Candidate Resources
Welcome Candidates!
Election Rules and attending the Candidates' Briefing
The Election Rules set out the parameters of the election and what you can and cannot do. They are really important to know!
The Candidates' Briefing will be an opportunity to hear straight from the Deputy Returning Officer (the person who organises the election and enforces the rules) what the rules are and what they mean in practice. Candidates must attend! If a candidate (or their designated nominee) does not attend, they will be withdrawn from the election.
This year, the briefing will be delivered online via MSTeams.
The Candidates' Briefing will take place on Friday 23rd February 2023 from 1pm to 3pm online Click here to join the meeting
The 2024 Full Time Officer Elections - Candidates' Briefing can be found here
Returning Officers
Returning Officer: Peter Robertson, Chief Executive of NUS
Deputy Returning Officer: Sara MacLean, Student Voice Team Leader - GCU Students' Association. elections@GCUstudents.co.uk
Understand how voting works at GCU
Developing and writing your Manifesto
Manifesto Training will be hosted by a former GCU Full Time Officer candidate and the Deputy Returning Officer on Wednesday 14th February at 1pm. It will be delivered hybrid. If you would like to attend the training in person, it will be in NH209 (second floor of the Students' Association Building). For those who cannot make it to the in-person session, it can be accessed via MSTeams Click here to join the meeting
This is the only time during the nomination/elections that we can answer your questions regarding a manifesto (beyond providing procedural information which we can discuss at any time). Candidates or potential candidates are encouraged to attend.
Want to see examples of manifestos?
Visit www.GCUstudents.co.uk/resources and type 'manifestos' into the search box.
Equally, search 'Student Union manifestos' into a search engine.
Manifesto writing resources
Manifesto Planning & Preparation Activity Sheets
National Union Of Students' Eight Manifesto Writing Tips
Note: the manifesto for the ballot can only be 300 words with no pictures, graphics or hyperlinks.
Developing your campaign skills
Campaign training will be in-person on both the Glasgow and London campus. It will take place on Thursday 29th February at 1:00pm. On the Glasgow campus, it will be in NH209. On the London campus, book your space here.
Our Student Leaders Programme runs several workshops that potential candidates can pick and choose from to develop a bespoke training plan, and many past candidates have found these trainings valuable. The programme can help you prepare for running in the Election by allowing you to:
- Deepen your understanding of how you can take up a leadership role in any context
- Enhance your self-awareness and skills to support your development as an adaptable lifelong learner and leader
- Improve your employability prospects by developing your ability to lead yourself, others and future change
Workshops running during the period between the close of nominations and the start of campaigning are:
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Connecting with Empathy (in-person and self-guided module on GCU Learn) |
It has never been more important to be able to connect and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds, especially when speaking to the student body which is made up of so many unique groups and individuals |
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Strategic Thinking (in-person and self-guided module on GCU Learn) |
It will equip you with practical planning and analysis tools and identify ways to measure success, crucial skills when creating campaign plans. |
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Systems Thinking (in-person) |
Build a deeper understanding of how things influence one another as part of a whole. Learn practical tools and approaches to explore the linkages, relationships, interactions and behaviours among the elements that characterise a system – essential when working within a university with so many moving parts. |
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Managing Self (self-guided module on GCU Learn) |
Knowing our strengths and values, and managing ourselves well is a critical element of doing well when working with different stakeholders such as students, committees, and senior members of staff. |
There are many more workshops to choose from that run throughout February – you can sign up to the Student Leaders Programme HERE. Once you have done so, you can browse all Student Leaders Programme workshops HERE. These are open to all GCU students.
2024 Training Resources (will be uploaded after the session)
Introduction to the Students' Association for FTO election
An Introduction To Manifesto Training
General Campaign Training - Perfect Your Pitch
Digital campaigning tips
This resource was put together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we are back to in-person campaigning, you may still find some of the information useful.
Make an Election Complaint
All elections complaints should be completed on the form below and emailed to the Deputy Returning Officer at elections@GCUstudents.co.uk. Complaints must be submitted no later than an hour after voting closes. It is always better to try and speak to the Deputy Returning Officer before submitting a formal complaint. If you want to know more about the complaints process, please see this flow diagram.
Claim expenses
All candidates in the elections must return a completed Expenses Form to the Deputy Returning Officer no later than an hour after the voting closes. This form must be returned alongside all receipts. Spending limits and rules around expense are detailed in the Election Rules. Candidates who do not return an Expenses Form by the deadline will not be able to claim back any money.
Being a Charity Trustee
If you are successfully elected as a Full Time Officer you will become a Trustee, as the Students' Association is a registered charity.
All successful candidates have been emailed a copy of the Charitable Trustee Declaration Form. This form must be printed, signed and returned to David Carse, Chief Executive.
Download the Being a Charity Trustee Presentation.
Keep up-to-date with Election Stats
Real-time overview of election statistics.
Key dates
Nominations Open: Monday 5th February 2024 at 10am.
Manifesto Training (optional): Wednesday 14th February 2024 at 1pm
Nominations Close: Friday 23rd February 2024 at 12noon.
Candidates Briefing: Friday 23rd February 2024 at 1pm to 3pm - online Click here to join the meeting
Candidate Training (optional): Thursday 29th February at 1pm - 3pm
Voting Opens: Monday 4th March 2024 at 10am.
Voting Closes: Thursday 7th March 2024 at 5pm.
Results Announced: Friday 8th March 2024 at 6.30pm in Re:Union Bar.
Start Date for elected Full-Time Officers: Monday 3rd June 2024
All students at Glasgow Caledonian University are automatically members of GCU Students' Association.
This membership is free for current GCU students.
GCU Students' Association, 70 Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA.
Tel: 0141 331 3886 | Email: hello@GCUstudents.co.uk | Messenger: m.me/GCUstudents
