2012 SSDP Board Candidates
Submissions for 2012
Check out this year's candidates for the SSDP Board of Directors.
Andrew Livingston
I want to serve on the SSDP board because I want to give back to the organization and the students who have given me so much. SSDP has dramatically changed my life and showed me drug policy reform is serious business and a serious career option. I want to use my research and organizational skills to raise as much money for SSDP as possible so we can send more students to conferences, provide more staff support to chapter leaders, and increase the size and strength of the SSDP family.
Annie Huelefeld
I am deeply passionate about SSDP and our work, not only towards ending the drug war but also towards empowering students. It was my passion for the cause that got me interested in starting a chapter, led me to connect with likeminded students to do so, inspired me to run for chapter president, and continues to drive my work in that role. The most valuable thing I have learned in my experience with SSDP is how much time, effort and dedication is necessary – behind-the-scenes, administratively, in communications and organizing - to achieve concrete successes. But it’s not just that such work is necessary – it does lead to concrete successes. I want to serve on SSDP’s boardbecause I want to take on, at a greater level, that “behind-the-scenes” work at the heart of successful activism. My experience with SSDP has empowered me, given me confidence in my abilities and inspired me to reach towards leadership positions. I would be proud to serve on board, and not only because SSDP is incredible, but also as a woman: both to increase diversity in leadership within the drug policy reform movement and to promote it, not only by example but also through Diversity Committee projects.
Bob Nichols
I can think of a few main reasons I'd like to be on the SSDP board. It's important that people push for saner drug policies and politics--i.e., a view toward drug laws that more realistically balances the overall costs and benefits of the universe of policy options--and I want to work with and support the student advocates around the country that are doing this. I also think that students (or "young people," whatever that means) should be more vocal and active politically so that we can have influence somewhat commensurate with our stake in the future of this world, or at least our share of its population. Too often, politics seems dominated by the same stale ideas, and I think that students offer new, good, and practical ideas that, perhaps not surprisingly, appeal to a broad part of the population. I think serving on the SSDP board will help me promote student advocacy. And I'd like to build relationships with other people who are interested in promoting saner drug policies, and more generally in promoting the causes of humanity and liberty.
Curtis Jackson
If I were to serve on the board, I know I would be gaining valuable life experience and education that I will be able to take with me as I work in my field. I also believe that I can represent the Midwest and Chicago well and can provide a unique voice regarding the issues facing a young, inner city African American student.
Fernando Thirión Romero
I believe that organizing is the only way to change our society and achieve political and social changes, because success lies in the capacity to cooperate with one another. I see in SSDP an opportunity for us, young people, to collaborate in the construction of a new drug policy and, maybe more importantly, an entirely new vision of what we call drugs. Today Mexico is the country most affected by the drug war and young people dies everyday because of that. They say this war is on behalf, but that isn’t true. Students have a leading role in the politics of our country, we have access to information, we’re educated, we have the tools to change our reality, even if politicians don’t want to hear us. We must work together; there is no other way to achieve a better life, to change drug policy and end this war. I’m committed with the future of my country (as everyone in our chapter), cause here is where I’m going to live.
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.
Jason Ortiz
Because I believe SSDP has the greatest potential to organize youth toward positive change in this country, and I want to be a part of training the next generation of SSDP Rockstars. The SSDP board has many functions, but our ability to interact with chapter leaders and provide them with specialized help, while at the same time helping to coordinate our national efforts take someone with a real diversity of skills sets and I believe SSDP can legalize marijuana in 2012 with strong focus, leadership, and training.
Jeremy Orbach
I have extensive experience regarding nearly every aspect of SSDP, from lobbying to media, network building to debating, organizing to planning, etc. As someone that wants to become an educator in drug policy when prohibition ends, and also as someone that plans on extensively writing about my experiences, I want to contribute to SSDP in every way that I can. I will be giving up my chapter to the underclassmen in May, and need a void to help fill it. So, I figure helping establish the long term visions of the national organization, establishing a flow of money into the organization, and maintaining a commitment to SSDP after I graduate is only logical at this point. I know that SSDP is the future of drug policy, and I know that I can help inspire those at a national level to do what they never thought possible.
Kat Humphries
I want to serve on the Board of Directors because I believe I could bring a lot of unique perspectives to the Board, but I also have a lot of dreams for SSDP (listed below). I feel that I have the ability to adapt in particularly difficult situations as well as excel in building meaningful relationships that I believe could really aide in coalition building and fundraising. I want to remain a part of the future of SSDP despite the imminent end to my undergraduate career.
Katharine Celentano
Short answer: because I care, and reforming drug policy is the most effective way I know of to scrounge a silver lining out of the pains of my past. Longer answer: I am confident that I bring an important much needed perspective from the recovery community. I treasure the way SSDP and the movement has broadened my understanding of the issues, and I hope to help do the same for those less acquainted with my initial reasons for getting involved. More generally, I have a passion for coalition building on all fronts. As a neuroscience student, I am passionate about helping scientists and advocates better communicate for mutual benefit. Ultimately, I want to serve because you all inspire me, and I want to continue to be a part of an organization that is on the cutting edge of the paradigm shift.
Kellen Russoniello
Recently, I reflected on my how I came to be in my current situation and my aspirations for moving forward. I realized that without my passion for drug policy reform, I have no idea where I would be. It has driven me for the past 5 years and I cannot see myself doing anything other than being a dedicated advocate. Since being introduced to SSDP, my zeal has been amplified and my goals solidified. 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 and invaluable perspective to the board. As I am in my last year of studies, having the opportunity to serve on the board and assist SSDP in its mission would be the ultimate way to round out my academic career.
Micheal Opeyemi Ige
I want to serve on the SSDP Board because I know it’s going to be an avenue to have a wealth of experience to be able to effects or influence some good changes here in the African Continent, it would also be a great opportunity to serve the society and to work with great minds form all over.
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 SSDP. As a political science major who wants to go to graduate school, this position would be an excellent way to spend my time off before graduate school. More importantly it would be a wonderful personal learning opportunity for me and a chance to share my own knowledge with others.
Sabrina Koramblyum
As a former SSDP chapter leader I know first hand how important the work we do is, and how much influence our students can have in on drug policy within their states and in our country. Serving on the board would give me the opportunity to grow my drug policy experience at a time when policy seems to be fundamentally changing. I believe my skills, experience, constant desire to expand my capabilities, and passion for the cause will make a difference and will prove to be an asset to SSPD.
Sam Tracy
This is the most important year ever in drug policy reform. Marijuana legalization is on the ballot in Colorado, and it has a strong chance at passing. The passage of this referendum would be a major breakthrough, and I want to make SSDP a leader in the campaign. We are facing a historic opportunity in this ballot measure, and I want to ensure that SSDP takes advantage of it. I have a lot of experience in raising money, getting headlines, hosting events, and most importantly, changing laws – and I want to pass these skills on to my fellow SSDPers.
