ULSU Elections 2011 (Voting Thursday March 24)

sceptre

To vote, click here. Voting will be open between 7am and 8pm on Thursday March 24.

This is a list of the candidates for UL Students' Union elections at close of nominations on Friday 18 March 2011.

Elections will take place on Thursday 24 March.

As manifestos are issued, feel free to discuss your choice of candidate and why. Some (to be honest, not very many) of the candidates have boards.ie accounts and may reply, although I suspect most of them may well be too busy campaigning in real life™. As usual, If you are campaigning for a candidate or are a candidate, I expect you to declare that interest if posting. This will be done on the honour system, though in the interest of fairness I will point the finger at anyone who disregards this - for anyone who aims to deceive there's a good chance you'll be found out and I'll point the finger loudly (and probably forum ban for the duration). Any attempt to sock puppet will get a loud and public slap. Let people know your connection in your first post and there shouldn't be a problem - actually I'd like to see campaigners posting. Accusations of undeclared interest should not be made on-thread as it'll derail any discussion, use the report post button and I'll look at it (I'm quite good at spotting shills).

If candidates have a webpage and let me know, I'll edit in one link per candidate to an official webpage, bebo or facebook page (one per candidate) if they let me know by PM at any point during the week. I've been informed that the voting webpage will include details of the candidates for each position but I assume that most candidates will also have their own web or facebook page.

Additionally I will include details of any blogs declared as independent if I'm informed of them.

I'll add any other relevant/necessary details to posts I'll insert immediately below this one. Note that if you want to get replies to this thread sent to you instantly by email, click the "Follow thread" button on the top right of the screen.

Now the rules are out of the way:), here are your candidates:



President
Derek Daly URL=www.derekdaly.ie]weblink[/URL
Enda Gallery URL=www.facebook.com/endagallerySU]weblink[/URL
Keith Young

DP/Welfare
Eamonn Boland
Thomas Cranley URL=http://www.facebook.com/CranleyForWelfare]weblink[/URL
Tara Feeney

Education
Barry Kennedy URL=http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vote-Barry-Kennedy-for-ULSU-Education-Officer/186389284737204]weblink[/URL
Aoife Kenny URL=http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aoife-Kenny-For-ULSU-Education-Officer/208924455789787]weblink[/URL

Campaigns & Services
Alan O'Sullivan URL=http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alan-OSullivan-ULSU-Campaigns-and-Services-Officer-for-2011/205859296093427]weblink[/URL
Paddy Rockett URL=http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Paddy-Rockett-for-ULSU-Campaigns-Services-Officer/153752294685883]weblink[/URL

Communications
Kelly O'Brien
Keith O'Neill



Good luck to all candidates!

sceptre

Election blogs:

ULSU Elect


.

sceptre

For people on mobiles and other devices with small screens, the mobile device link to this thread is:
http://m.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056212697
Now you can comment on the go. Posts from the campaign trail are very welcome!

Twitter hashtag for the elections is #voteUL

sceptre

Hustings:

Come see the candidates speak and offer their views in a public debate! Ask the candidates questions in a public setting! Don't let them wriggle away with just a printed manifesto, come and see whether they're actually worth voting for! Don't be shy about dropping in and out to the hustings when you can, it's up to the candidates to sell themselves and convince you they deserve your vote!

Wednesday March 23, starting at 7pm in KBG12 (that's on the ground floor of the Kemmy Business School, next to the Schuman building)

sceptre

To vote, click here. Voting will be open between 7am and 8pm on Thursday March 24.

lorcanthrope

The classic Skynet vs. An Focal battle takes place for a third time in three years That's gonna be a fascinating one to watch.

Skyrim

Would Derek Daly have an advantage considering he's the current vp? He may be better to handle pressure situations.

sceptre

There's a chance that I may end up helping a person or two out with their campaign this week. If that happens, I'll clearly signal it on this thread for the sake of openness (and following the rules). Peteee as co-mod has access to any mod actions taken by mods that aren't him, and apart from rampant abuse or people acting the weirdo, this thread should need next to zero moderation if people have any cop-on.

lorcanthrope wrote: »

The classic Skynet vs. An Focal battle takes place for a third time in three years That's gonna be a fascinating one to watch.

Indeed. I'd rather hope that both candidates would have a balance of print and electronic/non-print comms in their manifestos and intentions though - it's 2011 and lots of people get their news from both (or just one) at this point. Almost-instant news is great, the analysis takes longer.

Skyrim wrote: »

Would Derek Daly have an advantage considering he's the current vp? He may be better to handle pressure situations.

