Below are the candidates for each position, along with a short blurb on their platform and experience. Elections are Monday, March 18th at 6:30pm in SUB 206.
President
Kristina Knappett
I love Sprouts. Really. Love it. Where would I be without it? Probably not at UBC. Sprouts provided me with a community. It’s my niche in a sometimes dauntingly big university. When people ask me about university, I usually talk about Sprouts because frankly, my experiences through Sprouts (and Seedlings) have been more relevant to my life goals than my actual courses. Don’t get me wrong I love my program (GRS) but I came to UBC because I dreamed of opening my own organic, vegan grocery with a hydroponic roof or something to some awesome effect. As Operations Manager of Seedlings this term I learned how to open and operate a food establishment (how exciting is that!?) I’m more than stoked to see how Sprouts and Seedlings develop over the next year, especially as we plan the transition into the new sub, the sky is the limit. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for this little organization, and if you’d care to vote for me I’d love to be on the front lines.
Vice President
Debbie Yeh
My Sprouts story goes back to second year when I started volunteering in the kitchen and at the cafe. Since then, I have been able to see Sprouts grow as a kitchen manager and as the current Volunteer Coordinator. This year has been really exciting, to be able to witness and be a part of the germination of Seedlings-our second location! With all of these changes, Sprouts is still the place on campus where the people make the place what it is. Being the volunteer coordinator has allowed me to help others develop their own interests and skills, as well as extending our ever growing community. I would love the chance to be the vice-president or volunteer coordinator again so that I can be a part of continually building Sprout’s dynamic community.
Jasmine Wing
Sprouts is so much more than simply a volunteer-run cafe to me. It is people coming together and agreeing that there are more sustainable and fair ways of running businesses. I believe that I would make an exceptional candidate for this position. First of all, I have been involved in Sprouts for two years now and have applied for various grants for Sprouts. I am well versed in our purchasing policy, our vision, and values. I also see the problems we face at Sprouts and constantly think of the sustainability of our organization and how our vision will change as we expand. I have been in Sauder, as well as LFS so I have gained knowledge on both sides of how business should work. I would be a perfect candidate for maintaining contacts with COFED. I participated in the convergence in Berkeley, as well, while traveling to Portland had a tour at Food for Thought and visited another Co-op Red and Black Cafe.
Operations Manager
Iain Marjoribanks
I am applying for this position because I love Sprouts, and want to share my skills as we launch Seedlings. I have three years experience as department manager at a Beverly Hills restaurant, where I led a major market expansion. My four years of experience volunteering at bike co-ops has also taught me the strengths of volunteer-run organizations.
With the board, I will shape Seedlings into a unique, innovative new venture, combining Sprouts’ atmosphere with an exciting mix of new products. The lack of a nearby kitchen is a challenge, however I am inspired to find ways of offering convenient, new products that attract a diversity of new customers. Sprouts is already the most sustainable eatery on campus; Seedlings is one more step towards making us a campus that is famous for its sustainable dining!
Seedlings’ is an opportunity to reach new customers who haven’t yet committed to a sustainable lifestyle, and educate the public about sustainable food policy, while supporting habits that reduce waste. I am excited to have this opportunity to use my knowledge, skills and experience with restaurant operations to promote Sprouts and shape the future of sustainable dining at UBC.
Thank you for your consideration!
Distributions Coordinator
Anthony Yau
Hey everyone! I’m Anthony Yau, a third year Food Market Analysis student that is the current bulk buying coordinator. I am already quite familiar with the ins and outs of the ordering system at Sprouts and I would like to apply this expertise by being next year’s Distributor’s Coordinator! I am one of the few board members that aren’t graduating and I think I would be a valuable asset as I have existing experience with the operations at Sprouts and Seedlings. You should vote for me so that I can continue helping Sprouts grow!
