13 REASONS TO STAND 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Sabbatical Officers’ Day to Day Responsibilities You might be vaguely aware of what a Sabb does overall, but their day to day responsibilities may be a mystery to you. We’ve asked our current sabbatical officer team to write down some of their day to day responsibilities and the duties they think define their work. As well as their individual responsibilities, there are some things that they all do/responsible for.
Shared duties
Member of the Student Union's Leadership Team, which ultimately decides the direction of the Union. Work with other officers to think, plan and implement and promote campaigns run by other sabbatical officers such as No Grey Area, This Girl Can, Healthy Living Week and Reclaim the Night. Assist with Undeb Bangor’s online presence by providing social media content and posting on social media pages. Work on student ideas that have been submitted through Undeb Bangor Council. Assist with annual Undeb Bangor campaigns such as Serendipity, De-stresstival and Study Aid. Attend high-level task groups and committees, such as the University Commercial Services or Information Technology task groups. Attend conferences all over the country to share views and learn. Opportunities for personal development such as the opportunities to attend management courses, and sign language courses and welsh lessons. Occasionally sit on interview panels before employing a new member of staff at the Students’ Union. Take charge of at least one Liberation Campaign (Black History Month, Disability History Month, Women’s History Month, LGBT History Month, Welsh History Month), organise and execute it with staff support. With the support of Undeb Bangor staff and the other Sabbs, pursue the Sabb’s individual manifesto points.
Have real impact on University Council. Give regular updates to the University Council. Deal with university complaints, appeals and disciplinaries. Work towards the strategic direction of the University through council sub committees. Attend events in the local community to show support and represent the student voice. These may include giving a reading or participating in the event including the Remembrance Sunday event, Christmas Carol event and local dinners within council. Chair the Trustee Board that governs the Students’ Union. Represent student views on our satellite campus; Wrexham and China. Ensure that Carol Tully the Pro Vice Chancellor (Students), remains up to date and informed about student events. Challenge the University in a constructive way; this is done through discussions in management meetings. Ensure that relevant papers for any committees are read. Build relationships with the University, local community, international connections and most importantly, students. Work with the University to improve and develop policies. Work with NUS to ensure Undeb Bangor is working towards national students’ interests. Ensure that NUS are listening to issues raised by Bangor.
Regular meetings with the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, to discuss any Education-related issue. Attend high-level task groups and committees, such as the Teaching and Learning Task Group. Work on student ideas that have been submitted through Undeb Bangor Council Plan and help facilitate Course Rep Council. Liaise with Course Reps on any event or activity they are planning. Chair the Course Rep Executive Committee and work on campaign and events with them. Attend Staff/Student Committee Meetings across the various Schools, should it be necessary. Can arrange a meeting with any member of staff across the University. Plan and implement campaigns - e.g. Housing. Representative of every single students’ educational needs across the University, including those in Wrexham and China. Gain great life skills - confidence, public speaking, representing a large group of people, decision-making. Serve as a trustee on the Board of Trustees for Undeb Bangor (an incorporated charity with students as beneficiaries)
Represent/safeguard the interests of Societies and Volunteering projects and their members. Make policy decisions and set the direction for Societies & Volunteering projects. Decide grant amounts for Societies over the summer for the following academic year, as well as other financial decisions involving societies. Provide necessary support to any student, society or volunteering project that needs it. Chair the Societies and the Volunteering Executive Committees Plan and chair the Societies and the Volunteering General Meetings Monitor the activities of Societies and Volunteering projects and engage with the students there. This involves working outside office hours and on weekends. Work with staff members to plan, organise and promote Undeb Bangor (including Societies and Volunteering) events and campaigns. Sit in on meetings with university staff such as task groups and committees and work with the University to effect change beneficial to students Serve as a trustee on the Board of Trustees for Undeb Bangor (an incorporated charity with students as beneficiaries) Sign off on paperwork to approve actions such as financial decisions and external speakers. Attend Undeb Bangor Council meetings and implement ideas that have been passed (usually the ones which fall under Societies or Volunteering or the Sabb’s interest)
Regular meetings with the Senior Management team at Brailsford Centre to discuss and plan all sport related initiatives. Decide the grant allocations of all 58 Clubs Regularly meet with External Facilities to discuss and create annual contracts Plan and Chair the AU Executive Promote all the AU clubs through social media. Work with the AU Exec to create one off initiatives such as Dodgeball. Ensure that Sports is central to the work of both Undeb Bangor and the University. Chair, plan and help facilitate the Varsity meetings Support clubs with any issues that may arise. Support AU clubs with their fundraising ideas. Sit on the Dragons Den panel. Deal with external organisations such as VX3. Monitor the running of the Clubs at Bangor, and where possible attend and support at fixtures and events.
