SBA Class Rep Candidate Statements for 2013-2014

2L Class Rep Candidate Statements

Emma Buck

My name is Emma Buck and I am running for 2L SBA representative. This year I participated in the SBA as a 1L section representative. This experience taught me how to best communicate the concerns and needs of my section to the SBA in order to help make law school a little more enjoyable for everyone. This will be particularly important skill for our future 2L representative as more of us take on leadership roles in various clubs and boards. This past year, the members of SBA were focused on making sure that our tuition money is being used as efficiently as possible so that it can go further. I want to help make sure that our funds continue to be well used and law school organizations are able to put on their events, competitions, and meetings (complete with delicious food).

As a 2L representative, I would be focused on making sure that new club officials understand how the SBA works and how their organization and the SBA can best work together. I would also like to increase communication between the SBA and all students so that everyone can participate in events and give feedback. I care about the important work done by the SBA and I would appreciate the opportunity to represent you.

Thank you so much for voting!

 

Hank Fisher

As your SBA Class Representative, I will always be available, I will make improvements, and I will make the most out of our budget so that we can turn your thoughts into tangible improvements. I am always available around school, commonly found at the library tables, in order to have face to face time to talk about ideas. I will also help to make smart improvements, such as not having the golf tournament on the day of the Masters, which I know is a dire concern for many of you in particular. Finally, through owning my own business I have become quite familiar with budgets and getting maximum efficiency when the budget gets tight. I hope you take my thoughts and qualifications into consideration when deciding on your future SBA Representative as I would really appreciate your vote. Thanks!

 

Shaun Freiman

Hey upcoming 2Ls!  My name’s Shaun and I’d like your vote for 2L SBA representative.  For those of you that don’t know me, I’m in section 3 and when I’m not in class, I can normally be found at the front tables in the library or outside on the front patio.

As you probably know, the SBA funds a lot of great events and school groups that allow us to take a break from school work and interact with each other outside of the classroom.  As your rep, I promise to keep you informed of those great groups and events, but also to make sure that SBA funds are being spent fairly and responsibly.  I also promise to increase the transparency of the SBA so you can know exactly what your representatives are doing on your behalf.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email or ask me when you see me at school.

If you want a candidate that’s fiscally responsible and socially active, vote for me in the upcoming class elections!

I’m Shaun Freiman and I approve this message.

 

3L Class Rep Candidate Statements

 Allison Rienecker

Hey everyone, my name is Allison Rienecker and I’m running for the SBA 3L Class Representative position.  I’ve been an SBA class rep the past two years and would be honored to serve our class again in our final year of law school.  This year’s SBA executives and chairs did an awesome job and I know the incoming board is already working hard to make next year even better!  I take my job as class rep seriously and do my best to always get answers to students’ questions.  I also work hard to make sure students know about events and other school happenings through relentless emails, Facebook invitations, messages and ticket sales.  If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at allison.rienecker@richmond.edu or stop by my carrel #S269.  Thanks for voting!

Nat Moger

All I do is win.

Congratulations to the 2013-2014 SBA Executive Board

President: Clay Jones

Vice President: Suzanne Spiller

Treasurer: Mayme Donahue

Secretary: Christina Stine

SBA Executive Board Candidate Statements

President:

Justin Griffin
Simply put, I am running for SBA President because I love this school, but I think
it could be even better. My goal is to have a more fun relaxing environment at
the school, and promote more active student groups which will contribute to the
richness of culture and thought at the law school. I am seeking the Presidency
because I see it as an opportunity to serve you and below is how I will start.

Mission Statement: The Student Bar Association seeks to improve the quality of life
of the students of Richmond Law by balancing the hard-work of law school with
some pleasures of life.

