Behind The Ballot: Your OTSU Elections Guide & Why Student Leadership Matters
Did you know that many employers look for a graduate’s ability to problem-solve, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively, more than a high GPA?*
Which begs the question: how do I get that experience? There are many ways to gain that experience, but none better—in our opinion —than by becoming a student leader!
As an executive with the OTSU or as a Board member with your faculty-based society, you'll learn to work together as a team to plan and execute events, navigate logistical and financial matters, learn the art of negotiation and time management, and a host of other career-ready skills. Which will make you stand out as a potential candidate when first entering your career!
OTSU ELECTIONS TIMELINE:
- February 24 to March 2: Nomination period
- March 4: Mandatory All-candidates meeting
- March 5 to 11: Campaign period
- March 10: Forum and presidential debate
- March 12 to 14: Voting period
OPEN POSITIONS
There are four Executive and six Board positions students can run for in the 2025 OTSU Elections.
The OTSU executives contribute to executing the day-to-day initiatives, meet with students, gather feedback, and take action on their behalf. The President is a full-time position (40 hours per week) and the VPs are full-time in the summer and part-time during the fall and winter semesters (10-15 hours per week). All these roles are paid.
The OTSU Board of Directors is comprised of one representative from each faculty. Board Directors approve major expenditures, ensure original compliance, and generally ensure the union is held to account and is doing what you, the student body, needs it to do. Board Directors are part-time, voluntary roles and are paid an honorarium.
This year the following Board positions are open:
- Faculty of Business & Information Technology
- Mitch and Leslie Frazer Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Science & Humanities
- Graduate Studies
*NOTE: Note: The Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science director position is currently filled
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
STEPS TO RUN
All the detailed steps and necessary documents are laid out at otsu.ca/run, but essentially what you need to do is:
- Read the Nomination Overview
- Decide on a position
- Complete your candidate profile
- Get nominated by your peers
- Attend the All-Candidates Meeting
- Start planning your campaign
Once you have that, your campaign will flow naturally and you’ll be well on your way!
INVOLVEMENT MATTERS!
The role of a student executive is both challenging and rewarding. It gives you the chance to work on extra-curricular skills that you might not get through part-time jobs or internships, and affords you the ability to represent the student body in a meaningful way.
Remember that no one has all the answers, and that belief comes before ability—so if you think you are ready, then you ARE ready. If you are someone who knows the value of saying ‘yes’ to rolling up your sleeves and pitching in, you’re already halfway there!
Go to our elections page to learn more and begin a journey that could alter your perspective and path!
* National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2024