Derek Daly will certainly have an electoral advantage with the name recognition that comes from already being in an SU role. Keith Young is well-known in club and society circles though. Enda Gallery I have to confess I've never heard of.

Skyrim

Will they be holding rallies on the campus? :L

canned_ulkc

Unlikely I'll be campaigning for anyone but I know I'll be voting for Thomas Cranley & Keith O'Neill in their respective areas.
For Tom, he's a fellow Donegal man and teacher - From the few conversations I've had with him I've found him refreshingly honest and has what I view as an appropriate demeanour for the position.
For Keith, if you know Keith and the level of commitment he has shown throughout the years then I think you'll recognise that you could see him as thoroughly professional and capable in any role.

I don't think I'm ever going to say who I'll be voting for as president; I know all 3 candidates and all have different reasons to be seen as capable.

freyners

looking forward to this one.....surprised rockett is going for CSO, thought he might go for another shot at pres.


oh and i'll be campaigning for Thomas Cranley during the week so i better declare that from the off.

besides the obvious, im not sure who ill vote for in the other positions, looking forward to seeing the manifestos, when and where are the hustings on this years does anyone know?

freyners

Skyrim wrote: »

Will they be holding rallies on the campus? :L

if rockett's campaign is similar to last years presidential one then your in for an experience:D

Polar Ice

Just to inject some fun

The ULSU site was down a few minutes ago... it appears to be back now, but is running really slowly. It looks like a database issue.

Electronic voting on Thursday!

NewShoes

Polar Ice wrote: »

Just to inject some fun

The ULSU site was down a few minutes ago... it appears to be back now, but is running really slowly. It looks like a database issue.

Electronic voting on Thursday!

still down for me!

bazkennedy

Hi folks,
My name is Barry Kennedy and I'll be running for Education Officer. I'll post the manifesto later (will have to get it approved by the ERB first). Best of luck to the other candidates, should be a fun week

Regards
Barry

PS nice way to use my 200th post

ninty9er

We have a strong line up for elections this year.

I have no doubt that we will have a fun week and look forward to meeting a lot of students and a bit of banter with all of the campaigners and candidates. On Thursday a new team will be elected, I hope to lead it and I want to re-iterate the words of the Deputy Returning Officer and say that I hope we have a clean campaign.

I'll be doing some answering here, as much as I can and if anyone has any queries, questions or wants to get involved; feel free to post here or send me a PM.

I'm facing formidable opposition and I want to wish both Keith and Enda the best for the week, notwithstanding that I still want to win.

I'll be outlining why I want to win over the course of the weekend and during the week.

D

Nagoh

Best of luck folks, should be an interesting week

sceptre

Polar Ice wrote: »

Just to inject some fun

The ULSU site was down a few minutes ago... it appears to be back now, but is running really slowly. It looks like a database issue.

Electronic voting on Thursday!

As far as I know, the evoting system is a package from an outside company (hopefully not the same company that designed the system they used last week in Aberystwyth for their guild elections, which allowed people to vote multiple times if they'd opened multiple windows before logging in). Assuming that to be the case, I'd assume (and hope) that the actual software is running on a secure server elsewhere. If it isn't, Thursday could be rather amusing. I presume that there will be (or has been) some info released by the SU on the system itself or the company itself as evoting comes with its own pitfalls, doubters and disadvantages.

NewShoes

sceptre wrote: »

As far as I know, the evoting system is a package from an outside company (hopefully not the same company that designed the system they used last week in Aberystwyth for their guild elections, which allowed people to vote multiple times if they'd opened multiple windows before logging in). Assuming that to be the case, I'd assume (and hope) that the actual software is running on a secure server elsewhere. If it isn't, Thursday could be rather amusing. I presume that there will be (or has been) some info released by the SU on the system itself or the company itself as evoting comes with its own pitfalls, doubters and disadvantages.

If it isn't, you just told us all how to vote multiple times!

sceptre

NewShoes wrote: »

If it isn't, you just told us all how to vote multiple times!

Ah, I find that my tendency towards troublemaking is best kept in check by being given a solid workout at the start of events...:) Aside, I see from facebook that the first efforts at online manifestos are coming through - candidates who want them included in the opening post of this thread need to send me a PM (as it's up to you which page is your official one, I'm not going to include them merely because I see them).

ninty9er

sceptre wrote: »

As far as I know, the evoting system is a package from an outside company (hopefully not the same company that designed the system they used last week in Aberystwyth for their guild elections, which allowed people to vote multiple times if they'd opened multiple windows before logging in). Assuming that to be the case, I'd assume (and hope) that the actual software is running on a secure server elsewhere. If it isn't, Thursday could be rather amusing. I presume that there will be (or has been) some info released by the SU on the system itself or the company itself as evoting comes with its own pitfalls, doubters and disadvantages.

