CGCU Committee Role Descriptions

City & Guilds College Union 

The City & Guilds College Union represents all Undergraduates in the Faculty of Engineering, with the exception of the Materials and Earth Science & Engineering departments. All roles on the Committee are part-time positions.

The following roles are available:

CGCU President

The role requires a natural leader who is very good at building strong relationships and managing their time effectively. It is a very demanding and time-consuming role, however it is also extremely rewarding and will open doors for you!

Engineering is the biggest faculty at Imperial and as President you are ultimately responsible for approximately 3,800 Undergraduate students. The President must ensure the Executive and General CGCU Committees run smoothly, holding regular meetings and getting your Vice-Presidents (VPs) to update everyone on how tasks are progressing. You must be engaged, organised, and easily approachable, representing the Engineers voice to both College and Imperial College Union, in meetings and speeches.

Working with the CGCU Committee, you will be in charge of fostering a productive environment for the committee, allowing them to carry out their duties effectively, by ensuring the committee stay engaged with each other and motivated. Alongside being updated by your VPs, you oversee all of the different subsections of the CGCU’s work including events, industrial relations, alumni relations, finance and sport to promote communication between all areas. This means that the President will be heavily involved with all aspects of the Constituent Union from securing and managing relationships with sponsors and companies, budgeting and maintaining a strong relationship with the College, Union and Alumni.

The President is also responsible for overseeing the Departmental Societies and other clubs within the Guilds in their role as Management Group Chair. This involves working the Vice-President (Clubs & Societies) to advise club chairs in their day-to-day activities, as well as help with their long term plans involving annual budgeting and constitution rewrites.

The CGCU President is expected to work on matters for 8 weeks of summer. While this can be taken at anytime during summer, it is recommended the last two months of holiday are taken, as this is the most busy time before Freshers fortnight. The President is paid during summer for these 8 weeks, since it is extremely hard to balance doing an internship and the President role during the holidays.

During your Presidency, you will also receive a John Elliot bursary from the CGCA (of a small amount), have access to an office in College (Rm 350 CAGB) and get invited to represent the Guilds at various functions, such as the RSMA Annual Dinner, CGCA Reunion Lunch, Carpentry Company Lunch, and CGCA Annual Dinner.

Vice-President (Activities)

Being Vice-President (Activities) is a commitment to showcasing the City and Guilds College Union. The events you will organise will be the most visible side of the actions led by CGCU, they are the face of the Union, what people see and remember. From formal dinners to club nights to sports-days, you can let your imagination take control to come up with the best events.

The role gives you a substantial amount of autonomy to organise events that you believe will please your fellow engineers, and it doesn’t even require much – if any – experience. Two major attributes are necessary though; you must be fairly outspoken and believe in what you want. But do not fear, if you want to do this, you can; whoever you are. This role requires planning events for Fresher’s week over the summer, so be ready to help around during September.

You can contact the current Vice-President (Activities), Ross Unwin, on vpa@imperial.ac.uk.

Vice-President (Operations)

The Vice-President (Operations) is a new role for academic year 2018/19. For more information, please contact CGCU President Claudia Caravello on engineering.president@imperial.ac.uk. 

Vice-President (Clubs and Societies)

The Vice-President (Operations) is a new role for academic year 2018/19. For more information, please contact CGCU President Claudia Caravello on engineering.president@imperial.ac.uk.  

Vice-President (Education)

At the heart of CGCU, the VP (Education)’s role is to solve academic issues and help to improve teaching standards across the Faculty of Engineering, working closely with Academic Dep Reps and Faculty staff. The role also includes constant communication with Imperial College Union's Deputy President (Education) to ensure that the Faculty of Engineering is heading in the right direction compared to other Faculties. This role will be great for you if you have had previous experience of student academic representation and now feel keen to widen your perspective from your Department to the entire Faculty. As CGCU VP (Education) you will go to the Faculty Teaching Committee meetings, Faculty Education Committee meetings and Student-Staff departmental meetings each term. In addition to this you will also sit on the Education and Representation Board, Union Council and the CGCU Committee which meet more frequently.

Vice-President (Wellbeing)

As VP (Wellbeing) you will represent the non-academic concerns of all Undergraduate engineering students, whatever those concerns may be. An understanding of the personal issues faced by students across all sections of the community is important for the role. This should include, but is not limited to: sexual assault and consent issues, sexual health, mental health, perceived pressures/expectations, LGBT+ representation, or any other topical issue arising during your tenure: it’s important to keep your finger on the pulse of what students are concerned about.

