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Society committees must be elected by their members. The exceptions to this are;

  • If a new society is being formed, in which case the founding members can take the committee positions for the first academic year

Goldsmiths Students’ Union Society Election Guidelines 2023/24

Context

  1. These are the guidelines under which the elections to decide the Goldsmiths Students’ Union society and club committees will be held. 

  2. Goldsmiths Student Union cannot actively oversee all elections due to resources, but  the Union will aim to provide support if societies and clubs need it.

Guidelines 

  1. Elections

    1. Elections must be held by May, intending to find committees for the following academic year. Societies must advertise these elections internally (to their paid membership).

    2. Elections can happen before or within the society's Annual General Meeting (AGM).

    3. Societies shall manage their elections to a minimum democratic standard which is fair and transparent.

    4. Society elections can be scrutinised by Goldsmiths Students’ Union.

    5. Elections must be held through the SU website goldsmithssu.org 

    6. Societies must re-elect a President, Treasurer and Secretary (or captain), Liberation Reps, Social Secretary, and Events Manager each year. Current committee members can be re-elected into the same position. Additional roles can be added to the election process and you can email us to add these.

    7. Any committee member or president re-running for election must not be involved in the electoral process.

      1. A neutral individual needs to be appointed to oversee the election. The appointed individual cannot run in the election or openly support or campaign for a named candidate.

      2. If neither of the above are possible, the Society President would need to contact the Union for assistance with running the election.

        1. The Union would provide appropriate support and resources to help facilitate a fair election.

  2. Nominations

    1. All full member can nominate themselves to stand for a committee position.

      1. A full member is defined for societies as having paid your membership fees.

  3. Voting

    1. Society members can vote online on the society's page Get Involved > Societies and Communities > Societies and Communities List > *Group you would like to run in the election for*

    2. Only full members of the society can vote. 

      1. A full member is defined for societies as having paid your membership fees. 

    3. First past the post must be used as the voting system for each role, where a candidate will be elected via a simple majority. 

      1. For committees comprised of non-defined roles, whatever the total number of spaces available on the committee is then the same number of candidates achieving the highest proportion of votes will be on the committee.

  4. Publicity

    1. Hustings or a similar process is advised for each society, ensuring that each candidate is given a fair and equal voice in the process. This can be held at your individual Clubs or Society Annual General Meeting (AGM), this action is not compulsory.

    2. Candidates should be given the opportunity to provide a written statement of intent outlining their reasons for running and previous experience, which must be made freely available to the electorate. This can be done when putting themselves forward for the position on the website. 

    3. No negative campaigning is allowed.

    4. Society and Clubs funds cannot be used to publicise a candidate.