LINKS:  CONSTITUTION | SOCA MANUAL  | ELECTION POLICIES | NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT SPRING 2022 | 2021 Report

*There were 25 eligible votes for exec positions in the Fall election results (8 ineligible out of 32 respondents on the Voting google form)

PRESIDENT
Oghenekaro Lauretta Umukoro  won with 96 % of votes cast
Yes: 24, No: 1, Abstain: 3

EXTERNAL RELATIONS OFFICER
Oromiya Ali won with 100 % of votes cast
Yes: 25, No: 0, Abstain: 2

INTERNAL RELATIONS OFFICER
Amina Hassan won with 96% of votes cast
Yes: 24, No: 1, Abstain: 5

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Yaye Seydi Balde won with  100% of votes cast
Yes: 25, No: 0, Abstain: 4

EVENTS COORDINATOR
 Mugasha Rutega won with 100% of votes cast
Yes: 25, No: 0, Abstain: 4

EXEC AT LARGE
Marie Haddad  won with 96% of votes cast
Yes: 24, No: 1, Abstain: 3

OPTIONAL SURVEY RESULTS 

On a scale of 1-5, how included do you feel at SFU? (1 means not included at all, 5 means very included)
On a scale of 1-5, do you think SOCA advocates well on your behalf? (1 means Very Poorly, 5 means Very Well)
What would you like to see SOCA do over the rest of the year 2021/2022? (In advocacy, events, services and programming we provide) (<150 words)
  • Discussion circle events (for discussing issues members may face)
  • More celebration 
  • More sports events\tournaments and outreaches to black students new to Canada to build community
  • More events for sure, just bringing people together. It’s a different feeling when you are surrounded by people who share a similar background
  • I’d hope to see more unity and organization. Lately, it feels like a political play ground when it’s supposed to be a safe space and advocacy for black students. I hope the new execs can improve that and continue the good work
  • Extraordinary things
  • Discussions
  • Africa and the Diaspora cultural night happens and is amazing with all them good pics
  • Continue the advocacy for students
  • Build on historical wins and previous labour of the people before us
  • Strengthen allyship with those people and groups around campus who stood with us in the past
  • stand up against racists and fight for a better community on campis
  • Keep membership involved in every decision and updates and ensure staff support understands the supporting role and keep things student run
  • Black community panels
  • Black history month events
  • Black history month committee wide participation
  • advocate for Black professors, health and counseling, SFU Black student center
  • strengthen relations with Black athletes and Black faith communities
  • seek out and ensure representations of Caribbean folks and Black Canadian and Black America within the team who are lesser population on campus
  • Keep strong on your community values - keep strong as SOCA!
  • Events, lots of events, many events, fun events!!!
  • Having BHM events, workshops on honouring our hair, culture, history, and advocacy! It would be great to see even a get together discussion panel on our histories but also SOCA’s history at SFU. + for incoming years, increasing programming and making it accessible to access
  • Music/ Instrumental sessions
  • More gatherings for Grad students
  • Soca should use their full potential through the help of higher placed people within the department to unite students across the school and if not across Vancouver. Debate teams should be ignited, smaller groups within the association like decoration group.. events group etc. bringing out hidden talents from fellow members of the soca team…
  • study halls!!
  • Honestly more events
  • Advocacy
  • Fun events
  • nothing, already great : )
  • more inclusion of mental health advocacy
  • have more year (1st, 2nd and such) specified for people to meet people in their own years
  • Do fun engaging activities like ice skating, go carting or having sports day.
  • More cultural events, conversations around black wellness and financial workshops. Resources available to students
  • Host more inclusive events, not just blacks but open it up for non-black (whites) to experience and learn about black culture. Not bring division and separation but unity!
  • More events!!!!
  • I'm a supporter of everything SOCA is doing! Love having this on campus
  • Hold Nigerian Student Association elections
  • Make a Black Space Matters history wall or frame to put up
  • Hold intercultural dialogues. Invite facilitators for community conversations
  • Maintain relations with SFU and non-SFU community groups, and build new relations
  • Keep having meetings accessible and always include the call for agenda items in the newsletter