Promoting welfare issues to the student body is another key aspect of the role. You have a lot of potential to run a variety of events, but will be limited by time. Consider key campaigns or events you’d like to run, as well as collaborating with Imperial College Union’s Deputy President (Welfare) to maximise lasting positive impact on the college. Everyone loves feel-good events, but a legacy of changing attitudes and cultures is a much more exciting prospect, within the reach of your role!

You will organise campaigns, as well as support other campaigns going on around campus e.g. Imperial Sleep Week or LGBT+ History Month, and co-ordinate and run events such as our pop-up welfare supplies stands and animal petting sessions. You will also have the opportunity to sit on Community and Welfare Board (CWB) and Union Council, to discuss College-wide issues and make a big impact on decisions made.

However, at no point are you ever a counsellor! Reassuring students who may seek advice with personal matters is an important responsibility. Signposting to support services, internal and external, is crucial – you cannot be a counsellor!

Don’t be overwhelmed by the wide scope of ‘wellbeing’! You’ll have a handover, as well as the support of brilliant Union staff at your fingertips. Bring your enthusiasm, a never-give-up attitude and believe in the difference small, good actions can make, and you’ll make a great VP (Wellbeing)!

Chairperson

The primary role is to schedule and arrange meetings for the CGCU Committee. As Chairperson, you have to ensure the agreed action points during these meetings are being delivered properly. This involves regularly making minutes of each meeting and following up the progress of each Officer.

Secretary

The Secretary is more than just minute-taking - they are one of the core members of the Executive Committee. If you happen to be in this position, you are expected to liaise with all committee members. You will be managing a lot of emails on a daily basis, and our reputation lies in your prompt and succinct responses. Your vigilance is equally required - plus your English competency and communication skills will come to their test, as various materials (both in professional communication and internal publicity) will await your cautious proofreading.

Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for the CGCU finances. This mainly involves going on eActivities for a few hours a week to approve any exec finances, raise purchase orders (POs), send off sales invoices for sponsorship, etc.

Alumni Officer

Implied by name of this position, its major role is to liaise with alumni groups. Our main alumni group is the City and Guilds College Association (CGCA), however there are also other alumni groups such as our founding Guilds (you can see all of their shields hanging in CAGB near the exit doors to Dalby Court), etc.

The responsibility includes going along with the CGCU President to attend CGCA Committee meetings and OC Trust meetings, who are the charitable arm of the CGCA. In meetings, we discuss about the organisation of new events, which aim to strengthen the close relationship between CGCU and CGCA. This year, we successfully organised joint events with CGCA, including the CGCU Welcome Dinner, Reunion Lunch and a Women in Engineering event. In addition, the Alumni Officer will be representing CGCU in a number of events organised by CGCA, such as the Annual Dinner (free ticket).

Clubs and Societies Officer

A new role this year!

Education Officer

A new role this year!

Wellbeing Officer

As Wellbeing Officer, you will work with the VP (Wellbeing) to represent the non-academic concerns of all Undergraduate engineering students, whatever those concerns may be. An understanding of the personal issues faced by students across all sections of the community is important for the role. This should include, but is not limited to: sexual assault and consent issues, sexual health, mental health, perceived pressures/expectations, LGBT+ representation, healthy eating, finances, or any other topical issue arising during your time: it’s important to keep your finger on the pulse of what students are concerned about.

Promoting wellbeing issues to the student body is a key aspect of the role. You have a lot of potential to run a variety of events, but will be limited by time. Consider key campaigns or events you’d like to run, as well as collaborating with Imperial College Union’s Deputy President (Welfare) to maximise lasting positive impact on the college. Everyone loves feel-good events, but a legacy of changing attitudes and cultures is a much more exciting prospect, within the reach of your role!

You will help VP (Wellbeing) organise campaigns, as well as support other campaigns going on around campus e.g. Imperial Sleep Week or LGBT+ History Month, and co-ordinate and run events such as our pop-up welfare supplies stands and animal petting sessions. You will also have the opportunity to sit on Community and Welfare Board (CWB) with the VP, to discuss college wide issues and make a big impact on decisions made.

However, at no point are you ever a counsellor! Reassuring students who may seek advice with personal matters is an important responsibility. Signposting to support services, internal and external, is crucial – you cannot be a counsellor!

Don’t be overwhelmed by the wide scope of ‘wellbeing’! You’ll have a handover, as well as the support of brilliant Union staff at your fingertips. Bring your enthusiasm, a never-give-up attitude and believe in the difference small, good actions can make, and you’ll make a great Wellbeing Officer!