1. Get a steady supply of plastic utensils for the DU.
a. Nothing more annoying than not being able to find a fork when you
desperately need one.
2. Water Bottle Filling Station.
3. Fix the Foosball Table in the DU.
4. Bring more food options to campus.
a. I will work with the administration of the Law School and University
to provide law students more on-campus dining options. If downtown
Richmond can have Christopher’s Cart, why can’t we?
5. Taste of Richmond for 1L orientation.
a. Get local restaurants to come set up out on the front lawn, so all the people
new in town can see what the city has to offer.
6. Monthly Breakfast for all students in the atrium.
7. Serious commitment to the Legal Food Frenzy Food Drive.
8. Work with the CDO to have more networking events with local attorneys.
a. Job fairs, dinners, socials.
9. More DU’s and of a wider variety.
a. At least one SBA social event a month.
b. In addition to going to bars, things like movie night on the patio or Super
Bowl watch party.
10. Commitment to Intramural Sports.
11. Revamp the SBA website.
12. Restructure student organization budget process.
a. Have a more inclusive and transparent system for allocating funds.
b. Groups would be able to have limited social events.
c. I will personally meet with each of the heads of the student organizations
before the budget is determined to learn more about the group, their goals,
and their mission.

Clay Jones

If you grant me the opportunity to represent the student bar, my focus will be jobs.
Our school is doing a great job of increasing its ranking. That will benefit us all down
the road. What will benefit us now is opportunities to increase our visibility as
employable individuals. Not everything relates to our current/future jobs searches.
I obviously can’t promise jobs for everyone. What I can promise, however, is to view
every relevant decision and opportunity through the lens of “Will this help current
students gain employment.” I also intend to find opportunities for the student bar to
become more involved in efforts to help launch our careers.

I learned a lot during my first career after college. I worked as a Contracts
Administrator and as a Systems Analyst at a defense contractor that employed over
30,000 people. While I was there I led a number of projects. Those projects ranged
from a campaign to educate all employees across the nation on organizational
conflict of interest, to a local effort to determine the best way gather critical data.
One thing I had to learn quickly is that if you want to get a job done it is crucial to
involve the main stakeholders.

Right now, we are those stakeholders.

I am encouraged by the changes I’ve seen in the CDO over this school year. Dean
Hutchinson is doing a fantastic job and I’m confident she will continue to do so. But
I believe that every department has a role to play in helping us along during this
initial phase of our careers. The Student Bar Association should as well. Who else
has more skin in the game?

I do not believe that it is my position to list changes and pledge to bring them
to campus. The executive board of the SBA exists to represent the students and
there are three class representatives who are elected to focus on the concerns of
their classes. In this regard, the president’s role should be to consult with these
representatives and seek out concerns personally as well. Then the president should
champion those concerns to the Dean’s Office.

Employment is one concern that we clearly all share. I am asking for your vote so
that I can keep that concern at the forefront as SBA President.

 

Vice President

Suzanne Spiller
My name is Suzanne Spiller and I am excited about running for SBA Vice President.
I am currently treasurer of SBA and I have enjoyed both getting to know everyone
involved in the Student Bar Association and being involved in all of the school

activities and events. I look forward to remaining an SBA officer, and will use all of
the information and experience that I have gained as treasurer this year in the Vice
President position. I am excited about the opportunity of taking on a different role
and serving the law school as best as I can. I believe that Mike McCollum and Grace
Stewart did a fantastic job this past year as president and vice president and I hope
that we can have another great year! Please let me know if you have any questions
or suggestions. I look forward to serving you all again.

Treasurer

Mayme Donohue
My name is Mayme Donohue and I am running for SBA Treasurer. I’ve served the
past year as a 1L Representative on SBA. During that time, I learned a great deal
about the budget process and I have also come to understand a number of the
frustrations students often experience related to the SBA budget. I believe that most
of the frustrations are born from misunderstandings and miscommunications and
as Treasurer my number one goal will be transparency. The current SBA Executive
board has done a great job restructuring the budget process and through their hard
work, this next budget cycle will surely not resemble the last. That said, I want to
make sure each student understands how and why money is allocated the way it is,
because after all, it is all of our money.

