Elections 2014

brought to you live by Lauren "It's Happening" Mendoza and Marietta "Glug" Catsambas

6:01 - The band room is rapidly fulling up. Chants of "Four more years" fill the room.

6:03 - MASS CHAOS.

6:04 - Marietta takes over.

6:08 - Lauren is back. We found markers and the whiteboard can be put to use in its full potential!

Chants of MAGIC fill the room.

Note: check out @PBDecides2014 for additional, live, to-the-minute coverage.

It's time. Time to Shine? Perhaps for some, but not for all.

6:10 - Here we go.

6:11 - I talk about what I do. SCANDAL: I don't actually know what I do.

President speech time!

The candidates:
Jacob Reeder
Dana Rosenberg

Jacob Reeder is up. The band has grown a lot in talent and numbers. He's been R/R chair. Nothing excites him more than our outreach efforts. NOTHING? Nothing. He is from Syracuse and wanted to leave. Kate Kutch [<3] was the one who got him to join band! Kate Kutch is really who the Penn Band is. We all want to be more like Kate. Jacob has met lots of people through being R/R and likes doing lots of things with bandos. He is living in the band house next year, as he has for the past years. Finger counting: keep traditions alive, let us be the best band we can be, let us be the most welcoming band we can be. He wishes to COMMUNICATE [ha comm major jokes] with Council, Board, adults, etc. He looks forward to working with us.

Dana Rosenberg's turn. Dana is our 2014 treasurer and she would love to be our 2015 president. Dana had a hard time in her first months at Penn, but the band was what welcomed her and it became a home for her. Dana wants to give back to us as president - she was TM and now treasurer, and knows how to talk about the band to others on and off this campus. She made the uniforms actually happen this year! Teamwork is essential to Board and you don't do anything alone. Dana wants to make this group have a collaborative atmosphere. She BELIEVES in the Penn Band.

Question time!

Kelly - band philosophy?

Dana - Whatever we want it to be, as a group. An open space for everyone.

Jacob - We have one band. I will rely on Council and Board and we will meet somewhere in the middle.


Steven - what would you do if you had an incompetent Board member?

Jacob - Board is 4 students and hopefully we can work something out among ourselves. But the band can remove a Board member if we vote on it.

Dana - As President, work with the individual and try to find out what's going on. See why this person is being incompetent first!


Rob - do you have time for this?

Dana - I've done it already this past year, and I can do it again.

Jacob - I'm in some stuff, but band is my big priority.

--Marietta in--

Adrian - crowning achievement in your past term?

Jacob - Quantity and quality of recruits.

Dana - Uniforms! Pants!!!


Andi - biggest shortcoming of the band?

Dana - Attendance is a touchy subject. Attitude matters more!

Jacob - Seconds Dana. Athletics pulls us in all different directions.


Kylie Anne - what if DMs don't agree with the president's decision?

Jacob - Relinquishing control to DMs if it's under their jurisdiction. Don't take it personally; focus on what's best for the band.

Dana - Special meeting with the DMs and Board. Really values the role DMs play.

--Lauren in--

Closing time!

Dana - This band is an amazing place with whatever we do. We're a team, and I want to lead this band as a team. It's OUR group and I want to empower it to be the best that it can be.

Jacob - I love to say that I'm a part of the marching band with many different groups. We have a diverse, human side and this is the first group that pulled me in.


Voting time!

We all vote on the smug dog.

--Lauren and Marietta go count votes, Andres in--

Andres takes over blog.

There is small chatter as we wait for votes.

NOW WE HAVE MAGIC.


Kelly Ha (DM '16) takes the floor as a volunteer.
Joke. Light banter.

Greer makes a bold prediction. Calls Kelly's mind "blank."
Kelly confuses colors.

Everyone is amazed. Greer gives a bow.

Greer harasses the press box.

Someone tell horses'-ass worthy stories.

Derek: Scott should win through butterfly effect (that was serious).

Light banter all around.



Dana Rosenberg wins President!

--Lauren back in--

Andres talks about what he does as VP. STUFF.

