Presidential Profile: Candidate Caitlin Lavallee
Presidential Candidates
Caitlin Lavallee. Business student from Calgary, AB.
What are your goals for that position if elected? As the President of TWUSA I want to be a good team leader and enable of the TWUSA members to work as a team that can best serve the student body and the campus. As well as be able to listen to the students a voice there concerns in the appropriate matter with the staff and faculty.
Photo by: Rachel Demian
What do you think is the most important issue TWU students face that you would like to work on? One issue I feel is the students voice isn’t always being heard within their faculty and in and around the school. Therefore I want to work harder on being a voice for the students to the staff and faculty. Another which is not fully an issue but I want to continue to create a relational campus where student feel valued and listened to.
How would you like to see the TWUSA budget spent? I want to find a way to make sure the money is spent wisely but also makes sure the students get the valued experience of what they payed for.
Do you think student leaders should be required to sign a statement of faith? Yes.
Why should students vote for you? I am driven and passionate about the TWUSA President Position. I am a good team leader and player and have a heart of service for this campus.
I’m going to come back to TWU just to serve under Caitlin Lavallee!
Can you expand on what you would like to see happen with the TWUSA budget? Your answer is rather poor in my opinion, as anyone can say that. I mean that is what everyone wants to see, but is it feasible? Where do you want the money to go?
Hey, completely fair question. I kept my answers really broad for I was told to keep it short and simple for there is not enough room in the paper for long answers. So I did. I also don’t want to make promises that I can’t keep or are unrealistic. With that being said here are some of my ideas for how I want to spend the TWUSA budget. First off I would love to get a poll up/forum on the TWUSA page and get peoples input on where they would like to see the money go. I would also like attend each club and see where their needs are and figure out how TWUSA can best support them. I know there are many clubs who are needing funds. Another idea I have is to open up a mini movie rental store on campus. Students who want to rent movies give say $10′s, which will be returned to them at the end of the year if they follow the rules that would be in place. This will make it easier for those who are stuck on campus or don’t have a visa card to get a blockbuster card. This idea however is up for discussion. As well I want to give part of the budget to planning more events that can actively involve the commuters. One thought I had was maybe to make some kind of fort week for the first semester. Anyways these are just some ideas I am bouncing around. But overall, my goal with the money is to find ways to spend it that best value the students. For the be all end all is its your money and you want your bang for you buck. So I want to find that way to give that to you.
Hey I juat have a quick question, have you had any student leadership positions before? How are you qualified for this position, do you understand how TWUSA runs and opperates, are you familiar with the history of TWUSA?
You sounds like a really sweet girl but your ideas and vision is vague.
Hey,
Thanks for your question. I have had two student leadership positions at Trinity in the four years I have been here. Last year I was an SOS and this year I am leading Nighthshift on Monday nights. As for how I am qualified for this position. First off I am a business major with a specialization in Leadership and Management, which has given me opportunities to take classes in the leadership field. However your major for this position means nothing any one can run and do a great job at being TWUSA President, you just need a heart for this campus. I feel I am qualified for this position beyond my major because I have a huge heart to just serve this campus and student body. Trinity has blessed my life in so many ways and one way was the people. Therefore in my fifth year I want to give back to the students.
In regards to your question with how much I understand about TWUSA, I honestly have been really fortunate this year to have talked about TWUSA and its structure and history in a number of my businesses class. I can’t say I have the history down pat or even all the rules but I will say I am trying to learn and am willing to learn.
I hope my answers have given you a little more insight on who I am. Please let me know if you have any more questions or if any of my answers are unclear.
Thanks again for the question. :)
Hello Caitlin
I was just wondering, if you do win, how will you prepare yourself prior to your actual term beginning? I am asking you that, because while it is clear you have leadership experience, the other candidates definitely have a lot more TWUSA experience.
Also I noticed you mentioned that TWUSA needed to show solidarity with the rest of student leadership with the statement of faith. Aside from that debate, how do you see TWUSA’s role in relationship with the rest of Student Life? How are TWUSA leaders different from the other leaders in role and purpose?
Anyways initially in the race I didn’t know much about you and I was impressed with what you had to say both at the speech and the forum.
All the Best
Josiah
All that being
Hey Caitlin,
Lately I’ve been hearing your name a lot around campus, which is probably what happens when you run for a high profile position in an insular community.
One of the things that I hear frequently is how brave you are for running as a woman for a position that a woman has never held at Trinity.
My question for you is whether or not you find this offensive? I would hope, that as an individual running for a position of leadership, you would want to be critiqued on your ideas and your personal ability not your gender.
Thanks and good luck!
David Parker
Josiah, thanks for your question. First of all, it is mandated in the TWUSA bylaws that I would meet often with Dan Folkman in the next couple of months to learn more about the President position and to prepare myself. I also plan to communicate and meet with former TWUSA Presidents (including Brian Weir, David Van Hemmen, and Aaron Fedora) to hear their perspectives and ask them for their advice and wisdom. You’re right, I don’t have a lot of TWUSA experience. However, I think that’s what separates me from the other candidates. I bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to TWUSA.
As for TWUSA and the Relationship with Student life I will be honest and I am still brainstorming ideas on how to attend this issue and idea.
David, thanks for your question. You’re absolutely right that I would rather be criticized about my character, my skill set, and my ideas than my gender. As far as I’m concerned, being a female has no relationship to the kind of job I could do as TWUSA President.