Ever thought about becoming an officer for your students’ union?

Stand and fight for the right to change your union for the better!

Each year, usually in the spring, the students at your institution will elect people to represent them and run the union on their behalf. These people are often referred to as executive officers, and fulfill a number of vital roles within the union.

Union officers are responsible for the work and direction of the students’ union. As a team, they identify what students needs are and look at ways in which these needs can be met. Executive officers work as a team, involve students in their work and co-ordinate the delivery of projects.

Officers duties include running campaigns, arranging events, setting up a training programme, organising activities … the list is endless. The key thing is that you do not have to work on your own. Working within a team means that you can plan your time and the tasks that you take on, and you only need to take on what you feel that you can manage.

The benefits to you are immense. You will be provided with comprehensive training about your role, and you get support on the activities and tasks that you carry out. You may also get to attend conferences and meetings with other students’ unions, who may be carrying out similar projects. Crucially, you will be able to demonstrate in the future that you have initiated and implemented a manifesto (a public declaration of what you want to achieve), as well as showing that you are motivated and willing to take responsibility.

Your union needs you to stand to increase interest in their democratic process and strengthen the power of the union.

Find our more

NUS North Regional Office; nusnorth@nus.org.uk

NUS Midlands and East Regional Office; midlandsandeast@nus.org.uk

NUS London Regional Office; nuslondon@nus.org.uk

NUS South Regional Office;nussouth@nus.org.uk

More information on your regional team can be accessed here!

Toolkit

You can find out more about standing for election by reading some or all of the following:

Frequently Asked Questions about Student Elections

All the questions you ever needed answering about student elections are here. A must read for anyone thinking about standing.

Why get involved in union elections?

If you are undecided about standing for a position but need a little more persuasion check out this text.

Your chance to change things

So, why should you stand for election? Will you fit in? Can you be a good officer?

Could it be me?

If you’re now considering standing for a post as a students’ union officer, you might like to know a bit more about what this means for you and what it involves.

Beating Student Apathy

Using 4 steps you can – in a conversation, a speech or even in a campaign strategy – beat apathy for good.

Creating a Manifesto

The ‘manifesto’ is the key document to get across your message of who you are and what you stand for. It is the only information that voters will have about you at the crucial moment in the polling booth.

Voters

To win an election you must know inside the minds of the voters. Remember there are six main types of voter each defined in this document.

The Campaign Team

You can’t win the election on your own. Every candidate must have a well-organised campaign team. Check out our guide to achieving this.

Campaign Techniques

Be imaginative in your campaigning. Check out these tried and tested techniques.

We hope you’ll think seriously about becoming a union officer – good luck!