Why vote Nikki Best for VP Internal?

Is it true? Does the name really say it all? Well, you've come to the right place to find out why Nikki is the BEST candidate for VP Internal of the Federation of Students. Nikki Best always has and always will be the voice for the students at the University of Waterloo. When Nikki first arrived at this school, she didn't know a single person. Now, after 5 years of being here, her undying passion and love for involvement and student communities has allowed her to gain valuable experience, skills, and relationships with hundreds of people she now calls friends, here at UW. In every project she has worked on, every level of student government, and every person she has met - Nikki Best has made a positive difference. From the countless recommendations you can find here, you will see how Nikki has developed cherished relationships, positive leadership, and lasting impacts at UW.

For examples of her experiences, Nikki has helped students learn of the many university policies and changes that affect them through her work with the Arts Faculty Council, Legal Studies Society, Arts Student Union, and the Arts Faculty Committee of Student Appeals. If students have concerns or questions about anything administrative or academic, Nikki is always there to help, advise, and follow up with everyone. The skills that Nikki has learned through her faculty involvement are easily transferable to the VP Internal role because of the need for administrative experience, organizational and human development skills that the portfolio demands.

Through her student government experiences she has learned budgeting, recruitment of volunteers, and how to meet the accessibility needs of the students - all which are vital roles of the VP Internal. It's clear that the VP Internal role needs a person who is able to meet with two conflicting groups or situations, and mediate a way for both parties to positively find a solution while maintaining the integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism for all parties. Nikki has exceptional experience working through conflict through her leadership facilitation training and club experiences. Through her outstanding work with those clubs, societies, and councils, her peers and supervisors from most of those areas have supported and/or appointed her into even higher roles within those organizations.

External to FedS committees in the VPIN portfolio, there are other areas in which Nikki would be a positive contributor. This includes the LGBTQQ advisory committee, in which she already has peer and ally training by GLOW and the suicide prevention committee where Nikki has experience with QPR training and familiarity with counseling services' policies and procedures. If elected, she would also be a member of the health & safety committee for which she will always ensure concerns and problems in that field are dealt with accordingly and treated with the utmost importance. Having a strong health and safety committee is especially prudent now because student health issues around the H1N1 virus and exam relief is currently a pressing issue at UW. Nikki will ensure that proper and fair procedures are continued and implemented across UW for the best interest and health of the students. Additionally, through her conflict management training and experiences, as well as her human resources management minor, Nikki knows a great deal about helping students reach their most positive results in the most difficult of situations. Problem solving, organization, and caring heart all make her a reliable and trustworthy person to get the job done.

Her volunteering experiences have taught her the importance and need for services at UW, and how FedS is continually filling the countless unmet needs from the services the university should be providing us. She has also been working with Sarah Cook, the current VP Internal to identify the current problem areas in FedS and to determine what changes should be made in the future for the betterment of the students, clubs, and services. Nikki's involvement in student government and FedS services has given her a special insight into the needs to for diversity awareness on campus and promoting the safety, inclusion and involvement of all UW students. Nikki's belief is that no student should suffer exclusion merely based on their diversity. Another body of government external to FedS is the Student Services Advisory Committee, which charges students money each year and then allocates it accordingly throughout the terms. Nikki will advocate for more spending on unmet student needs through (SSAC), and vows that no surplus of the fund will go unused. Nikki says that "if the students are paying the money in, then the money should be payed into the students".

Nikki has always had an excellent working relationship with all her leadership, volunteering, and employment positions; skills and experiences that can easily be transferred to a positive working relationship with the full-time FedS staff that perform the essential duties of the Federation. She has always sought for more information and facts or hot topics, and has always kept students and peers informed of university and student affairs through helping other student leaders in their roles and even collaborating with them. Lastly, Nikki is the most capable to be an unbiased voice for the clubs and services of UW, as she will always act for the interest on behalf of entire student community at UW. Nikki has the experience you can trust in, the skills you can be assured of, and the passion for this school the FedS government undoubtedly needs.

Nikki believes that this school is giving us all the opportunity to say "this school is mine, and I want it this way". This is YOUR FedS, in which Nikki promises to ensure that your resources, your services, and your opportunities are maximized in 2010. She will always have the passion and drive to make things better for people, while being transparent, approachable, and accountable.

Remember, she will always be a voice for the students, she will always have the student's best interests in mind, and she is always with Warrior pride.

For a positive and lasting difference in the Federation of Students, Vote Nikki Best for Vice President Internal.