2012 SSDP Board Applications
Submissions for 2012
Check out this year's candidates for the SSDP Board of Directors.
Alfred Kilzi
SSDP has brought me so many amazing experiences so far. I wish to give back and help the organization grow. I am a loud and proud supporter of drug policy reform. To become a critical part in the movement, especially the student movement, would be an incredible honor to me.
Brandon Levey
Since I came to the University of Maryland and heard about SSDP, I knew this was something I wanted to get involved with, and since then, drug policy has been my life at UMD. SSDP is incredibly unique in that it is run by students, and is something that I think I can greatly contribute to. Now that I no longer am directly leading our SSDP chapter and instead am working from within the Student Senate, I want to continue my involvement in changing our failed drug laws. We are at an incredible time in drug policy history- when much of America is finally realizing just how counter-productive our “war on drugs” is- and being on the SSDP national board will allow me to play an important part in the coming end to the drug war and a return to more sensible, fair, and just policies. Additionally, I have ideas that I would like to pursue while on SSDP board that I feel will greatly help SSDP and expand its reach.
Daniel Pacheco
I want to become the first Latin American member of the board to offer a broader insight of how the organization can become integrated to an international movement. As a Latino, I would also want to make SSDP an organization that makes a stronger case before minorities in the US.
David Haseltine
I want to serve on the board because it would be an excellent opportunity for me to use my skills to expand and empower SSDP. Furthermore, I want to serve because I feel my leadership experience and passion for drug policy reform makes me an ideal candidate. A wonderful organization like SSDP deserves board members who are experienced, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to their responsibilities. And I’m certain that I can deliver exactly those qualities
David Stuart Campanella
I want to serve on the board because I am passionate about drug policy reform, drug awareness, addressing the issues of drug policy, and finding alternative solutions to the war on drugs, especially in how it affects college students (which I adamantly believe it does). I also believe I am a great leader and that I have the ability to inflict change through my words, my actions, and my passion for issues that I can express towards students, student groups, and college administrators, which is what I plan to do if elected to the board.
Graham de Barra
I feel Ireland deserve to be apart of the board if it is to continue to grow and that my involvement with SSDP Ireland and UCC SSDP make me the best person for the job. I would be a good representative for both groups as I work directly with them and helped set them up from day 1. I have good relations with everyone here and would proudly represent their opinions.
Juan Sebastian Ballestas Murcia
I would like to be part of the SSDP board to work towards the full integration of Latin America and to strengthen SSDP in the region. Knowing the role that Colombia has within the drug policy discussions throughout the world, I think that the presence of a Colombian member will enrich the conversation and provide new elements to the debate.
Julie C. Roberts
As an employee of Drug Policy Alliance, I always followed and supported SSDP’s work and wished I could be involved in such an amazing organization. Now, as a student, I have the opportunity to be fully entrenched in an organization that I’ve admired for years. Serving on the SSDP board will allow me the opportunity to continue my own personal growth as a drug policy reformer and challenge and push me in new directions. The opportunity to help lead a well organized, grassroots, progressive organization, with other passionate, intelligent, and driven individuals will enhance my ability to work as part of team toward a focused goal. I look forward to facilitating a unified vision with a variety of avenues for success.
Kellen Russoniello
My experiences working with SSDP members and staff has inflamed my passion as an advocate for drug policy reform. I want to be as involved as possible in working for this amazing organization. I know that as a dual degree graduate student, I will be able to bring a unique perspective to the board. As I am in my last year of studies, I would appreciate the opportunity to serve on the board and assist SSDP in their mission.
Melissa Colebank
I want to serve on SSDP Board because I feel that not only can I share my unique experiences and skills as a Southern Chapter leader, I also want to continue to promote and improve SSDP on the National level. I feel that I hold a unique role as a successful, female, southern drug reform activist that can improve not only my community, but nationally by bringing a new voice and struggles encountered in different regions. After attending the first Harm Reduction Conference held in the South in over 10 years, I realized how neglected proper harm reduction education has been and developing new ways of integrating it into our culture is a personal goal of mine.
Mitchell Colbert
I have a passion for drug policy and I have loved my time working with SSDP, being a Director would let me extend and deepen my involvement in this organization that I love. I am primarily interested in helping to create our national strategy and gaining a better understanding of the inner workings of a national non-profit. As a political science major who wants to go to graduate school, this position would be an excellent way to bolster my resume for graduate school. More importantly it would be a wonderful learning opportunity for me and a chance to share my own knowledge with others.
Nick Kappeyne van de Coppello
I want to be more involved in and give more to an organization I’m deeply passionate about. I expect that working on the board will require me to learn new things and make me even more committed to SSDP and the movement. I want to see SSDP thrive and believe that I have the experience, skills, and passion to help chart a successful future for our organization.
Sam Chapman
I want to serve of the board because I want to be part of the larger decision making process within SSDP National. Input can only go so far from a chapter leader standpoint, I imagine board members get more attention that your average chapter member or leader. If I am elected I plan to take advantage of this. Empowering students who are not represented by retaining a board position is one of my top priorities if elected to the board.
Sam Tracy
I want to serve on the Board of Directors because I want to help SSDP chapters take over their student governments and use them to make change. Doing so would solve SSDP chapters’ two biggest problems: funding and influence. Controlling student governments would put SSDP chapters in an unprecedented position to make progress on the campus, state, and federal level.
When it comes to drug policy, America is at a pivotal point in history – for the first time ever, a national Gallup poll shows that 50% of Americans are now in favor of legalizing marijuana. SSDP needs to take advantage of this moment, and could certainly be getting more media attention than it has in the past. I have worked in the media and know how reporters operate, and want to use this knowledge to make sure that SSDP gets more big media hits.
