If you’re thinking about running in the SU Elections then take Jack's simple advice and go for it. Read how being a Sabbatical Officer has been a life changing experience for him and how it can be for you as well in his latest blog.
If you’re thinking about running, my advice to you would be, very simply, to run. Being a Sabbatical Officer, for me, has been life changing. I am not the same person who stood for election last March, and I am so proud of that fact.
The work that I’ve done and the things that I have seen over the last six months have absolutely changed me for the better. Though it may not always come across to those who know me well, I feel smarter, more competent, more assertive and much more patient than I have ever been before.
I have had the opportunity to shape College policy on access and widening participation work. I have played an instrumental part in establishing transgender guidelines and training for staff, including winning Gendered Intelligence Transgender Awareness training for the Support and Advisory Services at the College. I have listened to our students and put the Back Gate back on the agenda. I’ve had more students and student groups engaging in welfare campaigns than ever before. I’ve strengthened our Housing Campaign and introduced student guidebooks on every aspect of renting your student property.
I’ve listened to students to start making small wins at Kingswood, with much more work on this coming up in the next couple of weeks. I’ve written a paper which was taken to the College Council and commended for the work we’re doing on tackling harassment. I’m now working on a training module about consent and harassment which will be rolled out across the country. I’m also reviewing the governance structures around my role, so that my successor might have a stronger democratic structure to work within. I’m also working to establish year-long campaigns on welfare issues, led by students and supported by my role, so that they can do the work all year long that I’ve only been able to do within campaign weeks.
It’s been an amazing year, and it’s been a frustrating year. I’m not re-running, so now it’s your turn. Run because you like the sound of what I’ve been doing. Run because something hasn’t gone right for you in your time at Royal Holloway, and you don’t want other students to experience what you have. Run because you think there’s something we need to be doing differently, and you think you know how to make it happen.
My last plea to you, and for me personally, my most important plea, is this: run because you think you can do it better than I have. Ultimately, that’s what being a Sabbatical Officer is all about, and that’s part of why we’re only given these chances for one year. I know I’ve made mistakes, I’ve not made the time to do things, and sometimes I’ve really let our students down. Run because you want to do the job better than I have.
It’s a hard job and it’s a frustrating job. It’s a rewarding job and it’s an important job. You’ll grow so much and you’ll learn to understand so much as well. You’ll also have the chance to directly make positive impact on current and future students’ experience at Royal Holloway, and that’s a truly amazing thing.
So, if this sounds appealing to you, STAND. If there’s something that you want to change, be that something institutional, societal, or something that I’ve done, STAND. If you want to change the conversations, to set the priorities and make the change that you think students want to see, STAND.
Nomination packs can be found here and you can send me an email if you have absolutely any questions about this opportunity, the work I’ve been doing, or anything else. I'm also available in my office on the first floor of the Students' Union, feel free to pop in and say hello.
Jack Kilker
Co-President, Welfare and Campaigns