Lots more campaigning on concourse today, and adrenaline must be pulling me through! I am more excited and invigorated than ever. Thanks again to my great campaign team who truly believe in me and who I would not be this happy without!
Monday, 1 March 2010
Investigative Journalism
Still feeling immensely inspired by the investigative journalism masterclass. Some of the examples they gave us from their own experiences were astounding. From under-age prostitution and ethical dilemmas to massive corporations and corrupt government, some of the horrific events they have reported on would have been left in the dark, uncovered, had they not thought that something did not seem right.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Yesterday
After a frantic couple of days, I was looking forward to a nice, lazy day. But there's no rest for the wicked! Yesterday, myself and the rest of the Wessex Scene gang had a 6am start as we had to get an early train up to London to attend an investigative reporting masterclass held by Nick Davies and David Leigh.
We arrived at City University, London bleary eyed but eager to learn more about investigative journalism from two giants of the trade. The pair had loads of tips to share, and it was invaluable to editors like us who are always looking for new, effective techniques of getting the inside story that you all want to hear.
I can safely say that all of us came away from the series of lectures inspired by the stories Nick and David told us, a lot of which were hilarious. I feel that what we've all learned today can be applied immediately to the Wessex Scene and it was encouraging that both Nick and David said that there was no reason why students cannot empower themselves and yield similar results in student newspapers as they do in national ones.
Interestingly, they also said that a lot of the stories they pursue are a product of reading small local papers and random, specialist journals. For instance, the national papers did not pick up on the fact that there was an article in a British medical journal last year telling of how the NHS was importing blood from the USA that had been contaminated with Hepatitus C.
It was really encouraging to hear their stories and feel that we, as students, can do exactly what they are doing; everything is whithin the realms of possibility.
Like Nick Davies said at the end of the day: never give up.
We arrived at City University, London bleary eyed but eager to learn more about investigative journalism from two giants of the trade. The pair had loads of tips to share, and it was invaluable to editors like us who are always looking for new, effective techniques of getting the inside story that you all want to hear.
I can safely say that all of us came away from the series of lectures inspired by the stories Nick and David told us, a lot of which were hilarious. I feel that what we've all learned today can be applied immediately to the Wessex Scene and it was encouraging that both Nick and David said that there was no reason why students cannot empower themselves and yield similar results in student newspapers as they do in national ones.
Interestingly, they also said that a lot of the stories they pursue are a product of reading small local papers and random, specialist journals. For instance, the national papers did not pick up on the fact that there was an article in a British medical journal last year telling of how the NHS was importing blood from the USA that had been contaminated with Hepatitus C.
It was really encouraging to hear their stories and feel that we, as students, can do exactly what they are doing; everything is whithin the realms of possibility.
Like Nick Davies said at the end of the day: never give up.
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Kinki
What a night!
Me and my campaign team went to the Christian Union yesterday evening and it was so much fun. Fun fact that you may not know about me: I love to sing, and so the CU was the perfect place to go. The music was so beautiful and I think I saw my campaign team cringing with embarrassment when they saw my awful attempt at dancing in the tiny space I had to move in.
It was great to meet so many new people and I would like to thank everybody there for having me and being so nice!
After CU, we went for a meet and greet with the other candidates in Kinki and it was great to see the Cube looking so full! That's what the Cube should be all about- bringing people from all over the uni into the union building and having fun!
I would also like to say massive thank you to everyone I spoke to at Kinki. You were all so nice and it was so great to hear you being so positive about the elections.
Another huge thank you to my campaign team for all their tireless support and their willingness to stay out into the small hours to help me with my campaign even with the prospect of a stupidly early start to (not) look forward to.
I hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as I did and I shall see you next week for more campaign frivolities!
Me and my campaign team went to the Christian Union yesterday evening and it was so much fun. Fun fact that you may not know about me: I love to sing, and so the CU was the perfect place to go. The music was so beautiful and I think I saw my campaign team cringing with embarrassment when they saw my awful attempt at dancing in the tiny space I had to move in.
It was great to meet so many new people and I would like to thank everybody there for having me and being so nice!
After CU, we went for a meet and greet with the other candidates in Kinki and it was great to see the Cube looking so full! That's what the Cube should be all about- bringing people from all over the uni into the union building and having fun!
I would also like to say massive thank you to everyone I spoke to at Kinki. You were all so nice and it was so great to hear you being so positive about the elections.
Another huge thank you to my campaign team for all their tireless support and their willingness to stay out into the small hours to help me with my campaign even with the prospect of a stupidly early start to (not) look forward to.
I hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as I did and I shall see you next week for more campaign frivolities!
What I've been up to
Wow! What a mad couple of days! I have to say, Friday has been my favourite day of campaigning so far. Yesterday really was so fun and it was great that I got to chat to so many people around campus and do quick shout outs in lectures.
So setting up on Friday, my campaign team and I had a brainwave. For a lot of people, campaign week is too in your face and walking across the concourse can be pretty intimidating; what with different campaign teams coming up to you and asking you to vote for this person or that person. Because of this, many people avoid the concourse altogether. Feeling confident that we had a lot of posters in and around the union, we decided to set up outside the Hartley library.
Armed with a tent, a pink banner, some Christmas tress (can't see the trees for the WOODS, anyone?), and my fantastic campagn team, we set up camp (literally) on the green area opposite the entrance.
Because we felt that going up to people and asking them to vote for me is too offputting for a lot of people and not even an effective strategy, my campaign team bravely sat in gale force winds for three hours joyfully waving at passers by and wishing them a good day whilst I chatted to students around the union.
