Each fall, members elect a new president to lead the UWSA operations team. The successful candidate will serve as president-elect for one year and assume the role of president the following November, followed by one year as past president.
Members also elect new directors to help govern the association for the following three years.
Presidents and directors make a real difference to the association and its members.
- °Õ³ó±ðÌýpresident sets short-term and advocacy priorities, supervises the UWSA's day-to-day activities, and sets the tone for the association.
- Directors set long-term goals for the association, provide important financial and governance oversight, and safeguard the UWSA's future.
Any member can run
UWSA leadership is a great professional development opportunity.
You’ll learn a lot about how the university works, and you’ll meet people you normally wouldn’t from all across the university, including senior leadership. You’ll also get training in non-profit governance, meeting facilitation, leadership, and more. Presidents spend a year supervising three full-time staff and are encouraged to take UW's leadership training workshops.
What the president does
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 roles:
Year 1: °Õ³ó±ðÌýpresident-elect continues in their regular campus role while also working closely with the president, who helps prepare them for the role. This may include training to bridge any gaps in knowledge or skills.
Year 2: °Õ³ó±ðÌýpresident 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 job value.
Year 3: °Õ³ó±ðÌýpast president supports the president and provides continuity, while returning to their regular campus role.
The president-elect receives five days a month of release time from their regular duties to attend to UWSA business. The past president gets three days.
Some of the benefits of serving in this role include better understanding how the University works, building cross-campus relationships, and developing leadership capacity.
What directors do
Collectively, the Board of Directors guides the high-level strategic direction of the UWSA and provides financial and policy oversight.Â
Individually, directors are expected to actively participate in meetings; bring their best ideas to the table by considering each topic at hand and establishing a perspective; and participate in training and development activities. Directors serve on at least one standing committee, and any director may eventually fill an important officer role: secretary, treasurer, chair, or vice chair, which have additional responsibilities.
Some directors advocate for staff interests at the Staff Relations Committee or Provost's Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation. Serving on these committees is demanding but incredibly important work over and above the regular duties of a director.
Directors receive one day a month of release time from their regular work duties to attend to UWSA business. Officers receive an additional 1–2 days.
Some of the benefits of serving as a director include getting training in non-profit governance and developing working relationships with colleagues and leaders from across campus.
The election process
- Nominations for both president and director open September 10 and close September 23.
- Information sessions are September 9, 12, and 15.
- We'll hold a "meet the candidates" event on October 6.
- Voting runs from October 6 to 20, and results will be announced at the Annual Meeting on October 23.
How to run in UWSA elections
The nomination process is the same for director and president roles. You need to do three things:
- Find three UWSA members to support you. They'll affirm their support of your nomination by filling out an online form.
- Submit the Candidate Form by September 23.
- Fill out a candidate profile to be posted on the UWSA website.
Election events
UWSA Election Information Sessions
Whether you're thinking about running for Staff Association president or the Board of Directors, or want to be informed so you can vote for the best candidates, this info session is for you!
Register to attend an info session today.
UWSA Election Information Sessions
Whether you're thinking about running for Staff Association president or the Board of Directors, or want to be informed so you can vote for the best candidates, this info session is for you!
Register to attend an info session today.
UWSA Election Information Sessions
Whether you're thinking about running for Staff Association president or the Board of Directors, or want to be informed so you can vote for the best candidates, this info session is for you!
Register to attend an info session today.
Meet the Candidates: 2025 UWSA Elections
Meet the candidates in this year's presidential and directorial elections.Â
2025 UWSA Annual Meeting
All UWSA members are invited to attend our 2025 Annual Meeting on October 23 at 9:30 a.m. We are offering a hybrid meeting again this year. The location will be announced in September.