How to write a manifesto - FXU Students Union
How to write a manifesto - FXU Students Union
How to write a manifesto - FXU Students Union
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<strong>How</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>write</strong> a manifes<strong>to</strong><br />
Fri 12 Feb 2010 …<br />
at 12 noon Nominations Close<br />
at 3pm Manifes<strong>to</strong> deadline<br />
at 4pm Candidate Talk - MANDATORY<br />
at 5pm Campaigning Begins<br />
A manifes<strong>to</strong><br />
is a public declaration of principles and intentions,<br />
often political in nature.<br />
Manifes<strong>to</strong> is derived from the Italian word manifes<strong>to</strong>,<br />
itself derived from the Latin manifestum,<br />
meaning<br />
clear or conspicuous.<br />
(Wikipedia)
Thinking about writing a manifes<strong>to</strong> for the <strong>FXU</strong> elections…<br />
So, you know which position you want <strong>to</strong> run for?<br />
The next thing <strong>to</strong> figure out is what you wish <strong>to</strong> achieve in the role you have<br />
chosen.<br />
As a democratically elected representative of the student body, you have a great deal<br />
of freedom <strong>to</strong> shape the future of the <strong>FXU</strong> and the student experience – so time <strong>to</strong> get<br />
thinking about what you would like <strong>to</strong> achieve.<br />
Simply, a manifes<strong>to</strong> is<br />
a public statement of intentions or a brief summary of your ambitions<br />
- what you want <strong>to</strong> achieve in your term of office (July 2010 – June / July 2011).<br />
It is the document which says:<br />
who you are,<br />
what you intend <strong>to</strong> do should you get elected<br />
and why people should vote for you.<br />
Examples can be found on the <strong>FXU</strong> website:<br />
http://www.fxu.org.uk/content/244593/representation/elections/manifes<strong>to</strong>_exapmles/<br />
Bear in mind that <strong>to</strong> make your goals achievable<br />
there are a couple of considerations you will need <strong>to</strong> take in<strong>to</strong> account.<br />
Time and money.<br />
Time<br />
If you are elected you will have less than 8 months <strong>to</strong> achieve your objectives! Bearing<br />
this in mind, some of your most important objectives will need <strong>to</strong> be achieved with the<br />
first 3 months of your election <strong>to</strong> have the greatest impact with students.<br />
Money<br />
By the time you are elected, the budgets for the forthcoming year will have already<br />
been set and approved by the previous year’s officers and the permanent staff.<br />
There is a degree of flexibility in the budgets and you will be able <strong>to</strong> shape the<br />
activities within your role. <strong>How</strong>ever because money will have been allocated in<strong>to</strong><br />
specific areas you will need <strong>to</strong> appreciate these when forming your goals.
Writing a Manifes<strong>to</strong><br />
The manifes<strong>to</strong>s for all candidates will be collected <strong>to</strong>gether and published on the <strong>FXU</strong> website and<br />
facebook, and voters will use these <strong>to</strong> decide who <strong>to</strong> vote for.<br />
What would you want <strong>to</strong> read if you were a voter?<br />
Remember – writing an election manifes<strong>to</strong> needn’t be something <strong>to</strong> tear your hair out about.<br />
Essentially, your manifes<strong>to</strong> should state what you would plan <strong>to</strong> do in your time of office, and<br />
what changes you would make.<br />
Take some time before you <strong>write</strong> it <strong>to</strong> think about<br />
what you believe you can achieve and what the voters would respond <strong>to</strong>.<br />
It isn’t an excuse <strong>to</strong> bad mouth your opposition, or make unrealistic promises.<br />
Some <strong>to</strong>p tips:<br />
Talk <strong>to</strong> students and find out what they actually want. Be concise and<br />
use clear language. Avoid long, complicated words – you won’t win awards for being<br />
clever and you might just alienate important voters. Please ensure you use an easy <strong>to</strong> read<br />
font, like Arial or Times New Roman; text should not be smaller than font size 12. Set out<br />
your goals for your time in office and ensure they are realistic & achievable<br />
– officers are answerable <strong>to</strong> the student body who might decide <strong>to</strong> ask why you’ve not managed <strong>to</strong><br />
rebuild the <strong>Union</strong> building. Your manifes<strong>to</strong> is about you and not about your<br />
opponents. Avoid discrediting and disrespecting others as it is not professional and<br />
ultimately it will lead <strong>to</strong> being disqualified! Be relevant. Examples of where you have shown<br />
leadership, tenacity, and tact would indicate <strong>to</strong> voters your suitability for<br />
the role, even if you have no previous union experience. Be creative and<br />
inspiring.<br />
Heres a nice framework you could use – but remember that a manifes<strong>to</strong> is a highly<br />
personal thing; you may want <strong>to</strong> alter the framework <strong>to</strong> suit what you have <strong>to</strong> say.<br />
Remember, above all else, this is your chance <strong>to</strong> express yourself.<br />
1. Have something you feel strongly about<br />
Doesn’t really matter what it is. It can be a political or social issue or cause, your opinions on a<br />
sport, a hobby, or other activity, or something else entirely. All you need is <strong>to</strong> have a strong<br />
opinion on it.<br />
2. Have some points you want <strong>to</strong> make<br />
At least two points in your manifes<strong>to</strong> as you must remember you will only have a couple of<br />
minutes <strong>to</strong> talk <strong>to</strong> people before they loose interest<br />
3. Be clear and concise in your writing<br />
Nobody is going <strong>to</strong> care what you have <strong>to</strong> say if they can’t understand what you are saying.<br />
Know what you want <strong>to</strong> say and say it. Get someone you trust <strong>to</strong> proofread for you <strong>to</strong> make<br />
sure you’re saying what you want <strong>to</strong> say and maybe practice saying it <strong>to</strong> an audience.
