Axel Kylander - President
What progress have you made on your Cabinet duties as outlined in the LeadMN bylaws?
The month of July has been heavily focused on planning and strategizing for 2021 - 2022 year. I have focused on ensuring Cabinet members are acclimated to their roles, Governing Council members are onboarded and oriented to their positions, and in having productive meetings with the LeadMN office's student leaders and staff on needs, priorities, and goals for the year. I have also worked on recruitment and preparation for Incoming Leader Training, as well as working more hands on in several items of our basic needs campaign, particularly in recording podcast episodes with Minnesota State to promote substantive recommendations LeadMN has for how campuses in the Minnesota State System can better support the basic needs of students.
What have you done or what is your plan to get students more involved with LeadMN?
I have reached out to many students on attending Incoming Leader Training, including those who do not hold GC, PC, or senate president positions. I hope to connect with many students at the Training and help support them as they begin their leadership journeys with us this year. I am also looking forward to many campus visits starting in late August and continuing onward, where I intend to connect with many students across the state, introduce them to LeadMN, and provide them with a wide variety of ways to be involved.
Outline your biggest achievement this month?
I think my biggest achievement of the month was successfully acclimating myself and other Cabinet members to their new roles. We outlined many plans and began many projects this month, with my own ranging from teamwork on designing a basic needs toolkit to the aforementioned podcast recordings to working on strategies to better address COVID-19's impact on the student community. But I consider July crucial, as the first month of a "LeadMN Year," as a time for strategizing and preparation, and I am proud of the work the new Cabinet has done in settling into their roles and into a groove of operation that I am confident will serve us well in giving a year of productive and impactful service to the students we serve across the state.
David Mesta - Vice President
What progress have you made on your Cabinet duties as outlined in the LeadMN bylaws?
I have gotten settled into my new role as VP and met with staff for projects for the year. I Have met with all of the Platform Committee members in one on one meetings to discuss their roles.
What have you done or what is your plan to get students more involved with LeadMN?
I have been promoting student leader training on my socials and will begin to visit campuses to talk with students about LeadMN.
Outline your biggest achievement this month?
Preparing for the year and beginning to work on some projects.
Ali Tomashek - Public Relations Coordinator
What progress have you made on your Cabinet duties as outlined in the LeadMN bylaws?
I have made progress editing and completing the new Star Campus criteria, record keeping for prior campus winners and program guide. Discussed (with Mike) adding more incentives to motivate campuses to get involved throughout the year - came to consensus to offer three $100 gift cards to Senates. Met with Joyce to confirm Scholarship Week, finalize Senate Letter and discuss Gala Committee and Scholarship Board meetings. Hit the ground running helping with marketing and promo material for the Free College Campaign and preparing for Incoming Leader. Ps made an introductory TikTok!
What have you done or what is your plan to get students more involved with LeadMN?
What I have done in the past month has been primarily organizing and learning about my specific position's responsibilities. I have started to plan meeting students on campus for Welcome Week, the Free College Campaign, MVRD, and Scholarship week. As well as encourage students to participate and attend Incoming Leader. My plan in the future month is to get as many contacts as possible, so we can get LeadMN information out to as many students as possible. Also be as enthusiastic and passionate when discussing LeadMN initiatives with students to motivate them to become more involved in LeadMN, their Senate and their campuses.
Outline your biggest achievement this month?
My biggest achievement this month has definitely been finalizing the Star Campus program. I am also very proud to have created the header for the Free College Campaign, the creative freedom was encouraging and will motivate me to participate even more with students.
Marcelus Ifonlaja - Treasurer
What progress have you made on your Cabinet duties as outlined in the LeadMN bylaws?
July was my first month as treasurer and I can say I definitely am growing into the role. I am most proud that we kept the emergency grant open throughout the end of the school year. I have awarded about a dozen or so grants so far, and while it is difficult to see so many of my peers having to battle tough situations, your resilience inspires me. The fiscal committee doesn't have students in the summer so all grant review is currently being done by Mike and I, with the addition of VP David stepping up to help out. Big shout out to David. I have also participated in a few leadership development, team building and personal development trainings. These continue to help grow as an individual and as a leader so that I can be as effective as possible. We are currently preparing for the incoming leadership training open to all students. And as we advance into august I look to become a more active member of our equity and leadership development teams and begin to meet with campuses
What have you done or what is your plan to get students more involved with LeadMN?
I plan on making authentic connections at incoming leader training, then leveraging those to continue to foster connections and provide opportunities to my peers. I also plan on continuing the flow of the emergency grant program and helping students out in that way. As we move toward august I will begin recruiting for a fiscal committee, and that will probably be part of my conversations as we visit campuses (delta variant willing) toward the end of next month
Outline your biggest achievement this month?
Easily the emergency grants. As a person who has been hit pretty hard by life, I feel blessed to be in a position to reach out to some of you all, and soften some blows.