Now, us being Brits, our initial thoughts were that many people would ignore us and avoid eye contact whilst quickening their pace away from us; but nothing could be further from the truth. The vast majority of people waved back, commending the brilliant committment of my friends and I like to think that my team brightened up a lot of people's day.
One thing that did suprise me, however, was the amount of people who asked what we were doing. When we replied saying that we were campigning, they looked at us confused because they hadn't even realised that SUSU elections were taking place next week so we made sure they knew how to get online and vote (vote.susu.org from Sunday at noon).
It's such a shame that these people didn't know what was going on. Students have such a fantastic oppertunity to make a real difference to their union and to get their voices heard. I really urge you all to empower yourselves and vote from Sunday onwards.
So setting up on Friday, my campaign team and I had a brainwave. For a lot of people, campaign week is too in your face and walking across the concourse can be pretty intimidating; what with different campaign teams coming up to you and asking you to vote for this person or that person. Because of this, many people avoid the concourse altogether. Feeling confident that we had a lot of posters in and around the union, we decided to set up outside the Hartley library.
Armed with a tent, a pink banner, some Christmas tress (can't see the trees for the WOODS, anyone?), and my fantastic campagn team, we set up camp (literally) on the green area opposite the entrance.
Because we felt that going up to people and asking them to vote for me is too offputting for a lot of people and not even an effective strategy, my campaign team bravely sat in gale force winds for three hours joyfully waving at passers by and wishing them a good day whilst I chatted to students around the union.
Now, us being Brits, our initial thoughts were that many people would ignore us and avoid eye contact whilst quickening their pace away from us; but nothing could be further from the truth. The vast majority of people waved back, commending the brilliant committment of my friends and I like to think that my team brightened up a lot of people's day.
One thing that did suprise me, however, was the amount of people who asked what we were doing. When we replied saying that we were campigning, they looked at us confused because they hadn't even realised that SUSU elections were taking place next week so we made sure they knew how to get online and vote (vote.susu.org from Sunday at noon).
It's such a shame that these people didn't know what was going on. Students have such a fantastic oppertunity to make a real difference to their union and to get their voices heard. I really urge you all to empower yourselves and vote from Sunday onwards.
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Slogans
With a lot of Wessex Scene editors on my campaign team, who are all used to writing catchy headlines, it was no surprise that they came up with some brilliant slogans.
One of their topical favourites:
Vote Charlotte for VP Media and Communications, for a Woods that won't cheat on you...
Photos
Couldn't resist uploading a few more photos. I have been tagged in so many from last night, and it is not fair not to share!
I love campaigning! You get to meet and talk to some fantastic people who you have never seen before.
Me with Chris, the computer genius who we are currently working with to redesign the Wessex Scene blog.
Beginning of the night in Clowns. She is showing off her Vote Woods for Media stamp!
Hustings!
It has only been a day since my last post but so much has happened. Last night after a great dinner with friends we headed to Clowns and Jesters to spread awareness of my campaign. It was lots of fun, and really reassuring to hear people agreeing with the ideas in my manifesto.
Very pleased I chose pink as my campaign colour - there were lots of blues out and about and there would be no way of finding my wonderful team if they were not adorned with pink bed sheets tied around their heads!
Very pleased I chose pink as my campaign colour - there were lots of blues out and about and there would be no way of finding my wonderful team if they were not adorned with pink bed sheets tied around their heads!
Today due to the dreadful weather we spent some time inside the main Union building with our tent and trees. It was really fun as everything has been, and putting up the tent was insanely simple, thankfully!
We then of course had two lots of hustings. In the morning we had them on campus, and despite being petrified beforehand, I am pleased with how things went. It was really exciting to talk about my plans and I hope I came across well. We have just got back from Winchester as well which was fun. It was great to get there and see the campus and everyone is really creative. It has been brilliant this year having Winchester students writing and contributing art to the Wessex Scene, and it definitely helps to go over there to let students know that they are entitled to use the facilities and societies on campus.
Wow, more and more things keep popping into my head but I think I will leave it there for now. Will update as much as I can tonight and tomorrow :)
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Today
First day of campaign week and it decided to pour with rain! Put on my favourite pink clothes this morning and got soaked through to the core...
Was wonderful to get out there and start speaking to people after such a long period of waiting! Nothing confirms how passionate I am than explaining to people the finer points of my manifesto!
Currently with some lovely friends at their house - they are making me falafel for dinner! How exciting! Another friend has just turned up with homemade samosas as well - definitely getting spoilt tonight with dinner tonight...
Was wonderful to get out there and start speaking to people after such a long period of waiting! Nothing confirms how passionate I am than explaining to people the finer points of my manifesto!
Currently with some lovely friends at their house - they are making me falafel for dinner! How exciting! Another friend has just turned up with homemade samosas as well - definitely getting spoilt tonight with dinner tonight...
Campaign Week
Decided to delete all my old posts and dedicate this blog solely to me and the media!
So glad I decided to run for VP Media and Communications in our student elections. Had been planning to for quite a while, but there is always the last minute fear factor. Words can't quite explain how glad I am though! I have met some amazing people, learnt so much and it has made me absolutely desperate to get the job. I have so many plans and ideas, and it would be wonderful to turn SUSU media into a true empire.
So glad I decided to run for VP Media and Communications in our student elections. Had been planning to for quite a while, but there is always the last minute fear factor. Words can't quite explain how glad I am though! I have met some amazing people, learnt so much and it has made me absolutely desperate to get the job. I have so many plans and ideas, and it would be wonderful to turn SUSU media into a true empire.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
