| Responsibilities of a Member: Taking Ownership of your Student Union |
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by Lonnie Patterson
What is often lost in the insanity of student politics is the continuing role of the membership. Most students are satisfied with paying their dues and voting once a year, if they choose to vote at all. In addition, most elected officials prefer to collect dues and only meet with members during campaign time. Members are content with sitting back and watching the action while neglecting their ongoing responsibility to the union. If a student union is going to work from the bottom-up, then students must accept some basic responsibilities.
Learn the principles and goals of the organization. If you're paying fees to be a member of an organization, it only makes sense to know what it is all about. It is important to know what the fundamental ideas of the organization are. What are the goals? How is it structured? How are decisions made? Which decisions can be made by the executive and which must be made by the entire membership?
Know what your executive is doing. Elected officials are acting on your behalf. They are responsible for making your voice heard. In turn, it is your responsibility to hold them accountable for their actions. Are they holding true to election promises? Have student fees been spent wisely and to the benefit of most students? How do the principles of the union guide their actions?
Talk to other members about the organization. Generally, members of an organization have something in common. A sense of community and solidarity grows when members of an organization share their experiences. Who are the other people that make up your organization? What do members of the union have in common? Is there a particular issue that a large group of members is willing to work together on?
Voice your (educated) opinion. Elected officials cannot read your mind. If the union is doing something you don't agree with or ignoring a situation that you feel is important, you have to let them know. You are entitled to your own opinion. However, you are responsible for having factual background knowledge before publicly making a statement.
It is understandable that many students have little spare time. Becoming an
informed member of an organization does not require a substantial time commitment
or a Degree in Political Science. It simply involves reading the information
provided and asking questions if you have any. When you think about it an active
member is not much different than an intrigued student.