In October, UWSA members will elect three new directors to help govern the association for the next three years, and the next president to lead the UWSA operations team.
Strong leadership matters: Directors and the President shape the future of the UWSA and represent staff interests.
- The president leads advocacy efforts and oversees member services.
- Directors guide strategy, governance, and the UWSA's long-term success.
We're looking for great candidates: The UWSA needs thoughtful, skilled, and committed leaders from across the university.
- Staff with interests in leadership, advocacy, governance, strategy, or community building can make a meaningful contribution.
- Candidates gain valuable experience, training, and connections across the university.
Every member has a role to play.
We're calling on every member to learn about the roles, consider running or recommending a colleague, spread the word, and vote in October!
Attend an info session
Register to attend an information session, or watch last year's session—but note that the length of the president's term has changed. A new recording is coming soon!
UWSA Election Info Session
Whether you're thinking about running for Staff Association president or the Board of Directors, or want to be informed so you can vote for the best candidates, this info session is for you!
Register to attend an info session today.
UWSA Election Info Session
Whether you're thinking about running for Staff Association president or the Board of Directors, or want to be informed so you can vote for the best candidates, this info session is for you!
Register to attend an info session today.
—2025 Election Info Session attendee
What the president does
The president has overall strategic and operational responsibility for supervising the UWSA’s employees, services, advocacy, and negotiations, as well as executing our strategic plan. The complete term is a four-year commitment with three distinct roles:
Year 1: The president-elect continues in their regular UW position while working closely with the president to prepare for the role. This may include training to bridge any gaps in knowledge or skills.
Years 2–3: The president position is a full-time two-year secondment to the UWSA during which the president receives their regular UW salary plus a stipend.
Year 4: The past president supports the president and provides continuity while returning to their regular position.
The president-elect receives five days a month of release time from their regular duties to attend to UWSA business. The past president gets three days.
Some of the benefits of this role include gaining leadership and governance experience, expanding your campus network, shaping initiatives that affect staff, and making a meaningful difference in the University community.
What directors do
Collectively, the Board of Directors sets the strategic direction of the Association and provides governance, financial, and risk oversight to help ensure its long-term success.
Individually, directors prepare for and actively participate in board and committee meetings, contribute their perspectives and expertise, take part in ongoing training and development, and serve on at least one standing committee. Directors may also take on an officer role such as secretary, treasurer, vice chair, or chair, with additional leadership responsibilities.
Some directors also represent staff interests on the Staff Relations Committee or other university-level committees. These opportunities involve important work that helps shape staff working conditions and strengthen staff voices in university decision making.
Directors receive one day a month of release time from their regular work duties to attend to UWSA business. Officers receive an additional 1–2 days.
Some of the benefits of serving as a director include gaining governance and strategic planning experience, and developing working relationships with colleagues and leaders from across campus.
How to run in UWSA elections
The nomination process is the same for director and president roles. You need to do three things:
- Find three UWSA Voting Members to support you.
- Submit the Candidate Form to declare your intent to run.
- Fill out a candidate profile for the UWSA website.
Forms will open on September 8.
Eligibility
Directors must be Members in Good Standing and must not be disqualified from serving as a director under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA).
The UWSA President must be a Member in Good Standing and a regular full-time staff member, and must also meet the qualifications for serving as a director under ONCA.
Voters must be Members in Good Standing as of October 1—being a Member in Good Standing means you're a voting member and have paid your most recent dues, in this case in the September pay cycle.
The election process
- Nominations for both president and director open September 8 and close September 22.
- All interested members can attend a virtual information session on September 9 or 15.
- A "meet the candidates" event takes place October 1 at noon.
- Voting runs for two weeks, from October 6 to 20.
- Results are announced at the Annual Meeting on October 22.