There have been a number of tests run on the system, it's hosted securely outside of the Union. Roisín has been working with the University and the web voting company.

Skyrim

Will the candidates just be publishing their manifestos or are they going to hold meetings or something?

Catch15

canned_ulkc wrote: »

Unlikely I'll be campaigning for anyone but I know I'll be voting for Thomas Cranley & Keith O'Neill in their respective areas.
For Tom, he's a fellow Donegal man and teacher - From the few conversations I've had with him I've found him refreshingly honest and has what I view as an appropriate demeanour for the position.
For Keith, if you know Keith and the level of commitment he has shown throughout the years then I think you'll recognise that you could see him as thoroughly professional and capable in any role.

I don't think I'm ever going to say who I'll be voting for as president; I know all 3 candidates and all have different reasons to be seen as capable.

Thanks Tony, appreciate it!

Just to clarify in this thread, my name is Thomas Cranley and I'm running for Welfare Officer. Best of luck to all candidates and campaigners, surely have a chat during the week!

Hulk Hands

Why was the other thread on this locked? Could the rules etc not just have been edited in into the opening post?

My advice to the candidates would be not to worry about your plans and policies etc. The candidates with the shiniest and funniest Ad campaign and the most amount of canvassers will win.

Ive a story to back this up actually. One year a person I know from another university got an idea on the spur of the moment to run for SU president, about a week before the election. He had no strong political beliefs or background, and was basically only running "for the craic".

Anyway, a few posters were made and a few of us friends were sent out to canvas around the college the 2 days around the election. The said candidate got completely slaughtered in the debate. Yet this didn't seem to matter. The vast majority of people around the college only asked us question such as "What'll be the story with rag week" to which we'd respond "rag week??, rag month you mean if he gets elected!" or that he had Snow Patrol lined up. The very odd person (1 in 10) would ask a question about policies etc, which were either laughed off or responded to with BS.

The candidate ended up finishing second out of 6, with many people voting for "your man, sure he seems like a bit of craic". The consensus was that with more posters etc (he had very few in comparison to the winner), and a few more canvassers, he might have won. Take from that what you will

bazkennedy

I presume most candidates will publish their manifestos either here or on facebook. There will be stands set up in Red Raisins and there'll be Hustings in the Johnathon Swift on Wednesday at 6pm.

Several people have already sent me private messages asking me questions about my policies, I will try to get back to you before the weekend is over and give your question the time they deserve rather than a quick reply.

SarahBeep!

canned_ulkc wrote: »

For Tom, he's a fellow Donegal man and teacher - From the few conversations I've had with him I've found him refreshingly honest and has what I view as an appropriate demeanour for the position.

I don't know him too well, but I've always thought Thomas Cranley had a great sense of kindness to him. Something you don't see too often in people these days and he's most definately getting my vote.

Zeouterlimits

bazkennedy wrote: »

and there'll be Hustings in the Johnathon Swift on Wednesday at 6pm.
.

Excuse me?!? Is this confirmed? Wednesday the 23rd?
If so, who's organising it? Who booked the room?

Ginge Young

A chairde, just to confirm that I am Keith Young and am running for ULSU President. A few people have also messaged me regarding my stance on some issues and I'll be getting back to you as soon as possible.

I'm looking forward to the week, should definitely be interesting.

msbeesmart

Hi All, I'm Aoife Kenny and I'm running for the position of Education Officer in the upcoming elections. "Bee" smart and use your vote wisely!!

If anyone has an issues please feel free to contact me through my weblink above!!

Looking forward to a busy week!

Aoife

Skyrim

What happens during the week? just ye lads going around talking about your manifestos etc?

Skyrim

Skyrim wrote: »

What happens during the week? just ye lads going around talking about your manifestos etc?

if it is anything like last year the stig will be there, paddy pocket will be rapping gold digger standing on the divider of the red raisins, people will be jumping out of planes to promote their campaigns, people will be rolling down the hill beside the library in a massive inflatable ball, free sweets, bitching, lectures distrupted... in the end there will be tears of joy and tears of agony... everyone will pick themselves up as the votes come in, shake hands and head to the stables then to the lodge to celebrate/drown their sorrows....

well some things definately wont be the same as last year but it should be great crack and very exciting

I would like to declare my support for paddy rocket in his campaign for CSO, a fellow education student, the soundest bloke your likely to meet and guarenteed to do an amazing job in the role. VOTE FOR PADDY

Also i will be backing Kelly O Brien running for commuinications, the hardest working features editor for an focal ive seen in my 6 years in UL, and would make an excellent editor. VOTE FOR KELLY

I will remain silent on the presidential race as i know derek and keith too well. I know they both have the potential to be excellent in the role. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to their campaigns.

