Elections 2019

Former VP Aaron here with an introduction. For anyone who’s been eagerly awaiting elections updates on this blog and wondering what took so long, the strategy this year was to take notes during the elections and edit/post them after the fact. I didn’t take the notes (aside from the occasional annotation); don’t want to steal credit for that. The intention was to have a better record of everything that happened. Enough people running for board turn to past elections to prepare that we wanted to make sure nothing important was omitted. If that sounds like you reading this now then you’re welcome.
If you wanted to be entertained and somewhat updated in real time you could’ve been following @PBDecides on Twitter. There was also a flog (fake blog) where Rendy interviewed candidates prior to the election and Urf took notes during it until his laptop died. Big step up from last year.
Ok on to the actual election summary. Enjoy:

President

Jessica Conway, the only candidate, speaks:

• Thank you for being at elections right now and for coming to what you needed to during the year to make it into the room
• As secretary, had to look at everyone’s faces at pretty much all band events. See people on good days and bad days, people come to band leave outside stress
• Some would call band a safe space, a distraction, a home
• Band is stress relief, where we come to be with friends
• People who are here to run today are nervous (including herself) and that’s not a bad thing— it shows that we care about the future of the band but we should remember that band is supposed to be an escape from stress
• Board’s job is to do the worrying and the heavy lifting, but also board’s job to have fun at events and create a welcoming family atmosphere
• Should be a good member of the band to set an example for the rest of the band
• From being secretary, she has learned how the band works
• Has some stuff she’d like to work on or change, can put time and effort in that is necessary to be a board member but does not want to make big concrete promises right now—wants to go over changes with the other board members, council, or anyone who wants to give feedback
• Continue
• Office Hours in some form
• Expectation of open dialogue
• Thinking about making council meetings twice a month
• One meeting for all, one additional meeting for just those who have a lot going on
• Will help in the busiest times when there is so much to discuss
• Going forward, if accepted as president, she will take her experience from this year to do the best she can as a board member and bando

Q&A

Melannie: What's the biggest issue that the outgoing board had?

• A lot that needs to be done to create an internal community
• Getting everything out in board meetings
• Bonded with the four board members, so that it projects out
• More opportunity for council to talk, and send stuff earlier

Hannah (Current DM): How should the board and DMs interact?

• This year, too much last minute messaging
• Keep adding DM’s onto early council drafts
• Should know the DM’s role, they are performance
• They have stuff they need to know, should  get that info earlier

Landon: How will we reduce burnout in the band?

• Our message should change to nothing is mandatory, so we can better distribute who is actually at events

Liam (with a hand in his pocket): Will you use the power of the president to execute the will of Dominique?

• After she says no the clarinets boo and throw tomatoes at her

Melannie: What qualities will you look into for council members?

• Attendance, who has the dedication to the band
• Personal statements, making sure that lines up with wishes
• Encourage you to apply

By acclamation, Jessica is your next president!

Vice President

Once again, only a single candidate, Adam Rose:

• One year ago he gave a speech as a freshman who loved the band
• Today he is running for board, and he knows that the VP is the best spot to him
• If the President works with Council, the VP should work with the rest of band
• Firm believer in tradition
• Views himself as a team leader
• He thinks it's important to have a VP with a strong musical background
• He was the voice, so he has experience with the process of halftime shows
• He is now equipped with the knowledge he needs to lead the Penn Band
• Ran last year, and is running again for many reasons 
• The VP suits him best. He has the experience, and believes the VP is in charge of the creative process 
• Band is what you make of it, so he wants to make it a place where people can get involved and stay connected. 
• The Penn Band is in charge of protecting the traditions of the school and he feels he can do this
• Has been playing for over 15 years and has been the low brass section leader for a year
• He feels that he is very familiar with the music because of this and has worked with Aaron [hey that’s me] and the DMs already 
• He wants to continue to provide the positive experience he’s had, and feels his experience as the voice and the sleader of the low brass he knows that he has what it takes.

Questions for Adam

Melannie: How did your loss last year affect your reasoning to run?

• Went for Secretary because it was open, and didn’t look like something that took a lot of experience
• Got advice to be in council for a year, thinks that experience helped him a lot
• Learned a lot as a council member of this year
• The reasons have not changed for wanting to be on board. He applied for secretary because he felt he would be able to do it. He decided to be on council after that and has been able to learn more from other council members and feels that he has a better idea now.

McKay (other DM): What do you see the coordination of the DMs and the Board for the album?

• He will have to coordinate big creative projects this year that DMs will also have to put a lot of work into
• Other bands, DMs are just as important as the President
• Wants to give the reins to the DMs but cares a lot about music too so will be there for support
• Going to showwriting this year showed him how to work with the DMs and gave him good experience with it

Ryan: Do you have anything new to bring to the discussion of burnout?

