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 voting members regularly!
To support strong, accountable staff representation, appointments are limited to voting members of the Association. Not a voting member? Joining is easy.
Current opportunities
The UWSA is seeking three members to join a Strategic Planning Committee that will help shape the future direction of the association. The committee will meet approximately every 1-2 weeks in July and August with the goal of producing a strategic plan by September 2026.
One opening; applications are due June 12.
In accordance with Policy 45 – The Dean of a Faculty, the Dean of Environment Nominating Committee will lead a reappointment process as Bruce Frayne has indicated his willingness to be considered for a second term. The UWSA is responsible for appointing one staff member to the committee, normally from the faculty of concern.
In accordance with Policy 45 – The Dean of a Faculty, Lili Liu, Dean of Health will end her second term on June 30, 2027. The Dean of Health Nominating Committee will be conducting a search for the new Faculty of Health Dean. The UWSA is responsible for appointing one staff member to the committee, normally from the faculty of concern.
The Staff Excellence Fund (SEF) Committee oversees the allocation of funding that supports staff‑led projects and initiatives aimed at improving the University of Waterloo workplace. Through a fair and transparent review process, the committee assesses applications, makes funding decisions, and ensures that SEF resources are used in ways that advance staff wellbeing, professional growth, and a positive, inclusive campus culture.
The Copyright Advisory Committee is the primary forum for collaborative decision-making regarding copyright and its applications on campus. The committee will work to keep campus administration, faculty, staff, and students informed about the current and ongoing status of copyright and licensing related issues, projects, and developments.
The UWSA is seeking a Chief Returning Officer (CRO) to lead the implementation and oversight of the annual UWSA elections for directors and president. The CRO plays a vital role in ensuring the election process is fair, transparent, and aligned with UWSA bylaws and policies. The role is supported by UWSA staff and works closely with a small Elections Working Group.
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.