Vacancy: Speaker of MSU Student Senate 2020/21

Maynooth Students' Union is recruiting for the role of Speaker of MSU Student Senate. This is an important role which is essential to the effective running of Student Senate.

Please take time to read the role description, person specification and additional information below. 

Please also note that the position of the Speaker of the MSU Student Senate must be independent and therefore can not be a member of Maynooth Students' Union.

For further information, please contact student.senate@msu.ie

Application Procedure:

Please take the time to read the role description, person specification, and additional information below. 

Complete our online Application Form as directed.

The Application form will close at 11.45 pm on Sunday 18 October 2020.

Applications will be reviewed on Monday 19 October 2020 and the successful applicant needs to be available for the first meeting at 6pm on Wednesday 21 October 2020

THE ROLE OF THE SPEAKER OF MSU STUDENT SENATE

The role of the Speaker of MSU Student Senate is:

Before the Meeting

• Plan the agenda with the President and Secretary; including items brought by other members. Decide order and timing of the agenda, and who will introduce each.
• Identify, with the President and Secretary, which agenda items are for note, information, discussion, decision, and approval.
• Be well briefed about each items, and actions taken since the last meeting.
• Ensure all necessary background papers (including the last meeting’s minutes) are sent out with the agenda beforehand.
• Check, with the Secretary, that all relevant practical arrangements have been made.
• Arrive in good time before the meeting is due to start.

During the Meeting

Communicate

• Start the meeting. Welcome any new members, make any necessary introductions.
• Receive apologies for absences.
• Check for conflicts of interest on the items on the agenda.
• Ensure that additions or amendments to minutes are recorded.
• Set the scene. State the objectives of the meeting and each item.
• Try to be brief when making a point.

Control  

• Maintain control. Set out any time limits, if applicable.
• Allow flexibility and freedom of expression.
• Keep to the agenda  Ensure quorum is present.
• Ensure time is used effectively.
• Ensure that proper minutes are taken.

Coax 

• Ensure full participation.
• Draw out quite members and discourage those who are monopolising the meetings.
• Be prepared to highlight issues that no-one else will, and to be the one who always has to ask the awkward question.

Compare

• Weight up contributions impartially.
• All points in favour of a point should be summarised against all points no in favour.

Clarify

• Ensure everyone understands what is being discussed.
• Summarise.
• Ensure that if jargon and abbreviations are used, all present understand them.
• Ensure that decisions are recorded, together with who is going to implement them.

Decision Making

• Ensure that decisions are taken in the context of the organisations strategy and that they are recorded, together with who is going to implement them.

Guide

• Above all else, the Speaker is there to guide the meeting.
• Steer members to work harmoniously and purposefully as a team.
• Keep an eye on the time

At the End of the Meeting

• Summarise decisions taken and action points to be followed up.
• Agree a date for the next meeting, or method for selecting the dates, if not already confirmed.
• Agree what special items will be put on the agenda of the next meeting and what work needs to be done, and by whom.
• Ensure that the minutes are written up, checked by the Speaker and sent out in good time.