On these pages...
1: Student Activities & Development Officer
2: Diana Langford
3: Anson Li
4: Heather Walker

Heather Walker

Student Activities & Development Officer

Who am I?

Hi guys and girls, my name’s Heather and I’m hoping to be next year’s Student Activity Development Officer (aka S.A.D.O!) I’m currently fighting my way through the third year of my course in Film Studies and Entertainment Technology, (and no it’s not just watching films!) With your help and support I want to shake things up!

What do I do?

I’m currently a member of the Women’s Rugby Team (if you need proof check out the bruises on my legs!) which I joined this year and am loving every minute of. Being in this awesome society really opened my eyes to all the hard work and vast opportunities available within all the Union societies. From the Fantasy Role Play Society to Football and from the People and Planet Society to Power Kiting, there are so many to choose from, so many innovative people and creative ideas, I know I have to get in on the act.

What am I like?

If I had to describe myself in three words it would be; ambitious, enthusiastic and positive. I like having something to work for and I like achieving my goals. I believe that enthusiasm is key in being happy with your job or work and positivity is a trait which I feel is essential in maintaining a healthy mentality. I love working in a team as well as independently and see myself as a good mediator, I’m diplomatic, easy-going and a good listener.

What experience have I had?

I was lucky enough to travel around New Zealand two years ago with ISV (International Student Volunteers) and while I was there I took part in a conservation programme in Hawkes Bay in restoring and saving a National Trust Rainforest. This experience was amazing. It was hard work but seeing the end results was well worth it. For me, there is no greater feeling than knowing you have worked so hard for such a worthy cause and it has paid off. You achieved, with others, what you set out to do. It is this type of feeling which drives me forward and spurs me on to always try my hardest, no matter how narrow the path may seem.

My main objectives:

• To run a fortnightly Student and Societies Volunteer Programme whereupon individuals, or societies (who wish to take part) spend a few hours either working with, teaching or simply entertaining underprivileged kids, the elderly from care homes or the disabled.
• Summer schools operate within the Union over the summer holidays- why can’t we make this a regular occurrence?
• Promote all non sports related societies. Although sport is an integral part of Portsmouth University, other non-sport related societies can be overlooked although they are equally important. I want to hold events which promote and re-establish these societies.
• I want to provide a friendly, open minded service to students and make them feel they can come to me with any ideas they may have, or events they want to run.

Why vote for me?

• Let me act as your voice on matters which most concern you.
• Let me show you what I am capable of.
• Let me help you to make your days at Portsmouth Uni, the best days of your lives.

BE CLEVER AND VOTE FOR HEATHER! xxx

Word Associations

• Charity: Give what you can.
• Volunteering: Self-less work.
• Development: Progress.
• FUN: Bouncy castle!
• Funding: Money matters.

Questions

1. What do you envisage the role of S.A.D.O to be?
I envisage the role of S.A.D.O to be an important and hard-working yet interesting and exciting one. With new concepts, ideas and schemes in constant flow, I feel this role will change with the times and provide a vital link between the students and societies with the Union. With a strong focus on charity and volunteer schemes I believe the role will have an explosive impact on the Union.

2. What experience do you have that might suit you to this role?
The experience I have which I feel suits me to the role of S.A.D.O is that I am, of course, a student! I know how students work, what they think, what they want and what they drink! From donating a few pence to the old geezer who works for the Lifeboat Charity and getting a sticker to working in a rainforest in New Zealand in the winter and getting serious splinters; altruism is my middle name!

3. This position becomes much easier with student participation. How do you plan on getting students involved with your ideas?
Bribery! Seriously, I hope that most students would be willing to help out for a worthy cause once in a while. I want to get to know all the society presidents and make them feel they can come to me with their ideas any time. I want to liase with the M.A.P.O in marketing my current schemes and make extensive use of advertising in Pugwash, Purple Wednesday, Pure FM and www.upsu.net.

4. Why is volunteering important and why should students get involved?
They’ve no excuse not to! Volunteering is important because it brings out the best in you and is for a worthy cause. It brings out the selfless, enthusiastic, willing and considerate side to people which many people lack in their jobs over time. Students are young, fresh, creative and not afraid to speak their minds. From all kinds of religion, races and nationalities I feel students create an eclectic mix.

5. Societies are also another huge part of this role. If you could invent your own society what would it be and why?
The Brad Pitt Society?! I feel all religious symbols should be worshipped! Maybe not. I’d like to invent the Backpackers Society whereupon students who have travelled, want to travel again or for the first time can come together and discuss ideas on how to raise money for travelling. They could focus on different types of backpacking trips such as adventure or volunteer and share stories, tips and advice.

6. What qualities do you have that make you the best Union S.A.D.O?
I enjoy responsibility and leadership and work well individually and in a team. I’m positive, ambitious and pro-active and believe actions can speak louder than words. I’m easy-going, level headed and diplomatic yet I will argue a matter to the death if I feel strongly about it! I’m a good listener, don’t take myself too seriously and I find humour is the best medicine. (Along with chocolate of course!)

7. As a Sabbatical Officer, networking is essential and important; what is your best networking line?
‘Hey someone’s farted, lets get out of here’. If it doesn’t make them laugh or appreciate the advance warning then they’re obviously not worth the effort!