to students to keep them up-to-date with developments.

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WRITE YOUR MANIFESTOA well-written and interestingly-designed manifesto can make a huge difference in influencing people to vote for you. It’s important that you spend some time over your manifesto, as it might be the only information that voters will have about you at the crucial moment when they enter the polling booth!

We’ll display all candidates’ manifestos on the website (brunelstudents.com/elections), so they’ll be available for the whole world to view! You’ll also need to keep it snappy as manifestos can’t be over 1,000 words long.

Here are some things worth thinking about.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

So you’ve decided to stand in the Elections. That’s great, but why should a student vote for you? What do you want to do? Have a think about a snappy, exciting, relevant, big idea you can have at the heart of your campaign!

What is it you’d really like to see change at Brunel? What’s going to immediately make voters think ‘I want to vote for that candidate. I can

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really see what they want to do, and I like it’?

You may well have lots of great plans, exciting ideas, and a real programme for change, but it’s best to have one big idea – or two or three – to really catch people’s attention.

WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR?

The one thing every candidate will have in common in the Elections is that they’re all students - pretty much everything else could be unique. In particular, what you believe in and what you want to achieve will be what people will compare. So make sure you highlight what makes you both unique and uniquely suited to the post you’re running for!

WHO ARE YOU?

Tell the voters who you are - students will often vote for candidates who have something in common with them. So, as well as outlining your ideas, you might consider telling them:

- what course you’re on, - where you’re from, - age, race, gender, sexuality, or religion, if you think it’s appropriate, - any clubs and societies you’re a member of, or help to run, - involvement in political activities, parties, or groups, - any other involvement in student issues, activities, or volunteering.

WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE?

It might sound obvious, but make it clear which post you’re standing for -

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and don’t forget to ask people to vote for you!

...AND FINALLY, ASK AROUND!

Say you’ll be promising students an improvement to do with the library - it might be worth trying to get hold of someone who works there to see how feasible it’ll be. Pledging to halve accommodation fees if you’re elected? Unlikely, so best ask Residences first!

Talk to those who’ll be responsible for helping you implement your promises if you can - not only can you make sure everyone’s on the same page to start with, but it’ll make for a stronger manifesto if you can say that your idea’s a genuinely feasible one.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

You’ll need to submit your manifesto as part of your Online Form when you’re nominating yourself.

Our Communications team will make sure that all manifestos we receive go live (via brunelstudents.com/elections) at the same time, when campaigning starts at 1pm on February 28. You’re also allowed to circulate or display your manifesto yourself, but not before that same date.

Failure to adhere to the Elections rules may result in your disqualification.

If you need some inspiration when you’re writing your manifesto, check out brunelstudents.com/iwanttostand for some examples!

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FULL TIMETABLE: STAND.MONDAY, JANUARY 28

13:00 - Nominations open! You’ll find everything you need to get started on the website: brunelstudents.com/iwanttostand.

VARIOUS TIMES

Thinking of Standing. Thinking of Standing for President. Thinking of Standing for Vice-President Student Activities. Thinking of Standing for Vice-President Academic Representation. Thinking of Standing for Vice-President Community Welfare. While nominations are open, we’ll be running a series of optional seminars for people considering standing in the Elections. We’ll explain more about getting nominated, what the roles involve, the Elections process (including regulations and restrictions), how voting works, advice on campaigning, and host an open Q&A session.

Dates and locations will be confirmed nearer the time. We’ll list them on

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the website (brunelstudents.com/iwanttostand) soon.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20

13:00 - Nominations close. All candidates must have submitted their nomination, by filling out the Online Form and handing in their completed Signatures Form.

If you’ve sent in your Online and Signatures Form, congratulations - you’re in! Find out what happens next on page 25.

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RUN A GREAT CAMPAIGNOnce your nomination’s in, you need to make sure you run a great campaign to convince students to vote for you! Get a team together, design your posters and flyers, and think about how to draw attention to your campaign and get voters to remember your message and your name. We’ve put some examples of previous student publicity - including campaign videos - on the website.

If you need further help with your campaign, you’re welcome to ask questions at the Candidates’ Briefing session or email Bex, our Democratic Support Coordinator, via rebecca.davies@brunel.ac.uk.

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FULL TIMETABLE: DECIDE.

Please note! Nominations close on February 20, but you must not start campaigning until 1pm on February 28. This is so everyone has the opportunity to develop their campaign materials, and have some printing done through our facilities. Official Elections regulations will be in force, and contravening them may result in your disqualification.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21

16:00 - Recommended deadline for submission of publicity materials. If you want your publicity materials (flyers, posters, etc.) to be reproduced by the Union in time for the start of campaigning, you must submit them by now. You can send in publicity for printing up until 4pm on Wednesday 27, but it won’t necessarily be ready for the start of campaigning.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25

18:00 - Candidates’ Briefing 1, LC261. It’s essential you attend one of our two Briefing sessions. We’ll explain the process, identify all candidates whose nominations have been accepted, and decide the order of the ballot.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26

12:00 - Candidates’ Briefing 2, LC064. It’s essential you attend one of our two Briefing sessions. We’ll explain the process, We’ll brief you on the process, identify all candidates whose nominations have been accepted, and decide the order of the ballot.

