MEETINGS
& ELECTIONS
We figured if we have to have an SGM at some point (READ THE INTRODUCTION) then we may as well use it to fix the things we broadly agree on so here are a couple.
Here are the headline things we can fix:
1/ Instead of meeting once a year to talk about the shit we did we want to meet multiple times a year and be more accountable
Because of changes to legislation we need to present our accounts earlier so instead of the WSU standing up once a year and saying here is the shit we are going to do it made sense for us to talk to students more and give them regular updates. So instead we want to do four meetings (really 3 meetings and video).
- The first would happen in November after the new board has had a month or two training. A video introducing the new board, asking for ideas for the Annual Plan and letting people know what they think they might want to focus on.
- The next one would happen just after O’Week where the WSU would pass its budget for the year and its annual plan.
- The third one would happen around the last week of Trimester A (maybe before an end of Trimester Party) and would be where we cover off the legal stuff. Last years audited accounts, appointment of solicitors and auditors and a progress report by executive members as to how they are tracking.
- The final one for the year would be just before a WSU election. This would be the old State of the Union. How we did this year, what we learned and what we are leaving to the incoming board.
2/ Elections are weird at the moment.
If you are wanting to get elected, currently you campaign in August, get selected in September and then spend three months waiting around till January when you start learning about a job you may no longer want to do. More than that if you are the outgoing board you have three months of a gig left where your replacement has already been selected (maybe they beat you) and students have largely left for the Summer. We aren’t saying you will naturally wake up and choose violence…but you can.
Instead we think it is better if elections happen in September and you start in September. The outgoing President still hangs around till December attending council meetings and doing a handover but you and your new board mates can get started on a video outlining your new structure and your new priorities.