Change, Policy and Research

Change, Policy and ResearchOnline Training

Change, Policy and Research

You’re Thinking About...Running to be a Sabb?

Change, Policy and Research

• What roles are there?• What experience do I need?• I’m not qualified...• I’ve never been involved with the Guild (or A.U.)• I’m not popular enough!• I’ve lost elections before...

INTERESTED IN BEING A SABB?

Change, Policy and Research

WHAT ROLES ARE THERE?Guild PresidentLeader. Figurehead. Campaigner. The face of the Students’ Guild.Athletics Union PresidentLeader. Figurehead. Inspiration. The face of the A.U.VP Welfare & DiversityEquality. Diversity. Student welfare on and off campus.VP ActivitiesSocieties. Volunteering. Democracy. Student-led activities and fun.VP EducationTeaching day. Research-led education. Student partnership in education.

Change, Policy and Research

WHAT EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?Being a student at Exeter.

Seriously – that’s all the experience you need; you have your own experience of what it’s like to be a student here, and that informs you on what things could or should be changed; and what students like you need from the Guild and University.

Change, Policy and Research

“I’M NOT QUALIFIED”Yes, you are.

See the previous answer, on what experience you need. If you’re a student then you’re qualified!

Previous Sabbs include students who’ve done nothing more in terms of elected office than Society Committees, being a regular at the Ram, or just using vending machines outside Devonshire House – yes; a lot of those elected have also been Guild Councillors, or sat on Student Exec, or been active Subject Chairs, or Academic Reps; but the point is that you don’t have to have done those things to be elected.

Change, Policy and Research

“I’VE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED…”Yes, you have – and it doesn’t matter anyway.

If you’ve bought a pint in the Ram, or been to the Lemmy, or had a coffee in Devonshire House then you have been involved with the Guild; whether you realised it or not.

But even if you’ve never done any of those things; and never set foot in Devonshire House or Cornwall House, never been a member of a Society, never spoken to a course Rep or Guild Rep or Officer there’s no reason why you can’t run for Sabb Office.

Change, Policy and Research

“I’M NOT POPULAR ENOUGH”This isn’t Mean Girls.

Although everyone thinks the election is a popularity contest it really isn’t – given the turn-out figures any student needs at least 1,000 first preference votes to win; that means you personally need to know 1,000 people (if this is a popularity contest.)

No-one at Exeter knows 1,000 people personally* – even students taking English or Law (where the numbers of students approach 1,000) knows everyone on their course in all years including Masters and PhD students.

Even BNOCs don’t have that kind of reach – you really think the ‘BNOC of the Year’ had more than 7,000 votes cast for the winner to come first?

* OK – some of you might... That’s not the point.

Change, Policy and Research

“I’VE LOST ELECTIONS BEFORE…”This is a different election.

Former President Nick “Welshy” Davies didn’t win Campaigns Officer, and he didn’t win RAG Officer. He beat both of the students who had beaten him when it came to the Guild President post.

He won when it mattered, and beat both previous winners!

You might have lost a different election in the past – there’s nothing stopping you winning this one.

Change, Policy and Research

WHAT NEXT?Attend Candidate Training (pre-Nominations)http://www.exeterguild.org/training/course/29/ - How to make elections funhttp://www.exeterguild.org/training/course/30/ - Delivering funhttp://www.exeterguild.org/training/course/31/ - Social Campaigninghttp://www.exeterguild.org/training/course/32/ - Physical Campaigninghttp://www.exeterguild.org/training/course/33/ - Team Training

Any time... Before February!Drop by the Sabb Office in DH1, Devonshire House or email them – they’ll be happy to see you and answer any questions you have about becoming a Sabb. Andy is in the Sports’ Park – drop by and see him there.