Can I really be on the Executive Committee and become an elected officer?
Experience
You do not need to have prior experience, however it would be helpful if you were a good communicator, work well in a team and have some knowledge of the Students' Association and how it operates. Basic meeting and organisational skills would be a great asset, and it may help if you've had past experience / involvement in any of the Students’ Association committees but this is in no means essential. All that is required is that you are an ordinary member (i.e. a full time student or a current sabbatical officer) of Glasgow Caledonian University Students’ Association.
Activities
As a Trustee of the Students’ Association you will have legal responsibilities. When taking up a position on the Executive Committee you become a member of a team who are collectively responsible for the running of the entire organisation. This includes making short-term decisions and devising and promoting long term plans for the whole Association. In practice this will include depending on others to deliver, but also you'll become involved in discussions and projects which do not appear to be relevant to your specific work area.
All Executive Committee members will take part in representing the views of students on University committees and are expected to oversee Students’ Association budgets. Download the Job Descriptions.
Reporting
You will be accountable to your colleagues on the Executive, to volunteers/committee members in your work areas, to Caledonian Student Parliament and ultimately to all students. You will also be expected to keep yourself accountable by producing reports for meetings and informing students through other mediums (website, student magazine, forums).
Time Commitment
Sabbatical Officers will be given terms and conditions that include working 35 hours a week but you can expect to do more depending upon the time of year, projects and campaigns that you may be involved in. Sometimes it will feel that you will need to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get everything done. And even then you will find something else that needs doing. You don't always have a choice about your workload, sometimes you will need to attend events or meetings no matter what you would rather be doing. The current annual remuneration for sabbatical officers is £14,241.
Non-sabbatical officers will have to balance their University work, part-time work and Students’ Association responsibilities. These are voluntary positions.
Support
All Full Time Officers will receive an induction programme organised by the outgoing Full Time Officers and relevant staff members in the first week.
All Executive Committee members will receive an induction pack and in the first couple of months will attend Executive Committee Training that covers the legal and financial responsibilities. All Executive Committee members will be sent on relevant
You will receive much of your support from the Students’ Association staff team. They are employed to run the operational activities of the Students’ Association and to help you, as elected officials, to achieve the objectives of the Association.
Future Employability
Being a member of the Executive Committee is great personal development and will give you an opportunity to develop a wide range of transferable skills and improve your CV. This will include skills that relate to the overall management of an organisation. Specific skills include; financial management, presentation skills, negotiation skills, assertiveness, leadership, lobbying, chairing meetings, dealing with conflict and developing a broad understanding of the issues affecting students in Higher Education. As the public face of the Association you will deal with Senior University Staff and meet a variety of interesting individuals.
For more information contact David Carse, Returning Officer, on david.carse@gcal.ac.uk or by phoning 0141 331 3886 or check how to run page.
