ANU Union

Want to get involved?

Want to make a difference? Want to affect real change in your community? Want to learn about the ins and outs of managing a multi million dollar business and gain invaluable business experience? Want an opportunity that you will not get again until your hair goes grey? Then perhaps running for election to the Union Board is something you should consider.

Union Board Directors learn about corporate governance, how to monitor a business’ finances and develop strategic plans. They also generate management and communication skills while learning how to operate in an office environment. Elections to the Union Board are held annually in August.

Union board elections/nominations

The following is extracted from Section 14 of the Constitution of the ANU Union.

Each year one postgraduate and three undergraduates are elected to the Union Board. Elections are held in August. Extra elections may be held in the event of a casual vacancy. To nominate you must be a member of the ANU Union. When elections are necessary, the Returning Officer publishes a call for nominations on the Union notice boards. Nominations then remain open for between seven and fourteen days. Nomination forms may be accessed from the Union’s Administration Office.

For more information about elections or nominating for the Union Board, read the Union’s Constitution. Relevant sections: 11–26.

Membership

Membership to the ANU Union is free for all undergraduate and post graduate students. Membership gives you voting and nomination rights in the annual Union Board elections and gives you a chance to have a say in the way the ANU Union is run. You can become a member through the ANU’s ISIS page.

Comments of past Board Members

Josh Gordon-Carr (Deputy Chair 2006-2007): "The Union Board teaches essential life skills that university courses do not, running meetings and the art of negotiation. With responsibility for a business with turnover in excess of $5m a year, understanding the business and its stakeholders cannot be learned in any textbook."

Did you know that you don’t have to be a board member to get involved?

If you want to get involved in a specific area, why not come along to a Committee meeting? The main way the Union Board develops its strategic direction is through its Committees. Committees meet regularly to monitor progress and develop policy. Members of the Union can become members of Committees and contribute to this important arm of policy development.

Union Committees

Here is a list of the ANU Union’s Committees that you may wish to become involved in. For more information about Committee projects or meeting times, contact the relevant Committee Chair or the Chair of the Union Board.

Social Committee

The Social Committee is responsible for informing and advising the Board on Union social activities, in particular: framing, developing, instigating and monitoring social initiatives.

The Social Committee also has a role in the investigation and development of capital works programmes aimed at improving the Union as a social hub.

Chair: Annika Hutchins
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Development and Planning Committee

The Development and Planning Committee is responsible for informing the Board on development and planning issues. This may encompass issues relating to capital expenditure programmes, marketing, the strategic direction of the Union, the Union’s relationship with the Student Association and environmental considerations.

Chair: Hamish Leslie
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