The candidates:
Matt La Fronz
John San Soucie

Matt La Fronz, Matt La Fronz, Matt La Fronz. CHANTING. Matt was going to talk about chickens, but then he did not. Alas. Now he wants to tell us why he wants to be our VP. The VP has to make sure the shows are funny, smart, and appropriate. He's been to nearly every showwriting. And he wants to maintain order during showwriting. ATTENTION: everyone should read the Bill Cosby Applebee's show. We forget that *Gonzo's face* isn't funny, sometimes. Band is a family. LB has great unity, and I want to carry this on to the whole. [Greer - wrap it up.] Thank you!

John San Soucie, freshman candidate, stalks up to the front. Breakthrough role: guy who plays tuba. I joined this band 84 days ago [after some complex math]. I REJECT 2014. I want more jokes, more fun, more MAGIC. Our current VP, Áńdréś Góńźáléź, has done a fantastic job. I know how executive Boards work. I want to keep the band running smoothly. I've met some great people in this huge, enormous, well-endowed band.


Question time!

Rob - what do you plan on doing as VP outside of showwriting?

JSS - I'll be around when everyone needs another leader.

Matt - Aside from helping Board and working on a team, the VP has projects of their own: zoo animal election, cheer vs. band bball, CD.


Greer says Matt should give JSS his tie.

Ben - do people get the shows you write?

Matt - I mean, you guys laugh most of the time. But I want to make it more open.

JSS - A good show has a balance between making fun of schools and being funny. Dartmouth was absurdist.


Koosh - open ended question: who is our audience?

JSS - A lot of people. Opposing team, especially away crowds, the crowd, and us.

Matt - Everyone in attendance, but more importantly, it's who we are. We are the best audience.


--Marietta in--

Andi - do you have time for this?

Matt - I MEAN. Technically takes classes, has a job. Makes time for band.

JSS - VP responsibility isn't thaaat big.


Kelly - process of music selection?

JSS - I don't have the behind-the-scenes experience, but we did something with the Princeton show that worked.

Matt - Talk with DMs, make the process more organized.

--Lauren in--

Derek - tell us another joke.

*collective groan*

I'm not writing these down.

Closing time!

JSS - This band is the best organization I've seen in my life. Everything is awesome. I've had so much fun. This is fantastic.

Matt - I want to give back to this group, and I think I'm qualified to do so. I hope you've heard me cheer.

[note: Matt shaved for this!]

--Lauren and Marietta go count votes, Andres in--

Andres is back writing. More magic. Time for another volunteer. Derek Arbige takes the floor.

Greer has professional thumb cuffs

Only HE is allowed to be funny

Derek is in thumb cuffs. Greer puts on a funny hat. That's the best way to put it.

Greer attempts to read Derek's mind. Doesn't go so well.

Derek is the one doing magic now.

Greer is now in handcuffs. HE BREAKS OUT OF THEM! 

Light banter

--Lauren back in--

Matt La Fronz wins Vice President!

Dana talk$ about the money $tuff $he did.

The candidate:
Allison Sands

Rob nominates Jacob, Jacob declines.

Allison is the only candidate. She will read us her speech! She tells us we have no other choice, so...but she obviously loves the band. She is here and ready to give her time. She does work, but that's not important. This is important. Allison is excited!

Domonique - what is acclimation?

Adam tells us what acclimation is. Are we cool?

Andi asks a question about the dress with pockets.

Allison wins Treasurer!

John nominates Jacob, Jacob declines.

The candidates:
Molly Brothers
Joey Licata
Steven Meisler

Marietta talks about what she does. Spreadsheets. Schedules. Forms. Calendar. Minutes.

Molly Brothers thanks the band - we motivated her to run for secretary today. She was bombarded by Dana and Marietta at the family picnic during her NSO! She wants to contribute to band by being on Board as secretary. Band is about getting to know everyone as more than just a name. She will do this no matter what, and she wants to be there for us as our voice on Board.

