How to write a manifesto
What's a manifesto?
Your manifesto will be displayed on the Union's website before voting. It should tell students who you are, what you aim to achieve if you're voted into the position you're standing for and why you're the best candidate for the role.
Manifesto statements must be no more than 250 words long and must be submitted by the nominations deadline, Friday 4th March. It should be emailed to democracy@wolvesunion.org.uk
It's important you consider the content for your manifesto very carefully. Not only will it help to influence who students vote for, but it will also influence what you work on during your year in office if you are elected. As an elected Officer of the Students' Union, you are held to account by both the Union Council and by the student membership. Your manifesto is essentially a pledge of what you hope to achieve in return for students' votes. As a result of this, if the Union Council and the membership are not satisfied with your efforts to fulfill your role (i.e. your job description plus your manifesto pledges) you could be disciplined and ultimately removed from office. This is why it's so important for candidates in elections to do everything they can to ensure their manifesto is achievable.
In addition to the guidance below, check out our step-by-step guide to creating your manifesto statement.
What can I do to make my manifesto realistic and achievable?
Think about the time-frame you have in which to achieve your manifesto points. You'll only be in office for a year and sometimes things can take time to set up or change.
Think about budgets. The Union doesn't have unlimited resources to invest in campaigns and projects. If things within your manifesto rely on large sums of money being spent, you may need to re-think them.
Talk to current Union officers and staff. They may be able to inform you of things that could act as barriers to your manifesto points.
Consider decision-making processes. Will things you want to do need approval from Union and University committees or will you be able to go ahead with them on your own. This could affect the time you have in which to achieve your manifesto pledges.
Choose your words carefully. Think about using words like lobby, campaign, develop and aim. This gives you more flexibility should you encounter resistance once in office.
Manifestos for NUS National Conference Delegate positions
If you're standing for one of our 6 NUS Delegate positions, the content of your manifesto will need to be slightly different to that of the other positions. You'll need to tell students your views (plus any experience you have) so they can decide whether they think you will represent them well at National Conference. Although the motions that will be going to Conference haven't been finalised yet, you can get a feel for the types of issues discussed at National Conferences from NUS's webpage of 2009's conference.