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 ya Guys and Girls!

My name is Caz Bird, I'm in my final year of a Sports Science degree, and running to be your next Student Support Officer. Throughout my time in Pompey I have been actively involved in university life, socially and academically.

I have been club captain and social sec for the netball club, a course rep for two years, and an active member of the AU Exec. I have also raised over £200 for RAG and volunteered at the OAP Valentines Day dinner!

Why Vote For Me?

I'm enthusiastic, work well within a team and have the motivation to devote 100% into supporting students. I aim to decrease problems that students have and ensure that their university experience is everything it should be. I have a passion and drive to fight for students' rights and for what they believe in, be that; top up fees or housing problems.

If elected my main objectives would be:

• Promote a campaign every other month that affects all students and that can help raise awareness within the student population. Some of these would be; Sexual health awareness, RAG week and Healthy Living.
• Spread the word of what a sabbatical officer does, and inform students, especially freshers that help is out there. I aim to do this by going into halls and talking to students. I will also set up stalls around campus to seek those that did not know that we are here for them.
• To raise the profile of RAG and increase the amount of money raised. To achieve this I aim to create stronger links between societies and sports clubs by liaising with the Sports Officer, Student Activities Development Officer and their execs to promote ideas.

I am a person who is organised, good at listening and also a good communicator (in other words, I have a big mouth!) I believe these to be a vital part of the job and I am willing to put these into action! At the same time I am a very approachable little Bird with a huge kind nature.

So what now?

If you like what you see and you want this little Bird to represent you and make a difference, then take a stroll to a ballot box on March 12th, 13th or 14th and place a number 1 next to Caz Bird.

Thank you very much XXXX

Favourite quote

“Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.” - Jesse Jackson

Candidate questions and answers

1 What do you envisage the role of student support officer to be?

An opportunity to provide guidance and support to students with any problem that they may have. The role of S.S.O is someone who has the ability to encourage and motivate students to help themselves. They are also responsible for the Ethics, Equality and Diversity Committee and development of RAG.

2 Why should students vote for you as their student support officer?

I have the drive and passion for the job. I thrive on challenges and will go to any lengths to overcome them. I am an outgoing person who can bring enthusiasm to a team and if elected I will do by best to work for the students, with the students!

3 What is the most important thing to remember when supporting the students?

LISTEN to the student! How can you help a student with a problem if you don't understand what it is?

4 What do you think are the most important issues that you would have to fight for as the Student Support Officer?

All students are individual and will have unique problems related to them. No problem is more important than the other. Any problem a student has, needs to be sorted with just as much passion and attention as the next one.

5 As the Student Support Officer it's your responsibility to run the Union campaigns. What would be your top three campaigns and why?

• Sexual Health Awareness: Raising the profile of safe sex and awareness of STI's is essential.
• Healthy Eating: Students need to be educated in what healthy eating is to help them live a healthier lifestyle.
• Breast Cancer: It's rare in younger women but still apparent and is forgotten about in women aged 18 to 25.

6 Part of your role is to organise Union Council. How do you intend to improve and enhance this so that more students attend?

By effective publicity, such as adverts in Pugwash News, UPSU.net and Pure Student Radio. Podcasting previous Union Councils would help students understand what it is. By letting students know what they can get out of Union Council it will encourage them to take part.

7 What would your main agenda item at the Unions AGM?

I can't see into the future and I don't know what could happen by then. Therefore it would depend on what has happened throughout my year as an officer and also on what students want me to put forward.

8 A major part of your portfolio is Raising and Giving (RAG). What ideas do you have for building upon the RAG foundations?

I'd like to build upon its structure, with fortnightly meetings with the committee and monthly meetings with all members, involving brainstorming sessions for new ideas. I'd also like to build the relationship between RAG and sports clubs as I feel there is a gap in the market for raising more money.

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

Do you like pool? Because I've got the rack if you've got the balls!

Word associations

• Support: Students
  
• Welfare: Well Being
  
• Campaigns: Fun   
  
• Elections: Vote Bird
  
• RAG: Charity 

Most-admired person

Lance Armstrong. To win the Tour De France 7 consecutive times after overcoming life-threatening illnesses shows that you should never give up and always have the motivation to succeed.