President Manual
A Manual for the President
University of Toronto Engineering Society

Last Revision: April 30, 2026

Contents

For a list of all Bylaws and Policies, see the index.

For Candidates Summary and Structure Manual of Responsibilities

For Candidates #

0.0 # Role Summary

  1. 0.0.1 # The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the Engineering Society, directly or indirectly overseeing all other roles, and the face of EngSoc and the Engineering student body as a whole.

0.1 # General Responsibilities

  1. 0.1.1 # The President sets the overall direction/vision of the Society for their term.
  2. 0.1.2 # The President ensures the overall sustainability of the organization, including by filling in for vacant roles as necessary.
  3. 0.1.3 # The President and the other Officers are jointly responsible for providing one of two required signatures for the release of EngSoc funds; the President and VP Finance are jointly responsible for providing the other.

0.2 # Impact to Students

  1. 0.2.1 # The President enables and ensures that all other EngSoc position-holders bring the benefits they provide to the students entitled to those benefits.

0.3 # Required Qualifications

  1. 0.3.1 # The President must be in their graduating year throughout their term.
  2. 0.3.2 # The President must have genuine passion for service to every Engineering student.
  3. 0.3.3 # The President must be able to exercise mature, fair, and intelligent judgement at all times, including in urgent situations.

0.4 # Useful Qualifications

  1. 0.4.1 # Extensive experience with EngSoc, ideally some in each Officer portfolio, is an asset.
  2. 0.4.2 # Experience with EngSoc or student club finances is an asset.
  3. 0.4.3 # Experience with Faculty relations is an asset.

0.5 # Role Takeaways

  1. 0.5.1 # A President missing qualifications in section 0.4 may gain them by exercising the role.
  2. 0.5.2 # The President's role as ultimate representative of the student body makes them an attractive candidate for event invitee, personal connection, guest speaker, panelist, student advisory group member, committee member, etc. which results in unique connection opportunities.
  3. 0.5.3 # The President role is useful experience for anyone wishing to run a not-for-profit organization after graduation.
  4. 0.5.4 # The President is unique leadership experience which can be cited in future applications for employment, graduate school, etc.

Summary and Structure #

1.0 # Role Summary

  1. 1.0.1 # The President is the literal CEO of EngSoc and leads its "executive branch", managing day-to-day operations of the Society at the top level. The President is also the general external representative of the Society as a whole and the ultimate servant to the student body.

1.1 # Transition

  1. 1.1.1 # The President shall transition their successor as described in the Transition Policy.
  2. 1.1.2 # The outgoing President invites the incoming President to any and all meetings in which the former is a participant in any capacity, where the latter is available and permitted to attend.

1.2 # Executive Structure

  1. 1.2.1 # The President is first among equals among the Officers, and in that sense the following Officers report to the President:
    1. 1.2.1.a # VP Finance
    2. 1.2.1.b # VP Communications
    3. 1.2.1.c # VP Academic
    4. 1.2.1.d # VP Student Life
  2. 1.2.2 # The following Project Directors report to the President:
    1. 1.2.2.a # Alumni & Graduate Outreach Director
    2. 1.2.2.b # Archivist
    3. 1.2.2.c # Equity and Inclusivity Director
    4. 1.2.2.d # External Relations Director
    5. 1.2.2.e # International Transition Director
    6. 1.2.2.f # Iron Pin Director
    7. 1.2.2.g # Orientation Chair
    8. 1.2.2.h # Any Temporary Internal Directors (see Bylaw 2 section 0.1) or Limited Purpose Directors (see Bylaw 2 section 0.2) with no better-fitting overseeing Officer
  3. 1.2.3 # The following Associated Entities have the President as their point of contact:
    1. 1.2.3.a # All Discipline Clubs, through their (Co-)Chairs or Presidents
    2. 1.2.3.b # You're Next Career Network, through its Co-Presidents
    3. 1.2.3.c # Cannon Guard, through its Chief Attiliator
    4. 1.2.3.d # One "Constituency II" student representative on Governing Council, when held by an Engineering student
  4. 1.2.4 # The President takes over the Speaker of the Board's responsibilities when the Speaker is unavailable, unless the Board resolves otherwise.
  5. 1.2.5 # The Business Manager officially reports to the entire Officer team, but in practice the President is their "manager" in an employment sense.
  6. 1.2.6 # The President is ex officio chair of:
    1. 1.2.6.a # Executive Committee, defined in Bylaw 1 section 4.12.2 (see section 2.2.1)
    2. 1.2.6.b # Discipline Club Round Table (DCRT) meetings (see section 2.2.2)
    3. 1.2.6.c # Search and Review Committee, defined in Bylaw 6 (see section 2.2.3)
    4. 1.2.6.d # Awards Committee (by default), defined in the Policy on Awarding Society Awards (see section 2.2.4)

1.3 # Executive Responsibilities

  1. 1.3.1 # Each direct report to the President has its own Manual which should be consulted instead of this section.

