Are You Interested in Running In this By-election?

EXPERIENCE
Becoming an elected student leader, a member of NAITSA’s Executive Council, comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility to lead and serve. It also provides opportunities to gain invaluable career experience in communication, problem solving, negotiation, teamwork, time management, and leadership.

CONNECTIONS
Representation will require you to meet and work with NAITSA staff, school administrators, business owners, politicians, multiple levels of government and successful community leaders. Student leadership is an opportunity to build a respected public profile while serving the students of NAIT.

KNOWLEDGE
You came to NAIT to get a hands-on education. Think of this 12-month commitment as the ultimate learning incubator, a sabbatical to accelerate your education, and a chance to master skills that you don’t get in an entry-level job. Since 1964, NAITSA Executives consistently confirm at the end of their term that their learning curve was steep, but it was
knowledge they could not have acquired in the classroom.

CONTRIBUTION
If elected you will be a key person providing student perspective to officials at NAIT, giving back to your alma mater in a way very few students get the opportunity to do. It’s rewarding work ensuring your fellow students are successful in a healthy and fun campus environment.

GROWTH
The secret challenge of post-secondary education is to grow as a person, to develop into a better version of yourself when you graduate. Only four NAIT students every year get to test
themselves as a member of Executive Council. Those who do, if they commit to developing as a person and a leader, get one of the best student experiences available anywhere. They
develop personal and career skills that can last a lifetime.

For a complete list of the duties and responsibilities refer to the attached copy of the NAITSA Bylaws (Sections 5 and 7) but for quick reference here is a short list of things you should expect:

ACCOUNTABILITY
You will report to the student Senate on the performance of duties specific to your role and on the progress of goals you set out to accomplish during your term.

COMMUNICATION
Good leaders communicate well and work to improve their skills. You will participate in and/or chair committees, discuss issues and solve problems with a variety of people, keep
your team informed on situations and information relevant to NAITSA, and keep in touch with the students you represent.

LEADERSHIP
From the moment you take office you will become known as a NAITSA Executive, and you will represent not only the student body but also the Students’ Association and NAIT. To fulfill the responsibility of leadership, it is critical to understand how your actions, good or bad, reflect on all of the NAIT community.

HELPING
Students will look to you and the other Executives to do good things for them, whether it’s advocating for more study space or just giving them directions in the hallway. A key responsibility is looking out for the health and well-being of the students you are elected to serve.

President
The President acts as the student body’s spokesperson, representing NAIT students to internal and external stakeholders, including government and media. The role also includes supporting NAITSA’s operations, in line with its strategic plan.

While financial oversight is shared among all Executive Council (EC) members, the President reviews activities, serves as a signing authority, approves cheques, and monitors credit card usage monthly. The President leads the Executive Director, ensuring daily operations align with student interests.

Key duties include scheduling and leading meetings, preparing agendas, writing reports, attending NAIT and NAITSA committees, and supporting EC members. Advocacy efforts are closely coordinated with the VP External, with the President occasionally serving as ASEC’s voting delegate if required. The position demands flexibility as work hours vary, including attending summer conferences.

VP internal
The Vice President Internal works to provide services and enhance the student experience outside the classroom. This role addresses non-academic concerns such as food services and study spaces while advocating for student engagement and involvement within the NAIT community.

As VP Internal, you will support the Campus Life department at NAITSA in various capacities, including attending events as a student representative, chairing Ooks Life Team meetings, and participating in club grant review committee meetings.

You will collaborate with your team to ensure the Executive Council remains accessible to students. These efforts include hosting monthly events, communicating through the Ooks Life platform, and organizing ad hoc student check-ins to gather feedback and inform future advocacy efforts. Building relationships and collaborating with NAIT community departments is essential. You will serve on various committees, providing a student perspective and promoting student success and well-being.

This position requires a flexible schedule as work hours vary.

VP Academic
The Vice President Academic is the official advocate for students’ academic interests at NAIT. This role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities aimed at representing
and amplifying students’ voices in institutional decisionmaking and policy development.

Acting as a bridge between students and NAIT leadership, the VPA works to address individual concerns, promote change, and ensure equitable access to academic resources.
In this role, you work closely with NAITSA’s Student Academic Rights Advisor to address individual and systemic academic challenges, advocating for solutions that prioritize students’ needs and success.

This position offers opportunities to collaborate with the Student Resolution Office, represent students on NAIT’s Academic Council, and engage with the NAIT Academic Staff Association. Additionally, you will participate in various committees to influence decision-making at NAIT, NAITSA, and externally. These committees can change from year to year.

The VPA acts as the Deputy Returning Officer for elections and referendum, and appoint and mentor students-atlarge to sit as members on NAIT’s Academic Council. This position requires a flexible schedule as work hours vary.

VP External
The Vice President External focuses on advocacy and external relations, representing students to municipal, provincial, and federal governments. This includes meeting with MLAs, MPs, and other stakeholders to address issues like tuition, financial aid, U-Pass, and more. Collaboration with student leaders across Alberta and Canada fosters shared
strategies for lobbying and addressing student concerns. This role also involves advocacy for NAIT’s satellite campuses, ensuring their specific needs are represented.

The VP often serves on ASEC’s Board of Directors, strengthening NAITSA’s voice within the broader advocacy network. Advocacy responsibilities evolve to address emerging student needs, including industry-focused efforts introduced in 2017.

Flexible hours are required, as the VP External attends conferences, primarily in summer, and participates in events to enhance advocacy efforts and build networks.