So it goes…

To everyone who supported my campaign… thanks a lot… you guys are all fantastic, and are the very reason I got as far in the campaign as I did. It didn’t happen this time around, but all of the support I got from all of you was an inspiration.

Thank you all SO MUCH!!

I had an amazing time the last couple of weeks, and it was all a result of your help. Everything I set out to do in this campaign, well, except for that one big thing, I’ve reached, and I’m happy to call my campaign a success. It was always about more than just being President, and I’m glad I can look deep down and take out more positives from this than I could have even imagined when I was getting started. I did everything I could, and I’m happy.

Don’t let it end here though, keep being interested in what the AMS is doing, from the new SUB renewal plan, to the uPass, to a plethora of other things, the AMS does a lot for us students, and much of it goes unnoticed. Be involved… you ALL have a powerful voice… use it! Let’s all be a part of our campus community… and of our future.

I will be, and I hope to see you right next to me making our wonderful, beautiful, and amazing campus everything we envision it to be.

Thanks again for your support. You’ve ALL made a difference already. Don’t stop making a difference. Our campus will be better for it.

♥ each and every single of you

VOTING IS LIVE!!!

Well, the elections are into the home stretch, and voting is now LIVE!

VOTE HERE: http://adm.ams.ubc.ca/Elections2009/

The AMS is using Condorcet voting this year, which means instead of voting for only one candidate, you get to rank your selections based on preference.

If you want some more info on how it works, check out the following VFM blog entries:
http://radicalbeer.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/condorcet-exploded/
http://ubcinsiders.blogspot.com/2009/01/condorcet-voting.html

On the topic of VFMs… make sure to take this vote seriously too. A lot of the bloggers and other media folk have invested a lot of time and effort to help inform everyone on the elections, and deserve some recognition. So, make sure to take a look at all of the entries running, and vote for those who deserve some cash!

Alma Mater

So, I was writing my responses to Gossip Guy’s Interview Questions … question one challenged to respond in iambic pentameter, I one-upped him and went with a full out Shakespearean sonnet that I’m quite fond of

Lo, a new horizon peers through the dark,
Forty thousand rise to bask in glory,
By highways, bridges now we make our mark,
And those thousands now will know our story,
We will build those bridges where there are none,
And where they are slowly crumbling to the ground,
Not to rest, not to love, till all is done,
The voices, screams, and laughter now will sound,
For those we see who cannot sit and wait,
to the light of morrow the die is cast,
the new eyes of the future stand to fate,
to them, forever will the torch be passed,
that is our hope and what we hope to gain,
the voices joined as one we won’t contain.

Expanding the Portfolio Series: Part 1

Working with, not against student development and the VP Students’ portfolio.

Why wasn’t there a visible showing from the AMS at the SLC? Even last year, despite his unfortunate choice of attire, Jeff Friedrich was a member of the SLC panel. Furthermore, the AMS workshop planned by Mike Duncan and Alex Lougheed was cancelled. Granted, Mike Duncan was unavailable for it due to flight delays, but VP Academic Alex Lougheed could have stepped up to the plate, but didn’t. There were also further cases of antagonism, and the two groups had a difficult time communicating. The New to UBC and FYI newsletters reach the majority of students on campus, yet the AMS does not have a representative sitting on the committee.

I believe we need to work together with University programs that have the same ultimate goal the AMS does, improving student life. We cannot look at them as the boogeyman. By combining the strengths of the AMS with the VP Students’ portfolio, we will be able to both promote the AMS, and combine our programs and resources to benefit students. I have solid connections with various programs in the VP Students’ portfolio and student development including the SLC, LEAP, communications, Residence Life, and orientations. This used to fall under the ECSS’s workload, but clearly that workload was excessive last year. Using my already established rapport, I believe that those liaisons falling under my portfolio would be valuable, while allowing the ECSS to focus more on AMS services.

At the same time, I need a team, and especially a strong VP Academic that will be able to challenge me on those viewpoints, and represent a different side of the picture. With my strong leadership, we will work to bridge those gaps with solutions that will ultimately benefit students and campus life.

Debate 1: Check.

Friday saw the first of three presidential debates. It was an interesting experience, considering I’ve never been in one before. If anyone wants a recap, the Radical Beer Tribune did a great liveblog of it, so check that out.

Next is another debate on Monday at noon in the SUB conversation pit, so come check it out. Candidates running for other positions are going to be speaking for the first time as well, and that’ll be very interesting to see. There are a lot of fascinating ideas I got from reading over the different posters all over campus, not to mention facebook groups. If you haven’t joined mine yet *cough* DO IT *cough*.

I also did some postering today! Luckily with good looks like mine, people shouldn’t be getting sick of seeing my face everywhere the next couple of weeks!

Finally on the Campaign Trail

Well, the long awaited day is finally here!

As if the first day of campaigning wasn’t busy enough already, it’s really starting off with a BANG! The very first presidential debate is this afternoon, just three hours after the official start of campaigning.

It’s at noon in the SUB conversation pit, so if you actually see this blog post before then, GO CHECK IT OUT. I’ll be explaining my platform, and most likely answering some hard hitting questions about whether my lack of AMS council experience is a detriment to chances of winning this thing. Short answer: NO. For the long answer, come out to the debate… or at the very least, check out my FAQ.

Also, check out the ubyssey who’ve already hit the ground running with their election coverage. Their election preview article (despite spelling my name wrong), gives a brief overview of who’s running for which position. They say I’ve got a tough struggle to match my opponents. It’s true, they’ve done a lot of great work in their respective positions, but this campaign isn’t about the past. Especially now, standing on the precipice of the future of UBC student life. I’m the clear underdog in this election. It’ll just drive me to work harder, and I don’t mind that one bit.

I’m stoked for the next few weeks, and I’m looking forward to meeting you, and I want to hear from all of you as much as possible, so give me your best (and worst).

Day 1, here I come, and I’ll see you all on the campaign trail.

Paul