The Elections 2011 Candidates Training

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

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

NUS Presentation

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

e-Voting The Way Forward

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)

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?!

How voters vote? Desktop Anywhere Blackboard s Bebo/MySpace/Facebook links? - One single web addressOne single web address

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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 22 nd March to 5pm on Thursday 24 th March. ‘Vote ONLINE at or from desktop ANYWHEREwww.mynsu.co.uk [Northumbria Students’ Union logo] The Elections 2011 logo

Deadline Thursday 10 th 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 15 th March 12 noon from the Welcome Desk When and What to Submit

How do you get the most out of Candidates Question Time?

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!

Candidates Question Time Monday 21 st March pm+ 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

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

GOOD LUCK! Any Questions? …TOUR OF PUBLICITY SITES