1.4 # Reporting Structure

  1. 1.4.1 # The President is accountable to the Board of Directors.
  2. 1.4.2 # The President is an ex officio member of:
    1. 1.4.2.a # Board of Directors
    2. 1.4.2.b # Policy and Structures Committee (PSC), defined in Bylaw 1 section 4.12.4
    3. 1.4.2.c # Skule™ Endowment Fund (SEF) Committee
    4. 1.4.2.d # Faculty Council Executive Committee
    5. 1.4.2.e # Faculty Council (FC)
    6. 1.4.2.f # Provostial Undergraduate Student Advisory Group (PUSAG)
    7. 1.4.2.g # Election Appeals Committee (EAC), defined in Bylaw 3 section 10.0, if requested
    8. 1.4.2.h # The UofT delegations to the ESSCO Presidents' Meeting (PM) and the CFES Summit on the Development of Engineering Societies (SDES)

Manual of Responsibilities #

2.0 # Ongoing Responsibilities

  1. 2.0.1 # Every week, the President hosts the Executive Committee meeting or at minimum receives updates from the Vice Presidents.
  2. 2.0.2 # In each month with a Board of Directors meeting, the President:
    1. 2.0.2.a # Hosts a DCRT meeting to which each Discipline Club Chair is invited to attend or send a representative (as well as, optionally, the VPA and VPSL)
    2. 2.0.2.b # Checks in with each Presidential Project Director in section 1.2.2 (see section 2.2.5 for typical discussion topics)
    3. 2.0.2.c # Meets with the Dean (see section 2.2.6)
    4. 2.0.2.d # Meets with the Vice Dean, Undergraduate (see section 2.2.7)
    5. 2.0.2.e # Meets with the Alumni Relations Office (see section 2.2.8)
    6. 2.0.2.f # Attends the PSC meeting (see section 2.2.9)
    7. 2.0.2.g # Writes an Officer Report covering events since the last Report
    8. 2.0.2.h # Attends the Board of Directors meeting, and:
      1. 2.0.2.h.i # Wears the President's firefighter hard hat
      2. 2.0.2.h.ii # Presents their Officer Report
  3. 2.0.3 # The President normally provides the "overseeing Officer" signature on all cheque requisitions submitted by Presidential Project Directors and Associated Entities.
  4. 2.0.4 # The President and VP Finance approve Interac e-transfers which are set up by the Business Manager.

