2026 EXECUTIVE ELECTION GUIDE
WHO SHOULD RUN?
Impactful student leaders are students who:
- enjoy meeting and engaging with other students
- are interested in enhancing the post-secondary experience for all students.
- are confident in raising concerns regarding issues impacting students
- are interested in developing leadership skills
- are passionate about driving change to improve the student experience
- have an interest in governance and policy
Important Notes:
- All nominees must be enrolled for the entirety of the Executive Council term of office (2026 Fall Semester and 2027 Winter Semester).
- The SPSA President must be on a reduced course load for the entirety of their term in office.
- All SPSA General Council members must be 18 years of age or older when they assume their role.
- Students who have a co-operative work term during any portion of the 2026-27 academic year are not eligible to run for an Executive Council position.
THE PERKS!
- Receive governance and leadership training.
- Learn how to advocate for issues impacting students.
- Network and make connections with students on campus and throughout the province.
- Develop or improve interpersonal and communication skills.
- Gain valuable experience to apply to your resume upon graduation.
- Receive a monthly remuneration.
ELECTION TIMELINE
- February 9-13 – Election Info Sessions
9/11/13 – 12pm CST via Teams and 10/12 – 4pm CST via Teams. – Register Here - February 25 – Nominations Open – 8am CST
This is your time to complete all the necessary steps to become a nominee. - March 6 – Nominations Close – 4pm CST
All documentation must be submitted online or to an SPSA Office no later than 4pm on March 6, 2026. - March 9-11 – Nomination Verification Period
The SPSA uses this time to verify collected signatures and documentation to ensure those running for elected positions are eligible students. The SPSA will reach out to you once you have been verified. This will take time, please be patient. - March 11 – All Nominees’ Meeting – 4pm CST – Virtual Meeting
All nominees wishing to become valid candidates must attend the All Nominees’ Meeting. - March 12-13 – Campaign Materials Submission – Closes at 4pm CST
Any campaign materials candidates wish to use, either print or digital must be approved by the SPSA during this window. - March 16-24 – Campaign Period
The time when all verified candidates are eligible to promote themselves and their platform with previously approved campaign materials. - March 24 – Election Day
All valid Sask Polytech students will be sent an email to their Sask Polytech inbox with a digital voting key. Voting closes at 8pm. All candidates will be notified following the close of the Election.
ELECTION CONTACTS
- SPSA General Election Email – spsa@spsa.ca
- Election CRO – Siddharth Reshamwala – vpmoosejaw@spsa.ca
LET’S GET STARTED
It is recommended that you read through all steps to ensure nothing in missed in your nomination package.
STEP 1: Bylaws and Policies
It is the responsibility of all nominees to read through the SPSA Bylaws and SPSA Election Policies. This is a vital step in the election process. Please take some time to read through all the bylaws and policies. If you have questions, make notes and forward your questions to spsa@spsa.ca.
STEP 2: Job Descriptions and Expectations
President
President – Term May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
A successful candidate must be registered at any Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus. Please note, the SPSA President must be on a reduced course load for the duration of their term and will be required to provide proof to the SPSA that they can do so. Proof may come in the form of a letter from their Program Head stating approval to reduce their course load. Those seeking the role of SPSA President will also be required to submit a criminal background check.
As per SPSA Bylaw 7.2.a.vii. – The term of office shall be one academic year with the term ending April 30th. Candidates must be enrolled in an on-campus core program, either fulltime or part-time for the entire duration of the term. Students who have a co-op placement during their term not eligible to run for an Executive Council position.
- Responsible for overseeing the entire organization and providing leadership and guidance to all members of the General Council.
- Responsible for overseeing the work of the Vice Presidents and providing support, feedback, leadership, guidance and maintaining open communication with these individuals.
- Spokesperson for the SPSA and the Student Body.
- Liases with the General Manager and conducts an annual formal performance review.
- Responsible for ensuring the participation of the General Council in developing policies.
- Responsible for assisting the VP Campus with the appointment of Campus Representatives.
- Represents the Student Body on the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Board of Directors.
The SPSA President is required to work a 25-hour work week for the SPSA.
All SPSA General Council members must be 18 years of age or older when they assume their role.
