Candidate Hub - Student Groups

What is a 'committee member'?

Student groups are as successful as they are because of dedicated students who volunteer to be committee members and lead student groups around campus. Committee members are student volunteers who lead student groups. They work alongside us to make sure that all the behind-the-scenes efforts are completed swiftly.

They organise events and activities of all different kinds aimed at enhancing student experience at Roehampton. Leading a society means you get to host the events and activities you want to see on campus

How do I vote?

Any student at Roehampton can run to be a committee member! The only thing you need is a determined mind to create a fun and inclusive space on campus, and a valid membership to your society of choice.

Before running, make sure you have acquired your membership to the society you’re planning to run for through the RSU website. The election process is broken down in three main periods:

1. Nominate yourself:
   Before nominating yourself, please make sure you have read the Student Leadership Elections Rules here. Please make sure you have also acquired a membership to the society you wish to run for through the RSU website. If you run into any issues when purchasing a membership, please email elections@roehampton.ac.uk for support.
   
   When you nominate yourself, you’ll have the opportunity to create a manifesto of up to 400 words. Writing a manifesto is a crucial step in presenting yourself and what you bring to the table to your fellow society members. A well-crafted manifesto can help you effectively articulate your vision, goals, and why you’re the best person for the role. This is your introduction to other society members, so don’t forget to add your own personal touch!
   
   Here are some questions to help you build your manifesto:
   • What makes you the strongest candidate for this position?
   • What motivated you to run for this position?
   • What do you think you could bring to the role?
   • What makes you the right person to lead the society?
   
   Finally, don’t forget to be realistic and specific in your promises; students want to know exactly what you’ll be able to do. Thoroughly proofread your manifesto for grammar, spelling, and coherence.
   
   Submit your nomination via the RSU website. Nominations open Fri 6 Feb 11:00 and close Mon 23 Feb 11:00, so make sure you complete all the steps before nominations close.


2. Campaign:
   You will be able to campaign starting on Mon 9 Mar 11:00. Campaigning is how you interact with voters (e.g., all the current members of the society you’re running for) and how you convince them to vote for you! Before campaigning starts, you must attend a Candidate Briefing where we’ll go over all the rules related to campaigning activities; you must attend this training in order to move forward with your nomination.
   
   As only current society members will be able to vote, most of your campaigning will be done digitally through different social media platforms. Digital campaigns are a great way to use your creativity and run a fun campaign.
   
   We strongly encourage all societies to host one Elections related event during this period, to allow all nominees to introduce themselves to the Society and share their ideas and goals for next year. Talk to society members and gather feedback and ideas; what can you learn from them that will help you build your ideas for next year?
   
   Please remember to keep your campaign positive and respectful! Candidates must not make any false statements about other candidate’s personal conduct or manifesto, whether in person, in writing, by illustration, or online. If you encounter an issue, please speak to the elections team or submit a complaint via email to elections@roehampton.ac.uk


3. Voting:
   This is a really important time for all candidates. It’s your final chance to campaign to your society members by promoting your manifesto, objectives, and generally getting your message across to students.
   
   All students have the right to vote for student group leaders, provided they hold a valid standard membership for their group of choice before these go off sale on 6 March.
   
   Voting will open at 11AM on Friday 13 March and will close at 11AM on Thursday 19 March. You can vote online via this website.

What can I get out of being a committee member?

Becoming a committee member is an excellent way to develop a variety of skills such as:

• Leadership
• Communication
• Event management
• Project planning
• Teamwork
• Finance management
• Volunteer management
• Organisation and time management

How does the SU support committee members?

All student group leaders benefit from:

• A dedicated member of staff at RSU
• Training and induction to your new role
• Ongoing support from RSU throughout your time volunteering
• A clearly defined role profile outlining the tasks and responsibilities of your role
• Opportunities for recognition of your achievements such as the annual RSU Awards and the Student Groups Spotlight
• No expectation to host events or activities during exam season/breaks from study