Events Officer (x2)

The position of CGCU Events Officer is a fun one, your opinions and views are listened to and considered by both the Vice President (Activities) and the President. There are two positions and essentially you are there to help in both organising both small and large events, as well as running them on the night.

The events vary from Freshers’ Fair to the Annual Dinner. It is an exciting role and allows you to get an insight into organising dates, analysing venues, and making the events a success on a budget - all of which are made that much better by being in London, as quite often the options are endless.

If you have any questions or for more information, contact the CGCU by emailing guilds@imperial.ac.uk.

Sports Officer

The Sports Officer role is a fun and enjoyable one. The responsibilities are much lower than when compared to some of the other roles, but this does not mean that people do not take you seriously. You have a say in many of the happenings within the CGCU and you are offered the chance to make a difference. This role is perfect for either a final year who wants to have a say in how the Guilds works, or for a second or third year, who wants some experience before running for a major position within the Guilds.

Media & Marketing Officer

The role of the Media & Marketing Officer is to manage and care for the CGCU as a brand and identity within Imperial College London. Whether that means maintaining the CGCU’s presence within social networks, producing posters and leaflets or designing the Freshers’ Handbook, this role requires a dash of creativity. So, if you think you have the potential to drive the CGCU’s publicity machine and an eye for design then sign up to be next year’s Media and Marketing Officer!

Regalia Officer

The CGCU has a stock pile of regalia. Ties, scarves and other goodies that are being sold online at the Union Shop. The Regalia Officer’s responsibility is to manage the stock level, ship goods, deal with enquires and order new stock. This Officer is required to work closely with the Vice President (Operations).

Sponsorship Officer

Your main responsibilities will be to always be on the search for sponsorship opportunities from companies for the CGCU, assist the Bolt Editors in finding sponsorship for the Bolt magazine, help organise sponsor events with the CGCU Activities team, and write up the sponsorship contracts (which are approved by Pres).

Over the summer you will reassess the CGCU Sponsorship Pack and make any edits needed before sending it out to companies. The success of this position is based on your ability to communicate, negotiate and be innovative. Gaining lots of sponsorship for the CGCU also looks great on your CV as demonstrates so many transferable skills!

Webmaster

The Webmaster is responsible for the IT side of CGCU. This not only involves a day-to-day role of keeping cgcu.net up to date and maintained, but also the longer-term aim of finding and utilising technology to aid the running of the Union.

The CGCU website uses a bootstrap framework with a PHP administration portal. The source code is available at cgcu.net/cgcu/links/github/cgcu-website.

Bolt Bearer

As a mascot bearer, your job is mainly focused on the pride of the CGCU, our mascot Bolt. You’ll be responsible for our much adored 68lb of metal at all of our events. You’ll have to watch out though to stop RSMU and RSCU from stealing our mascots for ransom. There is reciprocal, however, as a bearer and you will also attend the events of the other Constituent Unions to try to steal their mascots to ransom. This is an incredibly fun and social position and requires people of cunning to run for it.

This is not as easy as it sounds as there are always students or alumni from RSMU and RCSU looking to steal our mascots for ransom, therefore you will always have to be vigilant lest we lose the mascots to rival students. There is a reciprocal, however, as a bearer and you also attend the events of the other Constituent Unions to try to steal their mascots to ransom. This is an incredibly fun and social position and requires people of cunning to run for it.

Spanner Bearer

You’ll be responsible for our other mascot, the Spanner. You’ll work closely with the Bolt Bearer on securing the mascots safety at our events. While it’s not strictly a requirement be prepared to be taunted by Alumni to lift the Spanner above your head during the BOOMALAKA, no easy feat with it weighing 64lb. You’ll also be involved with all the fun of mascotry, in which you should aim to bring pride and glory to the CGCU.

This is not as easy as it sounds as there are always students or alumni from RSMU and RCSU looking to steal our mascots for ransom, therefore you will always have to be vigilant lest we lose the mascots to rival students. There is a reciprocal, however, as a bearer and you also attend the events of the other Constituent Unions to try to steal their mascots to ransom at RAG. This is an incredibly fun and social position and requires people of cunning to run for it.

Bolt Editor (x2)

The two Bolt Editors are responsible editing and designing the CGCU’s 24-page newsletter, ‘The Bolt’ (not to be confused with our mascot ‘Bolt’), which is printed twice a term in the first two terms of the academic year, and once in the final term. You will be given access to a modern computer with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator for you to use to create the newsletter. You either need to already have experience with this software, or be willing to learn (lessons can be arranged with the Felix newspaper designers). Responsibilities include planning the content, messaging clubs and companies to write articles, proof reading, and creative styling.