As for education and welfare because i know none of the canditdates i think ill be voting for Aoife Kenny and Tara Feeney, entirely based on the fact that as far as i can tell from their Facebook campaign pages they are both gorgeous and it would be very cool to see females to take 3 out of the 5 positions... unless anyone has solid reasons to convince me to vote otherwise of course??

Catch15

Deleted User wrote: »

As for education and welfare because i know none of the canditdates i think ill be voting for Aoife Kenny and Tara Feeney, entirely based on the fact that as far as i can tell from their Facebook campaign pages they are both gorgeous and it would be very cool to see females to take 3 out of the 5 positions... unless anyone has solid reasons to convince me to vote otherwise of course??

Tony Sheridan..... Obviously our chats in the Lame Duck all those years ago and in Galway just this January mean nothing to you :P Not to mention that fantastic drawing lecture you gave this time last year to us teachers?

Catch15

Catch15 wrote: »

Tony Sheridan..... Obviously our chats in the Lame Duck all those years ago and in Galway just this January mean nothing to you :P Not to mention that fantastic drawing lecture you gave this time last year to us teachers?

Tom.. chats in the lame duck or when i was on my college reunion in galway are not very easily remembered due to alcohol consuption But my "fantastic" drawing lecture i remember very well, unfortunately there was 120 in the audience so its hard for one guy to stand out...

BUT that being said i remember you now quite well... all im saying is if you had boobs i would have remembered you a lot quicker :P

Best of luck in the campaign!!

Catch15

Deleted User wrote: »

Tom.. chats in the lame duck or when i was on my college reunion in galway are not very easily remembered due to alcohol consuption But my "fantastic" drawing lecture i remember very well, unfortunately there was 120 in the audience so its hard for one guy to stand out...

BUT that being said i remember you now quite well... all im saying is if you had boobs i would have remembered you a lot quicker :P

Best of luck in the campaign!!

Thanks!

thedesertman

SarahBeep! wrote: »

I don't know him too well, but I've always thought Thomas Cranley had a great sense of kindness to him. Something you don't see too often in people these days and he's most definately getting my vote.

I agree with Sarah, he does seem like a very genuine person, (Btw I'll be campaigning for Kelly O'Brien)

lorcanthrope

Deleted User wrote: »

As for education and welfare because i know none of the canditdates i think ill be voting for Aoife Kenny and Tara Feeney, entirely based on the fact that as far as i can tell from their Facebook campaign pages they are both gorgeous and it would be very cool to see females to take 3 out of the 5 positions... unless anyone has solid reasons to convince me to vote otherwise of course??

Ah Tony. Pretty bad reasoning there. Have an look at the other people. there's no need to resort to affirmative action here - if just to give Barry, Eamon and Thomas the respect they deserve for running. I'm supporting Barry for Education but I'm not doing it because he's gorgeous (even though he's a dashing young fella) - policy and experience come into play here too.

:P

SarahBeep!

lorcanthrope wrote: »

policy and experience come into play here

Which is exactly why I'll be voting Aoife Kenny!

lorcanthrope

SarahBeep! wrote: »

Which is exactly why I'll be voting Aoife Kenny!

And I'll wait until I see some first :P

Half the Facebook pages are only coming live as it is at the moment anyway!

sceptre

Deleted User wrote: »

entirely based on the fact that as far as i can tell from their Facebook campaign pages they are both gorgeous

I'd be breaking boards-wide rules if I gave the response to the above that I'd like to give. Suffice it to say that there are better grounds under which one could consider to whom a vote should be given. Lots of better grounds. All of the other grounds being better in fact.

lorcanthrope

lorcanthrope wrote: »

Ah Tony. Pretty bad reasoning there. Have an look at the other people. there's no need to resort to affirmative action here - if just to give Barry, Eamon and Thomas the respect they deserve for running. I'm supporting Barry for Education but I'm not doing it because he's gorgeous (even though he's a dashing young fella) - policy and experience come into play here too.

