On this page...

• Video: my one minute speech
• My manifesto
• Favourite quote
• Candidate questions and answers
• Word associations
• Most-admired person

My one-minute candidate video

My manifesto

Hi everyone, my name is Ella, I'm just finishing up an economics degree and I hope to be your next Student Activities and Development Officer (SADO). While at uni I have played rugby and been greatly involved with the social planning side.

I do not want to come into this position and drastically change things; I'm not the sort of person who wants to stamp my name all over it, as it doesn't need it. Why fix something that isn't broken? I simply want to continue the good work that Diana and Ben have started, and take things forward.

I want to see the development of the societies continue as it has been, with participation increasing once again. I'd like the societies to make development plans so that we see them all progress yearly. I want societies to publicise a lot more and to reach a wider audience. Everyone is bombarded by the sporto's, why not the societies too? I want to see societies put firmly on the university map.

I want to massively promote volunteering in the Union as the Union is largely seen as just a big drunken mess of a place, far too few people actually know the amazing volunteering projects we run. I want to increase participation and in turn who knows, more volunteering awards may follow!

I want to improve funding for the whole SADO role. The role currently receives a very small portion of the total sabbatical budget and I don't think this is fair. Societies have worked hard at increasing their participation and now have nearly equal participation to the sports clubs, but they have less than a sixth of the sports budget! Does that sound fair to you?!

And I want to see rewards for those societies that stick to budget. At the moment there is absolutely no incentive to stay within budget because if you do, any money you have saved is taken and given to someone who cannot manage to stay within their budget.

Something I really want to achieve as your new Student Activities and Development Officer is to massively promote diversity in the Union. This is something I'm really passionate about. Our university is vibrantly multicultural but the Union far from represents this.

Favourite quote

“What some folks call impossible is just stuff they haven’t seen before.” - Robin Williams in ‘What Dreams May Come'

Candidate questions and answers

1 What do you envisage the role of SADO to be?

To continue to build on the success Diana and Ben have achieved. To continue to increase the profile of societies, to develop and encourage them and increase participation levels. Publicising the volunteering opportunities we offer and providing more of them.

2 What experience do you have that might suit you to the role?

I have been involved RAG whilst at uni and have raised money for charity doing sponsored skydiving. I don't have much experience of societies, as I've played rugby while at uni, but am familiar with the way the Union runs through playing rugby, so I'd fit in perfectly!

3 This position becomes much easier with student participation. How do you plan on getting students involved with your ideas?

I'm planning a Slow Dating night; speed dating for pensioners – who wouldn't want to be involved in that?! I plan on listening to the student's ideas and making them happen. I will listen attentively to the society executive as they will have the best idea of what the societies want.

4 Why is volunteering important?

Because the smallest of effort on someone's part, can mean the absolute world to those in need of it.

5 Societies are also are another huge part of this role. If you could invent your own society what would it be?

The I Love Grandparents Society; where we all celebrate our Grandparent's wisdom and greatness and go on trips to their houses for cups of tea with them.

6 What qualities do you have that make you the best Union SADO?

I am very friendly and approachable. I am a great listener and will act upon suggestions. I have a strong passion to do good for others. I am extremely hard working and will persevere and put my all into serving and representing the student body.

7 As a Sabbatical Officer networking is essential and important; what is your best networking line?

Hi, I suffer from amnesia. Do I come here often?

Word associations

• Charity: shop
  
• Volunteering: support
  
• Development: progression
  
• Diversity: equality
  
• Funding: life-line 

Most-admired person

Nelson Mandela is a man I admire greatly. I have been aware of him since I was tiny as my mum always talked about him. I apparently used to stand out the front of my house and tell everyone who passed that they should free Nelson Mandela.

This quote from him sums it up I think: “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people.

"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.

"It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”