Want to be the next Women's Officer..?

Want to be the next Women's Officer or Welfare, International, Education, Finance, President, Activities or Sports Officer?

Nominations open on February 1st and close on the 12th, so there's as good an excuse as any to use exam procrastination to think up your manifesto policies. If you think you might, just maybe, perhaps a little bit, even a teeny bit want to run but aren't completely sure come and speak to an officer or drop us an email. We've been through it before and can give you some advice on what to expect. If you do decide to run it's a good idea to discuss this with your personal tutor, dissertation supervisor, seminar tutor etc. They may wonder why you've disappeared completely for two weeks, or appear in their lecture covered in blue face paint and banners.

Last year was our biggest election turnout ever and this year we want to top it, with more candidates running and more students voting and getting involved in the democratic process at the heart of the Union. These guys are going to represent you for the next 12 months and that's a very long time in politics, so if you think you can do it better then go on and run for it!

Important things to remember

1.It isn't too late to start running: You may know people who've been planning to run for an officer position since pretty much the day they realised there was a students Union. *Cough* Paul Tobin *Cough* but that doesn't mean it's too late for you. I decided to run to be Women's Officer a week before the nominations opened and got my campaign team, manifesto, logo and slogan together in 2 weeks.

2.You don't have to have a thousand facebook friends: I can't stress this enough, It's not a popularity contest!!! The election is about who can get their message out there to students and then all importantly, make a lasting impact so that those students will actually go out and vote. Also the quality of your manifesto is important, plenty of students will know who they're voting for in a couple of categorys but probably not all and your manifesto can make all the difference.

3.Do not start campaigning until you are allowed to: If you set up a public 'vote Bob' facebook group now and start inviting everyone you will be penalised. You can tell people that you are running to be an officer before the campaigning weeks but you cannot canvass anyone for their vote.

4.It's a lot of fun: Even if you don't win it's some of the most amazing few weeks you'll have at uni.

Good luck and go for it!