SSAFE Committee Roles
These roles are available for the 2024/2025 Committee. If you are interested in joining and will be a student in Sept 2024 - June 2025, please fill out the volunteer interest form here, or email ssafeluu@gmail.com for more information!
President
The President of a society is the leader, who oversees all of the society’s activity. The President will need to provide support, advice and guidance to the other committee members throughout the academic year and oversee the direction in which the society is heading. Probably the most challenging role on the committee, you’ll need experience of what the society does, and a strong belief in the aims of the society. Skills and qualities required: Leadership Communicating (written and verbal) Dedication and commitment People management Motivating the committee Organising Delegating tasks Managing change Taking responsibility Key responsibilities: Calling meetings – but your Secretary compiles the agenda and minutes Chairing meetings – ensure everything is covered and no-one dominates Delegating tasks – you shouldn’t do everything yourself! Understanding the broader picture – keep the vision and aims of the society in mind at all times Understanding your responsibilities and legal ‘duty of care’ for the society’s activities Being a spokesperson or figurehead – representing your society to students, the Students’ Union, the University and even the media! Maintaining committee enthusiasm – if you’re not passionate, no-one else will be
Vice President
The VP of a society is the leader, who oversees all of the society’s activity. The VP will need to provide support, advice and guidance to the other committee members throughout the academic year and oversee the direction in which the society is heading. Probably one of the most challenging roles on the committee, you’ll need experience of what the society does, and a strong belief in the aims of the society. Skills and qualities required: Leadership Ability to be a ‘critical friend’ and sounding board Tact and diplomacy Listening Communication and interpersonal skills Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences Key responsibilities: Knowing everything the President or Chair does…and supporting them every step of the way Standing in if the President or Chair is absent Helping to train committee members Ensuring the ‘bigger picture’ and the society’s vision is always kept in view Holding confidential discussions with committee members if they are unhappy and feed this back to the President or Chair Being impartial
Secretary
The Secretary is the backbone of any student group and ensures that everything runs smoothly, both in terms of administration and communication. They will encourage collaboration within the student group and take a key role in managing the delivery of the group's objectives. Skills and qualities required: Writing (minutes and emails) Organising Researching Prioritising Time management and multi-tasking Record keeping Friendly and approachable Key responsibilities: Encourages collaboration and consultancy - encouraging committee members to work together on projects; Acts as Project Manager for initiatives in the student group; Facilitates the core administrative capacity of the student group; Responsible for minuting student group general meetings; Ensures that appropriate space is booked for student group activity; Responsible for submitting/managing risk assessments; Regularly reviews the student group’s constitution to ensure it is reflective of current activity; Responsible for organising the society AGM/EGM, recruiting counting and returning officers.
Treasurer
Being a Treasurer isn’t just about counting money! It means knowing how your finances stand at any one time; being transparent and accountable; avoiding potential debt and planning accordingly. Skills and qualities required: Well organised Numerical competence Communication (with society members trying to spend the money!) Trustworthy Risk management Planning and forecasting Monitoring and reporting Processing payments Account management Key responsibilities: Learning and understanding the Students’ Union financial systems Keeping track of all income/expenditure Organising affiliation to national bodies Applying for Students’ Union (and external) funding and Collecting all membership fees and paying all bills in good time Keeping the committee and members informed of the society’s financial situation Organising fundraising or sponsorship for your group Skills and qualities required: Writing (minutes and emails) Organising Researching Prioritising Time management and multi-tasking Record keeping Friendly and approachable Key responsibilities: Encourages collaboration and consultancy - encouraging committee members to work together on projects; Acts as Project Manager for initiatives in the student group; Facilitates the core administrative capacity of the student group; Responsible for minuting student group general meetings; Ensures that appropriate space is booked for student group activity; Responsible for submitting/managing risk assessments; Regularly reviews the student group’s constitution to ensure it is reflective of current activity; Responsible for organising the society AGM/EGM, recruiting counting and returning officers.
