Derek is someone who’s been involved and volunteering with various on and off-campus organizations for quite a while. You may know him if you’ve spent time with the German Society, or with MUN SAGA (Derek was an elected union leader and manager of the SAGA resource centre). He has occupied several roles at that organization over the years, from Administration to External Affairs and beyond. Aside from MUN SAGA, Derek is a member of the Student Volunteer Bureau and has completed its volunteer incentive program (VIP). With MUNSU, he’s been Queer Rep since 2017 in addition to everything else listed previously. To add to his pile of awe-striking accomplishments, he has also served as the Co-Chair (internal) of St. John’s Pride since late 2017 as well!
His platform has three main principles: better care for resource centres and student societies, better communication between MUNSU and the student body, and increased awareness of MUNSU programs and support for students. Derek had this to say about increased communication between MUNSU and students:
“What we need to do is meet the students where they are when we all have time, and not simply follow old trends. As an individual, I won’t have the man power to reach out to each of our respective 13,000 students. As a board member, I will be able to facilitate an organizational culture that does more to make itself accessible. As a 6th floor UC veteran, I know how, where, and when to reach some of my constituents; as someone going into the exec position, I’d have the organizational backing to reach more of them”.
On increasing awareness of MUNSU programs and opportunities for students, he noted: “…we need to make people aware of extant student programs in the UC and the supports they offer; not only Safe Drive, but the work of MUN Minds, the Gender Gear Initiative, and Trans Support, and more”.
Make sure to get out and vote during this upcoming MUNSU election, being held on the 19th and 20th of March!