Are you going to stand for it?

If you want to make a real difference to students’ lives and help improve their University experience then why not put yourself in the running to become one of the four Students’ Union Trustees?

The Trustees are current students or recent graduates who are elected to oversee the running of the Students' Union, lobby the University for change, run campaigns and represent Teesside on the national stage.

To be a Trustee, you must be elected by your fellow students and the 2009 elections are set to get underway.

There are four Trustee positions, currently occupied by:

• Tommy Cawkwell, President
• Jules Pringle, Education and Welfare Officer
• Mark Gillespie, Communications Officer
• Nat Broom, Student Activities Officer.

The current Trustees can stand to be elected for a second and final year, but students and graduates can challenge them for their positions.

Martin John, Students’ Union Marketing Manager, said: ‘Being a Trustee is hard work, but lots of fun and a brilliant way for anyone to start or resume their working life after education.

‘Aside from the amazing contribution you would make to improving the lives of students, you will oversee the running of the Students' Union and receive an annual salary of over £16,000 for your efforts.’

Key dates:

Wednesday 25 February – nominations open
From this day, you can pick up your handbook and nomination papers and decide which post you want to run for.

Tuesday 10 March - nominations close at 5.00pm
You must return your nomination papers and supporting material to the Students' Union and you will receive a briefing session about publicity and running your campaign.

Tuesday 24 March - Candidates Question Time, 7.00pm in the Terrace Bar
You will be asked to give a short speech explaining why students should vote for you, then take part in a debate and answer questions from the audience.

Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 March - voting day
Students go to the polls to vote for who they want to represent them. Ballot boxes are open from 8.30am to 8.00pm each day. The results will be announced at the Students’ Union late on Thursday night.

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