Elections 2020

Like everything in 2020, the Penn Band elections looked a little different! Since mid-March, the band kept busy with virtual social events, PB “Social Distancing Orchestra” videos, Zoom rehearsals, and an album recorded from home. On December 7th, 2020, Bandos with good standing convened over Zoom for speeches, Q&As, and the yelling at each other about whether or not the year 2020 itself qualifies for Horse’s Ass. We still don’t know about that last part but we do know who will be serving on the Penn Band Board for 2021! Keep reading for highlights from an unusual election in an unusual year.

PRESIDENT

Candidate: Adam Rose

No one runs for president from the floor* (shocker...)

*Zoom call

SPEECHES:

Adam’s Speech:

Thanks everyone for being here because this semester was a lot different. The dedication amazes him and makes it more exciting to run for president. So many people invested in the Penn Band success. 

The band faced a lot of challenges and we came out with more opportunities. We still accomplished a lot. Better university partnerships, programming each week, and continued dedication. 

Voting for him as president is trusting in Board to lead the band through new challenges and uncertainties.

A band of musicians is a band of creative minds and this can carry us through. Looking forward to another great year!

Q&A:

Bryan Denq asks what University partners Adam sees us working with. 

Adam wants to partner with the cultural centers, especially after what 2020 has shown in regards to the injustices students in the Penn community face

Caitlin Frazee asks Adam how we’ll keep people engaged next semester without the structure of the album. 

Adam acknowledges how important the album was for the structure, wants to make a similar structure for spring

Closing Statement: we did start the decade off on the right track and I’m confident that we will continue to navigate through the pandemic.

RESULTS:

Adam is the next President!

VICE PRESIDENT

Candidate: Charlotte Cecarelli

Again, no one runs from the floor (also shocking…)

SPEECHES:

Charlotte’s Speech:

Charlotte thanks everyone for getting good standing 

Loved being secretary but wants to help in a different way

Experience working with digital stuff

*Quick plug for her YouTube channel, The Nurse Nextdoor!*

Knows she can step in whenever another board member is feeling overwhelmed. 

Q&A:

Lexi Raday asks if she has any creative projects in mind. 

Charlotte says we got good feedback at the Council meeting the previous night. Names ideas other Council members suggested (ex: Josh virtual field show). Wants to make sure everyone can participate in a way that they are comfortable with.

Caitlin Frazee asks if there is anything she would have done differently if she were the VP for this last semester.

Charlotte says she would want to send out more periodic updates of the album process/what we are doing in any given semester

Charlotte gives a nice & short beautiful closing statement that the rest of Board failed to write down because they were so enthralled by her words (and Charlotte, who was 2020 Secretary, was the primary notetaker for this blog…)

RESULTS:

Charlotte is the next VP!

TREASURER

Candidates: Elena Miller and Jenna Pollack

Again, no one runs from the floor

SPEECHES:

Elena’s Speech:

She starts by affirming her love for us

Loved working as R&R co-chair to recruit newbies in the middle of a pandemic

“Recruited and retained an impressive set of newbies”

Ready for more responsibility and involvement

Diversity, equity, and inclusion chair should be added to the council

Microaggression training, more outreach to underserved schools in Philly

Elena’s Speech:

Band is her favorite thing about Penn

Comfortable handling multiple positions (is DM and flute sleader now and was music manager in the past)

Ready to establish relationships with the freshmen so they feel welcome

Adjusting the budget for safety measures next semester, more food for retention; more informal but regular social events.

Q&A:

Miriam Glickman asks about how they would interact with Fanfare as a Boardmember

Jenna: communicating more with Fanfare board (talks with Miriam a bit), is a Fanfare member herself, has experience reaching out to schools

Elena: Communication = key. Board and fanfare can have separate projects, but that it’s important to make a connection regardless.

David Fernandez (2020 Treasurer) asks how they will have the difficult conversations that usually come with being a treasurer and talking about finances in general.

Elena: Her biggest strength is being vulnerable with other people. She is social and wants to make people feel comfortable having these types of conversations with her.

Jenna: Try to be as accessible as possible, we have subsidies available, hold as many office hours as possible. 

Caitlin Frazee asks Elena how she sees herself managing her time and other commitments on Board and Jenna how she sees herself managing Board and being DM.

Jenna: she felt like she handled DM and sleader comfortably and was busier this year then she will be in the spring. Wants to get more involved with the band. There have been DMs on board before. Spoke to past treasurers and they said a lot of the work comes in waves and time management is key.

Elena: Really loved being R&R, worked with Koosh doing extra things like with the Wharton summer program. A lot of the work didn’t feel like work because she enjoyed it 

Closing statements:

Jenna: Enjoyed her time on Council and wants to work with the band in a new way. 

Elena: Reinforces her love for the band, wants to make FGLI and low income students feel welcome and comfortable. 