VP Campus
VP Campus – Term May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
There are four VP Campus positions available, one for each of the four main campuses. A successful candidate must be registered to the campus they wish to represent. For example, a student registered to the Moose Jaw campus, can only run for VP Moose Jaw.
As per SPSA Bylaw 7.2.a.x – The term of office shall be one academic year with the term ending April 30th. Candidates must be enrolled in an on-campus core program, either full-time or part-time for the entire duration of the term. Students who have a co-op placement during their term not eligible to run for an Executive Council position.
Below is a brief description of the roles and responsibilities of a VP Campus.
- Provide the leadership of the Campus Council and ensures that the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Students’ Association is being responsive to the needs and requests of the membership at their Campus.
- Oversees and works with the Campus Council Representatives of their respective Campuses.
- Facilitate and address student concerns.
- Chairs respective SPSA Standing Committee Meetings.
- Chairs the Council Connect meetings on Campus.
As per SPSA Policy – Gov 6 – Executive Remuneration, VPs can choose between a 9-hour or 15-hour work week at the start of their term. Vice President’s are expected to abide by their chosen work hours all-year round. Hours can be flexible per week, however the total hours per month should be met.
All SPSA General Council members must be 18 years of age or older when they assume their role.
STEP 3: Mandatory Meetings
All Nominees must attend the All Nominees’ Meeting to become a verified candidate. This meeting will be held virtually on March 11 – 4pm CST.
All successful candidates who are elected to their position are required to attend the in-person SPSA Transition Retreat. This is scheduled for April 27-30, 2026. Location TBD.
STEP 4: Campaign Message and Photo
Nominees are required to submit a photo, short biography and campaign message in order to complete their nomination.
Campaign Photo: You will be required to upload a campaign photo to complete your Election Checklist. The official photo should be a high resolution image and preferably not a selfie. The photo orientation should be portrait with dimensions of at least 750 pixels wide and no large than 2000 pixels wide.
Campaign Message: You will also be required to upload a campaign message to complete your Election Checklist. This is an opportunity for voters to get to know you. You may wish to include some personal background information, such as where you grew up and your hobbies, along with why you are running for your selected position and what you hope to achieve should you be successful in the election. Your message should be no more than 250 words.
STEP 5: Student Verification
Students interested in running for an SPSA Executive position must use their Sask Polytech email to submit a Student Verification Form to the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Registrar’s Office. Once the form has been completed and sent back to you, save it to upload to your Nomination Form later. Below you will find the Student Verification Form and an email template to assist you.
- NOTE 1: Your email to Registration Services needs to include specific information to ensure your request reaches the correct staff. Please use the template and replace all content in red with your information
- NOTE 2: It may take a couple days to receive this letter back from the Registrar. Do not leave this step to the last minute as it may lead to you being unable to complete your Nomination Form by the March 6th deadline.
STEP 6: Signature Collection
Students are required to collect endorsement signatures from valid Sask Polytech students to complete their nomination packages. Before verifying a candidate, the SPSA will ensure all signatures collected are from valid Sask Polytech students.
Nominees Running For VP Campus
Nominees need to collect at least 15 signatures from students registered to their home campus endorsing them for the position. For example, if you are a Moose Jaw student running for the position of VP Moose Jaw, you must collect at least 15 signatures from valid Sask Polytech students enrolled in a program at the Moose Jaw campus. 33% of those signatures must come from outside the nominee’s program area.
Nominees Running For President
Nominees need to collect at least 15 signatures, however 33% of those signatures must be from a campus other than the nominees “home campus”. For example, if you are a Prince Albert student running for President, 33% of the signatures you require must be from students registered to the Moose Jaw, Regina or Saskatoon campuses.
You have three options for collecting signatures.
- Option 1: Download the Signature Collection Form and email it to students wishing endorse you. Students will need to complete the form and send it back to you. You will need to keep track of all signatures collected to submit to the SPSA.
- Option 2: Download and print the Signature Collection Form. Have students wishing to endorse sign off on your form. Once you have collected the required number of signatures you can scan and upload it to the Nomination Form or submit it to the SPSA.
- Option 3: Stop by the SPSA Office and pick up a Signature Collection Form. Have students wishing to endorse sign off on your form. Once you have collected the required number of signatures you can scan and upload it to the Nomination Form or submit it to the SPSA.