APPLICATIONS
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT POSITIONS I CAN RUN FOR?
There are 11 elected positions and 3 appointed positions. They range from positions on Board as well as positions on the Executive team. For a complete description of roles and responsibilities, refer to http://www.uwafsa.ca/executive-and-bod/
WHAT IS THE ELECTIONS PROCESS? WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES?
The elections process consists of the submission of a suitable application for the appointed and elected positions. They can be found at www.uwafsa.ca. Once applications are approved by the elections committee, the campaign period begins. During the campaign period, candidates can promote their platform (online only) and SAF students can participate through the elections forum. Once the campaign period ends, voting will begin. During this period, all SAF students can vote (or abstain from voting) for all positions as well as any referendums. Subsequently, the votes will be tallied and the successful candidates will be announced on www.uwafsa.ca.
The elections timeline is as follows:
MAY 20, 2014 @ 12:30PM || Elections Information Session & Kick-off·
MAY 21, 2014 @ 9:00AM TO MAY 25, 2014 @ 11:59PM ||Applications period
MAY 27, 2014 @ 9:00PM TO MAY 30, 2014 @ MIDNIGHT || Campaign period
JUNE 2, 2014 TO JUNE 5, 2014 || Voting
JUNE 1, 2014 TO JUNE 2, 2014 || Appointed Board of Director Interviews
JUNE 9, 2014 @ 9:00AM || Results are announced
WHERE CAN I FIND THE APPLICATION FORMS?
Applications can be found at www.uwafsa.ca.
Direct Link to Appointed Application Form:
Direct Link to Elected Application Form:
CAN I BE AN EXEC EVEN IF I HAVEN’T BEEN ON AFSA BEFORE?
Yes. AFSA encourages all SAF students who are passionate about making SAF a better place through one of the positions to apply!
CAN I RUN FOR MORE THAN ONE POSITION?
No, to ensure fairness in applications, AFSA asks for all candidates to choose one (1) position they would like to apply for and apply only to that position. This ensures that the candidates are fully committed to their position which increases the quality of candidates’ platforms.
WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT AFSA?
Information on all governing documents such as AFSA’s constitution can be found at
http://new.uwafsa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/AFSA-Constitution-v3.2.pdf
WILL THERE BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CANDIDATES TO HAVE A DEBATE?
The forums on the safstudentvote.freeforums.net/ website will allow students to ask candidates questions and provide candidates with an opportunity to debate and discuss relevant issues to their position. Unfortunately, due to logistics given co-op and summer term, there will be no live debates administered by the Elections team.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR AN EXECUTIVE/BOARD MEMBER?
The time commitment for any executive or board member varies broadly. Generally, for executive members, the commitment is 7-10 hours a week which includes meeting times with committee members as well as other executives. For Board members, the time commitment is generally 3-5 hours. AFSA encourages candidates to take on tasks that interest them while ensuring the time commitment is manageable with school and other commitments.
WHAT HAPPENS IF NO ONE RUNS FOR A POSITION?
If a position is left vacant, then it will be the responsibility of the Board of Directors to fill the position within 1 month after the official results.
CAMPAIGNING
ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC RULES REGARDING ADVERTISING DURING THE ELECTIONS?
Yes, to ensure fairness in campaigning, there is a limit of $250 imposed for spending on campaign materials. As well, advertising can only be performed online to ensure those not on campus do not have a disadvantage.
WHAT CAN THE $250 LIMIT BE SPENT ON?
Anything that can be used on an online campaign (for example website design). However, no tangible items can be purchased for promotion such as posters or merchandise.
CAN YOU PURCHASE TANGIBLE ITEMS FOR USE IN AN ONLINE VIDEO?
Yes, as long as the tangible items are not subsequently distributed or used outside of the online video.
DO WE NEED TO GET VIDEOS AND ANY ELECTRONIC POSTERS WE MIGHT BE USING AS PROFILE PICTURES APPROVED? AND IF SO, HOW MUCH IN ADVANCE? You don’t need to get it approved in advance, but you need to provide us with a link to your videos/webpage/Facebook group at elections@uwafsa.ca within 2 days of posting
IS THERE A LIMIT ON THE ONLINE VIDEOS/POSTERS/OTHER MEDIA THAT CAN BE PRODUCED?
No there is no limit, as long as the entire campaign is online and the links of your media are sent on time to elections@uwafsa.ca.
WHAT CONSTITUTES MASS SPAM, FOR THE “NO MASS SPAM” RULE?
Mass spam refers to the use of non-personal mailing lists that were compiled for other use. For example, UW-ACE or uWaterloo student mailing lists cannot be used to solicit votes. Another example of mass spam are messages through Facebook fan pages/groups that are used for student organizations (for example Class of 20XX groups, Orientation groups, the AFSA fan page etc.). Messaging your friends on Facebook or other chat services is allowed. If you have any doubts, contact elections@uwafsa.ca to ensure that you comply with the rules. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
ARE WE ALLOWED TO STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUILDING AND PROMOTE OURSELVES?
No. This would be analogous to making an in-class announcement which would be provide an unfair advantage to those on campus.
ARE WE ALLOWED TO TALK WITH OUR FRIENDS ON CAMPUS TO PROMOTE OURSELVES?
Yes. Promoting yourselves to friends is allowed. However, no in-class announcements and other in- person promotions to a group of individuals is not allowed.
CAN WE PROMOTE OURSELVES TO RANDOM STUDENTS IN THE SAF LOUNGE?
Yes however, candidates should not be making mass announcements. There is a fine line between what is acceptable and what is not. If you are unsure, please contact the elections committee at elections@uwafsa.ca.
CAN CURRENT AFSA EXECUTIVES OR DIRECTORS APPEAR IN MY ONLINE CAMPAIGN?
Yes, on the condition that AFSA Executives or Directors do not introduce their positions and with the exception of the members that comprise of the elections committee. For clarification on the executives and board of directors who sit on the elections committee, please e-mail elections@uwafsa.ca.
CAN I USE THE AFSA LOGO IN MY ONLINE PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS?
Yes, as long as the logo is not used in a derogatory way.
VOTING
HOW WILL VOTING WORK?
Voting will be done entirely online. A link will be given from www.uwafsa.ca/elections, during the voting period (June 2 – 5). Eligible voters will be verified using their quest ID and password. Each voter will have one vote, and will be able to select the candidate they wish to vote for in each position.
WHAT IS A REFERENDUM? HOW DOES IT WORK? WHY IS IT DURING THE ELECTIONS?
A referendum is a direct vote in which all students in SAF are asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This year, the referendum will surround the separation of the $50 amount that is paid by each student into the Endowment Fund into two separate buckets. Out of the $50, $15 will be used to continue to grow the endowment fund, while $35 will be used as a levy which will be used to meet the growing demand of SAF students.
The referendum is being held during the same period as voting for election candidates. This is to ensure maximum voter turnout to address this specific proposal. Additional questions regarding the process can be addressed to elections@uwafsa.ca.
FOR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE AFSA ELECTIONS COMMITTEE AT elections@uwafsa.ca.