Lianne McRadu
Hi my name is Lianne and I am currently a third year Commerce Student optioning in Transportation and Logistics with a concentration in Sustainability. After a friend introduced me to Sprouts, I began being a regular community member and I have been a frequent volunteer in the store ever since. I really appreciate the kind of organizational culture and food diversity that Sprout’s fosters and promotes to the UBC community. Through developing new skills at school in operation management, I hope to look into a food/ agricultural related career because health, nutrition and lifestyle are extremely important to me. As a merchandiser for almost three years, I have experience dealing with full-cycle inventory and product operations: receiving, unloading palettes, sorting bins, shelving stock, maintaining overstock, doing low stock reports, low stock fills and product planograms; within a timely manner and in accordance with store management procedures. I understand that organization is key, and have been responsible in several clubs for club book keeping, hours, meeting notes, Excel and Google Doc Spread sheets and event documentation, portraying my ability to manage my time and coordinate things efficiently. Through outdoor education, I was able to develop stronger leadership skills, problem solving skills and communication skills while on outdoor trips, in a natural environment. Given the chance to become a board member, I would love to play a larger role in the process of bringing you awesome food.
Workshop Coordinator
Atisa Rashidi
Hey Y’all, my name is Atisa. If we haven’t met yet, allow me to introduce a little picture of myself and my dreams. I love health; I think it’s going to be a huge part of our future considerations, and I want to bring that to you guys… that is, the information and resources to provide the basis you need to catalyze health and well being in your life. I promise to bring you resources and events that spark inspiring discussions around critical and current health politics and figure out how we can understand and relate such concepts to our personal lives. So I look forward to meeting you all, whenever we do.
Lila Volkas
My name is Lila Volkas and I am a 3rd year major in visual art with a minor in environment and society. I was born and raised in the Bay Area of California, but have found my home at UBC in Sprouts. I would love to be the Workshop Coordinator to help members of the UBC community teach other people what they love and are passionate about. I am an active member of the Sprouts community and have led two workshops on how to brew your own kombucha, so I have experience with how organizing and conducting workshops through Sprouts functions. I want to help empower people who have an interest, passion or skill and share it with their peers. I am a creative person from making art to problem solving and I think that my resourcefulness would help my position as Workshop Coordinator.
Treasurer
Daniel Babiak
Numbers are wonderful! Sprouts is wonderful! I love them both and would do my utmost to see that numbers are used for the good of the Sprouts treasury. I am also (sort of) an economist.
Chloe Kim
Hey, voter!! If you love Sprouts’ food and especially, if you love friday’s community lunch, then you should vote for me! You know why? because I can get you healthier food and more food for you. My management and organizational skills will allow sprouts’ finance to be positive which leads you guys to have more food choices! I am a passionate and motivated second year sauder student, who intends to specializing in Accounting! You may think accounting is boring! However, it is very essential skill that all business needs to prosper, especially for a student- run initiative- Sprounts! Do not worry about it! For sprouts, I am here, future accountant, chloe kim! Please vote for me.
Jersey Ip
As a responsible, hardworking second year student, I believe I have the qualities to become your next successful treasurer. In addition to my strong-minded academic skills, I spend a lot of my time as a socially active individual.
My previous experience has really sharpened up my outgoing personality especially those relating to finances. I have experience as a treasurer in my high school’s student council committee where I was responsible for all finances that went in and out of the committee and efficiently manage our annual budgets and reimbursements. I have also volunteered as a senior manager in a student concession. In this position I managed all our products pricing, completing weekly inventory check as well as calculating weekly profits. Holding many previous experiences relating to the position of a treasurer, I am confident that I have the necessary requirements to become your successful treasurer. Filled with enthusiasm and experience, I hold the determination and the acceptance for changes as well as new ideas to fulfill each individual’s needs. Next year, I would gladly love to be the one to initiate your new inspirations to lead a year of victory and success.
Assistant Treasurer
Margarita Duque
Hey everyone! I would love to become next year’s Assistant Treasurer. Why should you vote for me? I am a passionate, hard-working girl who loves wholesome food and who isn’t afraid of numbers and spreadsheet. As the current assistant Treasurer, I have a really good idea of the position’s expectations and responsibilities.I would love to contribute to the growth and success of this awesome student led innitiative.In particular, I would love to see our available funds go towards generating the most benefit for our community. By continuing to take an active role in Sprouts, I hope to learn more about how a business is run and discover more about sustainable food and practices.
