1. Candidate Academy: Saturday 4th Feb 2017
Elections Briefing
Candidate Academy: Saturday 4th Feb 2017

2. What today will cover Agenda for today Key dates
Election guiding principles
Information specific to this election, including budget
Grievances
Support available for candidates
Questions

3. Agenda for Candidate Academy
Time
Session
11.10am
RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS – helping you to build a well researched manifesto (Sarah & Sam)
12.15pm
OFFICER SESSION 1 – meet current Officers to hear about their experience
1pm
LUNCH
1.30pm
OFFICER SESSION 2 – attend another Officer info session OR a session on how to reach out to postgraduate students
2.15pm
EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGNING – learn how to campaign effectively, use resources wisely and motivate your team
3.15pm
Closing session including questions
4pm
Event close

4. Key dates Time & date Event 9am, Sat 4th Feb Nominations open
12 midday, Fri 24th Feb
Nominations close
5pm, Wed 1st March
Photo deadline
Saturday 4th March
Media Day
9am, Thurs 9th March
Campaigning opens
Voting opens
12 midday, Fri 17th March
Voting closes
From 6.30pm, Fri 17th March
Results night (at East Midlands Conference Centre)
Thurs 4th & Fri 5th May
Training for all elected Full and Part Time Officers
Monday 3rd July
Full Time Officers (excluding Postgraduate) start date

5. Positions up for grabs Full and Part time Officers
7 full time Officers:
President, Education, Postgraduate, Community, Equal Opps & Welfare, Activities, Sports
7 Part time Officers:
Environment & Social Justice, BME, LGBT, International, Women’s, Students with Disabilities, Mature
Undergraduate Education Reps (44) Undergraduate Faculty Reps (5) Sutton Bonington Guild (10) We are also hosting 2 referenda during this elections period: Gender Neutral toilets and Students for Co-operation

6. Guiding Principles
Candidates must treat other candidates, students and members of the public with respect.
Candidates must respect the campus environment and the city they live in.
Candidates will not act in such a way as to bring the elections process, the Union or the University into disrepute.
Candidates’ campaigns should be fully transparent and accountable to the Union.
Candidates must not do anything to gain an unfair advantage.
Candidates must not undermine the fair and democratic running of elections.

7. Additional Guiding Principles
Candidates must not seek sponsorship for this election
Candidates must not use electronic devices when door knocking (both in Halls and the community) or in Hall dining areas.

8. Campaigning and Budgets
Campaigning opens at 9am on Thursday 9th March
No physical or digital campaigns materials may be used before then. This includes branded profile or cover photos.
You should not wear a campaigns t-shirt prior to this date, including when having your photograph taken for your manifesto.
Your campaigns team are an extension of you, so make sure they don’t break this!
There is a budget cap for this election:
£100 for Full Time Officers
£50 for Part Time Officers

9. Additional information
Decisions related to the election are made by Elections Committee, led by the Returning Officer, Beth Massey
Campaigning materials – where can you put these?
Club nights
Extenuating Circumstances claims

10. Grievances
Can be submitted by any member of the Union, not just other candidates
Will only be accepted if the grievance shows a direct effect on the individual submitting
The deadline for grievances is 1pm on Friday 17th March
Grievances will be considered by the Returning Officer and Elections Committee. Upheld grievances carry the following sanctions:
Step 1: Formal warning from the Returning Officer
Step 2: 1 day campaigning ban OR removal of guest list tickets for results night
Step 3: Disqualification from the election

11. Support for Candidates
Candidate Briefings:
Mon 6th 5.30pm, A39 Sir Clive Granger
Fri 10th 9am, Elections Hub
Tues 14th 9am, Elections Hub
Thurs 16th 9am, Elections Hub
Welfare packs including information on Mentors and peer support networks
Access to staff everyday 9-5 in the Elections Hub
Tea, coffee, fruit and water available in the Elections Hub

12. Nominations Studentleaderelections.co.uk
Deadline for nominations (including manifesto) is: 12 midday on Fri 24th Feb