• The way we advertise ourselves is very important
• Involving people in the everyday projects of the band is important
• We should change the way that we present ourselves to the freshmen, change “come whenever you want’ to something else as that incentivizes not coming.

Andy: How would you describe the Penn Band in one year?

• He’s very happy in band right now
• Better Councill engagement, sleaders are mouthpieces of the Board
• Make the band feel like they have more of a voice
• He is very happy but he thinks that council could have more duties and better engagement with the board and the band in general. The sleaders are the mouthpiece of the board and the board makes decisions, but he wants to involve people in a better way to give a voice to where they feel supported.

Nick: We’ve seen some re-definition of the Vice President this year (focus in the past has been more on showwriting but this year we have an album to work on as well). We’ve also seen some inconsistencies with the recruitment message and with instrumentation expectations. How will that affect our message next year?

• Sat in on a sax sectional, he saw the improvement right there. He would like to see more sectionals closer to the album
• Musicianship is important
• The best shows are the ones with the largest band. With an album, this is a different situation.
• The slogan is a little ambiguous, and would like to address the way that R&R tries to recruit people in the future.

Melannie: The band is heavily steeped in tradition—how to balance this with the current band?

• The things we’ve done in the past, like shows from the seventies, we couldn’t do now
• There needs to be an understanding of tradition and why we do it. There needs to be an acceptability in throwing out shows, and realizing what we can do now and can’t. These shows represent our values, and it is important to communicate with other bandos as a board member to know how they feel.

Adam wins by acclamation!

Treasurer

Our first competitive race! Your candidates are David Fernandez, Caitlin Frazee, and Bernie Wang.
David’s speech:

• Starts speech with correcting his name
• First band lunch was three years ago as a baby quaker with former treasurer Rendy Fernandez
• He was nervous, but the people at that table would become his support group
• He is running so he can give back more than the band has given to him
• Has spoken to previous treasurers (Chad, Rendy)
• He now knows the importance of the treasurer, they manage the budget, first point of contact, and works as a general board member
• Being treasurer is more than technical crap—it’s also being a friendly face and communicating. He has been R&R to work on those skills
• He has talked to past treasurers and knows they manage a huge budget, are a first point of contact for the freshman. He has experience by working for the Annenberg center. His job there directly applies to the job of treasurer. The past treasurers have emphasizes organization, approachability, and trust.
• He has had to work as a team before in the band.

Caitlin:

• Hey Fam [good intros are important]
• Currently flute sleader, loves it, but constantly wants to do more
• Band is her safe space. Often hangs out in Platt, because of the band
• Next semester will be the easiest at Penn, but this wouldn’t be work for her
• She feels she wants to do more, this semester was very hard and had a lot going on. She feels that band was her safe place and knows this is a support system and she wants to give back to that.
• Treasurer is the first person to interact, she wants to help the freshman and give back in this way.
• She understands why it is important as treasurer to support the bandos and to understand people’s needs.
• Wants to help new members find their family at Penn
• Treasurer is first person to directly interact
• Treasurer should be supporting and understanding of people’s individual needs
• Treasurer is part of the four voices that set the tone for the year
• She has measured for costumes and done ordering for uniforms before

Bernie:

• Hey Band
• He has loved being equipment manager for the past two years, not just because he likes Koosh, but also because he loves the spreadsheets and organization
• So why is he here? He would like to contribute more to the band as a whole, and his background as equipment manager that would give him insight into the role
• He has a lot of experience with spreadsheets, he hasn’t lost anything (he thinks)
• He has helped Chad with measurements and distribution for new members
• From that insight, he could argue better for our budget, and he has sat in on a funding committee
• He has also learned from past board members that a major component of the role is contributing to the Board as a whole. He is prepared and excited for this, because he loves the band. He wants this to be a happy and welcoming place for freshmen
• Sometimes will just stare at the equipment sheet
• Bernie has managed our equipment and has not lost anything [I don’t remember if he said this or if this was one of us confirming]

And nowwwww questions

Melannie: What are your plans for next year if you aren’t elected?

• Caitlin: If she isn’t, she would apply for fanfare, and would also apply for council again, maybe flute sleader but wants to talk to see if any freshmen have an interest. Maybe serving somewhere else on Council. Would consider running for board again next year.
• Bernie: Would apply for Equipment Manager again, but hopes to at least have help this time.
• David: Wants to apply for council, but not R&R because it wouldn't be the same without Charlotte. Maybe travel manager or section leader

Andy: If you don’t get elected, who would you want? [Andy was banned from asking questions after this one]

• Bernie: He thinks both would be qualified, but he won’t decide because too hard
• David: Ben Wyatt from Parks & Rec (see Rendy’s flog for context)
• Caitlin: Emma Watson (also see Rendy’s flog for context). Both of her opponents would be great; anyone would fit.

