Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on April 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Jonathan Swift Theatre, Arts Block (2041A). This is where we’ll elect next year’s committee, vote on proposed constitutional amendments, and reflect on the society’s activities over the past year.
To nominate yourself for a committee position, email dupa@csc.tcd.ie with your name and the position(s) you would like to run for before the meeting begins. Candidates will give short speeches — 2 minutes max for Executive positions (Chair, Secretary, Treasurer), and 1 minute max for all other roles. Elections will follow in constitutional order, and if you’re not elected to your chosen position, you may run for any remaining roles as the meeting continues.
You must be a paid member of DUPA at least 24 hours in advance of the AGM in order to run for a position and/or vote.
Even if you’re not running, we strongly encourage you to attend — we must reach quorum to proceed with elections and votes. This is also your chance to vote on constitutional amendments and have a say in how DUPA is run.
If you’d like to propose a motion to amend the constitution, it must be submitted no later than five working days before the AGM (by April 7, 2026), and it will be circulated to members with a final agenda at least three days in advance.
View the current constitution here.
The following positions are up for election:
Below are descriptions for each role.
The Executive Committee is responsible for the leadership, governance, and overall coordination of DUPA. These officers ensure the smooth and sustainable operation of the society and support the work of the wider committee. The Executive Committee includes the Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer.
To run for an Executive Committee position, candidates must have served on the DUPA committee for at least one full session. If no eligible candidate comes forward, nominations will be opened to all fully paid-up members of the society.
The Chairperson is responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the society. They oversee the general running of DUPA, chair all meetings, and act as the society’s representative in official matters with the college and external organisations. The Chair also shares responsibility for DUPA’s finances and the society library. Strong organisational and interpersonal skills are essential, as the Chair must support and coordinate the work of all committee members, manage competing priorities, and maintain oversight of the society’s projects. This role also involves effective communication with guest speakers, vendors, sponsors, and other societies.
The Secretary is responsible for managing DUPA’s internal and external communications and maintaining accurate records of the society’s operations. Core responsibilities include preparing agendas, recording and circulating minutes from all meetings, writing weekly email updates to members, and maintaining the official membership list. The Secretary also oversees correspondence, ensuring prompt responses to emails and directing queries to the appropriate committee members when necessary. This role requires strong written communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to organise and manage information effectively. The Secretary is also involved in advertising and printing for the society, maintaining historical records, and acting as a liaison between DUPA, the Central Societies Committee, and relevant external contacts.
The Treasurer oversees all financial matters of the society. This includes maintaining the accounts, collecting membership fees, preparing budgets, and ensuring responsible spending across the society’s activities. The Treasurer works closely with all committee members to allocate funding, apply for grants from the CSC and Trinity Alumni Fund, and pursue sponsorships that support exhibitions, trips, equipment, and the operation of the darkrooms. This role requires a high level of responsibility, good financial management skills, and the ability to keep accurate and up-to-date records.
The General Committee is responsible for delivering the society’s events, workshops, exhibitions, services, and day-to-day operations. Each officer has a defined area of responsibility, from running the darkrooms and organising trips to managing equipment, communications, and classes. These roles are ideal for members who want to actively contribute to DUPA’s programming, develop leadership skills, and support fellow photographers across all levels of experience.
All fully paid-up members of DUPA are eligible to run for a General Committee position.
The Senior Darkroom Officer is responsible for overseeing the organisation, maintenance, and safe operation of DUPA’s darkrooms located in House 6 and the Atrium. They manage the booking system, refresh chemicals, maintain equipment, and ensure that all users follow darkroom procedures. The role includes managing the distribution of materials and resources among members and maintaining an up-to-date inventory in collaboration with the Equipment Officer. The Senior Darkroom Officer also organizes workshops for members and is expected to be regularly available to provide access to the darkrooms. Strong organisational skills and a solid understanding of analogue photography and darkroom processes are essential.