I want to thank the current Exec Board for everything they’ve contributed to the
SBA and I look forward to working with the new SBA to continue the progress we’ve
made. Thank you for your votes! I am excited for what’s to come!

Secretary

Emma Buck
My name is Emma Buck and I am running for Secretary. This year I participated
in the SBA as a 1L section representative. The SBA does the very important job of
making law school a little more enjoyable. Without the SBA putting on social events
and distributing funds to clubs and boards, we would have much less to distract
us from readings and classes. This year, the members of SBA have been focused on
making sure that our tuition money is being used as efficiently as possible so that it
can go further. I am running for SBA Secretary so that I can continue to ensure that
our funds are being well used and law school organizations are able to put on their
events, competitions, and meetings. I would be an excellent Secretary because I am
organized, experienced, and I care about the important work done by the SBA.

Thank you so much for voting!

Christina Stine

I would be honored to serve the Richmond Law community as SBA Secretary. My
experiences serving on student group executive boards, coupled with my proactive
and efficient management approach make me particularly fit for the position. I
am diplomatic, attentive and considerate in group settings. I will employ these
characteristics to keep everyone current with what the SBA is doing, to take SBA
meeting minutes, and to work with the other SBA executive board members on
budget allocations.

The SBA can be a powerful resource for our law school, but if no one knows what we
are capable of, how can we serve our students? If elected to serve as Secretary, I will
open the door of transparency, and show you how the SBA can help you and your
organizations. I will take it upon myself to better utilize the SBA blog to not only
keep the student body informed, but to entertain and motivate us all as well. The
blog will be easily accessible via a link in The Docket each week – no need to clutter
our inboxes with another email. The goings on of SBA will be more transparent,
and everyone will feel better informed. I will also include a joke of the week to keep
everyone’s spirits lifted.

Finally, I vow to be approachable and readily available to listen to your comments
and suggestions, and to bring those concerns to the attention of the SBA executive
board. I will apply my leadership experience to earnestly represent you in the best
way possible at all times. I appreciate your consideration and would be grateful for
your vote for SBA Secretary.

1L Section Representative Elections

The voting for 1L section representatives will begin Wednesday afternoon, but before you vote you may want to review the candidate statements submitted by the potential representatives for your section(any formatting glitches in the candidate statements are my fault, not theirs; this blog is rather odd sometimes).  Feel free to get in touch with the candidates directly if you have any questions for them.

Section One:

Jeff Miller

To start let me say that I’m proud to be a member of section one – it seems like there’s always more members from our section at the various group interest meetings, SBA events and service opportunities than from any other section and that’s awesome. It’s no surprise then that there are four of us in the running to be our SBA rep.

What makes me different? First, I’m a bit older and with age comes experience (and in this case that experience is actually useful.) From college to real life I’ve often served various groups as a representative to larger governing bodies. In other words, I’ve done very similar work before and would be glad to do it again for our section.

Second, I think I’m a pretty easy person to talk to and an attentive listener. I’ve already heard some of your ideas – specifically the addition of an ice machine and water fountain with cold water that fits water bottles. These are great ideas and the types of things I would happily lobby for on behalf of our section.

Lastly, I really try to be an efficient person and keep things moving. Believe me, in any sort of bureaucratic environment, being able to get to the point is a handy skill to have.

I believe I can serve our section effectively and I encourage you to come to me with any questions or further suggestions you might have.

Thanks for your time and hopefully your vote!

-Jeff M.

