HOW TO CAMPAIGNYou can win an election without producing a single poster, just as you can by covering the various campuses with them. Being elected isn’t all about knowing the most people or printing the most posters – it’s all about campaigning creatively and talking to as many students as possible.

City is in the excellent position, in that it’s various campuses (aside from those in Greece and Dubai) are in relative walking distance from each other – so you can easily engage with a wide variety of students. As every City student is eligible to vote, you have to make sure that you’re aiming to reach them in your campaigning. Always remember to observe Health and Safety – ensure your campaign doesn’t put anyone at risk (I.E. not blocking fire escapes or covering up information).

CHOOSING YOUR CAMPAIGN THEMEElection Campaign themes come in all shapes and sizes. According to campaign theory, a successful campaign is one which:

Is Simple enough to be retold Uses vivid images Is Memorable Strengthens the right values

You may remember the 2008 Barack Obama campaign for US President, which focused around a memorable, vivid image with a catchy and uplifting message of hope and community in ‘Yes We Can’.

Translating these principles into an Election Campaign, you want to pick a theme that will fit some if not all of the criteria, particularly in your campaign message being memorable and simple enough to be retold.

Themes have previously been linked to names, or a character that will appeal to students, or something that is related to City. It can even be the way you sell your key ideas to students.

Stevie Cook, a candidate for an Activities post, made the most of her surname with a Cookie Monster theme.

Rob Ankcorn, a candidate for a Democracy and Development role, went with a Bob the Builder theme, making the

CAMPAIGN SLOGANYou have the option to have a 6 word slogan for the Elections. Many candidates choose a catchy, memorable phrase across their campaign as a way to give students a feel of what their campaign is about and to set them apart from other candidates.

Perhaps, like Kieran Ford, you have a distinguishing beard.

Or like Sweta Kannan, you can create a great pun.

Tips for a Strong Slogan

Link it to your name to help students remember you Make it short and snappy Try using humour or puns Link it to something memorable Have a look at other Elections and take inspiration

Think about All Students

City is an incredibly diverse University with a large percentage of Postgraduate students and International students, as well as carers, student parents and mature students – who are traditionally underrepresented in the Students’ Union movement. It’s important that when planning your campaign, you think about how you can engage the different Schools, groups of students and that your ideas are relevant to as many students as possible.

Every student journey is an individual experience. We recommend speaking to a wide variety of students before formulating your ideas to find out what they care about and how what you want to do will affect them.

Rob Ankcorn, a candidate for a Democracy and Development role, went with a Bob the Builder theme, making the

TOP TIPS FOR TALKING TO STUDENTSIt may feel like you have a long time to talk to students, but the Elections period tends to move quite fast. It’s good to make use of our Campaign Planner to help plan your time.

It may seem terrifying, but talking to students is a proven way of gaining success in an election, including having online conversations, and much like any skill – practice makes perfect.

We’re running sessions in order to support you through the Election and develop your skills, but here’s a set of conversation starters to get you going.

“Hello! I’m (your name) and I’m running as (position) in the Students’ Union Leadership Elections! The three things I’d want to change are…”

“I’m running in the Students’ Union Leadership Elections. Is there anything about your experience at City that you would like to change?”

“Student representatives help make a difference at City. Listen to my ideas and let me know what matters to you.”

If you meet a disinterested student, it’s a perfect time to let them know why the Students’ Union is important. If they participate in the Election, they can give the Union a stronger mandate to fight for change to the University. There are over 19000 students at City and each of them has a vote – so can come aboard to help deliver strong changes for students.

BUILDINGS VISIT CHECKLISTCity is spread out over 3 main campuses, with a whole host of buildings with large open spaces for you to engage with students.

This is a list of some suggested buildings that you should consider visiting during your campaign:

Northampton Square Campus Bunhill Row Campus Gray’s Inn Campus☐ Centenary Building (H) ☐ Bunhill Row Building ☐ Atkin Building ☐ College Building (A) ☐ Chiswell Street Building ☐ 4 Gray’s Inn Place☐ Drysdale Building (E) ☐ 200 Aldersgate ☐ Princeton Street Building

☐ Franklin Building (R)☐ Innovation Centre (F)☐ Myddleton Street Building (M)☐ Rhind Building (D)☐ Tait Building (C)☐ University Building (B)

Ensure to have your City student ID on you at all times to enable you to access some buildings.

CAMPAIGN BUDGETSCandidates can purchase materials and resources to support their campaign, however all expenditure must be approved by the Deputy Returning Officer using an Election Expenses Form.

Anything you buy – posters, videos, social media promotion – must be approved and cannot be used as a bribe (so sadly no sweets).

All receipts for campaign expenses must be submitted to the DRO (regardless of whether the candidate is seeking reimbursement) no later than 1 hour after polls close. If candidates do not spend any money during the course of their campaign this must be made clear on the submission.

No Society funds may be used to finance any candidate’s campaign.

Candidates may not spend more than the specified budget on their elections.

Please see below for the budget limits;

Full Time Positions Part Time Positions

£75 £30Ensure to check the Elections Bye-Law to ensure you can purchase the items.

https://www.citystudents.co.uk/pageassets/about-us/govdocs/Bye-Law_4_Elections_Approved_310717.pdf

I WANT IDEAS

Or cutting out shapes related to your campaign and putting these in accessible

Or getting your