I’m Tayyab, and I’d like to run for President on the 14/15 UML committee. Okay, thanks for your time. - Tayyab Okay for real though, I’ve been missing out this whole time - I only came across the society in my 2nd year (thanks Seb) and was too swamped to get involved, and then I went away for a placement year. I’ve met a small but wonderful chunk of y’all over this year and it’s been wonderful seeing the work put in, rewards come to fruition and seeing people meet for gigs and whatnot. It’s also been agonising, watching from a distance too far to get involved. But I’m gonna make up for it, and when Sam Cooke sang, “It’s been a long time comin’ but I know a change is gonna come,” I’m pretty sure this is what he was talking about. My overarching objective for the year, the next step that I think would be best for the UML, is integrating the community into the larger picture. Let’s make the UML the -first- as well as the best stop for lovers of music. Obviously the physical space isn’t the most conspicuous one, and it’s vital awareness of the UML’s presence is amplified. Things like the Fresher’s Fair and LSR slot have been good for this, but we could build upon it with regular contributions to the Leeds Student newspaper, occasionally put out our own zine, link with promoters to sell tickets for events we like, link with record stores exchanging ads for reward schemes etc. We’d hopefully become a hub that could connect the city’s scenes too - as a collective we have a wealth of knowledge and connections with potential to spare, so let’s get it out there - if people wanted to get involved in or discover aspects of music or Leeds or both then we could point them down the right path. Ultimately, if we’re integrated into the larger community then the society is that much more essential, useful and healthy. It’d be an honour to continue the work over the foundation the current committee have laid down - communal activities such as film screenings, listening parties (at uni or perhaps as a community outside of the soc) gigging together, record shopping trips, gatherings to spin each others’ records, meeting for drinks or picnic or treasure hunts or journeys to Mordor and so on and so forth. I’ve enjoyed seeing the society’s collaborations, whether it’s with FemSoc on LSR or with local music groups for parties, more of that would be very welcome; Ideally, I’d like to at some point gather all the different branches we’ve reached out with into some sort of community-wide conference/entertainment day - at the very least try and get some speakers in (academic or just representatives of local scenes) and explore the world inside of or around the music too. The most immediately important aspect to tackle is the daily function of the library itself. I won’t pretend I’m hugely familiar with its services so I would instead first ask the questions: Is there incentive for people to come to and use our library? Are we doing the best we can to service members by making the library accessible physically, from time, safety and comfortability aspects, and with on-hand help when it comes to finding music? Are we encouraging a positive and productive relationship between the UML and its members? I’d also try and augment the website, which I’m really glad to have seen created this year, and make sure everything is catalogued well. To be honest, I wouldn’t be able to help myself seeing as I’m the kinda guy who updates spreadsheets listing every album I listen to… Speaking of ‘qualifications’ - I’d hope I’m easy to approach and I’m certainly comfortable when it comes to speaking in front of others, representing collectives, considering different viewpoints and pragmatically working to solve issues. I’m not sure if my relationship with music counts as love or obsession, but I do write about it for a couple of websites. I do computer code-y type things for my degree (and placement year) and previously served as Secretary and VP of CompSoc, plus I was a very regular host on Leeds Student Radio. I don’t drive but I do drink lots of Irn-Bru. I listen to a lot of techno and my favourite record is D’Angelo’s Voodoo. My ulterior motive for running for president is actually to help me lobby for the Union to recognise Voodoo as the greatest album of all time. It’s a worthy cause, right? Cheers! If you want to vet me further you can find me on the internet: about.me/tayyabamin
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 18:11:48 +0000
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