13:00 - Deadline to book a video manifesto recording There’ll be slots available for you to record your video manifesto on Wednesday, February 27 and Thursday, February 28. You can get one of these slots in advance by emailing rebecca.davies@brunel.ac.uk, but now’s your last chance to book one.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27

16:00 - Final submission deadline for publicity materials. We can still accept print submissions until now, but won’t necessarily have them ready for Campaign Week unless you got them in by February 21.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28

13:00 - Start of campaigning and putting up publicity You can now start campaigning! All publicity must have been approved and stamped with a UBS stamp prior to you using it. We’ll do this automatically for anything you’ve had printed through us.

MONDAY, MARCH 4 - FRIDAY, MARCH 8

All week - Campaign Week!

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MONDAY, MARCH 4

18:00 - Candidates’ Question Time, The Academy. Each candidate will deliver a short speech in turn before students are given the opportunity to ask questions. Candidates for President, Vice-President Community Welfare, RAG Chair, Societies Chair, Media Chair, Sports Federation Chair and Senior Rep will attend this event.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

18:00 - Candidates’ Question Time, The Academy. Each candidate will deliver a short speech in turn before students are given the opportunity to ask questions. Candidates for Student Trustee, Vice-President Academic Representation, Vice-President Student Activities, Campaigns Chair, Equality & Diversity Chair, Volunteering Chair, Environmental Chair and World Students Chair will attend this event.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 - FRIDAY, MARCH 8

Voting! Online voting (via brunelstudents.com/vote) starts at 10am on Wednesday, and is open continuously until 4pm on Friday. Additionally, our on-campus ballot stations will be open from 10am to 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and 10am to 4pm on Friday.

16:00 - Candidates’ Debriefing, location will be confirmed via email. That’s it! Here, any final announcements relating to conduct will be made, and any final complaints may be submitted. We ask that you take down your publicity as soon as you can after this meeting.

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FULL TIMETABLE: RESULTS.FRIDAY, MARCH 8

Afternoon – Counting the votes. Our online system will total everything up during the afternoon.

20:00 – The Results Party, The Academy. Join us as we reveal the voting figures and find out who’s won! Free entry before 10pm, or £3 advance/£5 on the night after 10pm.

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YOUR CHECKLIST!Think about which role you want to stand for and why. Whether you want a full-time one (as an Officer) or a part-time one that works around your course (as a Chair, Trustee or Senior Rep), we’ve probably got something for you! Don’t forget we also run ‘Thinking of Standing...?’ seminars for many positions - see the timetable on page 21. They’re optional, but a great place to get your questions answered.

Write your manifesto (maximum 1,000 words) and Le Nurb statement (40 words) to help you get the votes.

Complete your nomination form - submit the Online Form half via the website along with your photo, manifesto, and Le Nurb statement. Then print and complete the Signatures Form and get it back to us by February 20. Optionally, let your personal tutor know.

Attend the Candidates’ Briefing, where you’ll receive lots more information about campaigning. You’ll need to bring your student ID card and a £20 Good Behaviour Bond (to be returned to you on satisfactory completion of your campaigning and the Elections).

Think about your campaign, and email your poster or flyer designs to rebecca.davies@brunel.ac.uk by February 21 if you’d like them printed and ready for the start of Campaign Week, or by February 27 at the latest.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSCAN I STAND FOR ELECTION?

All Brunel students who are full members of the Union of Brunel Students can stand for election. In practice, this means that unless you explicitly opted out of being a member of the Union during Brunel’s registration process, you’re a member and so are eligible to stand for any position that’s available.

WHAT EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?

None. All you need is to be a Brunel student that cares about the needs of other students.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I WIN?

You’ll be identified from that moment on as ‘post-holder-elect’, and take office in June. New Student Officers will get a full handover when they start. Anyone holding a voluntary position will get all the training they need before the new academic year begins.

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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Potentially, nothing! We’ll cover the first £20 of printing your manifestos, posters and leaflets (provided your printing’s requested from the Union). You’ll also be given the opportunity to record a two-minute video that will be displayed on the Elections site alongside your manifesto. Finally, you’ll also be provided with free help and assistance in planning your campaign and publicity.

That said, if your election’s competitive you may want to spend additional money. There’s a £100 limit for the Student Officer positions and a £30 limit for all the others. Ultimately, you’ll have to be the judge of how much money to spend on your campaign within the limitations.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT TAKE? WHAT ABOUT MY STUDIES?

When it comes to campaigning, as with costs, this depends on how competitive the position you’re running for is, and how badly you want to win!

If you run for a highly competitive position you may choose to dedicate a large portion of your time to your campaign over the whole campaigning and voting period. Ultimately you need to decide how badly you want to win the election and organise your time on that basis. We’d recommend you make this decision before you send in your nomination!

As for the roles themselves, remember: Officer positions are full-time for a year, and pay a salary. Chair, Trustee and Rep positions are voluntary, and designed to work around your studies.

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