Graham de Barra
SSDP Board Application
The Basics
School: University College of Cork, Ireland
Email: grahamdebarra@gmail.com
Major(s) / Minor(s) / Areas of study: BA Major Philosophy/ Psychology Minor
Current year in school: 3rd Year
Expected graduation year: 2013
What are your tentative plans after college?:
I would like to open a surf and lifeguard school and eventually go back to Pilot school.
Leadership Experience
Describe your advocacy skills and experience. Include work outside of SSDP.
I helped run the annual cannabis march in Cork last May. Part of my work was hiring a production company and organising interviews for the speakers, writing questions, organising a venue, etc. Speakers included William Devane, who discovered the endocannabinoid anandomide, Vincent Lavery, who ran alongside Bobby Kennedy in the 1960's, TD Luke "Ming", Flannagan, among others. I also designed the leaflets for the march, hired a printing company and helped distribute them around the city. I have an active interest in Irish and European politics. Outside of SSDP I am helping set up a European Youth Drug Reform organisation with SSDP UK member Levent Akbulut. I have other leadership skills outside of drug reform. I'm the Schools Head Coach for ultimate frisbee in Cork. I've been working actively with the Physical Education Association of Ireland and I've gotten Ultimate Frisbee on the sports curriculum in a number of schools.
How do you plan on balancing a busy schedule as a student, an SSDP activist, and a board member?
I do have a busy schedule during most weekdays. Usually, however, I do find the time to reply to emails during my college hours. I will make myself available in the evening and weekends for calls and conferences.
SSDP Chapter Experience
What formal positions have you held in your SSDP chapter? When?
I helped establish SSDP Ireland and I am pushing to get a chapter in UCC recognised. I also co-ordinate with new members from other colleges and provide them with the contacts and information on setting up their own chapter. Currently SSDP Ireland isn't an official organisation, it is only a group of about 350 followers. I do feel this will get larger with more time and resources.
Describe your leadership style, particularly within your chapter.
I've always enjoyed helping those new to the group, as is evident from my coaching experience outside of SSDP. I like running events and I have good marketing skills. I feel I delegate jobs well, without talking down to people.
Describe one project that you led or are leading. What was/is your role? What has this project accomplished?
The annual march last May in Cork was lead by me for the most part. Designing posters and marketing the event was vital before it started and I feel I did a good job with this. I organised a team of artists to come together and make pickets and banners for the day. I helped arrange meetings prior to the event and recruited people to help out with jobs on the day: security, fliers, speakers, etc.It was the most successful cannabis reform march in Cork in history, with about 500 people in attendence. I feel given more funding and SSDP status in my university that I could get a much larger crowd of people to attend. If I could change anything I would make an official committee team. I would get a big name speaker to attend to grab the attention of students and other youth (eg. Howard Marks). I would also move the meetup point more central in the city to be heard more.
What fundraising or revenue building experience have you had in the past?
I've helped with raffles for Legalise Cannabis Ireland in the past. I've helped my ultimate frisbee club at UCC with table quizes but this is the extent of my experience in this field. Currently I would like to make a website for SSDP Ireland and include a donation button. I would organise gigs around the country and possibly buskers, jugglers, etc. I would run raffles and table quizzes on top of this. http://www.youtube.com/user/AgusAnoisProductions#p/a/u/1/UIrsTMUldIohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIrsTMUldIo&feature=channel_video_title
The Board
Why do you want to serve on the SSDP board?
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.
What do you believe are the board's most important functions?
To represent and vocalise the opinions of their SSDP organisation. To update and clearly explain recent events. To have the confidence to bring up any issues within the organisation. To act as a representative for their country on an international level.
What are your goals for your board tenure (be as specific as possible)?
I'd like to promote the cause in Ireland and I seek the help and advice from more experienced members. I wish to develop SSDP Ireland as best to my ability. I feel with everything I learn from you I can give back to new activists here.
If elected to the board, would you retain a leading role and/or formal position with your chapter?
Absolutely. This is the biggest reason I wish to become a member of the board. I want to apply everything I learn and turn it into a complete reform of SSDP Ireland. Admittedly I will get help with the running of UCC SSDP if it gets recognised but I will still have a major role in it's running.