Do you have any suggestions on how SOCA can advocate for you better?
  • Don't delay on supporting or bringing to membership big issues for racial equity or when folks are being attacked
  • build on the precedence and traditions of those that came before us
  • Keep everyone aware of the history of Space before we lose that knowledge and make people know how we had to fight for it
  • No, everything is great 😊
  • instagram polls
  • I come from South Africa, where racism is highly sensitive hence neglected and soca can work together to stand for all Africans/Caribbeans within the school and environment just going through the same thing via things as small as discussions on how you feel… therapeutic per say and giving adequate advise from strong minded people.
  • Affirm and protect Black women being attacked / defamed
  • From previous boards I do feel like SOCA advocated for its members well and at times went over and beyond but this year I do wish there was more seriousness and value held in campaigning and advocacy inside and outside of SOCA. This comes from a sense of experience and mentorship from previous organizers and we need to be documenting these histories while informing the members of it - even inviting these people to tell the stories and give them a platform for all they’ve done at SOCA. It may be good to have executives and members be part of some kind of community circle to learn the value of this advocacy so we never shy away from it. We need to be consulting members more with their stances on issues on campus when it comes to international students, athletics and team name issues, the governance and representation of us who are part of marginalized groups on campus when it comes to Undergraduate executives at the SFSS when it is beneficial and fruitful. This has been SOCA’s presence on campus for many years, and we should always uphold it by reminding ourselves of SOCA’s mandates and making space to learn more about them.​
​

ELECTIONS - Join our executive team! 

Are you interested in building Black, African and Caribbean community(ies) on campus? Nominate yourself or someone else for a role on the Executive Team! Whether interested in making connections, building professional skills, or putting on events, advocacy, and services, there is a place for everyone at SOCA. The Executive Team is bound by the Constitution of the SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA). The Executive is held accountable for the actions and activities of SOCA by the SOCA membership at regular membership meetings, while the volunteers help keep us running effectively! All candidates may get reimbursed up to $5 worth of campaign expenses (with receipts).

Constitution: PDF
Manual: PDF
Elections Policies: link
Past Election Results: link
​​
Online Voting: http://bit.ly/SOCABY-ELECTIONS2022
NOTE* Nominations and voting were extended, so voting is now Nov 9 - 11 and ends at 11:59pm on Nov 11.

Nominating Committee: Eden Ghirmay, Balqees Jama, Richard Good-luck Agbor
Contact us at nominatingcommittee-sfusoca@googlegroups.com if you have any questions or suggestions!

CANDIDATES

PRESIDENT
  • Oghenekaro Lauretta Umukoro

How has your experiences helped you prepare for this position and how will the SOCA community benefit from you serving in this capacity? 
​
As the current external relations officer, I was equipped with dealing with the organizations outside SFU which helped build relations and curate events for membership to take part in. Being able to cater to the needs of black students on SFU campus, has been one of the key roles of being an ER officer. Fostering the idea of a growing black g community is a key goal in this position.

If you get elected, what are your plans for each semester and how are you committed to executing those plans in the position you are most interested in? What is your level of commitment to execute on those plans and do you have the time required? (eg. 3-5 hours per week on average)

I can commit to 5 hours a week. My Plans for the coming semester - Building a stronger black community for SFU students - Creating accessible resources and support for black International Students. - Curating events to foster networking opportunities and community
INTERNAL RELATIONS OFFICER 
  • Amina Hassan
How has your experiences helped you prepare for this position and how will the SOCA community benefit from you serving in this capacity? 
Throughout my time at SFU, I’ve learnt a lot about the dynamics and the atmosphere of the various communities. As a first-year representative of Society of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS), I’ve learned the value of community and how to engage and bring the students of Faculty of Arts and Social Science. By being a part of SOCA, I’ll be able to be a part of an even greater community and share my knowledge with them!

