For the last time, hi and hello! Happy Asian and Jewish Heritage Month!
I cannot believe that we are here at the very end of my term. Before I indulge in my sentimentality, here is what OUSA has been up to this month.
We recently partnered with the Ontario Legislative Internship Program (OLIP), where graduates get an opportunity to work closely with MPPs and support them with their legislative affairs. Our ED, Malika, met with the interns to give a presentation about OUSA and answer any questions they had about the organization, as well as our approach to student advocacy. We are excited to maintain our partnership with this dedicated group of young leaders!
We also had a chance to attend a gala hosted by Ontario Student Voices (OSV), an up and coming college-based student advocacy group. It was a fun evening where we had a chance to connect with more student advocates and sector partners. We look forward to seeing the ways in which OUSA, OSV, and other student groups can come together to unite on our advocacy efforts.
Speaking of coming together, we also collaborated with the Ontario Student Trustees Association (OSTA-AECO) on a couple of projects over the past few weeks. The first of these is a video on menstrual equity to emphasize the role that our province should play in alleviating the disproportionate financial toll that menstruators face. You can watch our superstar intern, Bianca, in action here! The second collaboration was joining OSTA for their AGM, where they invited advocacy groups in the province to participate in the roundtable with student trustees to learn about student engagement and advocacy priorities. The trustees had insightful questions and honestly, the future of student advocacy is very bright with these young leaders if/when they enter post-secondary.
Keeping us busy, we returned to hosting Welcome Conference in-person after many years! Presidents and SC members headed down to Toronto to meet with sector stakeholders, receive anti-racism and Board training, and learn more about OUSA and our research and policy work. The new SC got to spend some time together and held their first Board meeting where they elected the new OUSA exec.
After chairing the elections, I am happy to announce the new Executive Team! Congratulations to my successor, Michelle Wodchis-Johnson! I am excited for you to embark on this adventure, and I have no doubt that you will propel student advocacy further. Congratulations to Arya Razmjoo on VP Finance and Maya Hobbs on VP HR. You three will do great!
To wrap this year, our Annual Report is back! Proud is an understatement for everything we have accomplished. I am overwhelmed by the influence and mark we have left along the way. There is a lot to reflect on, and I could not have done it without my colleagues. This past year would not have been possible without the fantastic Home Office, who have devoted their time and efforts to making the magic happen. They are an iconic group of people who embody the actual meaning of girlbossing. Thank you for your ongoing support and motivation Malika, Tiffany, and Octavia – I will miss working with you all.
With this being said, my cup is full. This has been one of the most invaluable experiences. It has been an absolute honour and pleasure to serve as OUSA’s President for 2023-2024. If you are looking for a sign to go for it, this is it. I promise that taking the chance will pay off. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I had not tried, and I am so glad that I did. You are more capable than you think and never underestimate your power. Speak out even when your voice shakes, you never know who will be listening. I am forever changed by this privilege to have been a student leader and advocate. Thank you from the depths of my heart endlessly.
Live, laugh, lobby once more,
Vivian <3