Joey Licata doesn't need no stand. Band is where we can all be accepted and a safe place. He wants to keep it this way. He has really good attendance [confirmed]. He's been Chop SL and Fanfare Secretary, and wants to put in a system to easily access attendance. Board is in constant communication with each other, and he could be a good Board member. Once you're in the Penn Band, you're here for life. Thank you.

Steven Meisler also wants to be our secretary. He was percussion SL, which is its own little entity. He's been a mini-secretary for the drumline. He does a lot with spreadsheets and has gotten to know everyone, but particularly the drummers. He loves the Band and wants to serve it. Be wiser, vote Meisler!

Question time!

Marietta - name 3 people not in your section!

They do.


Kylie - if you could go back and do something again, what would it be?

Steven - Work out the music situation better.

Molly - Better transfer of music to organize.

Joey - More social events.


Linnea - previous attendance compared to future?

Molly - I'm in Good Standing [yay Fanfare!] but my attendance could improve a bit.

Joey - I'm a busy person, but I've still had the best attendance of the band this year [Marietta confirms].

Steven - Next semester is easy, I only had to miss an event if I had to.


Rob - what is the biggest mistake this Board has made?

Joey - Communication *take a shot*

Steven - Same.

Molly - Same.

:K


JSS - *asks the question Koosh asked presidential candidates last year*

Steven - Send out preferences Google form. Instrumentation is most important thing.

Molly - Instrumentation, past attendance, seniority.

Joey - Instrumentation, seniority is something we should consider. Also give freshmen the chance to travel.


Marietta - greatest strength?

Molly - I plan everything out. EVERYTHING.

Joey - I get shit done.

Steven - I keep a smile on my face no matter what.


Derek - greatest weakness?

Molly - Sometimes I get stressed when things aren't organized.

Joey - I joke around a little...sometimes...

Steven - I overthink things.


--Marietta in--

Lauren - what success have we seen from your sleadership?

Steven - Better system of music.

Molly - More social! More dry events! Also, a music form.

Joey - Music is double-sided. Retention has really improved.


Jonathan - how will you contribute to this specific Board?

Joey - Knows the new Board, is ready to communicate nonstop with them.

Steven - Matt doesn't like my puns. But this contrast will bring more discussion.

Molly - They're all my good friends. Everyone is organized, Matt will keep us happy.


Andi - how will you deal with unresponsive bandos?

Molly - Let things happen without over-controlling.

Joey - Not hard to bump emails or reach out to people individually.

Steven - Forms can be monotonous. Mix it up with other mediums...media.


Kristi - what is the line between official band and social band?

Steven - They are distinct. But if illicit behavior is noticed, it should be addressed.

Molly - Board members are also social members. Alcohol shouldn't have the band's name on it.

Joey - It's a gray area. New Board will discuss with new Social Chairs.


Kelly - how will you separate personal relationships from your role on Board?

Joey - Nothing will really be affected. Maintain an air of professionalism.

Steven - I am friendly.

Molly - This is why there are 4 students and 3 AAs on Board. Everyone contributes to the conversation.

--Lauren in--

Closing time!

Steven - I love Penn and the band. I want to be your secretary.

Joey - This Band is a great place and I love it. I want it to be the best it can be.

Molly - I'm looking forward to getting to know you.

Votes cast on the loaf dog.

--Lauren and Marietta go count votes, Andres in--

Andres comes back in. The ballots are being collected.

The Horse's Ass Award makes its way to the floor.

People cheer at the Award.

Greer: The Horse's Award is given for being a Horse's Ass.

Nominated:
The Rob Ritchie who Joshua'ed Highball
Chops have been nominated multiple times
Greer better count the damn votes this year
The Show Writing Committee who made the Triangle Show

Koosh will now tell why we have the Horse's Ass Award

Joey Licata wins Secretary!

Horse's Ass nominations will take place on the majestic gorilla elephant centaur
We are now voting for Horse's Ass
Chops appear to be a shoe-in

People are leaving.

Your new executive board consists of:

President Dana Rosenberg
Vice President Matt La Fronz
Treasurer Allison Sands
Secretary Joey Licata

Thanks for tuning in!