A much needed update

Hello everyone, I apologize for not updating the blog sooner. Having filled out the application for recognition of the Youth Wing Association of the Newfoundland and Labrador First Party by the MUNSU deadline, it will be time to establish a transitional executive between this semester and the Fall 2008 semester. Having realized that most clubs and societies on campus put up posters advertising nomination meetings, and various activities, I believe the Youth Wing is now in a position to do just that.

After correcting a misunderstanding on the application process (turned out the 7-page application forum was the ratification forum, NOT the recognition one. The recognition forum is a simple one-page double-sided sheet that can be filled out in 20 minutes or less, in comparison to the more cumbersome ratification forum). With this established, I am now aware that the Digital Media Centre at MUN is where most clubs and societies produce their posters, with quick haste and generous prices.

However, there is another issue outstanding. As a student who's applying into the MUN Faculty of Social Work, I realize that I will take on more of an administrative function, instead of the more 'social activist' stance I was taking before. This is long overdue, seeing as prospective Social Work students are expected to be politically aware, but impartial and not taking explicit stances on programs such as VOCM's Open line. In the future, sending e-mails to VOCM, getting the advertising posters printed and distributed, having nomination meetings, organizing the grassroots,etc... shall be my future role.

Although it was necessary for me to have a more 'hands-on approach' in the early phase of the Youth Wing, to continue doing so any longer would not only jeopardize my ability to get into the Faculty of Social Work, but also the growth potential of the Youth Wing. Having spoken with my friend from Blackhead (who's interested in the Secretary and Treasurer positions), and a few of my other friends, I have a transition team in mind.

But up until now, my own failure to get posters printed advertising such Executive positions limited the amount of prospective positions.Moving ahead with organizing the Youth Wing in the way expressed above won't be possible for at least another week or two. With the Facebook Group up and running, having put the name of the Newfoundland and Labrador First Party out there on campus, and having heard the concerns of the young people i've met. It will be necessary to begin doing up posters advertising the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, President, Vice-President, and Communications/Logistics in the near future.

Having experimented with different means of electronic outreach (Facebook and this blog), we now need to reach out via posters, advertisements in the Muse, and such. With rooms such as 'The Loft' and 'The Landing' in the UC (University Centre), any group that is recognized or ratified on campus can book such rooms for meetings. As for office space, there's a 3-4 waiting list, meaning that i'll need to consult with various groups on campus on the option of sharing office space. With the MUNSU 2008 General Elections complete a week or so ago, i'm now more aware of how the MUNSU (MUN Student Union works).

Given the amount of stories i've heard about people having to sometimes wait 3-4 months to secure student loans, a lack of support on the Residency Tenant Act's application on MUN residents students and other core issues, a Policy Assistant to the President and Vice-President of the Youth Wing may be necessary to keep up to date on such matters.

Although the Youth Wing may not be as far developed as i'd originally envisioned, much more can be learned from the failures and successes of other group's strategies than simply blindly following one's own vision.