Governance Education

We provide a range of in-person professional development sessions. These sessions are free and available to all University of Alberta undergraduate student representatives, prospective SU/representative candidates, and student groups. Non-undergraduate groups may also access these sessions, but for a small fee as outlined below.

If you're not sure whether or not your group qualifies for a free session, or if you have any other questions, e-mail your questions to governance@su.ualberta.ca and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

Session Sign-Up Form

A new session sign-up form will be included shortly.

Available Sessions

Governance of the University and Students' Union
Length: 1 hour
Cost: $50 (free for all U of A undergraduate groups)

This is an introduction to how decisions are made at the University of Alberta and the U of A Students' Union. It consists of two short power point presentations, followed by a short activity.

Roberts' Rules of Order
Length: 1 hour
Cost: $50 (free for all U of A undergraduate groups)

This is an introduction to using Roberts' Rules of Order to participate in meetings. It consists of a short power point presentation and a hands on activity where participants get to try out using Roberts' Rules. A one-page handout on how to use Roberts' Rules will be provided to all participants.

Consensus
Length: 1 hour
Cost: $50 (free for all U of A undergraduate groups)

This is an introduction to using consensus-based decision-making to participate in meetings. It consists of a short power point presentation and a hands on activity where participants get to try out using consensus. A one-page handout on how to use consensus will be provided to all participants.

How to Advocate - Basics
Length: 2 hours
Cost: $100 (free for all U of A undergraduate groups)

In this sessions participants will learn some basics about what advocacy is, how to create an advocacy strategy, and how to do different advocacy activities. There are two streams available - one for advocates in legislative positions, such as councils or committees, and one for advocates in group positions, such as student association executives. It consists of a power point on all the basics of advocacy, followed by an activity where participants plan an advocacy strategy around a provided scenario, and then get to practice lobbying and receive feedback. A short advocacy planning guide will provided to all participants.

Creative Problem Solving
Length: 1 hour
Cost: $50 (free for all U of A undergraduate groups)

This session gives an overview of how to use creative problem solving as a tool when making decisions or dealing with conflict.

Facilitated Transition
Length: 3 hours
Cost: $150 (free for all U of A undergraduate groups)

This session is intended to help those leaving a governance position successfully hand over their position to their successor. The first hour is spent preparing transition notes and getting ready for the successor. During the second hour, the outgoing and incoming people will work together to pass information and prepare the incoming for their role(s). The final hour will be spent with just those who are incoming, doing team-building and strategic planning for the year ahead. A transition workbook will provided that the outgoing can use to take key transition notes, and the incoming can then keep and write their goals in.

Strategic Planning
Length: 2 hours
Cost: $100 (free for all U of A undergraduate groups)

This session is for groups that need to create a plan for their activities for the year, but don't know how to go about making a plan that will be successful. It involves an hour of brainstorming and sorting activities to help the group generate ideas, and an hour of more detailed planning for the goals generated during brainstorming. All materials needed for the session will be provided, and groups can expect to have a rough draft of a strategic plan completed by the end of the session.

New Group Creation
Length: 3 hours
Cost: $150 (free for all U of A undergraduate groups)

Want to create a new student group but not sure where to start? We can help you set up a governance structure, start a rough draft of a constitution, and create a rough draft of a strategic plan for your group. The first hour will be spent drafting the mandate, values, and goals of the group. The second hour will be spent creating an outline of your group's constitution. The third hour will be spent creating a short-term strategic plan that will help get your group up and running. All materials needed for the session will be provided. Further consultation on the final drafts of your constitution and/or strategic plan will be provided as needed at no additional cost.

Phone

780-492-6675

Email
governance@su.ualberta.ca

Discover Governance
Room 6-24
Students' Union Building
University of Alberta
8900 - 114 Street NW
Edmonton, AB
T6G 2J7