2.1 # Time-fixed Responsibilities

  1. 2.1.1 # In March and April before their term begins, the incoming President participates in hiring committees for the Presidential Project Directors listed in section 1.2.2
  2. 2.1.2 # In April before their term, or in April or May of their term, the President may attend the annual meeting of the University Affairs Board where levy renewals and fee increases are considered, to answer any questions that UAB members may have.
  3. 2.1.3 # In May of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.3.a # Submits a motion to strike the Executive Committee to the Board of Directors
    2. 2.1.3.b # Submits the Presidential blurb to the F!rosh Handbook
    3. 2.1.3.c # Meets with each Associated Entity representative listed in section 1.2.3 (excluding Discipline Clubs, covered separately) to establish mutual priorities and expectations for the year
    4. 2.1.3.d # Attends Pre-F!rosh along with the other Officers
  4. 2.1.4 # In May and June of their term, the President assists the Business Manager and VP Finance with the annual financial audit where requested.
  5. 2.1.5 # In June of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.5.a # Joins the Skule™ float at the Pride Parade along with the other Officers (either on the float or as a marcher, at the Blue & Gold Committee's discretion)
    2. 2.1.5.b # Reviews the first budget of each Presidential Project Director listed in section 1.2.2 before its submission to the Finance Committee
    3. 2.1.5.c # Attends the ESSCO Presidents' Meeting (PM) along with the External Relations Director
  6. 2.1.6 # In July of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.6.a # Ensures that an Orientation budget has been finalized
    2. 2.1.6.b # May attend a pre-meeting with other student representatives of the SEF Committee
    3. 2.1.6.c # May attend a Summer SEF Committee meeting
  7. 2.1.7 # In August of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.7.a # Assists the Orientation Chair where requested
    2. 2.1.7.b # Prepares and executes a Matriculation performance along with the other Officers
    3. 2.1.7.c # Attends the EngSoc table at Fall Clubs Fair during Orientation along with the other Officers
  8. 2.1.8 # In September of their term, the President attends the CFES Summit on the Development of Engineering Societies (SDES, f.k.a. Presidents' Meeting or PM) along with the External Relations Director
  9. 2.1.9 # In October, December, February, and April of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.9.a # Attends the Provostial Undergraduate Student Advisory Group meeting
    2. 2.1.9.b # Checks in with the VP Academic on any Faculty Council strategy, if applicable
    3. 2.1.9.c # Attends the Faculty Council Executive Committee meeting along with the VP Academic
    4. 2.1.9.d # Attends the Faculty Council meeting along with the VP Academic
  10. 2.1.10 # In October of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.10.a # Attends the Annual General Meeting along with the other Officers
    2. 2.1.10.b # Presents a mid-term report to the Accountability Meeting along with the other Officers
    3. 2.1.10.c # Submits proof to the Ombudsperson of completion of Sexual Violence Prevention and Response training along with the other Officers
  11. 2.1.11 # In November of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.11.a # Shows face at the traditional Skule™ Remembrance Day ceremonies along with the other Officers, and lays the EngSoc wreath at The Soldiers' Tower during the University ceremonies
    2. 2.1.11.b # Attends a pre-meeting with other student representatives of the SEF Committee
    3. 2.1.11.c # Attends the Fall SEF Committee meeting
    4. 2.1.11.d # Attends the Fall Meet & Greet along with the other Officers
  12. 2.1.12 # In December of their term, the President shows face at the traditional Skule™ ceremonies for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, along with the other Officers.
  13. 2.1.13 # In January of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.13.a # Shows face at Godiva Week events and assists the Blue & Gold Committee with them where requested, along with the other Officers
    2. 2.1.13.b # Attends Cannonball (for free) along with the other Officers and possibly gives a speech there if requested by the Director
    3. 2.1.13.c # Attends the EngSoc table at Winter Clubs Fair during Godiva Week along with the other Officers
    4. 2.1.13.d # Chairs the hiring committee for the Orientation Chair
    5. 2.1.13.e # Gives speeches at the Iron Pin Ceremonies
    6. 2.1.13.f # May, depending on the will and budget of the External Relations Director, attend the CFES Canadian Engineering Leadership Conference (CELC) with them
    7. 2.1.13.g # Begins identifying and encouraging potential Officer candidates to run in the Officer elections
  14. 2.1.14 # In February of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.14.a # Submits the Presidential blurb to the Skulebook
    2. 2.1.14.b # May, depending on the will and budget of the External Relations Director, attend the ESSCO Conference on Advocacy & Leadership in Engineering (CALE) with them
    3. 2.1.14.c # Recruits Awards Committee year representatives and opens EngSoc Awards nominations in accordance with the Policy on Awarding Society Awards
    4. 2.1.14.d # Ensures that Awards Committee meetings are held and the awards are decided by early March at the latest
    5. 2.1.14.e # Arranges for the physical awards to be made and delivered before the Alumni Relations Office's Student Leadership Reception
    6. 2.1.14.f # Submits a motion to the Board of Directors to strike the Search & Review Committee as defined in Bylaw 6
    7. 2.1.14.g # Attends a pre-meeting with other student representatives of the SEF Committee
    8. 2.1.14.h # Attends the Winter SEF Committee meeting
    9. 2.1.14.i # Attends the All Candidates Forum to ask questions of Presidential candidates
  15. 2.1.15 # In late February or early March of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.15.a # Attends their Iron Ring ceremony and shows face at the subsequent Skule™ and discipline traditions
    2. 2.1.15.b # May attend an EAC meeting if requested
  16. 2.1.16 # In March of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.16.a # Reviews this Manual and submits any updates to the Committee for comment before adopting them in accordance with Bylaw 1 section 7.2.4.d.
    2. 2.1.16.b # Begins transitioning in the incoming President
    3. 2.1.16.c # Attends Gradball (for free) along with the other & incoming Officers
    4. 2.1.16.d # Attends the Student Leadership Reception hosted by the Alumni Relations Office (including University of Toronto Student Leadership Awards and EngSoc Awards recipients) along with the other Officers
    5. 2.1.16.e # Attends the Spring Meet & Greet along with the other Officers
    6. 2.1.16.f # Chairs one or more meetings of at least the Review component of the Search & Review Committee
    7. 2.1.16.g # Chairs hiring committees for the Presidential Project Directors listed in section 1.2.2 (except those hired in January)
  17. 2.1.17 # In April of their term, the President:
    1. 2.1.17.a # Reaches out to past Presidents to arrange dinner with the new President
    2. 2.1.17.b # Swears in the new President at the April Board of Directors Meeting

