Strong candidates are crucial now more than ever

With the recent Student Choice Initiative made by the provincial government student unions across the province are preparing for big changes to how they will operate.

“It is important that students are aware that we are here, what their rights are, what they have access to and how to get involved.”

The general election for the Student Association of George Brown College (SA) is important because students will form the vision for the SA.

The SA runs services such as emergency food banks, the Community Action Centre, health benefits plans, student events and The Dialog.

Your voice is crucial in deciding what the future holds.

“You get to hear what students struggle with every day and maybe you struggle with the same things,” said Kizzie St. Clair, the SA’s director of equity “It allows great relationships to build.”

The nomination and election process is much easier than you think, so why not give it a go?

Getting people to nominate you is simple. Just pick up a nomination package at any SA office and ask current students to sign your nomination forms.

Education centre candidates need 10 signatures to run and will be required to work 10-hour weeks at $15 per hour if elected.

Executive positions require 30 signatures and are full-time jobs at $17 per hour. Once elected, you do not have to be a student.

Make sure to submit your completed nomination package by Friday, March 15.

After you are successfully nominated as a candidate the next stage is the campaign period which starts on March 21 and runs until April 3.

Your candidate statement distinguishes who you are. Students are there to hear why you want to run, so it’s vital to ask what’s important to them, hear what they are passionate about and reach out to any current representatives who should be involved in the conversation.

The number of voters has been low recently, at 7.25 per cent last year and 6.54 per cent in 2017.

Campaigning should not feel like you’re trying to get students to sign up for another credit card they don’t need. And it shouldn’t be a game to see who can get the most.

So it’s essential that candidates actively engage in discussion with students. It not only gets them involved and voting, but also fosters connections that bring the community together.

It’s not all about you, so don’t make it seem that way.

Listen to students concerns and address how you can help them constructively if you get elected.

If you’re elected just be there and be willing to exercise your power to move the students’ words through yours.

This will help inform students how much support they have and shows that people actually care about their education and well being.

Let them know who you are, what you stand for and ask what they think.

As students in a crisis, it is our duty to actively engage with the SA to provide students with as much support as possible.

Showing your commitment as a student, a candidate and a representative goes a long way in building trust among your fellow students.

Nominations open on March 11 so get out your pen and open your ears to students!