Generally, at this time of year Students’ Unions should be taking feedback from incumbent officers on the induction and training given to them at the start of their term. Did they find it all useful? Were their elements missing? What tweaks or changes should be made for next year’s officers to enable them to carry out the role as effectively as possible? Listed below are some of the key elements SUs are including in their induction training.
Understanding the Organization: Provide an overview of the structure, functions, and objectives of the students' union. This includes understanding the roles and responsibilities of various positions and departments within the union.
Governance and Policies: Educate sabbatical officers on the governing documents, policies, and procedures of the students' union. This includes the constitution, bylaws, and relevant regulations. They should also understand their legal duties as trustees and if appropriate directors of the organization.
Leadership Skills & Teamwork: Offer training in leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork. Sabbatical officers should be equipped with the skills necessary to effectively lead their teams and represent the student body; this works well if the SMT are involved in the activities and training.
Campaigning and Advocacy: Teach strategies for effective campaigning and advocacy on behalf of students. This includes understanding student issues, lobbying techniques, and engaging with stakeholders.
Student Representation: Train officers on effectively representing student interests within the university administration and other decision-making bodies. This includes attending meetings, voicing student concerns, and advocating for change.
Financial Management: Provide training on budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal responsibility. Sabbatical officers often oversee significant budgets and need to understand financial processes and accountability.
Community Engagement: Encourage officers to build relationships with students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. This involves fostering a sense of community, addressing concerns, and promoting inclusivity.
Media and Public Relations: Provide guidance on engaging with media, social media management, and crafting effective messages. Sabbatical officers should be able to communicate their initiatives and engage with the broader student body.
Event Planning and Management: Equip officers with skills in event planning, coordination, and risk management. This includes organizing student events, workshops, and campaigns.
Self-care and Well-being: Recognize the importance of self-care and well-being for sabbatical officers. Provide resources and support mechanisms to help them manage stress, maintain balance, and prioritize their mental and physical health.
Professional Development: Offer opportunities for ongoing professional development, such as workshops, seminars, and networking events. Sabbatical officers can benefit from learning new skills and staying updated on relevant topics.
Succession Planning: Prepare officers for the transition process at the end of their term. This includes documenting processes, knowledge transfer, and mentoring incoming officers to ensure continuity and effectiveness in student representation.
Officers have also fed back that more training on the following elements should be considered: public speaking, risk management, chairing skills, running focus groups, conflict resolution, HE policy update from Wonkhe, and effective networking.
Is your training programme fit for purpose? We can offer facilitation or training on any or all elements of officer induction; please get in touch if you feel we can help.