If you get elected, what are your plans for each semester and how are you committed to executing those plans in the position you are most interested in? What is your level of commitment to execute on those plans and do you have the time required? (eg. 3-5 hours per week on average)

By being an Internal representative for SOCA, I’ll use my prior and present knowledge to be able to use in event coordinating as well as any other business that needs to be done! My level of commitment will exceed everyone’s expectation I will try my best to come to every meetings and be involved with as many events throughout the year/semester!
EVENTS COORDINATOR
  • Mugasha

How has your experiences helped you prepare for this position and how will the SOCA community benefit from you serving in this capacity? 

I completed an 8 month co-op promoting and planning events. I've assisted in laying the groundworks of a good event and I've seen what it takes to make an event smooth and lively.

If you get elected, what are your plans for each semester and how are you committed to executing those plans in the position you are most interested in? What is your level of commitment to execute on those plans and do you have the time required? (eg. 3-5 hours per week on average)

​I plan to use this position to not only connect the black community in SFU but connect them to the black community of Vancouver. I can commit 3-4 hours per week.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS OFFICER
  • Oromiya Ali 
How has your experiences helped you prepare for this position and how will the SOCA community benefit from you serving in this capacity? 
I have many experience in coordinating events with different organizations. I believe that being an event coordinator for SOCA, I’ll be able to give it my all and make sure I do my best in the process of planning events. I’ll be able to ask for our members thoughts and ideas and include it to the events. And overall make sure that our events are run smoothly and are enjoyable.​

If you get elected, what are your plans for each semester and how are you committed to executing those plans in the position you are most interested in? What is your level of commitment to execute on those plans and do you have the time required? (eg. 3-5 hours per week on average)
I can definitely put in the hours needed for SOCA. I am able to help organize and come up with events and ensure that events are running smoothly. I’m planning on helping with big events we having coming up and give my feedbacks and suggestions. 
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
  • Yaye Seydi Balde
How has your experiences helped you prepare for this position and how will the SOCA community benefit from you serving in this capacity? 

Studying computer science, I think I can bring some insight into the information technology officer position by helping to manage Soca’s social media. My goal is to bring in more engagement.

If you get elected, what are your plans for each semester and how are you committed to executing those plans in the position you are most interested in? What is your level of commitment to execute on those plans and do you have the time required? (eg. 3-5 hours per week on average)

I think being consistent and staying relevant with what’s going on, is what grows a social media platform. I am committed to putting in the time required to do that.
EXEC AT LARGE
  • Marie Haddad
How has your experiences helped you prepare for this position and how will the SOCA community benefit from you serving in this capacity? 
SOCA has been a staple presence in fostering much community, growth and learning within me. Previous to my engagement at the university I couldn’t quite find community and was unaware of my role in an educational setting. With my first co-led campaign at SFU during the Summer of 2020 in uplifting and supporting Black Athletes dropping a racially insensitive team name, not only did SOCA house me in, they ensured I was supported with a space I could call home. Here, is where I experienced much of my own flourishing.


If you get elected, what are your plans for each semester and how are you committed to executing those plans in the position you are most interested in? What is your level of commitment to execute on those plans and do you have the time required? (eg. 3-5 hours per week on average)

Plans: Supporting the SOCA BSSC Space in a warm and welcoming way while increasing opportunities for members and visitors to know the History by:
  • Uplifting Community Care with Bonding and Membership Consultation Opportunities
  • Increasing Visible Historical Documentation in the BSSC SOCA Space in Telling SOCA’s Story to Empower Membership and Historical Longevity
  • Storing our Fridge and Space with Snacks and Drinks!
Level of commitment: Varying upon weeks, my commitment can vary between 3-5 hours per week.