The Junior Darkroom Officer supports the Senior Darkroom Officer in the upkeep and operation of DUPA’s darkroom facilities in both House 6 and the Atrium. This includes assisting with equipment maintenance, helping to run workshops, and ensuring darkroom rules are followed. The role is well suited to someone with a strong interest in analogue photography and a willingness to learn—effectively serving as a training position for those who may wish to take on the Senior role in future years. The Junior Darkroom Officer is also expected to be regularly available to let members into the darkrooms.
The Exhibitions Officer is responsible for planning and delivering DUPA’s exhibitions, with two typically held each semester. These exhibitions exist to display and promote the work of society members. The officer organises submission processes, manages selection and curation, liaises with venues and printers, and coordinates installation. They may also form and lead a subcommittee to support the planning and delivery of each exhibition. This role requires strong organisational and communication skills, attention to detail, and an interest in showcasing creative work to the wider community.
The Public Relations Officer is responsible for managing DUPA’s online presence and external communications. This includes overseeing the society’s social media accounts, website, and general publicity. The PRO ensures that members are informed about events and opportunities, responds to messages and queries, and shares regular updates across platforms. They also attend events, take or collect photographs, and ensure prompt publication of event coverage. The PRO works closely with the VCO to produce and schedule promotional materials. Strong communication and time management skills are key to this role.
The Visual Communications Officer is responsible for maintaining DUPA’s visual identity and producing all promotional graphics for the society’s events, announcements, and campaigns. Working in close collaboration with the PRO, the VCO creates visuals that are cohesive, timely, and reflective of the society’s aesthetic. A key part of the role is ensuring that DUPA’s events and activities are communicated consistently, coherently, and effectively to the wider student and staff community. This role requires proficiency in graphic design tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign,as well as attention to detail and the ability to uphold a unified visual presence across platforms.
The Classes & Speakers Officer is responsible for organising and delivering a regular programme of educational events for DUPA members, including weekly classes and talks led by committee members, society members, or external professionals. They are expected to coordinate logistics, liaise with speakers, and work with the PRO and VCO to ensure events are well advertised and attended. This role requires strong organisation and a high level of commitment to planning and delivering a consistent calendar of events, confirmed well in advance. A good understanding of what members are interested in learning is essential, along with the ability to seek out new and engaging topics, speakers, and formats throughout the year. The officer may also collaborate with the Darkroom Officers on analogue photography workshops.
The Equipment Officer is responsible for managing DUPA’s photography equipment, including cameras, lenses, accessories, and tripods. This involves overseeing the rental system, maintaining accurate records, ensuring timely repairs, and preventing loss or damage. The officer holds weekly office hours to facilitate equipment rentals and works closely with the Senior Darkroom Officer to manage shared stock and supplies. They are also responsible for conducting full inventories three times per year and developing an annual acquisitions plan to meet member needs. Technical knowledge of photographic gear and strong organisational skills are essential for this role.
The Travel Officer plans and coordinates all DUPA trips, including the society’s primary international photography trip as well as local photo walks and excursions. They are responsible for logistics, scheduling, and working with the Treasurer to develop and manage trip budgets. This officer must be a confident and reliable leader, capable of managing group travel while fostering a safe and engaging experience for all participants. Strong research, planning, and communication skills are key, along with an enthusiasm for curating photographic opportunities beyond campus.
The Social Events Officer is responsible for creating and maintaining a regular social calendar for DUPA, with events designed to build community and foster informal discussion around photography. These include coffee hours, pub nights, photobook mornings, themed socials, and film screenings. The officer is expected to attend and oversee each event and work collaboratively with the Travel Officer on local field trips. They may also on occasion liaise with other societies to organise joint events. Strong organisational and interpersonal skills are essential for this role.
In addition to the specific duties of their roles, all DUPA committee members are expected to:
Being part of the DUPA committee is a rewarding experience that offers both practical perks and personal growth. Committee members receive:
Before running for a DUPA committee position, please note the following requirements and expectations:
Please reach out to us with any questions by emailing dupa@csc.tcd.ie.