By Marijn Thijs
Can you introduce yourself, and what position are you running for?
I am Arlet, a 19-year old fourth semester student. I am majoring in Economics and Psychology and I am running for the Treasurer position in RASA.
When did you decide you wanted to run?
I think I decided I wanted to run for RASA in my very first semester. Back then, I already wanted to be involved in RASA, so I decided to become the treasurer of Cooking Society. That gave me my first experience with RASA, and with the duties of a treasurer. From that moment onwards, I came into contact with RASA; I organized events, I really enjoyed myself and I also saw a lot of people enjoying it. I wanted to contribute more to that feeling, and to that system. In my second year, I decided I wanted to run for more, so I joined the Christmas Gala Team in order to know how to organize a party. I also joined SportsCo, to get to know how sports are organized at UCR, which also gave me more experience handling larger amounts of money. I joined PUMA, so I could extend the contacts UCR has with Middelburg. Right now, I think I am ready for the next step; I wanted to take it to the highest level possible, and for me that would be RASA.
Why this board, why RASA?
I was already quite involved with RASA, and RASA has something that most other boards do not have: namely the direct involvement with social life. Besides academics, and besides Elliott, what do people want to do? That consists of various things; it can be cooking, or partying, but that can also be academics-related. I want to give people with their varying interests a voice and a financial base. I want to stimulate different initiatives to improve student life besides academics.
Why do you feel you would be the right person for this position?
I have a lot of experience in being a treasurer; I have joined four boards, which were all quite happy with my work. I worked with people, and now I am quite familiar with collaborating. Furthermore, I worked on improving finances in different boards, to an extent where I actually made money for a society. I also worked with a lot of people, getting to know their interests, what they want to improve and how I can contribute to social life. I have developed my communication skills as well. Therefore I think I would be a very suitable treasurer.
Moreover, I have experience handling money concerning the Sports Complex, in which the RASA treasurer will fill in a Board position as well. Therefore, as one of the few people who knows what is going on with the Sports Complex, I also think that I would make it easier to help with the implementation between the Complex and student life.
Is there anything else you would like to tell Tabula Rasa’s readers?
For a treasurer with heart for RASA, vote for me!
Marijn Thijs, class of 2016, is a History and Linguistics major from Maartensdijk, the Netherlands.
