The leadership body of ALSA.
Cabinet is the six-person leadership team responsible for running ALSA as an organisation. It consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Operations Director, and Marketing Director. Together, cabinet is accountable for everything ALSA does: its programmes, its finances, its governance, and its reputation.
Cabinet is not a committee that approves things. It is a working leadership team. Every cabinet member holds a distinct function and is responsible for executing it, not just overseeing it. The President chairs cabinet and holds ultimate accountability, but every member is expected to lead independently within their role.
Weekly meetings. Collective decisions.
Cabinet meets weekly. These meetings cover the organisation's operational status, upcoming events, strategic decisions, and any governance or financial matters that require cabinet input. Once a month, the cabinet meeting is replaced by a full-team session where every portfolio and cabinet member meets together.
Decisions that affect the organisation as a whole are made collectively by cabinet. Decisions within a specific portfolio or function are made by the relevant cabinet member. Where cabinet cannot reach agreement, the President may make a final operational decision, accountable to cabinet and ALSA's constitution.
Cabinet operates transparently with the executive team. Decisions and meeting outcomes are shared with officers and interns so the full team understands the direction of the organisation.
Appointed from within. Every academic year.
Cabinet roles are not open for external application. At the end of each academic year, around October, the outgoing cabinet appoints the incoming cabinet from within the existing officer and intern cohort. Appointments are based on performance, demonstrated leadership, and the best interests of ALSA going into the next term.
The process is structured. Officers and interns who want a cabinet role put their hand up, and the outgoing cabinet conducts interviews. The decision sits with the people who have spent a full year inside the organisation and understand what each role actually requires. New cabinet members are officially announced at the AGM. Being an officer or intern does not guarantee a cabinet role, but it is the only path to one.
Higher standard. Full accountability.
- Accountability: Cabinet members are responsible for the outcomes of their portfolios, not just the effort they put in. If something under your watch fails, you own it.
- Availability: Cabinet carries a higher time commitment than officer roles. Weekly cabinet meetings, portfolio meetings, and individual responsibilities mean this is a genuine part-time leadership role.
- Transparency: Cabinet decisions are communicated to the full executive team. The organisation cannot function if the people doing the work do not understand the direction.
- Handover: Every cabinet member is responsible for leaving their role in better shape than they found it. Comprehensive handover documentation is non-negotiable.