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Jayson Poole

Hello, I’m Jayson Poole and I want to be your section representative. For those who have come to know me over the last few weeks, can tell you that I’m dependable and always there to help out. As section representative, I would use the best of my ability to convey our interests as a section to the rest of the law school. I have had personal experience in student government in both high school and college. I’ve served as the Senior Class President to Western Branch High School and as the Secretary of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Chapter of Christopher Newport University. As Senior Class President, I enjoyed setting up event that our high school would enjoy and would bring the same enthusiasm as your section representative. Similarly as Secretary of the Phi Alpha Delta Chapter, I worked tirelessly to inform the fraternity members of the events and was heavily involved with the planning of events. I would always be open to your suggestions and needs as your section representative. So be cool and vote Poole.

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Sarah Rose:

Hey everyone, I’m Sarah Rose and I’d like to represent you to the SBA board this year. My role as the representative would be to provide communication between the SBA and Section 1. I am here for you; any ideas, concerns, question, comments, feelings, etc. that you may have that you’d like to have addressed by the SBA, I’m your girl! At The College of William and Mary, I was involved in many campus organizations and held various officer positions including secretary and president. Additionally, I was social chair for my sorority. What does this mean for you? I have lots experience communicating back and forth between my peers and elected officials and would love to hear what you have to say! And, as I make full use of my carrel, and it is conveniently located on the first floor, I’m very accessible. Furthermore, I’ve been very involved in planning social events before and would love to have some more (baseball games? Mixers between us and other graduate schools? Happy hours?) If you have any further questions, feel free to ask me in person or shoot me an email. As your representative, I would proudly represent your ideas and opinions to the SBA, so please, vote for me!

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Christina Stine

After meeting everyone in Section One, I can honestly say that it would be an honor to represent such an amazing group of people. It’s easy to see why I would want to be your representative for SBA, but why should you want me to represent you? During my undergraduate years at the University of Florida, I held several leadership positions that have prepared me for this role. I have experience with managing people, working hard, communicating and budgeting. (The specifics of some of the most significant positions are outlined below.) My favorite aspect of any leadership role I have ever held is problem solving.

In fact, problem solving is the reason I decided to go to law school. As your Representative, I would take your ideas and problems to the SBA, come up with ways of improving them and put them into action. Putting my creative problem solving skills to use as the Section One Representative would put me right in my element, and you would see me at my best.

Additionally, I have a passion for people and their success. Nothing makes me happier than seeing those around me realize their own goals. If elected to this position, your ideas and goals will be my first priority. Help me help you by voting for me for Section One 1L Representative.

Leadership Experience:

Dance Marathon at UF, The most successful student-run philanthropy in the Southeastern U.S.

Entertainment Overall Chair (04/11 – 04/12)

• Oversee 12 Entertainment Captains.

• Schedule all talent for the 26.2-hour event

• Work with Dance Marathon Overall Team and Children’s Miracle Network         Hospitals at Shands Hospital for Children

• Raised $886,726 donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

University of Florida National Panhellenic Council – Membership Vice President

• Plan and execute Panhellenic Recruitment in Spring and Fall for 1,200 potential  new members

• Act as liaison between the 16 chapter recruitment chairs, the Office of Sorority   and Fraternity Affairs and the Panhellenic Executive Board.

• Oversee and manage 14 members of Recruitment Executive Board

• Plan and lead a semester-long two-credit Panhellenic Counselor class for 95         student leaders

• Oversee $110,000 budget

Reitz Union Board of Managers, The managing board of UF’s student union Finance Committee Chair

• Oversee financial policies, operating budgets and facility use rates, and allocate   student organization office, cubicle, and storage space.

• Oversee $8 million budget.

• Manage two other board members and coordinate biweekly committee meetings             to review the financial aspects of the Union.

Chi Omega Sorority, Campus Activities Committee Chair

• Ensure that women of Chi Omega are active, contributing members of our           university.

O’Connell Center Student Advisory Board, Facilities Committee Chair

• Review and make recommendations on requests to alter the O’Connell Center,    such as space allocations, the addition of furnishings, equipment, and construction      projects.