Welfare Officer
The role of a Welfare Officer is to be a point of contact for issues relating to the wellbeing of society members, with the aim of fostering positive experiences and relationships within the club or society. Due to the nature of our work, you will have a close contact with LUU Help and Support in order to get support for yourself and also refer other people. You will also have control of the SSAFE Welfare email. Skills and qualities required: Active Listening Non-Judgemental Approach Sensitivity and Understanding Patience Ability to remain calm in stressful situations Ability to work well with others Key responsibilities: Signpost to support services and resources Act as a mediator for disputes amongst members Be a confident and supportive listener Be conscious of accessibility and inclusivity at events Monitor the welfare email and forwarding any issues through to LUU Help and Support
Men's Mental Health Officer
We find that at SSAFE, our audience is majority people who present as female however we understand that the majority of suicides are male. The men’s mental health officer helps to represent males and ensure we are being fully inclusive, as well as helps to run events or campaigns that target males. Skills and qualities required: Active Listening Non-Judgemental Approach Sensitivity and Understanding Patience Ability to remain calm in stressful situations Ability to work well with others Key responsibilities: Ensure gender inclusivity is upheld across meetings and events Be a confident and supportive listener Run events/campaigns directed towards males
Campaign's Officer
Campaigning is very important to any welfare society, therefore the campaign officer will organise and run campaigns throughout the year related to mental health concerns across campus. Skills and qualities required: Welcoming attitude Understanding of the Equality Act 2010 Creativity and ability to generate ideas Resilience Key responsibilities: Work with committee to decide campaign ideas Work with the treasurer to apply for the campaign funding Organise and host campaigns
External Outreach Officer
SSAFE have strong connections with external businesses and charities. The outreach officer will ensure these relationships are upheld as well as create new relationships with other companies across leeds. Skills and qualities required: Writing (emails) Communication Key responsibilities: Uphold relationships with external companies Work with the committee to ensure proper communication with the companies is upheld
School's Liaison
SSAFE into schools is an initiative where volunteers attend schools to discuss topics surrounding mental health and support. The schools liaison is the face of this project and will lead the planning, organisation and management of this project. Skills and qualities required: Communication Understanding Organisation Key responsibilities: Get volunteers for SSAFE into schools Attend training provided by SiS (societies into schools) Ensure volunteers are trained to attend schools Liaise with schools to plan sessions
Inclusivity Officer
In accordance with Students’ Union policy, the Inclusion Officer’s role is to ensure that everything the society does (e.g. rooms used, images on posters, language used in meetings) does not discriminate towards any student. The Inclusion Officer also looks into the best ways that disabled, international, postgraduate, timid students and those with any other additional needs or circumstances are catered for and feel welcome to get involved with society activities. Skills and qualities required: Welcoming attitude Negotiating and influencing Understanding of the Equality Act 2010 Understanding of the internationalisation agenda Creativity and ability to generate ideas Key responsibilities: Publicising your role to members and at events Being a confidential and direct contact for members and potential members Ensuring that meetings and events are as accessible as possible Ensuring there are a diverse range of socials, ensuring some are non-alcoholic Looking at potential inclusion issues and how they can be addressed Asking members about dietary requirements and other needs Uploading an accessibility statement onto your website
Publicity Officer
Publicity officer will be required to cover a large variety of publicity techniques, including social media, flyers and leaflets and more, all of which are essential for SSAFE to increase reach to university students. Skills and qualities required: Creativity and ability to generate ideas Understanding of canva (this can be developed) Communication Key responsibilities: Hiring Social Media Officers to help with Instagram coverage Planning publicity strategies and campaigns. Writing and producing presentations, articles, press releases and social media posts. Designing or project managing the production of visual communications and digital content. Dealing with enquiries from the public, the press and related organisations. Organising and attending promotional events such as press conferences, open days, exhibitions, tours and visits. Analysing media coverage. Coordinating and analysing the success of online advertising.
Fundraising Officer
The fundraising officer needs to know how our finances stand at any one time; create ideas of how to fundraise, and run events to fundraise for SSAFE. They may also apply for external grants and donations) Skills and qualities required: Well organised Numerical competence Communication Trustworthy Risk management Planning and forecasting Creativity Key responsibilities: Learning and understanding the Students’ Union financial systems Keeping track of all income/expenditure Plan and host fundraising events Research external funding and apply.
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
We really appreciate any feedback and data we receive from volunteers that we can analyse to help us improve. The M +E director will ensure that data collection is upheld and will work with committee to understand collected data and feedback, and help improve it for the future. They may also help create an impact report. Skills and qualities required: Well organised Numerical competence Communication Trustworthy Monitoring and reporting Key responsibilities: Create feedback forms for events and ensure they are used Inputting data into a notion page and analysing to present at committee meetings