The Elections 2011 Candidates Training

1. The Elections 2011Candidates Training

2. By the end of this session you will: • Understand the voting rules, systems and process • Understand e-Voting • Understand ways that you can promote yourself effectively • Understand how to make the most out of Candidates Question Time

3. Key Dates • Help with Video Manifestos – Tuesday 8th March, 10am until 3pm – please book • Deadline for Manifesto and Publicity – Thursday 10th March, 12 noon • Publicity Returned – Tuesday 15th March, 12 noon • Posters and Banners allowed to be displayed – Friday 18th March, 12 noon • Candidates Question Time – Monday 21st March, 7.00pm onwards, Stage 2 • Voting Days – Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd, Thursday 24th March 2011, all day • The Count – Thursday 24th March 2010, 7.00pm onwards, Reds

4. NUS Presentation

5. Clean Campaign Pledge • I pledge to run a good, clean campaign • I accept the campaign regulations • I promise to treat my fellow campaigners as I would want to be treated • I will not use negative campaign tactics • I pledge to campaign on issues, not personalities • I will stick to the spirit as well as the letter of the regulations • I will try to make the campaigning experience as much fun for everyone as possible • I promise to attempt resolution of any issues informally before making a formal complaint • I will accept the decision of any formal complaint procedure with good grace • I will ensure that any Campaign Crew associated with me also follow this pledge

6. e-Voting The Way Forward

7. Why eVoting? • Accessibility • Placement students • Distance Learning • Part Time Students • Franchise Students • Students who are too lazy to get out of bed before 5pm • More time spent online • 7 polling stations to 10,000 polling stations (and the rest)

8. What it means for you • Campaigning locations • Sight and sound of polling stations • Work harder to create buzz • No specific times – 24hr voting • More people voting who haven’t met you • Different voting demographic • Increased turnout?!

9. How voters vote? • www.mynsu.co.uk • Desktop Anywhere • Blackboard • Emails • Bebo/MySpace/Facebook links? - One single web address

10. Voting on Campus • eLections Stands: • Habita • Library • Pandon Basement • City Campus East 1 • Coach Lane SU

11. What we need? • Your manifesto • Video manifesto • Publicity • CQT song When can they vote? • Ballots open – 9am Tuesday 23rd March • Ballots close – 5pm Thursday 25th March

12. Publicity tips • POSTER BLINDNESS? • BE CREATIVE • Use coloured paper • Have a ‘corporate’ colour e.g. Breast Cancer Awareness and wear it, use it throughout • White space, don’t be afraid to use it

13. Tips on Producing Publicity • NAME - Nickname - Does anything rhyme with your name? • SLOGAN • PHOTO and PERCEPTION - Serious face - unapproachable - Smiling face - approachable and friendly - Comical expression - fun, but can they do the job?

14. Tips on Producing Publicity • TEXT • Use of fonts - be creative but don’t overload - have a ‘corporate’ font - examples • Point Size - clear - consider impact of photocopying onto A5 or A6 - AVOID OVER USING CAPITALS

15. Tips on Producing Publicity • IMAGES & COLOUR • Colours to copier (red to black, yellow to white) • Images (photocopier may darken or lighten them) • WATERMARKS - Example - Too light and will be lost in the copy text or photocopier won’t pick it up - Too dark and will cover the copy text

16. Tips on Producing Publicity • BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF - does it appeal? • PROOF READ x 3 - Typing and spelling errors will say a lot about you to the person reading them • PHOTOCOPIER SIZES

17. What do you remember from last year? - More than just posters! • Anything out of the ordinary • Car with balloons • Costumes • Board with candidates’ face through • T-shirts • Banners in your window/shops and Flags • It’s a Scream - tins of beans • Flyers and Business cards • Websites – Facebook - Bebo etc

18. Tips on Producing Publicity • CAUTION! - How will you be perceived? - No substitution for getting out and talking to people - Don’t spend a fortune!

19. ALWAYS ADD THE NSU ELECTION LOGO TO PAPER BASED PUBLICITY AND ANY OTHER ELECTRONIC FORMS IF POSSIBLE Publicity MUST also include: • Voting Period: 9am on Tuesday 22nd March to 5pm on Thursday 24th March. • ‘Vote ONLINE at www.mynsu.co.uk or from desktop ANYWHERE • [Northumbria Students’ Union logo] • The Elections 2011 logo

20. When and What to Submit • Deadline Thursday 10th March 12 noon • To the Welcome Desk • Publicity Request form • Include designs and contents for: • Posters/Flyers and all other printed materials • Text to go out on Facebook/Bebo etc Publicity will be ready for collection Tuesday 15th March 12 noon from the Welcome Desk

21. How do you get the most out ofCandidates Question Time?

22. Prepare your speech (when, where, who, why?) • Organise the body of your speech, introduction and conclusion • Repeat main points 3 times • Delivering your speech (good posture, positive eye contact) • Nerves - not a bad thing, use to help you • PRACTICE!

23. Candidates Question Time • Monday 21st March - 7.00pm+ in Stage 2 • Consider possible questions • Music to be submitted with your publicity • Make the audience YOUR audience • ALL Candidates must be present • Speeches to be filmed for website

24. By now, you will: • Understand the voting rules, systems and process • Understand e-Voting • Understand ways that you can promote yourself effectively • Understand how to make the most out of Candidates Question Time

25. GOOD LUCK! Any Questions? …TOUR OF PUBLICITY SITES