Manifesto: Aidan Long for Treasurer                                        

                                                                  


Introduction

Hello, I’m Aidan Long and I am running to be the treasurer for the War Studies Society for the year of 2023/2024. The reason I am running for this position as treasurer in the War Studies Society is because I feel that the Society needs change to continue to be relevant and active within the war studies and university community. I believe that as treasurer, I can be part of a wider team which will help put this society back on track and truly live up to the mission of the society which is:

 ‘Is to maintain and strengthen the overall sense of community in the Department of War Studies.’

Qualifications & Skills

Having had a chat with a couple of former treasurers about running societies and associations. I have tried to get a handle on the duties of being a treasurer. In addition, I have familiarised myself with financial management software such as quick books. I am also relatively skilled at putting together spreadsheets in both Excel and Google formats. This is something which is key to the job as treasurer given, they not only have to manage the numbers of the society but also have to help keep everything ticking over for events and the society as whole such as inventory’s, event revenue and overall ticket pricing.

Though handling numbers and statistics is important you also need to be a quick typist. This is something which I have had a lot of practice at, having typed constantly throughout my time in school. This is something which is very important, especially if I take over the role of clerk alongside being treasurer to the society. This coincides with the amount of writing I’ll have to do in the role, making sure all the minutes are filed and formatted correctly.


Personality & Hobbies

I currently in my first year, studying a War Studies & History BA. A degree which I have enjoyed so far. Apart from that I am very friendly person, always up for a chat but also I like to help people with their problems no matter what they are. I am also organised as well as being incredibly passionate about the society and its success. Regarding hobbies, I am particularly interested in the states of Finland and Luxembourg, I like wargaming and as well as walking in the countryside.  


                                                                           
                                                                  My 5 Pledges

During this campaign I will be running on my ‘5 Pledges’. These are the key tenants to my campaign and I believe are the main areas of reform for the society as a whole. In this manifesto document, you will have the opportunity to scrutinise these pledges even closer, with each pledge being explored in greater detail here.  

1. Conduct an audit of all War Studies Society financial commitments e.g the website & merchandise

Looking at the society currently I could identify several financial commitments within the society that are either currently being unused or are dragging on the society’s finances. As a result, I believe that it is important to make sure that an audit is conducted in the first month of the new academic term.

The outcome of this audit, upon recommendation to the President of the Society would be the complete overhaul of the society’s finances, with a focus on getting the website up and running again, a long with merchandising. This would allow us several streams of revenue to finance more regular events of the society helping to increase its overall profile. This would also include the investigation of switching to a paid membership model, though this would be done through wider committee and student body consultation. 

2. Incorporate the role of clerk into that of treasurer until one can be elected, along with establishing a format for minutes in committee meetings

From my knowledge, the committee lacks not only a clerk but also a record of it’s meetings. This lack of transparency by the committee means that there is a lack of scrutiny by the members of the society, so my aim would not only be to take on the duties of clerk-treasurer but also establish a proper format to which all committee minutes are taken.

With this, and regular updates to our student membership body, I believe that this will allow for a better and more in touch society. It would also allow the society to be way more organised than it is now, having someone dedicated to take care of most of the internal administration, allowing other members of the committee to focus more on their respective roles and in turn help the society flourish.

3. Ensure that the budget of the society is presented at the beginning and end of each term.

The management and presentation of the budget of the society is important for any treasurer as it is key to their role. This is something which I hope to fullfill well, making sure that it is a balanced budget. In addition I will make sure that the books are well kept and that accounts are filled. This will all be done via the relavent treasury software, used by the society. I will also make sure that the budget is timely presented at the beginning and end of each term, allowing for the committee and the student body to be aware of the societies finances. This would allow the committee to be able to plan in advance, whether or not some events are viable financially for the society.

4. Establish a google drive available to all society members, where feedback forms and committee minutes will be published

The establishment of a google drive for both minutes and for the term budget would allow for greater transparency, within the society and would also encourage greater student participation and feedback. This drive would be available to all members of the society. The google drive will also be the home of different feedback forms which will be available to access throughout the term, allowing us as a committee to be given feedback about progress and what needs to change.

5. I will ensure a balanced budget, transparency and fufil the societies mission statement 

I believe that if I am elected as treasuer for the society I will work within the committee to help fufill the mission statement of the society. Whether that be through helping out people with their problems, managing membership lists, keeping ticket prices down and as well as keeping the society on the straight and narrow in regards to its budget and financial viability.  

Conclusion

The War Studies Society needs reform, it needs change. This is something which I hope to bring to the committee, allowing the society to once again gain a prominent place as one of the most welcoming and respected societies on campus. The measures which I have laid out in the five pledges outline my plans, and hopefully stand up to your scrutiny. If you have questions about anything, then feel free to e-mail me at aidan.long@kcl.ac.uk or DM me on Instagram @aidanlong78