Wednesday, 7 March 2012

Social Media



SOCIAL MEDIA
The use of social media is essential to keeping you, the students of DIT well informed as to how my campaign is going but also what I can do for you. My online presence was one I gave a high importance to although I'm well aware of the need for an existence on the ground. This means being on your campus and talking to you one to one. Just to keep it all in one place I though I would use this post for you to be able to travel with me.




Gmail: meara.no.1@gmail.com

Event Blog: Mearaevents.blogspot.com

Campaign Blog: Williammeara.blogspot.com

Monday, 5 March 2012

Election Campaign Update 1.0

The past few weeks have been busy to say the least. I have met more people in just a few short days than I would ever have imagined and I've loved every second of it. With a hustings taking place in 6 sites (speech and Q&A from the candidates), it has been a heated and exciting experience. One thing I have gathered from this experience and through the feedback from the student I have met is that the student body is widely uninformed. Very few attended SU events, have ever popped into the office. Some even went as far as asking "where is the SU?"

I was amazed that most students were completely unaware to the serious matters that affect us right now and this is something I will address daily. It is important that all of us are aware of the impending cuts and how they are deliberated. Why? Because they affect YOU.

I decided to run for Vice President at the start of the year at a DIT leadership training course. the idea had crossed my mind several times. Between then and the nomination deadline there was a lot of prioritizing to take place and once it was all taken care of, I was ready to hit the ground running. I have a lot of experience in running events through my role as Chairperson of DIT Engineering Society and think that I could be of great service to your student union. As a final year Mechanical Engineering student based in Bolton Street, I have been here long enough to know the problems we as students face on a daily basis. From frustratingly slow WiFi to money gobbling printers, I know what grinds your gears and I'm here to fix it. A Bob the Builder of DIT if you will, I won't repeat the cheesy slogan, don't worry.

Tuesday will see a Q&A at 6pm in Aungier Street where you can come along to see how well informed your candidates are on the SU and all relevant matters. Some of the academic staff will be present and also provides them with the opportunity to find out who they will potentially be working with next year.

Voting will begin over a week away and it is your right as a student to stand up and have a voice. You can do this by voting for me, I definitely talk enough anyway! All you need is your student card and 1 minute of your time. These positions are highly important and it is up to you to ensure that you have the strongest union possible.

Remember, "Where there's a WILL, there's a way". Vote William Meara as your Vice President of Services and Trading on the 13th and 14th of March.

Friday, 17 February 2012

Manifesto for William Meara


Vote William Meara #1
13th & 14th March



Hi! My name is William Meara and I am running for Vice President of Services and Trading.

I am a highly proactive final year student studying an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering. I have long been involved with societies and hold position as Chairperson of DIT Engineering Society. I have a lot of experience in running events due to this.

I am a fresh face in the Students Union, allowing me to hold the perspective of an outsider and the work that needs to be done to appeal/involve the student body. I am highly motivated and can manage immense workloads with ease.

Through my four years as a student in DIT, I have experienced and identified the following issues that I will address:


Background/Experience:
-Final year student, Mechanical Engineering, Bolton Street.
-Active member of student recruitment
-Founder and Chairperson of DIT Engineering Society
-Awarded Most Improved Northside Society 10/11
-Part of Welfare Crew
-DIT Northside Societies and Events Committee
-Previous Class Rep
-Volunteer for many charities: Wells for Zoe, Movember, Enable Ireland and more
-Been in 3 performing musical groups
-Work closely with academic staff on course related issues.

Manifesto for William Meara

Through my four years as a student in DIT, I have experienced and identified the following issues that I will address:

1.      Lack of events and student participation.
o   The amount of events currently provided by the SU has been very low. With my event management experience, I will increase the variety, quantity and availability of events for the students of DIT. I will also carry out efficient promotion to fully immerse the students in these events.

2.      Availability and standard of computers, printers.
o   Computers are slow, very slow. I aim to increase the speed and availability of high standard computers across campuses where this is a major concern. Queues for printers are a major issue at certain times of the year, certainly colour printers. This can lead to students missing submissions and general frustration.

3.      Location and sign posting.
o   Many of DIT’s campuses are poorly sign posted.  It is impossible for the student body to find places of importance such as Societies, Sports, SU Shops and Student Union offices. I aim to eliminate this problem.

5.      Availability of Library Services.
o   Opening hours of the Library service in DIT have declined in recent years. Students are unable to access this necessary service on Sundays and for the most part of Saturdays when students may need it most. This matter will be addressed via the appropriate bodies.
Where there's a "Will", there's a way.

6.      Availability of health, counselling and career services.
o   These are the services you pay for and are essential to many of the students in DIT. Opening hours and knowledge of these services are their downfall. I will increase student awareness and accessibility of these services.

9.      Working water fountains.
o   Every student in DIT should be able to access drinking water. Currently the water fountains are broken, un-cleaned and extremely slow. I will fix this problem at all costs.

10.  Variety of stationary for students available from SU Shops.
o   A lot of the stationary needs for students are currently met off campus. I will increase the variety of the stationary available at low cost in our SU shops. Binding, drawing equipment and other course relevant necessities.

As a person with exceptional communication skills, I will transform the position into a very approachable and engaging one. This will be done by carrying out regular class addresses to involve the student body in all relevant matters and publically advertise my availability/presence. I will do everything possible to ensure I deliver on my promise and will not disappoint.




Vote William Meara No. 1 as Vice President for Services and Trading