:P

haha, my reasoning is in question :eek: ......as anyone who knows me shall vouch for a pinch of salt is needed when listening to anything i say lorcan, of course i would only be happy to see the other 2 ladies in office if they were indeed the best for the job as i know kelly will be. and hopefully the policies and experience will shine through in the various campaigns and i can make a well informed decision on election day

sceptre

sceptre wrote: »

I'd be breaking boards-wide rules if I gave the response to the above that I'd like to give. Suffice it to say that there are better grounds under which one could consider to whom a vote should be given. Lots of better grounds. All of the other grounds being better in fact.

pinch of salt

Skyrim

I'll go for whoever is the most approachable, someone i can go to in person if i have a query or something. Common touch makes a huge difference although to be fair the lads in the SU are friendly enough.

constantg

hi guys, following on from what sceptre said earlier, my name is Eamonn T. Gardiner and I'm a former Education Officer (08-09). I'm a good friend of Baz Kennedy's and I'm purely posting this to (a) declare my position and (b) wish all the candidates running the best of luck; elections are great craic and absolutely horrific!!

Eamo

KellingtonDawg

Hi everyone!

Kelly O'Brien here. I was tempted to stay away from boards until I heard about people declaring their support for me here. I couldn't let that go unnoticed so I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who is supporting me. I won't let you down!

deise go deo

Dia Daoibh.


With the SU Election coming up, I would like to ask the candidates what their position on the Irish language is, and if Elected, what they intend to do for Irish in the SU.



If you are interested in Making Irish an Issue for the Election, Please join our Facebook Page. Make Irish an Issue



We would be delighted if the candidates would join and support An Gaeilge during their campaign.





*Cumann Gaelach will not be taking a partisan role in the election, we will not support or oppose any candidate. We will just be working to make an Gaeilge an issue during the Election campaign.

KellingtonDawg

deise go deo wrote: »

Dia Daoibh.

With the SU Election coming up, I would like to ask the candidates what their position on the Irish language is, and if Elected, what they intend to do for Irish in the SU.

If you are interested in Making Irish an Issue for the Election, Please join our Facebook Page. Make Irish an Issue

We would be delighted if the candidates would join and support An Gaeilge during their campaign.

*Cumann Gaelach will not be taking a partisan role in the election, we will not support or oppose any candidate. We will just be working to make an Gaeilge an issue during the Election campaign.

I am not making my manifesto points public knowledge until the hard copies are distributed on Monday. Having said this, I am more than willing to discuss this topic with you if you private message me. If you are the individual who has already messaged me about this topic, I am in the process of replying to you now.

Thanks!

Kelly O'Brien
Communications 2011

constantg

KellingtonDawg wrote: »

I am not making my manifesto points public knowledge until the hard copies are distributed on Monday. Having said this, I am more than willing to discuss this topic with you if you private message me. If you are the individual who has already messaged me about this topic, I am in the process of replying to you now.

Thanks!

Kelly O'Brien
Communications 2011

TRANSLATION: I will be making my manifesto available to the public just as soon as I've finished writing it :P

Been there, done that, just make sure you don't accidentally slander the other candidates by saying you're the only candidate standing against......:P

SaltandVinegar

Hello Everyone

Please vote barry kennedy for education, he definitly is a worthy winner!! Barry is truely a great man, caring, intelligent and a team player !! Based on his experience, policies and true commitment for the UL Student Unions I know he will make an excellent Education Officer... He has worked so hard for the past FOUR YEARS in a variety of different roles within Societies and the Students.

Aoife is a lovely lady, but unfortunately is a blown in... she has only been involved in the SU for the past year.. I understand that she is a good faculty's officer.. .But hands down Baz Kennedy is hell of alot more qualified !! My impression is that Aoife wants the job, cos its a job. Barry on the other hand, wants to be a Education Officer because I genuinely believe he wants to do the best job possible ...

Please Vote for Barry Kennedy !!! He's a Legend of a Man !!!

SaltandVinegar

Please note I am not on barry's campaign team !! But just to elaborate on my point of experience::

Barry Kennedy's Experience to date:

• Class Rep since 2006
• Deputy Chair of Class Rep Council
• Worked on Campaigns Working Group,
• Worked in the Class Rep Development Working Group
• Worked on the Electoral/Referenda Board
• Active member in many Clubs & Societies e.g Drama
• Former member of ULTV society

Aoife Kenny's Experience to date:

• Class Rep since 2010
• KBS Faculty Officer since 2010

Barry Kennedy is also a highly regarded among all the Class Reps, Officers and general population for his personal attributes and total commitment to the SU.
Barry Kennedy to win Education Officer !!!

SaltandVinegar

Sorry love, but I aint Eamon or Barry..

To be fair, I am new to boards.ie, I hardly know how to work this website and I wish for my Identity to remain private..

I agree with your point of view that fresh faces always help. However Aoife as sound as she is.. shes in the clique herself.. and friends with alot of Officers an SU folk herself.. So I wouldnt consider her to be a fresh face..

I want to someone who has shown commitment to SU.. and Baz certainty has plently of fresh ideas himselves..Read his manifesto !!