CAMPAIGN TIPS & TRICKS - THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED AS GENERAL TIPS ONLY. FOR ELECTION RULES AND POSITION DESCRIPTIONS, VISIT UCSA RECEPTION OR TALK

CAMPAIGN
        TIPS & TRICKS

THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED AS GENERAL TIPS ONLY. FOR ELECTION
RULES AND POSITION DESCRIPTIONS, VISIT UCSA RECEPTION OR TALK
                  TO THE RETURNING OFFICER.

CONTENTS

About the UCSA
Being on the Executive
The election experience
Running a campaign
Creating a pitch
Support from the UCSA
Making your campaign look great

ABOUT
THE UCSA
We're a not-for-profit organisation with charity status, dedicated to
supporting students to succeed and belong at UC.

What we offer:
   Advocacy and welfare (including subsidised dental and
   independent student advocacy)
   Early learning centres
   Club support
   Events
   Media (including CANTA magazine)
   Food and beverage outlets.

The UCSA has an annual turnover of around $10.0 million, it
owns a 50% share of the University Book Shop, and has net
assets valued at just over $12.0 million. It also employs 217 staff
as of July 2021.

   UC recognise the UCSA as the official student representative
   body on campus.

BEING ON
THE EXECUTIVE
The Student Executive's core jobs are to:
   provide governance for the UCSA;
   protect and enhance the value of UCSA's assets, services and
   interests;
   represent students and ensure they're heard at UC.

On any given month, an Exec may:
Act as a representative: The Exec source feedback from a variety of
channels across UC, and members sit on close to 50 boards and
committees across UC.
Attend UCSA Executive meetings: These are usually held on the
first, third and fifth week of term time from 5pm-7pm. Executive
also attend AGMs and Half-AGMs.
Represent the UCSA at the odd event, like our wellbeing expos, gigs
or BBQs.
Work on a special project: Members have their own projects that
they're passionate about. We have a small fund available to help
them with an idea on campus that'll benefit students.
Communicate their work back to students when needed (UCSA
staff will help with this).

More information is available in position descriptions on our website
and at UCSA Reception.

   We recommend you have a chat with current Exec members
   so that you feel confident about the type of work you'd be
   doing. Their contact details are available on our website:
   ucsa.org.nz/about-ucsa/student-exec/

THE ELECTION
EXPERIENCE
Election Timeline – Basic
   19 July - Returning Officer starts
   28 July (Half-AGM) Nominations open / Candidate Info Session
   5 August - Nominations close
   6 August - Campaigning begins
   9-12 August - Hall visits
   17 August - Presidential Debate / Campaigning closes
   18-20 August - Voting opens
   20 August - Voting closes / Results announcement

UCSA elections are always an energetic time, with candidates
campaigning around campus and online. On the last day of
campaigning, we hold a public debate between the candidates who
are running for President (don't worry – other candidates don't
debate). It's hosted by a moderator and held during the daytime in
the Undercroft. The event gets a good crowd, and the atmosphere
can be fun. It's streamed on our Facebook page @theucsa.

Student voting is done online over three days, and the UCSA
encourages people to get involved.

At the end of the voting period, the UCSA holds a private results
function for candidates and their 'plus ones'. The results portion of
the night is livestreamed to our Facebook page, then we share a
drink and appetizers to celebrate everyone's work.

   The UCSA has the highest voter turnout among students'
   associations in Australasia!

RUNNING A
CAMPAIGN
A campaign is a way to communicate your values and vision for
UCSA and UC students.

Tips:
   Create a platform to let students know what you stand for.
   Consider if you want a campaign team. Could a mate help you
   put together signage, for example?
   Consider if you'll run with others or go solo. One opportunity to
   meet potential running mates is the Candidate Briefing session
   held by the Returning Officer.
   Bring your campaign to life with a bright colour, a strong theme
   or a slogan. It'll help people remember you.

Get yourself out there. Some traditional options include:
   a Facebook page,
   a post on UCSA Noticeboard Facebook group
   signage on campus (UC grants candidates permission to use
   certain areas - ask the Returning Officer for details),
   a campaign video for social media (30 seconds to a minute long
   can work well), and
   an image/video on UCSA's digital signage.

Campaigns vary from candidate to candidate - some prefer to do a
little, while others go all out. There are also rules regarding
campaigning, which the Returning Officer can help you with.

CREATING
A PITCH
During the campaign period, you'll need to pitch your campaign to
other students. This could be through a social media post, or during
one of our scheduled visits to student halls, for example. Putting
together a pitch doesn't have to be hard - here are a few tips:

   Keep it short and sweet.
   Introduce yourself and the role/s you're running for.
   Let them know the Elections are on and UCSA members can
   vote.
   Explain your goals succinctly.
   Tell them about your experience or traits that make you suitable
   for a role.

When it comes to policies, remember you might not get the chance
to enact all of yours if elected - you'll be part of a team making
decisions together.

It's a good idea to think about what's realistic, too. If you have any
questions about the feasibility of a policy, have a chat with
management at the UCSA: ucsa.org.nz/about-ucsa/contact-us/find-
a-staff-member/

SUPPORT
FROM UCSA
The UCSA employs a Returning Officer - they're your contact person
for information about election rules and procedures.

We also offer:
   $100 Prezzy card to help with campaign costs. (New for 2021)
   A limited number of free stakes and photocopying for signage.
   Use of our digital signage across campus (you can claim one
   image or video to play for eight seconds at a time. Note that
   digital signage doesn't have sound).
   Use of the UCSA Noticeboard on Facebook to post your own
   campaign messages.
   Space in CANTA magazine's election special, our website's
   Election page, and our poster board in the Undercroft (we
   publish the profile that you submit with your nomination papers
   – these can't be edited after submission).
   An opportunity to speak directly to students through our
   scheduled Hall visits.

MAKING YOUR
CAMPAIGN LOOK GREAT

Free tools you may find useful:

CANVA.com - Design templates for EVERYTHING.
Wordpress - One of many free website builders.
MailChimp - A tool to create e-newsletters.
Microsoft video editor or iMovie - Microsoft and Apple both
have basic editing software if you want to piece together a
short video. Free music can be found on Youtube's Music
Library.

Standard artwork sizes:

UCSA digital signage - 1920px x 1080px landscape
(Digital signage does not have sound. Images/video are played for
eight seconds.)
Instagram story - 1080px x 1920px portrait
Instagram post - 1080px x 1080px
Facebook post - Size varies depending on your needs

CANVA has many of these sizes saved.

Questions?
Contact the Returning Officer:
returningofficer@ucsa.org.nz