You already play a vital role in the UW community and you can help to define and shape the staff experience for everyone by taking on a role within the Staff Association. With your enthusiasm and commitment, the UWSA can advocate to improve our workplace.
Please consider serving the UW community by putting your name forward for one of these positions or recommending a fellow staff member. As UW adapts and evolves in a changing world, we need a strong voice to ensure that our perspective is clearly presented and reflects the needs of our diverse staff.
Finding the right role for you
There are two big categories of UWSA work—operations and governance—and understanding this distinction will help you decide what type of work is right for you! If you're interested in...
- Stewarding the organization: Consider serving on the Board of Directors and the Elections Working Group.
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Working with members and building community: Join the Area Reps Council or a UWSA committee.
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Advocating for staff interests: Watch for calls for representatives on University committees, or consider running for president!
New opportunities are posted here and emailed to members regularly!
Current opportunities
A special election has been called to fill four vacancies on the Board of Directors. Nominations close at noon on April 10. Voting will run April 14 through 25.
Two new committee members are needed on the Staff Excellence Fund (SEF) Committee. The SEF committee works to generate, review, and recommend for approval staff-generated proposals for two portions of the Staff Excellence Fund: Engagement and Leadership Development, and Healthy Workplace Initiatives.
Term: May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2027 (two years; members are eligible for reappointment for one subsequent two-year term)
The UWSA Appointments Committee nominates and/or appoints Staff Association members as representatives on both UWSA and University of Waterloo committees.
Term: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027 (two years; members are eligible for reappointment for one subsequent two-year term)
Two staff members are needed for the Dispute Resolution Pool. The Dispute Resolution Pool is a group of 12 staff members who are available to serve should a formal Dispute Resolution Tribunal be required.
Term: May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028 (three years; members are eligible for reappointment for one subsequent three-year term)
A representative on the Joint Health and Safety Committee is needed for main campus. Staff representation on these committees is mandatory under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act.
Term: May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028 (three years; eligible for reappointment for one subsequent three-year term)
Two new members of the Area Reps Planning Committee are needed: an outreach coordinator, and a recording secretary. The Planning Committee collectively coordinates monthly Area Reps meetings and drives engagement among representatives, with support from the UWSA Operations Team.
The outreach coordinator works with the chair and the membership and volunteer coordinator to welcome new representatives and ensure their smooth onboarding. The outreach coordinator spearheads initiatives to recruit new area representatives as needed, with support from the UWSA Operations Team.
The recording secretary takes notes at monthly Area Representatives meetings and planning committee meetings, and tracks attendance at meetings with support from the UWSA Operations Team.
We’re always looking for more members to represent staff on our Area Representatives Council. This group meets virtually September through June to share and hear updates on issues affecting staff. Feedback from Area Reps shapes UWSA priorities.