What happened to canvassing?

[Hennessy]

I remember, long ago, when Tom d'Ardenne & Steve Savage turned up on my doorstep one coldish evening around this time of the month in 2007 to explain to me, in person, why they would like to run for their association positions and field any questions I or my housemates may have.

For that they got my vote.

Is anybody in this race doing anything like that? No it seems not, much rather they'd post funkily coloured crap through my letterbox and expect me to sort out who to vote for because, you know, they're like too popular and busy right now to bother actually talking to the voters.

Well fuck off the lot of you, with maybe one exception none of you are getting my vote.

[Rifleman]

Sam Roberts who is going for AU President managed to track down the rifle club to discuss his plans, I think he's been round other clubs as well. Much rather that than him turning up on doorsteps trying to find the athletes of St Andrews.

Not heard of anyone else going round houses or societies though.

[ojk6]

Had six copies of a letter from one of the campaigners posted through our door. There are six of us living here, but I did note the end of the letter "PS: Recycle this letter!"

[JohnMac]

As I am running for DoSDA - I thought it was essential to speak to societies and the student involved with them! As a result, I have spoken to various societies, had meetings with representatives from the Charities Campaign, Star FM, Mermaids, SVS and Debates. Not only this, but I have spoken to loads of students to discuss what it is they would actually like from the Union and their societies next year.

Vote 'John MacLean' for Director of Student Development and Activities this Friday!

[Andrew W]

As I am running for DoSDA - I thought it was essential to speak to societies and the student involved with them! As a result, I have spoken to various societies, had meetings with representatives from the Charities Campaign, Star FM, Mermaids, SVS and Debates. Not only this, but I have spoken to loads of students to discuss what it is they would actually like from the Union and their societies next year.

Vote 'John MacLean' for Director of Student Development and Activities this Friday!

As a minor aside, please note it is STAR or St Andrews Radio, not STAR FM (as we no longer have FM transmission)

[dani0107]

at the society meetings i've been to, various dosda candidates have shown up. there's also the opportunity to talk to any of the candidates at hecklings.

[Sam Roberts]

I posted this

"So far I have met groups from Badminton, Womens Basketball, Boat, Boxing, Canoe, Cross Country, Dancing, Fencing, Mens Golf, Inline hockey, Korfball, Womens Lacrosse, Life Saving, Mountaineering, Sailing, Riding, Womens Golf,Aikido, Archery, Athletics, Karate, Rifle, Womens Shinty, Taekwondo, Mens Shinty and Ultimate Frisbee. Keep the emails coming in asking for visits, if you want me to meet your club I promise to find the time.

I have also spoken to various candidates for Union positions regarding how we can work together in the coming year. We have met debates and the charities campain, as well as various members of project Zambia. I am learning a huge ammount whilst also hearing many common themes regarding the concernes and successes that clubs have."

on my website, http://www.sam-roberts.co.uk yesterday. Today I have been almost none stop visiting sports clubs and halls of residence. I will still be visiting clubs until 1030pm tonight and then tomorrow.

Cheers

Sam Roberts

Candidate for Athletic Union President

http://www.sam-roberts.co.uk

[RandomMusings]

I think in a lot of cases, there is a fine balance to play between canvassing on door steps and not wanting to annoy people in their own homes. However, I am in agreement with you with regards to posting flyers through doors. In general, it's not something that many people appreciate and has to be carefully considered before being done. If you are campaigning for a postition that is likely to impact on the life of every student (ie something as huge as accommodation), then flyers are most sensible as they are easier to get out and hopefully will still appeal to people.

This year, I have run my campaign in such a way whereby the only way I should be 'annoying' people is by facebook group invites and with flyers themselves on the day. Some may say that this is not the most sensible way of promoting myself or my policies - but I also often feel that you can put off as many people as you can convince through badgering people in their homes. Make no mistake - I'm serious about the job and my campaign - and I believe that the role I am going for is extremely important for the future of the Union in all its forms and that an informed decision is vital. I've been very busy getting round to try and chat to as many people as I can - but it is definitely about actually talking without impinging - which is why the main campaign day on Friday is so much fun, people expect it and almost anything goes!

If anyone does have any questions for me, or would like me to come and meet them in particular to discuss any element, please do head over to my thread on the elections board or private message me through the Sinner/facebook and I'll gladly find a time to answer or meet with you.

Phil Pass
DoES Candidate

[ct3012]

The past two Modern History lectures in the Buchanan have had nominees canvassing. On Tuesday we had Tom Cahn giving us a speech (an event the lecturer found funny, judging from his bemused looks), and today we had Andrew Keenan giving us a very brief reminder of the "new union" he's talking about.

[Bizarre Atheist]

I concur with Phil - I've done my utmost this week to get my name and platform out without actually irritating anybody to the point of alienation. I remember deliberately voting against candidates who disrupted lectures and hall dinners with their spiel in my first year and concurrently elected not to make the same mistake with my own campaign.

As for turning up on people's doorsteps, I really think that's a step too far into people's privacy. Imagine if that was the norm and you had 30-40 people demanding face time during campaigning week. It would be hellish.

While I'm here, Vote Dave!

Dave Haines
Candidate for Association President