Writing a manifes<strong>to</strong> in general…<br />
(were talking ‘meaning of my life’ stuff here, so if you’re not interested, go <strong>to</strong> the next page!)<br />
You <strong>write</strong> the rules<br />
A Manifes<strong>to</strong> is a document that you <strong>write</strong> which declares your goals, rules, and guidelines for your<br />
life. It is usually one page, with bullet points. Straight <strong>to</strong> the point, and covering all aspects of your life<br />
you want <strong>to</strong> grow. By writing down your intentions in life, you commit <strong>to</strong> what you feel is important and<br />
it ensures that you will not forget over time. It keeps you focused on your goals and what is important<br />
<strong>to</strong> you.<br />
Be creative, honest, open, and inspiring. You manifes<strong>to</strong> should be a document you can read many<br />
times. It should also be flexible so that you can update it as your life develops. It could be posted<br />
somewhere in your room, and openly shared with others who are curious.<br />
It's about strength, power, and growth. Identify your goals and flaws, and work on improving yourself.<br />
Your manifes<strong>to</strong> is your roadmap <strong>to</strong> a better future. You <strong>write</strong> the rules, reach for your dreams.<br />
<strong>How</strong> ?<br />
Write a list of all the things in the world that matter <strong>to</strong> you.<br />
Don’t focus completely on altruistic deeds. Be honest with yourself. Write it all down.<br />
You want <strong>to</strong> base jump off the Eiffel Tower? Write it down.<br />
Like making sausages? Write it down.<br />
You’ll thank yourself later.<br />
Take that list. Look at it. Consider it.<br />
Walk away from the list.<br />
Give it a couple of weeks.<br />
Think about it, but don’t stress, let your brain do the creative work on its own.<br />
The theory is that when you think about what you want, you will discover it.<br />
So think about what you are Great at. That thing which you love <strong>to</strong> do and were born <strong>to</strong> do. When you<br />
do something which you lose all track of time during - maybe it’s gardening or maybe it’s trac<strong>to</strong>r pulls<br />
- In essence, find what you love <strong>to</strong> do, what you care about most in the world and your manifes<strong>to</strong> will<br />
follow.<br />
If your plan is of any magnitude it will likely take great<br />
resources, focus, luck, and perseverance <strong>to</strong> make it happen.<br />
This is not a negative thing, but something <strong>to</strong> be conscious of.
Submissions<br />
All manifes<strong>to</strong>s should be submitted on one side of A4<br />
in printed and/or electronic format, with a pho<strong>to</strong> of you.<br />
We will also be including your details in student publications,<br />
details <strong>to</strong> be disclosed at the candidate talk.<br />
All original hardcopies<br />
must have the candidates name, position, and type clearly visible on the front.<br />
E.g. “Joseph Bloggs for Exeter President”<br />
Electronic documents<br />
should likewise be titled with the candidates name, position and title,<br />
e.g. “JosephBloggsExeterPresidentManifes<strong>to</strong>.doc”.<br />
Submit your manifes<strong>to</strong> <strong>to</strong> the <strong>FXU</strong> office between<br />
1 st February 2010 9am And 12 th February 2010 3pm<br />
Dates:<br />
Links. Some you may find useful, others you may not:<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifes<strong>to</strong><br />
http://www.manifes<strong>to</strong>tv.com/communique/?p=73<br />
http://www.docs<strong>to</strong>c.com/docs/2550920/<strong>How</strong>-<strong>to</strong>-<strong>write</strong>-a-manifes<strong>to</strong><br />
http://www.docs<strong>to</strong>c.com/docs/2550920/<strong>How</strong>-<strong>to</strong>-<strong>write</strong>-a-manifes<strong>to</strong><br />
http://www.youthspace.haringey.gov.uk/home/haveyoursay-<br />
2/youth_council/how_<strong>to</strong>_<strong>write</strong>_a_manifes<strong>to</strong>_.htm<br />
http://e.piphanies.com/manifes<strong>to</strong>.php<br />
http://www.uclunion.org/get-involved/manifes<strong>to</strong>s.php<br />
http://www.rusu.co.uk/home/StudentOfficers/Elections/how_<strong>to</strong>_<strong>write</strong>_a_manifes<strong>to</strong>.aspx<br />
Feel free <strong>to</strong> search for others, and please let us know if you find any good links!<br />
Mon 1 Feb at 9am Nominations Open<br />
Fri 12 Feb at 12 noon Nominations Close<br />
at 3pm Manifes<strong>to</strong> deadline<br />
at 4pm Candidate Talk - MANDATORY<br />
at 5pm Campaigning Begins<br />
Thu 18 Feb at 12 noon Meet The Candidates (Upper Stannary, Tremough)<br />
Fri 19 Feb at 4pm Meet The Candidates (Woodlane Bar)<br />
Mon 22 Feb at 5pm Meet The Candidates (Rat & Emu, Darting<strong>to</strong>n)<br />
at 7pm Voting Opens<br />
Mon 1 Mar at 2pm Voting Closes<br />
from 5pm Results Party at Woodlane Bar!