VOTING/OTHER:

For the first time in this election, we actually have to vote! Because we’re all in attendance via Zoom and not in the Cheeseman, we’re voting using a survey program instead of on paper ballots.

Adam Sherr send out Qualtrics survey for us to vote (it says VP instead of Treasurer, oops...)

*Announcements to kill time*

Jess Conway (2020 President): Toastmaking! Quizzo! Feedback forms! All the amazing Fall semester stuff! Thanks everyone!

RESULTS:

Jenna is the next Penn Band treasurer!

SECRETARY

Candidates: Lexi Raday and Laila Norford

Bernie proposes nominating Elena for secretary, she declines.

SPEECHES:

Laila’s Speech:

Strong organization skills and strength connecting with new bandos

Believes the Penn Band does not accurately represent the diversity of the campus

Wants to have implicit bias training as well as a Diversity & Inclusion Chair on Council

Worked with the current board as R&R

We make the Penn Band home for her and wants to make it a home for everyone

Lexi’s Speech:

Enthusiasm and commitment to band and membership 

Organization and communication skills

We’re *fabulous* 

Connection with the Penn Band from the beginning

Very positive NSO experience, enjoys the energy of the group

Fun environment to play saxophone and go to sporting events

Reflects on her time as social chair to make the band community feel connected as well as her responsibilities in her sorority and as a tutor

Will be committed to serving members of the band and the Penn community as secretary

Q&A:

*Ben Sheridan calls for Jess’ impeachment to kick off this portion of the evening* 

Charlotte Cecarelli asks what they can bring to refresh the “cut and dry” position of secretary

Lexi: Continuing the Google Forms with trivia, see what it is like to be a Board member for a day

Laila: Weekly newsletters from the spring and incorporating this into the schedule emails going forward, member submissions, being approachable by reach out to people individually

Caitlin Frazee asks Laila how she will work as a younger voice on Board given that we are looking at an all junior board at this point and Lexi how she will represent younger members of the band.

Laila: No concerns about being heard and respected, worked closely with Adam and Charlotte a lot as R&R and thinks Jenna is great. It’s important to have younger voices on Board too, and as someone who connected with the new members, she is a good rep for them too.

Lexi: Worked with Board closely as a Social Chair so she’s familiar with the dynamic. Empathizing with people and being open to feedback. Reaching out to members young and old.

Miriam Glickman asks them to name three freshmen not in their section.

Laila: Marielle, Lilly, and Hannah

Lexi: Nathan, Sam and Sam (who also have the same last initial…)

*This is a question that is usually asked every year. Although this year everyone’s names are right next to their faces on Zoom!*

Adam asks if they would consider Council involvement you don’t win. Would they want to do the same position or something different?

Laila: Would love to continue as R&R on council, hopefully can do an NSO in person. 

Lexi: *old Board got distracted and didn’t catch this, sorry y’all!*

David Fernandez asks what other time commitments they have on campus and how they would work to make sure that their responsibilities are being met if you’re having a particularly difficult week.

Laila: Thought about the time commitment a lot as an engineer. Spoke to other engineers about junior year, including Chris Urffer who was on Board as an engineer and feels good about being able to do it.

Lexi: In a sorority and does tutoring, 1-2 hours per week each. Uses yoga for stress management. Also feels good about being able to serve on Board.

Walli asks how they plan to get more engagement and interaction with weekly schedule emails. Laila: Streamlining communication: weekly schedule email = place with official info, Discord for more informal stuff. Being consistent with information. 

Lexi: Also agrees with streamlining communication, adding something fun to the end of the email (trivia), emphasizing information during rehearsal

Greer talks while his microphone is muted. Classic. Candidates will now give closing statements.

Lexi: Looks forward to working with the other Board members if given the opportunity

Laila: She see a lot of potential with the job and would love to do it!

VOTING/OTHER:

Koosh holds up the Horse’s Ass plaque to the camera while Koosh introduces HA with the story of Anthony J. Stagliano. Greer lets us know the two “rules”: It’s Horse’s ass - NOT asshole and whatever is ideally supposed to happen during football season.

Ben Sheridan is nominated by Charlotte Cecarelli for making the fire department come to the band house while cooking pork chops and continuing to eat them as they arrived. (note: this was memed and shared for everyone’s enjoyment during Fall semester)

Unsuccessful nominations: Sars-CoV-2. The University of Pennsylvania for only giving us 8 days notice for changing Fall plans. Bernie for ensuring Koosh got his Lawrence pies. Caitlin’s cat. Miriam’s neighbors.

Secretary count is still not in. The suspense builds. Votes might take weeks to count.

Greer is thinking about his demise:

Wants his remains scattered around campus, but DOES NOT want to be cremated.

RESULTS:

Our next secretary is Laila Norford!

That's it! Here’s the 2021 Executive Board:

President: Adam Rose

Vice President: Charlotte Cecarelli

Treasurer: Jenna Pollack

Secretary: Laila Norford