Name: Ritika Gandhi
College: Goodricke College
Year: 1
Subject: Social Policy
Campaign in three words: JUST DO IT!
What’s the most important part of your manifesto?
The most important part of my manifesto is widening participation within the university environment. I want volunteering to become a part of university life, opening doors to new things for everyone. Every individual has a special talent and whatever that may be I want there to be a way for them to be able to use that and give back. Volunteering does not only benefit society but also the individual involved, giving them experience that is helpful in the work place as well as in life.
I want volunteering to be an integral part of university life, thus allowing everyone who wants to leave university to leave with some sort of volunteering experience.
The most important message I want to put across from my manifesto is that I am experienced in this field, organizing events, leadership and getting things done. I really want to be YUSU volunteering officer because I feel that I have a lot of great ideas that will really benefit the University and its students. Most importantly I am very good at getting things done and I am really keen, so I will ensure that I make the best of this role.
How do you differ from the other candidates?
I feel that I differ from other candidates because I have a lot of previous experience. I have been volunteering in different organizations since I was 14. Not to mention that I have organized two major projects, the Bhopal project and the recycling project, both of which have allowed me to grow my skills as well as experience.
Not only am I very keen, I am also a good listener and I want to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard. As that’s what YUSU is all about – the STUDENTS! I have many great ideas that will benefit this role and, given the chance, I will make sure I make the best of it.
My main aim is to make sure that everyone who wants to can get volunteering!
What was your favourite thing the previous officer did and why?
My favourite thing that the previous officers did was setting up stalls in re-Freshers week to get people involved. I admire the effort and dedication they have for the role.
I also really liked the jumpers for the chicken event – I thought it was very creative. I like how they have looked at the community and have given back, as this is a very important policy for me.
One of my main aims is to get in touch with the local community as much as possible.
Another aim that I have is paying special attention to Hes East and, as I can see, they have been doing that as well. I hope to continue their great work by further developing their policies as well as implementing my own.
What’s the most important thing about the role you are going for?
I feel that the most important thing about this role is getting everyone involved and finding creative ways to do that. I feel that a lot is already being done, however we need to get more people engaged with the idea of volunteering and its benefits.
Also, listening to what the students want, getting what needs to be done finished on time and making the best of the resources given is important. We need to show people that volunteering can be beneficial for both sides and that it’s fun! It’s a great way to make new friends. We need to get to the people who want to volunteer but are not sure what they want to volunteer as. It can be degree related; people can do things that relate to what they are learning at university.
How are you campaigning?
I will be campaigning in many different ways.
Firstly, I will use posters around the university to let people know that I am running for the volunteering officer.
Secondly, I will have a Facebook group where people can ask me questions, as well as get to know more about my main aims if I am elected.
I will also be going round and speaking to people to get to know what they want from their Volunteering Officer and answer questions. I will be going into lectures to give a short speech as to why I am running and why they should vote for me.
I will be using every opportunity to get to know people from different colleges and get their views on what they want.
I will be set up in the library as well so people can ask me open questions and get to read my manifesto if they don’t have access to it online.
I feel it’s very important to get to know the students who will be voting and let them know your ideas as well as let them share their views with you too.
On top of this there will be an online debate organized by YUSU.
What do you like the most about York?
Coming from a big city like London, my biggest fear was would I be able to adjust in a place like York. However I was very York from day one: the people of York have been friendly and kind. They are there to offer a helping hand when needed. The students and staff at the University of York have always been there to give advice and help as much as they can. So the answer to this question is that I love York!
What I love most about York is that the people are friendly and kind. People are always willing to talk even if you don’t really know them. Not to mention that the city is beautiful.
What’s the best slogan you can think of for your campaign?
The best slogan I can think of for my campaign is Vote Gandhi. As my last name is Gandhi, I feel that we should take a leaf from his book – he spent his life helping others. By voting for me I am going to do my best to help others. I am going to do this by listening to the students and helping them, as well as creating projects that help the local as well as the international community. I want to introduce more international volunteering as that is a great opportunity. By voting for me, you are voting for someone who is going to do their best to help you, the community, as well as the university itself. I am selfless and strive to help people by giving back.
What do you think about York Vision?
I feel that York Vision is a great source of media and that it gets useful information to students as well as shares things that are happening around campus. It lets all students get know, no matter where they are, wht’s going on with their university. This is vital! I think York Vision is doing a great job and is allowing people to get the real facts about the university community.
