As the Board’s single official link to the operations of the University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA), the President is accountable for all organizational performance and exercises all authority delegated by the Board.
Eligibility
The UWSA president’s position is structured as a secondment: successful candidates will be placed on a temporary secondment from their regular University of Waterloo staff position. The complete term is a four-year, non-renewable commitment. To be eligible for this role, candidates must, for the full four-year term:
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be a current regular full-time staff member as defined by UW Policy 54 – Definition of Staff, and
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be a Member in Good Standing of the UWSA.
Candidates must also meet the qualifications for serving as a director in Section 23 of the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act. While not a director, the president is held to the same standards for legal liability purposes.
Term
The President serves a four-year term consisting of one year as President-Elect, two years as President, and one year as Past President. Presidential elections are held every two years to maintain a staggered leadership succession. In accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (sections 2.3.1 and 2.4.1), the President is provided release time in accordance with the UWSA University Service Guideline, with the sitting President receiving 100% release from their regular University position and duties.
The President’s performance is considered to be synonymous with organizational performance as a whole. The President, (whether incoming, sitting, or past) must at all times act with integrity and in the best interest of the Association. If at any time the UWSA Board of Directors feels that a President is acting in a way which is contrary to the goals, reputation, and mission of the Association, they may be subject to review, reprimand and/or removal as outlined in policy. Should an Incoming President be deemed to be unfit to take office as Sitting President, the UWSA Board of Directors will act in accordance with policy to identify a candidate to assume the role as the next sitting president.
Approved (UWSA Board of Directors): July 15, 2026