Volunteer Coordinator
David Reading
Hey Sprouts People!
I’m David, and if I haven’t met you yet, I’d like to. Seriously, it’s a travesty. If you see me on the street, come say hi. You’re all super cool people. I am, at present, a kitchen assistant, and I was a store volunteer last fall, and I’ve had an absolute blast with it. I love the Sprouts community, and being involved with it has been an incredibly positive influence on me in the last year. I’d like to bring that to next year’s volunteers!
I’m running for Volunteer Coordinator because I like people, especially the sort that give up time from their day to do something good for the planet and each other. I love the strong food and sustainability ethic that sprouts volunteers tend to share. I came into this community as a fledgling vegetarian (well, let’s be real, I still am) looking for validation and support, and what I found was a vibrant community of enthusiastic people, all with drastically different outlooks on eating, the environment, and social justice, but all sharing in one thing – we care about food.
I want to make the volunteers a stronger community. I want all of the volunteers to know each other by name. I want every volunteer next year to have the incredibly positive experience that I’ve had this year!
See you at the semi-annual general meeting!
Debbie Yeh
My Sprouts story goes back to second year when I started volunteering in the kitchen and at the cafe. Since then, I have been able to see Sprouts grow as a kitchen manager and as the current Volunteer Coordinator. This year has been really exciting, to be able to witness and be a part of the germination of Seedlings-our second location! With all of these changes, Sprouts is still the place on campus where the people make the place what it is. Being the volunteer coordinator has allowed me to help others develop their own interests and skills, as well as extending our ever growing community. I would love the chance to be the vice-president or volunteer coordinator again so that I can be a part of continually building Sprout’s dynamic community.
Renee Proulx
Hi! My name is Renee, I’m a second year art student and I’m running for volunteer coordinator! I’ve been a store volunteer since september and I’m looking to get more involved in the Sprouts community since I’ve loved my time with you all so far! I’m really passionate about many of the issues that Sprouts recognizes through its purchasing policies and other various initiatives. I’m organized, have experience coordinating large groups and love promoting Sprouts/Seedlings and recruiting new volunteers. Thank you for your consideration, hope to see you in the cafe sometime!
Emma McIlroy
Hi! I’m Emma, a 3rd year Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice major who loves spending time at Sprouts. I’ve been volunteering at Sprouts since 2011 and I am so hoping to continue on the board next year. Volunteer Coordinator can be a pretty steep learning curve, so I would love the chance to continue next year. I hope to improve Sprouts training through videos, encourage board member/volunteer cooperation through more social events and help the make weekly board meetings more productive. I also want to continue to promote Sprouts to the UBC campus and work with other groups to bring the Sprouts community more of what we love, healthy, sustainable and just food practices. I hope to see you all at the elections! Thanks!!
Samm Guye
Hi, I’m Samm, a 2nd year Sociology and Family Studies student. You might have seen me around Sprouts or Seedlings volunteering at the store, doing homework, or enjoying Community Eats. I hope to bring my skills as a dedicated, level-headed, problem solver to the position of Volunteer Coordinator. As a volunteer at Sprouts, I know first hand which problems are the most pressing, and how to work towards correcting them. I hope to create a more stable shift schedule, increase communication between volunteers and board members, and open Sprouts up to a larger demographic through hiring diverse volunteers. If elected I’ll take all concerns and problems seriously to make Sprouts as cohesive and smooth-running as it can possibly be. I’d also organize more events for volunteers to build the community. Thanks, and see you around!
