Call for nominations
The UWSA Governance and Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for the next UWSA president!
The president has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the UWSA’s employees, its programs and services, and the execution of its mission and strategic plan.
The successful candidate will take office for one year starting on November 1, 2026, following a year of training. The role is a full-time secondment from your UWaterloo position.
Key details
- Nominations open September 10 and close September 23.
- Information sessions are September 9, 12, and 15.
- All members are eligible to run, but you must be able to commit to a three-year term and a full-time secondment in the second year.
What’s involved?
The president has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the UWSA’s employees, its programs and services, and the execution of its mission and strategic plan.
The complete term is a three-year commitment with three distinct positions:
- In the first year, the president-elect continues in their regular campus role while also working closely with the president, who helps prepare them to step into the role of president. This preparation may include recommending training to bridge any gaps in knowledge, skills, or abilities.
- In the second year, the president position is a full-time one-year secondment to the UWSA during which the president receives their regular UW salary plus a stipend equivalent to 10% of USG 13.
- In the third year, the past president supports the president and provides continuity, while returning to their regular campus role.
The UWSA president fills three important roles: They are a leader, an advocate for members, and a spokesperson for the association.
What are the qualifications?
There are no specific educational or experience qualifications for this role, but experience, aptitude and/or interest in the following may prove beneficial:
- leading a team
- managing projects
- advocating and/or negotiating
- public speaking and/or teaching
Some of the most important qualities in a president include:
- An ability to see multiple perspectives, consult broadly, and make reasoned recommendations for the association
- Managing people and projects, and adapt to changing priorities
- An ability to collaborate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
- A strong sense of integrity and trustworthiness, with the ability to represent UWSA with tact and diplomacy
- Strong interest in social justice, ethics, governance, and equity
- Willingness to mentor and support the development of the incoming president-elect
It is also helpful to be familiar with the governance structures of the university and policies affecting staff, but training on these is provided.
What do you get in return?
Serving as president is a substantial professional development opportunity. As UWSA president, you'll enhance your leadership skills by managing staff, chairing committees, and engaging in professional development. You'll gain insight into university operations, build relationships across campus, advocate for staff, and receive a stipend during your second year in the role.
Release time
As outlined in the University Service Guideline, the University grants release time to UWSA Members serving the UWSA as a director or president. Presidents can expect to spend the full release time over the course of their term, though the time will vary from month to month.
- President-elect: five days a month to attend to UWSA business
- President: 100% release time (full-time secondment to UWSA)
- Past president: three days a month
The supervisor of each UWSA member elected to a director or president-elect role receives a letter informing them of the appointment and the release time granted by the University. As per the Service Guideline, we recommend you discuss your nomination with your supervisor.
This role requires someone selfless. Someone who can put others first before themselves, who acts for the collective good, who walks the fine line between patience and boldness. Above all, someone empathetic that approaches matters with grace and tenacity."
The most valuable part of the experience for me was serving our staff in any way I could; the connections, the advocacy, providing useful information to questions/inquiries. I loved that I was truly being led by the staff in my day to day work. To be able to work towards the goals that our membership was articulating through committees, surveys and feedback in general was invigorating.
How to run for election
If you are able to contribute to the work described above, we encourage you to run! Here’s how:
- Find three UWSA members to support your candidacy. They'll need to affirm their support of your nomination by filling out the online Nomination Form by 4:30 on September 23. They can do this before or after you fill out your Candidate Form.
- Submit your online Candidate Form by 4:30 on September 23 to declare your intent to run.
- Complete a candidate profile to be posted on the UWSA website and shared with members. You'll receive instructions for this after your submit your Candidate Form.
- Introduce yourself at a Meet the Candidates event at noon on October 6. You can also submit a video (up to 2 minutes long) if you are unable to attend.