To be voted on: Coordinator, Organizer, MMC Commissioner, Secretary, Chair, & Trustee #1. After the jump are all statements - look for your unique voting token in your email early next week!

Coordinator: Genevieve Lorenzo

Genevieve’s statement:

Hello,

I am Genevieve Lorenzo, and I am running for Coordinator. I believe that my extensive experience in various roles within the Union and beyond has equipped me to be an effective and productive Coordinator for our Membership. I will help keep the flow of bureaucracy smooth and running efficiently, so that our Union is free to take on opportunities for greater rights and better working conditions, as well as handle any challenges as we head into the next year of bargaining.

My activity in the TSSU started in 2011 as a Shop Steward for the Department of Psychology, and last year I also joined the Member Mobilisation Committee. In my own department, I have been active on the caucus, designing and developing a website for my fellow graduate students, as well as coordinating members during job action. Off-campus, I had the opportunity to follow my passion for social justice work as a Promotional Coordinator for a local queer sitcom, in which I helped design materials and content for both print and online media. I was also responsible for outreach and communication with international media outlets. In addition to this, I have managed projects for local artists and entrepreneurs, helping them meet their business, organisational, and financial goals. My knowledge and expertise in communication and organisation has provided me with the skills I need to be an excellent Coordinator.

As a fellow member, I am sensitive to the needs and goals of our Membership. I want to help make this Union work for every member, and my experience working alongside my fellow Unionites has helped me understand how the TSSU functions best, and how it can be better. I am proud to be a part of the collective and I am committed to helping strengthen and build our Union as we head into 2014.

Thank you for your consideration.

In solidarity,

Genevieve Lorenzo

-Organizer: Melissa Roth

Melissa’s statement:

Hello, my name is Melissa Roth and I am currently serving the TSSU in the Organizer position. In the last year I have spent much of my efforts working with other TSSU committees to improve communications within our membership to ensure that our democratic process is strong. These efforts can be seen in the improved website, facebook, renewed steward network, and general guides that are now available. If I am re-elected for a second term, I plan to continue my goals of increasing our presence on campus by ensuring every member has knowledge of their rights and having the tools to feel confident. I look forward to continue working with our members in the coming year in efforts to achieve a new beneficial collective agreement for all.

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MMC Commissioner: Reagan Belan

Reagan’s statement:

Hello, my name is Reagan Belan and I'm running for the position of Member Mobilization Committee Commissioner. I have been a TSSU member since the begining of my graduate studies in 2010 and have acted as Steward for the Chemistry department and been a part of the member mobilization committee since September 2012. Being a part of the MMC has been an incredible experience. I've had the privilege of working with incredible people and have broadened my skill set in the process. Acting as commissioner since December of 2012 has taught me a lot about organization and has given me the skills to better reach members and keep them in the know about what the TSSU does for them and how to get involved. I would jump at the chance to continue the work I’ve been doing with the TSSU

I appreciate your consideration and am looking forward continuing to work together.

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Secretary: Kayleigh MacMillan

Kayleigh’s statement:

My name is Kayleigh MacMillan, and I am currently a MA student in the department of Linguistics. I have served as a Steward for my department since I started my graduate studies at SFU last Fall. Recently, I became more involved in the actions of the unions by joining the Strike Coordinating Committee, and the Member Mobilization Committee. I feel my experience on these committees make me uniquely qualified to hold the position of Secretary.

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Chair: Emily Sadowski

Emily’s statement:

I have been active in the union since I found out I was in one, and I'm continually impressed by what we can accomplish through solidarity. I have been a departmental steward, a picket-line walker, and an executive committee member (as Trustee). As a Phd candidate in Philosophy of Education, dialogue, inclusion, and critique are my bag. I'm committed to our non-hierarchical, democratic processes and will strive to uphold these if elected as Chair.

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Trustee #1: Killian Kleffner-Cauncci

Killian’s statement:

Hello, my name is Killian Kleffner-Cauncci and I am running for a Trustee position. I am an international graduate student and have been a TA in my department since 2011. Working in Canada has shown me that unions, which are non-existent at my undergraduate university, are amazing. In the beginning of this academic year I became more involved with the TSSU by serving on the Member Mobilization Committee, and I have found this activity extremely valuable and rewarding. I hope to strengthen my involvement with the union by acting as a Trustee.