ELECTIONS | 2024-2025
Elections process
Here are all the steps that happen during an SDA election.
APPLY
We will be creating nomination forms for you to nominate yourself! Anyone who’d like to run for a position will submit their name, and the position they would like to run for here. Applications are due on March 20th, 2024 at 11:59 PM.
You are encouraged to make some posters and campaign! As is tradition, you can email your campaign to info@thesda.ca.
Voting will happen between March 22nd and March 29th @ 11:59 PM.
**If you wish to view the presentation slide deck again, click here.
SUBMIT
Candidate materials
Nominees have been asked to prepare a short candidate biography, 100 to 200 words, describing why they are a good fit for the position. Copywriters must provide a sample of their writing "voice," Graphic Design Lead candidates must submit a 2 page portfolio, and Photo & Video Committee applicants must submit 2 photographs. Details are outlined in the nomination form.
Copywriter Prompt:
Due to the copywriter being a skill based position, we’d like a sample of your writing available so everyone can run equally on merit. One of the core skills of a talented copywriter is the ability to write sensitive or delicate emails, where word choice and phrasing are important. For this reason, we’ve included a fictional writing prompt for candidates.
“Last year, the SDA sought sponsorship from a number of different sources for Pop Pop. One source was a manager at a large oil firm, named Dan Leeman, who was generous in arranging a $1000 grant for our project. Unfortunately, we think last year’s team forgot to thank Dan for his generosity. This year, we’re pursuing all options for sponsorship, and would like to contact Dan a second time and attempt to secure the same grant.”
Please write an hypothetical email to Dan, addressing the situation in the prompt, and submit it with your bio to the SDA team, maximum 200 words. We’ll post it on the SDA website alongside your bio so voters can have an idea of your skill and writing voice.
Graphic Design Lead Requirement:
As this is a skill based position, we are asking candidates submit a “mini-portfolio”, which we will post on our website next to your bio. Requirements are:
Two 11x17” pages (JPEG) displaying two existing graphic design projects that you’ve completed. Layout is up to you, but make it your best!
Please do not submit group work for this submission.
Photographer Requirement:
Thank you for considering to join our new Photo & Video Committee! Please keep in mind that this position will have multiple vacancies. We ask all applicants to please provide 2 examples of photography/videography work.
For photography: It is recommended that you submit headshot and/or product photography.
File formats: PNG, JPEG, PDF
For videography: It is recommended that you submit videos relevant to social media content.
File formats: MP4
Anything else is up to you, as long as they represent your best photography/videography work!
POSITIONS
Leadership
Director:
The Director is the face of the SDA executive team. They delegate tasks, provide strategic direction, set important deadlines and meetings, and oversee the SDA as a whole.
*Note: In order to nominate yourself as this position, you must have been in the SDA Executive Team for at least one year.
Vice Director:
The Vice Director is the second-in-command of the SDA executive team. They provide support to the Director as second-in-command, managing smaller projects and being in the loop of general happenings, offering support and facilitation when needed.
Grad Chairs
The ID and VCD Grad chairs are members of the graduating class in the design program, heading the Grad Committee and organizing the annual BDes grad show. They are responsible for co-managing the operations for everything grad-related.
*Note: In order to nominate yourself for this position, you must be taking a 500-level design course in the upcoming Fall/Winter semester, as well as be eligible for graduation.
The available Grad Chairs are:
ID Grad Chair
VCD Grad Chair
Operations
Event Designer
A new position for the 2024-25 school year, the Event Designer will be responsible for all creative decisions concerning SDA projects and events. During Built, this includes directing the space design and managing store operations in the physical space.
Project Manager
The Project Manager is responsible for the administrative aspects of any projects taken on by the club throughout the year. During Built, the Project Manager is the main point of contact for vendors and works with the rest of the team to make sure everything runs smoothly.
*Note: It is recommended that you were part of the SDA Executive Team for at least one year, though certain exceptions may apply.
Treasurer
The Treasurer is responsible for the team’s finances, budget, and expenses throughout the school year. They oversee all financial matters of the team, ensuring everything is on-budget and that everything runs financially smoothly.
External Liaison
The External Liaison is in charge of overseeing external relations and interactions, maintaining connections to other student groups and the greater design community. They are responsible for outreach for matters such as sponsorship and recruiting people for our OnDesign Talks.
Media
Graphics Lead
The Graphics Lead is responsible for all graphic directions and decisions of the SDA. They design the visual identity for the 2024-2025 year and facilitate the direction of all visual and print material according to SDA standards
*Note: In order to nominate yourself as this position, you must provide a sample of your portfolio/examples of your work. Details will be in the nomination form.
Copywriter
The copywriter oversees the words of the SDA, being responsible for matters such as writing and searching for grants, managing meeting notes, internal documentation, and is generally responsible for all of the public copy that is written to represent the SDA.
*Note: In order to nominate yourself for this position, you must provide a sample of your writing. Details will be in the nomination form.
Web Coordinator
The Web Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of our website, managing the visual and technical aspects with overseeing all general website-related content. They also have the opportunity to establish a self-directed project for both semesters.
Communications Officer
The Communications Officer handles everything related to the SDA’s online presence. They are the first point of contact for the general public through various online outlets, and handles marketing and promotional coverage. They are also responsible for the Photo & Video Committee.
Photo & Video Committee
The Photo & Video Committee is a group of individuals who are responsible for photographic and video-related material for the SDA, some of which may include headshots and product photography, as well as social media content.
*Note: There are multiple positions available in the committee, and you have to provide two photographs to be nominated (preferably one headshot and one product photo).
Membership
Membership Coordinator
The Membership Coordinator manages community-related operations. They oversee the class representatives and volunteers/members at large, delegating and coordinating responsibilities for large events. They are responsible for events such as the Welcome Back BBQ, Class Talks, Mixers, and many more.
Student Representatives
The Student Representatives are the SDA’s eyes and ears, ensuring that design students are aware of the various events and projects happening in the program. Their responsibilities include communicating concerns to the team, providing outreach of major events, and supporting the executive team when needed.
The available representatives are:
300 & 400 ID Representative
300 & 400 VCD Representative
*Note: In order to nominate yourself for this position, you must be enrolled in the corresponding courses. For example, a 400 VCD Representative must be enrolled in a 400 VCD Course.