UNews - vice-president administration

Kassam eager for challenge

trevor.kenney — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:54:58 +0000

While it may have taken two votes to fill out executive council and general assembly, there was no question who students wanted as their next ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union president.

ULSU president-elect Taz Kassam, a BA and BMgt student, is one of only four women to ever hold the position and she is looking forward to the challenge.

"I am deeply appreciative of the support, both during and following the election," says Kassam. "I am very excited about the opportunities ahead and am ready to serve as a representative for the ULSU."

Due to a lack of nominations in the general election, the Students' Union was forced to hold a by-election to fill out remaining vacancies on executive council and general assembly.

Kassam will be working with Allan Hall, vice-president administration, who held this position last year; Keith McLaughlin, vice-president academic. The position of vice-president Internal Affairs, will be decided in a by-election, which was held after the public.

"I'm excited to pass the torch to next year's executive team," says Alex Massé, vice-president academic. "They're all solid people with relevant experience. They've also been very perceptive of some of the areas that they can improve upon over the past year."

Kassam is no stranger to the ULSU as she has been an active volunteer for the organization. The 22-year old, who grew up in Calgary but has called Lethbridge home for the last five years, does not lack the skills necessary to be successful in the demanding position of ULSU President. She acquired invaluable experience while serving on the executive council with the Management Students' Society and Jeux de Commerce West Business Competition, where she served as event co-ordinator of the 5th Annual Chillin' for Charity Polar Bear Dip that raised more than $16,000 for the Lethbridge United Way.

Kassam aspires to decrease student apathy through activism and communication. She describes her platform as one that encompasses a grassroots approach, and she has decided to work on matters that will most benefit students. After all, ULSU is an organization for the students, and run by the students.

"I believe the low levels of student engagement stem from a lack of communication from the ULSU and a lack of knowledge about the Students' Union," says Kassam. "It is my hope, along with the executive council, to reverse this increase in student apathy and decline in student empowerment. The longer we travel on this road the less likely the opinion of the student will matter."

Increasing the importance of post-secondary education in the eyes of the government is important to Kassam and she intends to battle this by generating student involvement through lobbying efforts for affordable and quality education.

The ULSU 2010/2011 General Assembly currently includes Andrew Williams, Lisa Rodych, Zack Moline, Tyrell Dasilva, Shane Groarke and Cole Schneider, who are all arts and science representatives; Kyle Hammond as the organization of residence students representative. The remaining General Assembly positions will also be decided in a by-election. Visit www.ulsu.ca for full election results.

The ULSU exists to represent students' interests at the provincial and federal levels of government and to provide value-added services, spaces and programs to enhance the campus community.

Rotaract curling bonspiel on Saturday

trevor.kenney — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0000

As part of World Rotaract Week, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Rotaract Club will be holding its first curling bonspiel in support of the Lethbridge & Interfaith Food Banks as well as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Student Food Bank.

Rotaract invites the community to join them on Saturday, Mar. 13 at the Lethbridge Curling Club from 3 to 5 p.m. for a family-friendly afternoon of curling and fellowship.

"This isn't going to be a competitive event," says Rotaract vice-president administration, Samantha Gilbert. "It's just a chance for Rotaract, Rotary and community members to spend a fun afternoon together in support of local food banks."

Although this is Rotaract's first bonspiel this is not their first World Rotaract Week event. Every year Rotaract clubs from around the world commemorate the charter of the first Rotaract Club in North Carolina in 1968. Past World Rotaract Week projects have included hosting a pancake breakfast at the YWCA and picking up garbage around the U of L campus.

"We're excited to be supporting the local food banks this year, including the Student Food Bank at the U of L," says Gilbert. "Local Rotary clubs are also supporting them this month as part of Food Bank Month and we wanted to do our part."

Community members of all ages are encouraged to register their team of four by contacting rotaract@uleth.ca by Friday, Mar. 12 to register. Cost is $10/person to register, along with a non-perishable food item donation. Olympic theme costumes are encouraged, with prizes for the best costumes.

The U of L Rotaract Club is a not-for-profit service club that is part of the Rotary International.

With over 7,000 Rotaract clubs in 163 countries worldwide, the U of L Rotaract Club fundraises, volunteers and most importantly raises awareness for both local and international need.

For more information, contact Samantha Gilbert (403-715-4970).

Kassam elected ULSU President

trevor.kenney — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:39:49 +0000

Management student Taz Kassam is the President-elect of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) and the fourth woman to hold the position since the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's founding in 1967.

Kassam's executive team includes Allan Hall, a veteran SU contributor who returns to the SU governing body as vice-president administration, and Keith McLaughlin, a former news editor of the Meliorist and recent winner of the SACPA Student Speaker Challenge, as vice-president academic.

More than 21 per cent of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students cast their ballots last week in the ULSU 2010/2011 General Election.

"I'm excited to pass the torch to next year's executive team," says Alex Massé, the current vice-president academic. "They're all solid people with relevant experience. They've also been very perceptive of some of the areas that they can improve upon over the current year."

Kassam, who takes office May 1, 2010, says she was deeply appreciative of the support, both during and following the election.

"I am very excited about the opportunities ahead and am ready to serve as a representative for the ULSU."

The position of vice-president internal affairs remains vacant; the ULSU is currently in the process of running a by-election to fill this position and other general assembly positions that are also vacant for the 2010/2011 year.

"We have a phenomenal and talented group of people who have just been elected and I am just as excited to find out the results of those who are running in the by-election, which will complete the ULSU team," says Kassam.

The ULSU 2010/2011 General Assembly currently includes Andrew Williams, Lisa Rodych, Zack Moline, Tyrell DaSilva, Shane Groarke and Cole Schneider, who are all arts and science representatives; Kyle Hammond is the Organization of Residence Students Representative.

The ULSU exists to represent students' interests at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as well as on the provincial and federal levels of government and to provide value-added services, spaces and programs to enhance the campus community.

Governance proves invaluable

trevor.kenney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:26:56 +0000

Different people can take different things out of the same experience.

So it is with members of the 2009-2010 Students' Union Executive Council, who share what they learned in student governance over the past year and how it has impacted their ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ careers.

Jeremy Girard, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) president, had been involved with the organization for three years prior to deciding to run for executive council.

He recognized the value of the ULSU to the student body and decided that he had the capacity to lead the organization in continued progress, trying to make it more professional, accountable and valuable to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community.

"There is no doubt in my mind that I have a sharp advantage, in terms of governing, managerial, professional, financial and communication skills, for getting the career I want, whatever that may be," says Girard of the experience.

Cole Lehto, vice-president internal affairs, ran for council because he was interested in expanding the activities he took part in during his academic term.

"I felt I had done a lot of things in my life, I wanted to be able to say I've been more than a student and this has been a great step in that direction," says Lehto. "I think the main reason you should get involved in anything during your time as a student is to broaden your scope and perspective."

Alex Massé, vice-president academic, has a less romantic take on why he pursued public office. He says he ran for council, simply, for something to do.

"I had no big plans or grand ideas. It just seemed like something I'd do ok at," says Massé.

Calling it a very rewarding position socially, Massé says he was able to meet a variety of fun and motivated people that he otherwise would never have crossed paths with.

"I think I'll gain a lot more from the personal growth I've undergone than from the additional point on my résumé," says Massé.

Allan Hall, vice-president administration, had always been thinking about running for council.

"I wanted to run for office because I wanted to help make the campus a better place for students," says Hall.

Hall says he has grown from the experience and become a well-rounded person throughout the last year.

"I have learned a lot about human resources, non-profit governance, public relations and countless other things," Hall says.

UNews - vice-president administration

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