Adam: You mentioned working with freshmen. What would you have changed from your council last year?

• David: Been reflecting from his role as R&R, but he wants to coordinate more with the band. Working with the whole band would be better. Shortcoming in DLine with no one-on-one help, but he would emphasize the need for upperclassmen to be present
• Bernie: He did a good job of getting people to first rehearsal, but not excellent on retention. We should connect with them on a personal level. Reaching out to them as soon as possible so they know they are welcome with the band.
• Caitlin: Had 20 freshmen flutes at the first rehearsal, but it was very hard to juggle the responsibility. She would want to ask more from the upperclassmen, because she needed their help.

Chad (current treasurer): New treasurer will have a lot at the start of the semester, how will you deal with this process?

• David: He has seen how stressful the distribution process may be, but Chad recruited other bandos to help with the process. He would look forward to the process with the help of the other board members.
• Bernie: Before he has helped distribute the polos, so he would imagine that it would not be very different. He already has a detailed record of the polos that will be given out. As for budget, he has a plan for how to manage it
• Caitlin: Keeping the spreadsheets very organized will be important. Efficiency and organization are important, but some things have fallen by the wayside. As for stress, it actually helps focus and ground her. For the budget, there is precedent that will help her, but she will take into account the new needs of the band

Leah Narun: What do you personally bring?

• David: When he joined, he had no personal musical experience, but now he has experience. That perspective can help because many new members come in in that same situation
• Bernie: His experience as EM he has been looped in on many things that will be the job of the treasurer. HE will be able to make a better argument for why we need SAC money.
• Caitlin: She is here all the time, and he really does care about the band. Whatever happens at the end of the day her priority is always here. She wants everyone to feel welcome.

Dominique: She is a FGLI student. She has not gone to things because she wasn’t comfortable speaking with past treasurers. What will you do to make sure people feel included?

• David: He is FGLI, so he knows that dues can be very stressful. He had to think, can I afford it. So he knows what it's like and he knows the importance of being accessible in order to make it easy for people to reach out about dues
• Bernie: One thing Chad tried to do was expand office hours. This time would have less people there, more private. He wants t be available to people for that conversation
• Caitlin: In high school she missed field trips and stuff bc of cost and did not want to ask for help. Treasurer needs to be accessible, not judge people, and keep things confidential. Accessibility is the most important piece, people can reach out to me if they need anything

Miriam: Name 5 freshmen.

• All three manage to do it

Melannie: You live with outgoing / former board members [Bernie doesn’t but it was decided that everyone should answer]. How are you going to balance getting their help while maintaining your independence?

• David: He is living in the Dab Lab, there is a separation between “board” time and just hanging out time. Confidentiality is important. Feels he can ask Chad for help due to proximity.
• Bernie: Even not living with them, sometimes messaging with a previous board member could be helpful, but he would apply his perspective on the situation as well
• Caitlin: Lives in the band house, her attitude towards this is separation of church and state. She is willing to ask the others in the house for help (Aaron and Urf) as old board members but not as members of the house. She will respect the line between being friends and board colleagues.

Closing Statements

David:

• He believes he is the most qualified
• Technical experience
• People experience
• Elect someone who is trustworthy and accountable, as well as friendly. He is that person

Bernie:

• As EM, he was able to see what it is like to be treasurer and what they do behind the scenes regarding equipment and uniforms
• He would like to use this experience to the position, and would like to make the band as welcoming as possible

Caitlin:

• As many of you know, she ran for secretary last year because she wanted to have equal voices on board, as no women had been running
• But, treasurer is her fit, her background makes the most sense with it

After the first round of voting, David wins!

Secretary

No one dropped down from treasurer. The only candidates are those who signed up: Charlotte Cecarelli and Ben Sheridan.

Charlotte:

• Hi everyone
• Just wanted to thank everyone for being her family
• Band used to be something for the music but now for the family
• Running because: music is her biggest passion, she has experience through R&R, and was able to work with a large amount of bandos as well as the AAs and R&R. She feels like this is useful experience and she knows that the board is a team. Her and David worked as a team together and know the importance of this.
• This requires the most organization and lots of sending emails.
• She was the secretary in high school of two different clubs and had lots of experience in R&R. She is a people person and will always be available to help out.
• She will have google form receipts and changes to good standing in an effort to increase attendance.

