Student Councilor Report – Winter 2010

Jermyn K.Y. Voon ♦ July 24, 2010 ♦ Leave a comment

Students’ Council of Mount Royal University

Councillor Report

Name: Jermyn K.Y. Voon, Dip.Bus., B.B.A. (Cand.)
Position: Commissioner to the VP Student Life

Email: vpsl.commssioner@samru.ca

Report Period: January 2010 – May 2010 (Winter 2010)

“Listening is a great skill to master. To become a master listener you must master your emotions. Listening is a skill that requires you to be emotionally available. You can’t process and listen at the same time. Listening is about paying attention and being attentive to what is meant not about what is said. Great listeners have great people skills.” –Jeffrey Combs

“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community…Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” – Cesar Chavez

Preamble

The purpose of this councillor report will focus on three main questions: What  have I  been  doing  and  how  has it  helped  the  students  and  the  Students’ Association?  Furthermore how has it helped me develop as a councillor?  This report will cover what I, Jermyn K.Y. Voon, have done as your Commissioner to the VP Student Life.

Meeting work:

Council Meetings: January, February, March & April (approx. 4 hrs/meeting)

I missed one of the student council meetings during the winter semester. The one meeting I missed was due to the fact that I wasn`t feeling well. By attending these council meetings, it has helped me learn how to listen and understand other people’s points of views. By learning how to listen and understand other people’s points of view, I have learned the importance of having a discussion and that nobody is wrong but everyone has part of the truth but the important thing is to come to consensus not necessary agreement with each other.

Point Person Meetings: January, February, March & April (30 mins – 1 hr/meeting)

I have met with VPSL, Eily Sweeney, on a bi-weekly basis, plus held additional meetings as needed. We used these meetings to update each other on what I had been doing, as well as help to clarify any concerns or questions that I had about my role as a councillor. This has been a great tool for me as it helped make my role clearer. These meetings also provided me opportunities to learn what the role of VP Student Life entails. By attending, we have learned the importance of having open and direct communication with each other. As a result, I attended several meetings and filled in for the VPSL on various MRU committees and events.

Strategic Planning Focus Group: (Met 5 times throughout the semester)

I attended all Strategic Planning Focus Group meetings. It was a great learning experience and helped me learn about the importance of coming consensus. It taught me that we all don’t have to agree on everything but it is important that we come to consensus because everyone has part of the truth and that there is no right or wrong ways of doing things even though we are part of the same organization.

Annual General Meeting: (January 26, 2010)

I attended that AGM where the members (students) approved the audited financial statements from last year as well as approving the by-laws changes that were submitted by the By-Law Committee. The AGM was well attended by the members, having an increase in attendance, mostly from club members.

Committee work:

Council Engagement Committee (CEC): (Various Monday night meetings)

It has been an amazing opportunity to sit on the CEC. Our committee has accomplished a great deal this year; from increasing the voter turnout to 10%, assisting in the creation of Wykcan house tour guide as helping with the planning of an end of council bonding session. This committee has achieved a great deal and extremely valuable in the sustainability of the SA.

New Student Orientation Committee Meeting: (February 2, 2010)

I had the opportunity to fill in for the VPSL at this committee meeting. It was a great learning experience as it provided me with some insight as to what VPSL does at the various committees as well as learn about the university plans for the new orientations in the upcoming years.

Events:

New Student Orientation: (January 6, 2010)

I participated in the New Student Orientation. This orientation was for new students at MRU. I gave a tour of Wyckham House to students while explaining the many services the SA has to offer. This taught me how to lead a group of people and helped me gain more confidence in presenting in front of people.

Exam Relief

I am planning to assist with this event but it is yet to commence.

Training:

I didn’t attend any MRU and/or SAMRU professional development sessions this semester.

Other:

CEC: I helped with the planning of Council Bonding session. I booked 5 pin bowling to be held on April 12 from 6:30PM-8:30PM at Mountain View Bowling.

Personal Notes:

I have received a conditional admission to the B.B.A. program for the Fall 2010.

I assisted with in the planning of a political-based conference for our young leaders called “Think Big Conference. Inspiring Canada’s Leaders of Tomorrow” with MacDonald-Cartier Society which, I am Regional Director for Calgary & AB Area. Here is a link to the media coverage of the event: http://www.calgarybeacon.com/2010/03/think-big-conference-attracts-well-known-local-speakers-thinkers/.

I have been interviewed and quoted in the article saying “I just think it’s important that we facilitated discussions.  That’s the big thing we were planning to do as an organization,” “Even though a lot of people didn’t agree with each other, and there were different views on how to approach things, that’s important that we had that big discussion.” “That’s the big idea that we need to talk, and talk with each other.  That’s important.” We were successful in attracting prominent leaders in their respective fields to come and discuss as well as bring big ideas to the table. For example: Dr. Roger Gibbins, President & CEO of the Calgary West Foundation; Todd Hirsch, Senior Economist at ATB Financial; Rob Anderson, MLA for Airdrie-Chestermere with the Wildrose Alliance; Dr. Bruce Foster, Associate Professor & Chair for the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University; & Dr. Thomas Flanagan, Professor at the University of Calgary as well as countless other prominent leaders in their respective fields.

Additional Comments:

In September 2009, I was appointed to the position after an extensive interview process and on the recommendation of the Executive Committee to help support the mandate of the VP Student Life. This has been one most rewarding experience of my university experience.

Learning about student governance, policies as well as Roberts` Rules has given me a greater appreciation for the work that student leaders do. Student leaders are dedicated and special people, who are not willing to stand on the sidelines and watch the world go by but are people who want to make a different and help students succeed as well as stand up for students.

With that being said, I am have been extremely honoured, thankfully and humbled by the opportunity that have been provided to me and I feel our council and I have achieved a great deal by “being the collective voice of our members, creating change through advocacy, inspiring growth through engagement and serving students to help them succeed. ` (SAMRU Strategic Plan, 2010-2014)

I encourage and invite all students to get involved in politics, student life and most importantly, become a student leader. It is one of the most rewarding experiences that one can have and it enriches your university experience as well as opens new doors to other opportunities.

I would to extend Congratulations to all the newly-elected incoming Executive Committee and
Student Council members! I look forward for your continued support in serving our school community and maybe having the chance to work with all of you in the near future.

To my fellow councillors, it was great working with you this year. I wish you all of you the best in your future endeavours. See you around and keep in touch!

If you are a student at large, and you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at: vpsl.commissioner@samru.ca.