Call for Members: UWSA Area Representatives Committee

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

The Area Representatives Committee is seeking two planning committee members and representatives from dozens of areas across the University.

Area Representatives

Area Representatives are liaisons between the UWSA leadership and the staff in a given department or area. They meet monthly to get updates from the UWSA president, raise issues from their department, and learn from guest speakers. Reps also get early access to UWSA news and shareable resources through an Area Reps community on Microsoft Teams.

Area Reps are a crucial way for us to hear the perspectives of staff, but only about one-third of areas are currently represented: See areas in need of representatives.

What's involved

Area Reps are expected to:

Get to know the UWSA’s structure and services.
Serve as a first point of contact between colleagues and the UWSA, referring members to the Members’ Advisory Committee or other resources.
Share information about the UWSA’s work and events with staff in your area and encourage colleagues to participate.
Ask staff in your area for input on issues, and bring feedback to the UWSA in meetings and on Teams.

How to apply

If you’re interested in getting the inside scoop and keeping your colleagues in the loop, sign up to be a rep today. Representatives are added to the committee as they apply.

Area Reps Planning Committee roles

The Area Reps Planning Committee coordinates monthly Area Reps meetings with support from the UWSA Operations Team.

Recording Secretary

The Area Reps recording secretary takes notes at monthly Area Representatives meetings, drafts a summary from those notes, and forwards the draft to the UWSA Operations Team for review and distribution. They also take minutes at Planning Committee meetings.

No experience with formal minute-taking is required.

Programming Coordinator

The Area Reps programming coordinator works with the Planning Committee to arrange speakers and guests for Area Reps meetings. They also gather suggestions and feedback about speaker presentations from reps and attendees.

Approximately one meeting a term is open to all members and features a speaker with broad appeal. Other meetings may involve guests in conversation with Area Representatives.

How to apply

Please submit the UWSA committee application form by March 26. Please direct any questions to the chair of the UWSA Appointments Committee, Carly Richardson, at uwsa@uwaterloo.ca. Applications will be reviewed the week of April 8.