Ben:

• Hey Band
• He has the time, experience, and the love for the band
• Board is a massive commitment, throw your heart and soul into the band
• He has already managed his classes, and he is local so he can come to the break games
• He has been to every home football game and basketball game, not because of council [which he wasn’t on yet] but because he loves band
• He has seen the spreadsheets and he has the excel spreadsheet
• He has read the Ivy Band Agreement and he knows that working with other bands is important
• Ideas - position is rigid and well defined, but he wants the google calendar to be more detailed, with stuff like attire, location.
• He has reached out to council members and he wants to use their ideas and thoughts

Q&A

Melannie: What will you do if not elected?

• Charlotte: She had a good experience on council this year, and she would want to continue that if not elected. She has considered sleader and PR chair
• Ben: He is also very enthusiastic, but he isn’t sure what he would do next year about council. He would want to talk to other people. He is living in the new band house [not to be confused with the current band house aka NBH]

Izzy: Leadership experience? How will it help you grow?

• Charlotte: She was R&R, but she has also been a leader in her high school band. She was very passionate about her time as R&R, and she really liked to contribute
• Ben: He has no official council experience, because as a freshman he didn;t know if he could commit to the band. Now, he know sits what he really likes to do. He feels like he is an informal leader, as he has served on the social committee. He brings energy and he is ready for a formal role.

Jessica: Charlotte, what did you do NOT during NSO for R&R? Ben, why straight to Board?

• Charlotte: A lot of the outside work is responding to emails on the interest form and planning the second first rehearsal. Also reaching out to other freshmen, and keeping track of that data to get as many freshman engaged as possible.
• Ben: Initially he didn’t know if he could commit to council, he was worried that he didn’t know if he could do it. However he’s talked to secretaries of the past and he is prepared to take it on.

Adam: What would you do differently?

• Charlotte: Keep in better contact, as we had a lot of people who came to first rehearsal. Keeping in contact would help, maybe in ways besides email.
• [idk what happened to Ben's answer in these notes]

Nick: You both bring interesting sleaders [?], what is your interpretation of the burnout issue?

• Charlotte: Not having burnout is dependent on enthusiasm to be at band with your band friends. NSO was difficult as R&R, but being enthusiastic helped her avoid the burnout. She avoided that and had nearly perfect attendance
• Ben: David brought up a good point, we need to give people a purpose in the band, like show writing or smaller section events, or the board organize with social chairs. With more input it could help with retention.

Leah Narun: How do you plan to support sleaders?

• Charlotte: Communication is the #1 thing, not just with sleaders but with all of council. Board has been great with that, but could be improved. Communication about what’s expected would help
• Ben: Communication is key, and he has already talked to council members and he wants to address the lack of support.

Dominique: How are you going to balance it all?

• Charlotte: Talked with Robin about past nurses on board [charlotte’s in nursing btw idk if that came up before], and outside of band she does have a work study position but those are flexible things. She would keep band as her priority.
• Ben: Next year in the fall he will be living with Jess, so getting advice from her. But in the spring he will have a lot of free time to manage it all.

Jess: We’ve talked about how it’s a lot of work. How do you feel about your previous attendance, what will it be in the future?

• Charlotte: She has been going to as many events as possible because she enjoys band and she really enjoys being here and she appreciates the mental health aspect of band. She knows she has to improve her attendance and she is very ready to do that.
• Ben: First semester he wasn’t entirely sure if he wanted to commit to band, but he has been more committed this semester than last year, and he loves coming to band and supporting the teams.

Chad: Why Secretary?

• Charlotte: She always knew secretary was the position she wanted. She enjoys the tedious work like schedules and spreadsheets
• Ben: He had first thought about running for treasurer, but he wasn't sure what. After speaking with many board members, he decided secretary was best.

Melannie: Imagine that today is Thursday, and tomorrow there is a road trip. You have an exam and a paper on Monday which you haven’t started. Game plan?

• Charlotte: Devoting time to it all is important, and it is possible to incorporate work into the Band like during the downtime of games (don’t do this if you don’t have to you should be watching the game).
• Ben: Doing work on the road is key. Also he is taking easier class this next year

Closings

Charlotte: Band is a huge priority; she wouldn’t survive Penn without it. She wants to do more than council and she wants to help board run smoothly and be inclusive. She wants everyone to have the great experience she has had.
Ben: He’s talked about how he is qualified. Board should be a microcosm of the band, he has relationships with them now and he would continue to develop those. He has done research and he is ready.

AND NOW VOTING

It’s Aaron again. This is where the notes taken during elections stopped, but Charlotte won. There was also horse’s ass voting but I believe nothing worthy of the award happened this year so not gonna report on that.

In conclusion, your 2020 board is

President Jessica Conway

Vice President Adam Rose

Treasurer David Fernandez

Secretary Charlotte Cecarelli

That was fun. See you next year. Well I won’t since I’m graduating but