Issue 151

Sabbs on the sofa

29th January 2007

To give students an insight into what it is like to be a Sabb and launch an election campaign some of the current team pass on their advice. Our panel consisted of Kylie Bartelli (International Officer), Emma Bartlett (Women's Officer), Miles Goodman (Welfare Officer) and Owen Morris (Treasurer).

Q. With the elections on the horizon again it must bring back a lot of memories. What are your recollections of campaigning last year?

KB: I just remember how much fun it was to meet so many new faces. It was exciting both to meet the other candidates and to spend time meeting fellow students and finding out their views.

OM: Yeah I would agree with that. You normally go through a period of questioning whether you can do it but once you make that jump you become aware that it is definitely worth the sacrifices you make. It is not easy to combine running for election and your university work.

MG: I remember enjoying the chance to think up ideas to campaign on and I found it a real time of togetherness among myself and my team.

Q. What do you remember of the polling days themselves?

MG: I have to say it seems to feel like it goes on for absolutely ages! It is a long day, make no mistake.

KB: The early morning part of it normally means you are freezing cold but once you get into the swing of it things become more enjoyable and you get to chat with some of the other candidates.

OM: That's very true, I count a lot of the people I got to know through the election as friends and I still take time out to meet them and socialise with them which is something that you would probably not expect of an election campaign.

EB: That friendship is what makes election night in DV8 such good fun, that bond.

Q.After the euphoria of victory what is it like to finally fill your role as a Sabb. What in particular do you enjoy about your roles?

KB: I really enjoyed welcoming the new international students and helping them to settle in. From picking students up at Heathrow to organising the international fiestas, it has given me a great deal of satisfaction.

EB: I feel that my role has given me a great deal of experience in many different situations. I do not feel that I will find a role with such diversity again.

MG: The best part of the job is helping students with their problems and being proactive in preventing them. I was delighted that we were able to give away over 10,000 condoms as part of our sexual health campaign.

OM: It bears repeating that you will meet a lot of new people, many of whom will become your friends and if you are lucky buy you an occasional drink! The skills we use are mutually beneficial in that we gain experience and we get to help all the students out there.

Q. Obviously with that responsibility there must come a certain degree of pressure. How have you found dealing with that pressure?

OM: I think the pressure partly comes down to knowing that you have nine months to do the things you want to do and make a difference. You spend a lot of the first term settling in and understanding procedure and then the second term becomes the chance to really crack on with things so you feel pressure in that way.

EB: I think the pressure comes from a desire to push yourself and prove that you were worthy of the support of all the people who voted for you to be where you are.

MG: There is also the pressure of being a team and not wanting to not let anyone down. There will always be things that push you to the edge and you cannot always agree on what you want to do as a group. But to agree with Owen I would say that timescale is the greatest pressure.

KB: The important thing to remember is that even when you do have disagreements is not to hold a grudge as you are all working towards helping students which matters above all else.

OM: There is also pressure in hoping that what you do works and can make a difference. For me revamping the societies system with regards to setting one up, organising events etc made me feel pressure as I was desperate for it to work.

KB: I feel the same about greeting international students and organising events for them. I really wanted to do my best for them and with that comes pressure but when you know you have done a good job you forget that you were ever worried about things going wrong!

MG: There is also pressure in advising students as you want to make sure they get the right advice.

EB: But with that pressure comes the satisfaction that you are keeping the Student Union moving forward and you are making sure students enjoy the best years of their lives.

Q. So what final words would you have for any students who are contemplating standing in this year's election?

KB: Enjoy yourself and don't take things too seriously. Of course everyone likes to win but it is a great experience win or lose.

MG: Don't be intimidated, back yourself and go for it. Also decide on the major points of your campaign early and stick to them.

OM: Just engage people. Talk to them individually to get your personality across. Let people see the real you.

EB: Don't be scared as it is a vibrant, positive thing to do.

Nominations for the Sabbatical Elections open on 1 February and close on 15 February. The elections will be held over the 14-15 March.

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