2.2 # Presidential Meeting Agendas

  1. 2.2.1 # For the Executive Committee:
    1. 2.2.1.a # Each regular meeting agenda typically includes:
      1. 2.2.1.a.i # Personal/mental health check-ins for each Officer
      2. 2.2.1.a.ii # Updates from each Officer's portfolio
      3. 2.2.1.a.iii # Updates on action items which were not done as of last meeting
      4. 2.2.1.a.iv # Any other business that arises that week
    2. 2.2.1.b # In addition to the items above, the first meeting typically establishes:
      1. 2.2.1.b.i # The expectation to keep confidential anything discussed at Executive Committee meetings or even generally with other Officers
      2. 2.2.1.b.ii # Communication methods (online platforms, response deadlines, etc.)
      3. 2.2.1.b.iii # Responsiveness expectations (response deadlines, quickest ways to reach each Officer, etc.)
      4. 2.2.1.b.iv # Decision making processes (voting, consensus, etc.) and conflict management methods
      5. 2.2.1.b.v # Other commitments (such as travel, courses, employment, etc.) during the Summer, Fall, and Winter semesters
      6. 2.2.1.b.vi # The schedule for regular meetings during each semester
      7. 2.2.1.b.vii # Methods of maintaining wellness throughout the year
  2. 2.2.2 # DCRT meetings typically discuss:
    1. 2.2.2.a # In the Summer, dinner dance arrangements (mainly to avoid bussing and date conflicts)
    2. 2.2.2.b # In the Fall, Iron Ring and after-party arrangements
    3. 2.2.2.c # In the Winter, updates to Discipline Club constitutions, if applicable
    4. 2.2.2.d # Any other business from any member
  3. 2.2.3 # The Search and Review Committee typically discusses:
  4. 2.2.4 # The Awards Committee agenda typically goes as follows:
    1. 2.2.4.a # Welcome and introduction
    2. 2.2.4.b # Assignment of breakout groups
      1. 2.2.4.b.i # Breakout groups should be minimal in size, to consider as many awards in parallel as possible, but should have at least 2 members.
      2. 2.2.4.b.ii # The awards that a breakout group considers should be chosen to minimize the potential conflicts of interest between the nominees and group members, and in no event may a nominee be on a breakout group considering their nomination.
    3. 2.2.4.c # Breakout groups discuss the nominations to which they are assigned
      1. 2.2.4.c.i # If one group finishes before another group, the awards may be reassigned between groups to maximize efficiency.
    4. 2.2.4.d # The full committee reconvenes and each breakout group presents its recommendations and reasons for the awards they considered
      1. 2.2.4.d.i # Any committee members nominated for an award shall be excluded from both discussion and voting on the award.
      2. 2.2.4.d.ii # Any committee members with another conflict of interest may be barred from voting and possibly discussion on the award at the chair's discretion.
    5. 2.2.4.e # The full committee votes on each award in sequence.
  5. 2.2.5 # Each Presidential Project Directorship check-in typically discusses:
    1. 2.2.5.a # Personal/mental health check-in
    2. 2.2.5.b # Any matters which the Director wishes to discuss first
    3. 2.2.5.c # Review of Directorship budget and timeline for the year
    4. 2.2.5.d # General updates since last check-in
    5. 2.2.5.e # Any other business from either side
  6. 2.2.6 # Common topics at meetings with the Dean include:
    1. 2.2.6.a # Faculty finances
    2. 2.2.6.b # EngSoc requests for Faculty funding
    3. 2.2.6.c # Business brought by the President on behalf of other EngSoc parties
    4. 2.2.6.d # Whatever's on the Dean's mind that day
    5. 2.2.6.e # Yap
  7. 2.2.7 # Common topics at meetings with the Vice Dean, Undergraduate include:
    1. 2.2.7.a # Discipline Club/Departmental matters and/or academic advocacy, subject to the VP Academic's strategy
    2. 2.2.7.b # Yap
  8. 2.2.8 # Each meeting with the Alumni Relations Office typically discusses:
    1. 2.2.8.a # Any business related to the Student Leadership Reception
    2. 2.2.8.b # Requests for promotion from either side
    3. 2.2.8.c # Updates from the Alumni Relations Office on their work
    4. 2.2.8.d # Yap
  9. 2.2.9 # Each PSC meeting typically discusses:
    1. 2.2.9.a # In June, election of the PSC Chair
    2. 2.2.9.b # In August and November, Bylaw 3
    3. 2.2.9.c # Any other business brought forward by Members