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Section Two:

Emma Buck

Hey Section 2! My name is Emma Buck and I would love to be your Student Bar Association Representative. The SBA’s role is to make our three years here as enjoyable as possible. This includes planning social events and promoting student organizations. With all of the work we do, it is so important to be able to unwind and get to know each other outside of the library. As your student representative, I would be receptive and positive towards all of your suggestions. If you have any questions, please come talk to me whenever (I’m easy to find, just spot the red hair). Thank you for voting!

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Dimitri Karles

Hey everyone! My name is Dimitri Karles, and I am running for Section 2 representative to the SBA. I think we can all agree that these first five weeks have been a whirlwind, and as section representative, I would like to help make sure that the rest of the semester passes smoothly for all of Section 2.

I graduated from VCU in May with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Chemistry. As an undergraduate, I volunteered in the Emergency Radiology Department at MCV and at CrossOver Ministry, a health clinic that treats patients who would otherwise be unable to afford health care. Because I volunteered during the school year, I developed the ability to balance my school and extracurricular responsibilities; if elected, you can be sure that I will make time to respond to any emails or questions you have. I also served as the secretary for the VCU Chapter of SWE; as secretary, I was responsible for organizing meetings and keeping the other officers on track. I will use this experience to make sure that any concerns or questions you have will be voiced to the larger SBA body.

I am usually on campus Monday through Friday, so you are welcome to come by my carrel (331 on the second floor) if you have any questions. If I’m not there, feel free to leave me a note, or email me at dimitri.karles@richmond.edu.

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Section Three:

Mayme Donohue

Hey there, Section 3!  I’m Mayme and I’d love the opportunity to be our section’s representative to the SBA.  I have truly enjoyed getting to know our section thus far.  Let’s be honest, we’re awesome!  As your SBA rep, you can count on me to make sure we have the most support, the most success, and the most fun.  I’ll make sure we have all the info we need and I’ll always speak up on our behalf.  It would be an honor and a pleasure to serve you.  Thanks!

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Shaun Freiman

For those of you that don’t know me, I’m Shaun Freiman and I’m asking for your vote to be our section’s Student Bar Association (SBA) representative. The SBA is responsible for putting on school events such as the Fall Down Under at the Tobacco Company, sponsoring student groups and organizations, and interfacing with the school and community on our behalf.

As a two term undergrad Student Senator I represented the students in my major before the school administration and assisted in the organization and planning of social and philanthropic events for my college. As a staffer for both the US Senate and the Executive Branch, I was regularly required to successfully advocate for the organizations that I represented to third parties. I recognize that two way communication is an essential part of good representation. It is my goal to be an open channel of communication between Section Three and the SBA. As your representative I plan to both keep you informed of opportunities to participate in SBA events and activities and encourage you to bring your suggestions to me so that I can share them with the SBA.

The skills and experience that I have developed over a six year career in public service as well as those gained as an undergraduate Student Senator are directly applicable to the position of SBA representative. With your support, I will put these qualities to work to ensure that the interests of Section Three are known to the SBA. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to stop me for a chat on campus, leave a note at my carrel T417, or shoot me an email at shaun.freiman@richmond.edu

I’m Shaun Freiman and I approve this message.

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Kerry McClung

Hi Section 3! I love to be involved in the happenings around T.C. Williams and want YOU to be involved as well. Law school is more than just an academic endeavor; it is three years of your life – enjoy it! As our section’s representative I will work toward making law school a well-balanced experience for everyone. I will make sure our section is aware of all the opportunities available to students and will always be receptive to suggestions. Thanks for voting!

Fall Gathering

Please join us for our annual
RICHMOND LAW FALL GATHERING
with portrait dedication during the event of former Dean John Douglass

Friday, October 5, 2012
6:30-8:30pm
Jepson Alumni Center

RSVP by October 1st online at http://richmondlaw.kintera.org/fallgathering or via email to lawalumni@richmond.edu

Check out the ACS Interest Meeting!

ACS Chapter Social!