Letter: Vote YES to the ASFA Bylaw Changes

LettersChloë Williams — Published March 14, 2016

ASFA has been working hard to turn over a new page, but they need your help! The question has been put to us, the students: do we want to see ASFA continue down the same destructive road? Or do we want to see change which decentralizes the power of the organization and empowers the member associations below it? Together we can create a structural change which will benefit current and future arts and science students.

Voting “yes” in the upcoming ASFA Referendum is voting yes to change and the decentralization of power within the organization. By empowering the member associations, they will have greater power to cater to their membership directly!

It will allow student associations who have similar visions and interests to collaborate together, and thus reduce the imposition of the majority vote on the direction of any action or event of the organization.

By having ASFA provide a support role, they will be able to put more hours towards helping member associations have successful events, whether it be on trainings, or in other capacities. The capacity of the coordinators would be increased, because they wouldn’t be focused on creating their own agenda and fulfilling the mandate on which they ran. Rather, they would be there to support and empower the member associations.

Further, by having the member associations each send one of their executives it will increase the efficiency in which the organization operates. By having the council elect the three coordinators, they will be electing members they know are capable of fulfilling their roles and responsibilities.

If you are a fellow arts and science student, I highly encourage you to come out and vote “yes.” Use your voice to create a better future for Concordia arts and science students. Voting yes will increase the power and autonomy of your member association!

The referendum will take place March 16, 17 and 18! This is democracy, make your voice be heard!

— Chloë Williams, geography student