Last night about 9:30 I decided to go over and visit the Senate team at Relay For Life. I had intended on hanging out for a bit, walking a few laps, and letting everyone ride my scooter around the track.
Well, I ended up staying all night. It was a fun night to say the least. Best part had to be Josh winning the beauty pageant. The pictures from the evening will be worth a thousand words when I post them on the website.
Overall, the last MSUSA conference of the year was a good one, even though some of the usual drama ensued. I am very proud of everyone from our group...we spoke our minds and stood our ground. The supposed diversity amendment, which would have further singled out underrepresented groups and done absolutely nothing to actually improve diversity in a positive way, was defeated. And, thanks to Robert's Rules of Order, a budget was passed...the immature walkout of two other campuses didn't work. We are strong, we stand our ground, and we will not be bullied by strong-arm tactics.
It was also sort of a bittersweet event...the last conference the current Senate group will have together before the big graduation/internship/student teaching turnover. Only about 2 weeks left...it hasn't hit me full force yet but I know it's coming and that's tough.
Results are in. Unfortunately, my hopes of becoming Senate President next year will not be realiz ed. It was a hard fought campaign and I gave it the best shot I could. Things just didn't go my direction. It's hard, but it's life.
I could be depressed. I could be bitter. But that's not me. I do Senate because I have a love for serving students and the university and I care about the organization. I do the job because of the job, not the title. There is nothing bad about being Student Services Chair and Campus Rep (obviously I will reapply for the positions I now hold). Granted, things haven't worked out perfectly but at the end of the day I can still play a significant role, and continue the work I am doing.
On the bright side, we had a total of 406 votes cast. That may not seem like much, but it's way more votes than in any election we've had since I've been here. That is something for all of us to be proud of. So even if I did lose, (70 votes or so margin, so not a blowout by any means) I still find reason to be happy.
And I go on. ("old resillient Berne," says Jake)
First day of balloting over. I think quite a few people voted, which is good. I noticed quite a few voting when I did tonight at Walnut. Hopefully the turnout will be as good or better tomorrow, and it will bode well.
Fingers crossed...
And went to see what that thing called Homestarrunner was all about. LOL it is pretty funny, and will make the list of Websites I Visit.
As will Google, which has become my preferred seach engine recently.
A busy week with the campaign for President of Senate in full swing. Talking to a lot of people, handing out fliers etc. The debate Thursday went well...I felt good about it, and I've been getting positive responses from the people I've talked to. It will all come down to who actually votes Monday and Tuesday. It will be a close race, I expect. But whatever happens, life will go on and I will continue to do what I've done the past three years...serve students.
Results are starting to come in from the other schools as well. Moorhead, Winona, and Mankato have completed their elections. So far, it looks like a variety of people. Should make for an interesting year at the MSUSA level. By the time we have the conference next week, we should know everyone's results...have the full picture of next year's leadership.
Today was a good day, sort of low key. Put in my application for SOAR, and saw Amy on the way over to the office. She seemed in good spirits and happy to be back to teaching. Even after such a terrible event, she's back at it and putting the kids first. Hallmark of a good teacher.
Tonight, went to the Hall of Fame Dinner for the Ed Department. It was nice. Had fun with our table full of student workers. Also saw Julie, who was quite surprised when I congratulated her on TFA...wondered how I could possibly know when she hadn't told anyone...the magic of a blog post.
Occasionally, I find funny stuff on blogs that I simply must share. Recently, I was reading the blog of Froyd, and came across:
A link to a website entitled: Reasons Why I love The Tender Crisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch. Actually, I've heard the sandwich, heavily promoted by Burger Sling, isn't all that great.
But, the commercial is so dumb it's funny.
And...
What blogs are.
Well, it occurs to me that it's been a week since I last blogged. The last week has been a tough one, personally and professionally. It's a long story but things have improved, and now I'm looking forward to getting through the debate and election next week. Whatever happens, I'll be there to continue serving BSU students, in some way or another.
Mom was here over the weekend. Helped me make a few campaign posters and we went shopping for supplies. She was impressed with the grocery store in town, and told me not to buy groceries at Wal-Mart anymore. It was nice of her to visit.
Can't believe the semester is flying by so fast. Don't think I'm ready for the end.
Yet another long and busy weekend was had at MSUSA Delegate Assembly. For the most part, things seemed to go well. People had fun...we laughed, we joked, we had stories to tell. It was also really nice to have some along that aren't usual conference goers...I think Nolan and Gregg both enjoyed most of it which was good.
Friday morning started off with Jake's lame attempt at an April fools joke on me. As always, he called my cell when they were coming over here to get me. He said "There's been a mishap. We are in Akeley and will be there in a half hour to get you." The Achilles heel of this joke: I had said we were leaving at 8, this was 8:10...and Akeley is at least a 45 minute drive from Bemidji. Nice try, Jakeus :) We got down there and did committees and platforms...committees were quick, but a couple of the platforms took a long time.
Saturday was filled with Board meeting, and Delegates debate on platforms. Delegates was not too painless. Of course with me, Jake, Nicole, and Chris sitting, there were bound to be some funny moments. It was tough to keep a straight face at times, with Jake next to me whispering jokes, whistling, singing and the like. He went so far as to make a song out of one word..."yeah". Naturally, I had to counter with rhythmic "nos". The board meeting went pretty late, and then Melissa (former Senator) came by to visit. It was nice to see her. She sounds busy but happy at William Mitchell, and is heading to Egypt this summer. Sounds exotic huh?
Sunday started out well. The bylaw changes that we worked on in Internal Affairs passed, and the budget discussion seemed to start off ok...I was in a good mood, and optimistic enough to tell Brent that things seemed to be in good shape when he asked...he'd stopped by to see us. I genuinely thought that it was going to end better than last year, when Mankato and St Cloud had staged the now infamous walkout. I thought we were to a point where the organization was moving forward, putting the past behind us and finally reaching some consensus on the future.
Apparently, I was too optimistic. At about 4 the shit hit the fan and we deadlocked on the budget. Then, we recessed into the board meeting and a new rabbit came out of the hat...a proposed new article from St C and Metro which, as I understand it, will put quotas on the Board, Officers, and Facilitators based upon race and gender. I'm all for increased diversity, but this freaks me out...it's extreme, IF it's even legal. At any rate, the amendment was tabled, and the budget not passed...which means a special IA meeting and more Delegates work at Southwest in a couple of weeks.
The organization seems to take 3 steps forward, one back. We've done GREAT things this year...DC Summit...Tuition Freeze. Yet, we are still dealing with this internal strife that seems like it won't end. If it's not one thing, it's another, and it is very frustrating.
Now to wait and see what happens in Marshall.
The title "Crazy Week" shows twice, but there's only record of one post inside Blogger...weird
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