Coming soon...student elections. Prepare to be a leader!
Next term, campus will come alive as students exercise their democratic right to nominate their chosen student sabbatical officers to represent them within the Student's Union. If you've ever dreamed of being a leader, this is your chance to make that dream a reality.
Running an election campaign gives you a chance to learn new skills, expand your networks and enhance your employability.
Whoever wins the election will hold a year-long salaried role focused on helping fellow students get more from their time at Middlesex; there is also built-in training, and opportunities to develop your negotiation and management skills.
If you are passionate about the Middlesex community and ensuring that students get a fair deal, you're already well placed to run for office. The next steps will come in January, but taking time to reflect before term begins will pay off in coming weeks.
Here are 6 tips to bear in mind if you plan to run - the strength of your bid will rely on your ability to bring your fellow students with you and campaign on your behalf, and that will be easy to do if you are able to offer them a clearly thought-through case for change!
6 tips to help you formulate your campaign
1. Establish what you want
Write down the problem, and what you feel causes it. Then, think about the solution to that problem, or what a world without that problem looks like. That’s what you want.
2. Research your issue
Building an evidence base will help you. Your argument will be justified by objective and well presented research that shows why what you want is the right thing to do.
If you’re trying to say lots of people want something, you might want to survey those people so you can present the results.
3. Determine your campaign narrative
Tell a story: if you have evidence, you need to present it in a way that communicates the facts, but also the personal side to the aim of your campaign. Make sure you take pictures at actions and meetings - they will show that you're representing a group of people, not just yourself!
4. Build a power base
Find allies and campaign with not for them. Make your campaign hard to ignore, and ensure that your message hits decision-makers multiple times. Use images that reinforce your people-power story.
5. Be constructive
Frame things positively! For example, instead of saying 'we are fed up of this issue' say 'resolving this issue gives the university a chance to show it's really listening to students.'
You'll find it goes a long way with persuading a decision-makers that the changes you propose are a good thing for everyone. If your campaign presents a solution rather than a problem, you're well on your way.
6. Hang tough
If at first you don’t succeed, evaluate and try again – campaigning is sometimes difficult; if it was easy we would just call it “asking.” If you get bored with repeating yourself, keep going - it means you're closer to a breakthrough!
Put yourself in the position of the decision-maker – would you change your mind after the first ask? Or the second?
Want to see which issues tend to energise Middlesex students? Read this advice!
Further reading
Rules For Radicals by Saul D. Alinsky - available from the Sheppard Library
Techniques, tools and tactics from online resource Campaign Central
