WHAT IS A SABBATICAL OFFICER?
Sabbatical Officers or “Sabbs” are ordinary students who are elected every March by students to lead your Students' Union: they are the voice of students. This role is open to any student and can be taken up on graduation or by taking a year out from their studies. Their role is a paid position for one year and Sabbs live rent-free in a self-contained flat on campus.
Sabbs are responsible for:
1. The direction of a charity with a million pound turnover.
The Students’ Union is a registered charity and exists to makes students’ lives better at Bath, by offering services which include: representation, support, development and entertainment.
2. Representing 14,000 members to the University as well as locally and nationally.
Sabbs represent the concerns and views of individuals, groups or the whole student body on issues such as welfare, academic, social and financial. In particular, Sabbatical Officers focus on tackling the “top ten issues” that students have identified as their primary concerns.
3. Developing the strategic direction of the Union.
Sabbs are responsible for the broad direction of the Union and work with the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executives and SU Finance Director to ensure a successful long term approach to the government of the Union.
4. Making up the majority of the Students' Union Board of Trustees
Along with three external trustees, Sabbs are members of the Students’ Union’s Board of Trustees (why they are occasionally referred to as Sabbatical Trustees) and also have legal and financial responsibilities.
WHY SHOULD I RUN TO BE A SABB?
There are many reasons to become a Sabb. You will:
1. Have an unforgettable, exciting year, full of challenges.
Every day is different; one day you could be helping a student with a problem, leading a national campaign or sitting on an interview panel for a manager. The next day you could be listening to students at the Sabb Surgery, doing a presentation to your Execs or sitting in a meeting with the Vice Chancellor.
2. Improve your employability
This is a fantastic opportunity to build a very impressive CV that will make you really stand out to employers. You will have real experience of making senior level decisions as well as managing budgets, events, meetings, projects, teams and your time! In one year, you will have worked with the media, interviewed staff, done public speaking, written reports and negotiated change.
3. Make a difference
You can make a positive impact on students’ lives by influencing the decision makers. There are many changes and developments at the Union, the University and in the local community that that have been driven through by a Sabbatical Officer.
4. Develop invaluable life and work skills.
Over the year you will have developed some important skills that will benefit you in all areas of your life including: communication, teamwork, leadership, organisation, influencing, strategic planning, commercial awareness, working under pressure and problem solving.
5. Network with a national organisation
Through the NUS (National Union of Students) you will be a part of a confederation of 600 students' unions and linked with thousands of other Sabbatical Officers The NUS is a voluntary membership organisation which makes a real difference to the lives of students and its member students' unions.
HAVE I GOT WHAT IT TAKES?
You may not have realised:
1. Any student can be a Sabb
Whether you are an international, postgraduate or undergraduate student, you can run for Sabb. You can also do it any stage of your degree, with permission from your Director of Studies.
2. You don’t need to be heavily involved in the Union
You do need relentless enthusiasm for what the Union can do for students and have plenty of good ideas on how we could make it even better.
3. You aren’t just expected to know it all from the start.
When your job begins you receive an intense programme of external and internal trainings and two weeks handover with the outgoing Sabbs. The support offered by experienced professional staff and ongoing professional development continues throughout the year.
4. Many skills you will learn as the year progresses.
This is a unique opportunity for professional self-development and personal growth. You must to be open-minded and willing to learn a lot about your strengths and weaknesses. You will need to enjoy dealing with people and be confident enough to speak up in a meeting.
5. You will be a part of a strong and supportive team.
As a Sabb, you are one in a close and supportive team of five. You will also have links to wide networks of other Sabbs across the country. Don’t forget Sabbs are in a department with very experienced, friendly staff, who will help you in every way to do achieve your best. Even as a trustee you will have very experienced, senior-level external trustees who will also give you invaluable guidance.
WHAT POSITION SHOULD I RUN FOR?
There will be five sabbatical officers and their roles are:
1. Students’ Union President
The SU President is the figurehead of the Students’ Union. As the President you would lead the sabbatical team, helping and organising the efforts of each individual sabbatical and ensuring that the work on major student issues is done. It is his/her responsibility to make sure that everything the Union undertakes is for the long term benefit of its members.
2. Vice President Education
The VP Education is principally charged with the academic representation, primarily to the University, but to other relevant bodies as well. As the VP Education you would also work closely with the VP Community and Diversity on issues relating to postgraduate and international students.
3. Vice President Sport
The VP Sport is principally charged with the strategic development of sport within the Students’ Union and acting as a representative on relevant University committees and at the national level. As the VP Sport you would represent students’ sporting needs and interests to the Sports Department and the University.
4. Vice President Activities & Development
The VP Activities and Development is responsible for the strategic development of the activities of the arts, societies and training and enterprise areas of the Union. They will work with student Executives within the Societies, Arts and Enterprise areas.
5. Vice President Community & Diversity
The VP Community and Diversity is a wide ranging role that represents the needs of specific groups of students and general student welfare to the University, the strategic development of volunteering and the diversity and support groups within the SU. As VP C&D you would also be the face and main representation of students within the local community.
We recommend you do the following five steps..
1. Read more
This site has a lot of useful information ranging from full job descriptions, ex-Sabb experiences to the process of running for Sabb. (The Information Pack is essential reading once you have decided to run.)
2. Talk to someone
You can talk in confidence to any of the existing Sabbs, a member of staff or the Chair of the Elections Committee. If you plan to take a break from your studies to be a Sabb, you will need to obtain permission from your Director of Studies.
3. Attend the Information Session
There will be an information session on Tuesday 21st February 2012 at 1.15 in the Chief Executive’s room (Level 3 of 1 East - 1E3.10A). The Chair of Elections Committee and Deputy Returning Officer will be available to give you any information you need on being a Sabb, or any aspect of the election or campaigning process.
4. Nominate yourself
First you have to nominate yourself online by noon February 28th. Your nomination must include a manifesto (500 words why you think you could do the job and why other students should vote for you). Don’t leave it to the last minute, in case you experience online problems and miss the deadline.
5. Plan your campaign
You must attend the candidate meetings and training sessions on Tuesday 28th Feb at 12.30 and at 17.15 and on March 9th at 16.45. You will also need to plan an election campaign with your supporters to persuade students to vote for you which would start on Friday 2nd March.