Vote Callum Slater #1 for Democracy and Finance

Hello! My name is Callum Slater and I am running to be your next Democracy and
Finance Officer on the County College JCR. I’m an International Business
Management student with a self-confessed love for governance, democracy and the
Sugarhouse (come say hi to the lanky ginger dude dancing badly!).

I have been involved in the world of student politics for over three years and I am
proud of the track-record I have been able to leave in that time. I am even more
excited by the changes I hope to be able to drive here in County and beyond,
starting as your next Democracy and Finance Officer.

I am not standing in this election to pledge some bull- and slap a title on my
LinkedIn. I truly care about students and so let my most important pledge be this…
you, your experiences and your opportunities will sit at the heart of every decision I
make.

My experience

In 2016, I was an instrumental figure in launching one of the first students’ unions in
a post-merger further education college which went on to be used as a sector
leading example by the National Union of Students. I became the founding President
of this Union and proved that I can deliver on my promises; from installing free
sanitary products in all female and accessible bathrooms to saving our popular
nightlife social events - so I’m experienced with tricky trustees ;) !

I was later able to lobby the executive leadership to create our first paid sabbatical
post and in the last year I assumed this shiny new role of Student Liaison Officer. In
this role, I literally had the responsibilities of the Democracy and Finance Officer (it
really is a perfect fit):

 I wrote the Constitution and Bye-Laws of the Students’ Union, presenting

them to the Board of Governors and having them passed as legally binding
documents to protect the rights of its members.
 I have over a year’s experience in chairing various Committees impartially and
performed secretarial duties in my previous role, that is: publishing agendas;
taking and circulating minutes for approval; receiving apologies for absence;
and setting the date, time and location of meetings in advance.
 I served as the Deputy Returning Officer in my College’s Leadership Election
Race. This involved publishing the timeline of the election, training all
candidates in campaign conduct and skills, making judgements on election
disputes, organising the ballot, and counting/declaring the results.
 I launched the first mass membership consultation on the effectiveness of my
students’ union, analysing these results and publishing a report that became a
four-year Strategic Plan to safeguard the sustainability of the Union.
So, that’s a lot of democracy but what about the money, money, money (in the wise
words of Jessie J)?

 I prepared regular financial accounts and reports for the Union presenting
these to relevant Committees and managing an annual turnover of circa
£10,000. I prepared budgets and recorded transactions in compliance with
Union policy.
 I organised many aspects of several nightlife events with 600+ attendees
including the management of e-ticketing and processing of funds.
 I negotiated a three-year contract with my previous union’s website provider,
UnionCloud, and therefore have experience with the ticketing and election
software used by LUSU.

It’s pretty clear by now that I get a bit hot under the collar for a strong set of election
bye-laws but what do I actually want to achieve as your next Democracy and
Finance Officer?

 I will continue to ensure that all elections are fair, inclusive and accessible;
promoting diverse participation and striving to break down barriers faced by
our liberation groups.
 I will ensure all voting is as accessible as possible to maximise voter turnout
and maintain County’s strong reputation for voter participation.
 I will push for maximum transparency of the JCR Executive and ensure that
consultation is undertaken at every possible opportunity to understand what
you, our members, would like to see.
 I will seek to build stronger relationships with LUSU in order to work more
collaboratively by bringing as much power as possible into the hands of your
elected representatives – the County JCR.

Democracy and Finance really is my jam, and I would be honoured to have the
privilege of representing you as your next Democracy and Finance Officer. Check
out my Facebook page and come and have a chat (I’m pretty chill, I promise). Vote
#Slater4Greater and Callum Slater #1 for Democracy and Finance!

Big love. Callum.