Hi everyone, it’s that time of year again… (and apologies to Justin Bishop, last year’s president, for shamelessly cribbing from his version of this email):

I give notice of an election, to be held on Wednesday, 6 May to select the new members of the MCR Committee to serve from 1 June 2009 to 31 May 2010.

Each Committee should strive to make life at Queens’ enjoyable and productive. Apart from organising the social gatherings intended to welcome new students and help foster friendships, the Committee also and very importantly acts as the voice of the graduate students with respect to all aspects of College life. In other words, much goes on behind the scenes for which the Committee is very much responsible.

To that end, the positions to be filled are:

• The Senior Officers, comprising
  the President
  Secretary
  Junior Treasurer;

• the Titled Officers, comprising
  Events Officer
  External Officer
  International Student Representative
  Owlstone Croft Representative
  Steward
  Webmaster
  Welfare Officer
  Women’s Officer
  Woodville Room Steward
  (The First Year Representative elections will occur in the upcoming Michaelmas Term.)

Up to two Non-titled Officers, who may serve in positions of Formal Hall Exchange Officer and additional Events Officer (for example), will be selected/co-opted/elected as the new Committee sees fit.

If no one steps forward for one or more of these positions, it will be the responsibility of the incoming President to ensure that all Committee slots are filled.

Duties: Duties of all Officers are posted in Article 9 of the Constitution and Article 6 of the Orders: http://qmcr.org.uk/constitution As the Constitution is a bit out of date, however, I’d strongly encourage you to consult with the current holder of any office in which you are interested. Names and email addresses are available on the MCR website. If you are interested in running for President, please also do get in touch with me as soon as possible.

Eligibility: Any student who is currently paying College fees and holds BA status or is registered with the Board of Graduate Studies is eligible to vote in this election. Only students who meet the above criteria now and expect to still meet them on 31 May 2010 may be nominated for a Committee position.

Nominations: Nominations for the upcoming election will open at noon on Wednesday, 8 April. A student is considered nominated if he/she is proposed *and seconded* and if the nominee in question gives his/her authorization. Nominations and seconds must be sent to me no later than noon on Sunday, 26 April.

Results: For uncontested positions, no poll will be held and the sole nominee shall be declared elected. For contested positions, the poll shall open at noon on Sunday 3 May and close at noon on Monday, 4 May. Details as to the practicalities (including hustings, if necessary) will be provided nearer to the polling date. The results will be circulated on Friday, 8 May via email and on the noticeboard in the MCR foyer. The name of the new President will also be announced at the Machin Feast (8 May).

I look forward to receiving nominations (and seconds)!

All best Johanna (Returning Officer)