Federation of Students Elections

Browsing for the right candidate? Not sure who to vote for? Let me help you out! If you are going to make an educated vote, one that is based on skill and experience of the candidates, then you'll learn that Nikki is the Best candidate for VP Internal of the Federation of Students. About to graduate
with honours Legal Studies and Human Resources Management, Nikki's undying passion, love, and encouragement for involvement with student communities has allowed her to gain the necessary experience, skills, and relationships with students from every faculty here at UW. In every project she has worked on, every level of student government, and every person she has met - Nikki
Best has made a positive difference. From the countless recommendations you can find at http://www.yourfeds2010.ca, you will see how Nikki has developed cherished relationships, positive leadership, and lasting impacts at UW. Matched with an action plan for her platform, Nikki has the drive to get the job done and certainly won't let anyone down.

For examples of her experience, Nikki has helped students learn of the many university policies and changes that affect them through her work with the Arts Faculty Council, Legal Studies Society, Arts Student Union, and the Arts Faculty Committee of Student Appeals. If you are looking for leadership experiences, she is a three-time orientation leader, an award-winning
residence life don, a facilitator for the Student Leadership Certificate Program, and is actively involved in many clubs and services. If students have concerns or questions about anything administrative or academic, Nikki is always there to help, advise, and follow up with everyone. The skills that Nikki has learned through her involvement are easily transferable to
the VP Internal role because of the need for administrative experience, organizational and human development skills that the portfolio demands. It is no question that Nikki possesses all the drive, experience, and love for this school that the position needs.

Through her student government experiences she has learned budgeting, recruitment of volunteers, and how to meet the accessibility needs of the students - all which are vital roles of the VP Internal. Nikki has exceptional experience working through conflict through her leadership facilitation training and club experiences. Through her outstanding work with clubs, societies, and councils, her peers and supervisors from most of
those areas have supported and/or appointed her into even higher roles within those organizations and nominated her for various leadership awards.

Other portfolio requirements of the VP Internal include the LGBTQQ advisory committee, in which Nikki already has peer and ally training by GLOW, as well as the suicide prevention committee where Nikki has experience with QPR training, counseling services, and connections with OPD. If elected, she
would also be a member of the health & safety committee for which she will always having a strong voice to ensure the health and safety committee is dealing with student health issues around the H1N1 virus accordingly, so exam relief solutions are present to benefit UW students. Nikki will ensure that proper and fair procedures are continued and implemented across UW for
the best interests and overall health of students. Problem solving, organization, and caring heart all make her a reliable and trustworthy person to get the job done well.

Her volunteering experiences have taught her the importance and need for services at UW, and how FedS is continually filling the countless unmet needs from the services the university should be providing us. She has also been working with Sarah Cook, the current VP Internal to identify the current problem areas in FedS and to determine what changes should be made in the future for the betterment of the students, clubs, and services. Nikki's involvement in student government and FedS services has given her a special insight into the needs to for diversity awareness on campus and promoting the safety, inclusion and involvement of all UW students. Nikki's belief is that no student should suffer exclusion merely based on their diversity. Another body of government external to FedS is the Student Services Advisory Committee, which charges students money each year and then allocates it accordingly throughout the terms. Nikki will advocate for more spending on unmet student needs through (SSAC), and vows that no surplus of the fund will go unused. Nikki says that "if the students are paying the money in, then the money should be payed into the students".

Highlights of her platform include:

• Hiring more counselors through work with the Student Services Advisory Committee. Students are currently on 2-week waiting lists, which is denying them the crucial help they have paid for and deserve.
• Renegotiating the equipment contracts for the CIF and PAC to always have working machines as well as full sets of weights and other equipment.
• Involving the satellite campuses in decisions with their money by reserving seats on committees for them, and working with the VPAF to restructure fee allotments to services rendered to each satellite.
• Improve communication and involvement of the faculty societies by restoring the Council of Presidents chair position back to the VPIN portfolio to hold regular meetings and stay up-to-date with all faculties.
• Improve succession planning for services that students are paying for by utilizing end-of-term reports and regular communication with service coordinators.

This is YOUR FedS, in which Nikki promises to ensure that your resources, your services, and your opportunities are maximized in 2010. She will always have the passion and drive to make things better for people, while being transparent, approachable, and accountable. To find out more and see Nikki's detailed action plan and platform, visit http://www.yourfeds2010.ca>.

For a positive and lasting difference in the Federation of Students... Vote Nikki Best for Vice President Internal!

Nikki Best