Co-ordinate all of UMCB’s activities – the intercollege events, Gloddest, the rugby trip, Welcome Week and general meeting. Lead the UMCB committee and ensure a competent governance Represent the voice of Welsh students at different University Committees including the University Council. Ensure sound provision of Welsh-medium education Examine the rights of Welsh Students. Co-operate with Canolfan Bedwyr on different projects Assist with all UMCB societies activities, when needed. Co-operate with Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol on different projects. Ensure Welsh Language is a priority for Undeb Bangor. Beyond my Welsh mandate, when necessary, represent all students in difficult and challenging situations in the University.
Do you want to represent the student body?
Yes
Do you want to make change happen?
No
No
This is not for you :(
Yes
No
No
Are you enthusiastic about campaigning?
Yes
Would you like to learn how to work with other people?
No
Are you willing to shout about the work you do, in person and across social media?
No Yes
Yes
Do you like working with other people? Yes
Yes
Do you speak Welsh?
Yes
Are you passionate about the Welsh language, culture and rights?
Do you care about student welfare?
Yes
No
No No
Do you have great ideas to make sports better at Bangor? Yes
No
What are you most passionate about?
Socs & Vol
Do you want to make changes in schools / curriculum?
Yes
Do you want to bridge the gap between community and students
Academia
Yes
Do you want to be the leader of your SU No
No
Yes
No
Your Fears Answered FEAR: There is an incumbent Sabb re-running, I don’t stand a chance. ANSWER: You might think that incumbent Sabb’s always get re-elected, however did you know during the last 2 years in Bangor, an incumbent hasn’t always been re-elected
FEAR: I’m not up to the job. ANSWER: The job is what you make it. Although it will definitely be a busy year, you have loads of support within the SU to allow you to succeed.
FEAR: I won’t have time to campaign. ANSWER: You don’t have to do it all. Getting your friends as part of your campaign team can help. Always remember, quality over quantity. And that often, things that you already do will be a great campaigning opportunity anyway.
FEAR: I might lose. ANSWER: Getting elected is never guaranteed, but you’ll never know unless you try. Just running in the elections is a great experience, and something you can add to your CV.
FEAR: I don’t have the money to campaign. ANSWER: Elections here at Bangor are accessible to everyone. We provide each candidate with a budget which cannot be exceeded, to ensure a level playing field.
FEAR: I don’t feel I’m popular enough to win an election. ANSWER: If you have great policies that are based on what students want, this will inspire students to engage with you.
FEAR: I can’t design a poster. ANSWER: Most candidates are not experts in graphic design. It’s all about getting your message across. We recommend using Canva.com to help you to design posters. For inspiration why don’t you look at previous manifestos at undebbangor.com/manifesto
Timetable Event
Day
Date
Time
Writing an election manifesto
Writing an election manifesto needn’t be something to tear your hair out about. Essentially, your manifesto should state what you would plan to do in your time in office, and what changes you would make. It isn’t an excuse to bad mouth your opposition, or make unrealistic promises. Take some time before you write it to think about what you believe you can achieve and what the voters would respond to. Some top tips for writing your manifesto
Be concise and use clear language. Avoid long, complicated words – you won’t win awards for being clever and you might just alienate important voters. Think carefully about layout and remember that the finished manifesto will be bilingual. Try to design it bilingually from the start. Set out your goals for your time in office and ensure they are realistic & achievable. Your manifesto is about you and not about your opponents. Avoid discrediting and disrespecting others as it is not professional and ultimately it could lead to a libel lawsuit! Be relevant. Think about what is needed for the role and focus on that. Instances where you have shown leadership, tenacity, and tact would indicate to voters your suitability for the role. Stick to the word limit (350 word limit). They are the rules, and, after all, voters will want to read what you have to say. Think carefully about how to get your main points across. Be creative and inspiring. However, there are rules so make sure that you are not overstepping the mark.
Manifesto deadline - Submitted to elections@undebbangor.com by 17:00 on Thursday 7th February. You may also submit text (350 word limit) for any publicity material you wish to use on flyers, posters etc. Submission Deadline for all text for promotional material, for example text for flyers, posters etc (350 words limit) - Submitted to elections@undebbangor.com by 17:00 on Thursday 7th February.
FOR EXAMPLES OF MANIFESTO TEXT AND POSTERS, PLEASE VISIT WWW.UNDEBBANGOR.COM/MANIFESTO