Store Coordinator
Esther Huang
Hey everyone! My name is Esther and I’m running to be the Store Coordinator for Sprouts. I’m currently in first year, studying Food, Nutrition, and Health. I have been volunteering for Sprouts for two terms now, and I can say without a doubt that I am absolutely in love with this non-profit and student/volunteer run initiative. Food security, sustainability, and raising awareness about our food and where it comes from are some of things I firmly stand for and am passionate about, so I believe I can make a positive contribution to Sprouts. Furthermore, I am dedicated, organized, and friendly with an extensive amount of café/food experience, as I volunteer at Sprouts, Seedlings, Agora, and other LFS initiatives, so I know I can help manage the café/store effectively. My goal as a Store Coordinator, if elected, is to create a positive and warm atmosphere for UBC students to meet, come together and enjoy nutritious, delicious, and sustainable food. I would sincerely appreciate your votes, thank you! ☺
Sprouts Box Coordinator
Izzy Busby
Hi, my name’s Izzy and I’m applying for the position of Sprouts Box Coordinator! I started volunteering at Sprouts this year and this past semester I’ve been an assistant for Sprouts Box. Working as an assistant, I learnt a lot about how Sprouts Box functions and all the responsibilities that come with the job of being a coordinator. I think Sprouts Box is one of the amazing things that Sprouts offers UBC students! I want to be on the board because I’ve found a community at Sprouts and care about working collectively with other board members to maintain all that Sprouts is for our community.
Kitchen Coordinator
Gabriela Arias
I know the brownie recipe by heart and can tell the different types of flour by smelling them. I’m too deep into this…
Kitchen Manager
Hannah Vaartnou
Hey, I’m Hannah and I have been volunteering at Seedlings for this past term and it has been a blast! I would be honored and privileged to be elected to the position of Kitchen Manager. I have a passion for creating sustainable and nutritious food. Since I have a number of dietary restrictions. I have become quite a pro at making delicious gluten free, milk free, vegetarian food! I have extensive experience working in a bistro preparing baked goods and lunch items as well as working as a server at a restaurant. It is my belief that what we put in our body is crucial. I would love to share my love of creating nutritious food with the beautiful volunteers and board members of sprouts as your 2013/2014 Kitchen Manager.
Promotions and Outreach Coordinator
Jacqueline Dorsch
As a passionate and already involved member of the Sprouts family, I would like the chance to become further integrated by joining the board. I’m creative, organized, outgoing, and knowledgeable about the Sprouts initiative – all qualities vital to a great Promotions and Outreach coordinator. I enjoy working and interacting with people and I’m ready to embrace a team-oriented environment. I would love the opportunity to further my contributions to the Sprouts team and bring new, creative ideas to the organization. Give me the chance to share these ideas with you and become an integral part of the outreach aspect of Sprouts!
IT Manager
Martin Kozinsky
Hello friends! For those who don’t know me, I am the tallish guy kicking around Sprouts or cooking with the CE team on Thursday’s. Apart from volunteering with CE for the past year and a half I have been working with Meg (current IT manager) as her assistant, revamping the website, posting menus, and creating graphics. Other than my computer literacy, I would be good to keep around for my exceptional fruit fly catching ability, my master checkers status, and the fact that I can see things that have been forgotten on-top of the fridge. Vote for Padro and all your wildest dreams will come true… Or vote for me and I’ll give you hugz b^.^d
Bulk Buying Coordinator
Matt Rizzo
I believe people should vote for me because I want to give back to Sprouts, and I am motivated to do a good job. I like working with food and I think Sprouts is a unique place that really does well to serve the student community at UBC, providing healthy natural food at a reasonable price (or even free). I discovered Sprouts after a year at UBC, and am still surprised that there are lots of students who have never even heard of it. I have worked on several organic farms and cooperatives along the west coast, and am currently in the school of Geography studying Environment and Sustainability, and feel that working for Sprouts would allow me to learn about food distribution and offer my own knowledge as I continue studying at UBC.
Community Eats Director
Mikaela Nevin
I have been a dedicated CE volunteer since my first year at UBC, including holding the position of Community Eats assistant this past term. As such, I am extremely familiar and comfortable with many aspects of CE already and have a good sense of how it works. I believe my commitment up to now shows that I will be able to handle the responsibility of being CE director next year.
Community Eats Assistant
Mustafa Akhtar
Hi there! You might have seen my around Community Eats on Friday or just around Sprouts/Seedlings. I love Sprouts and Seedlings more than anything, Community Eats being my favorite! I will bring all my energy and ideas to this position and promise to live up to the program’s intent. I love food and people, if you do too, vote for me.
Sarah Wilson
Hello! My name is Sarah and I am a second year arts student studying archaeology. I love doing outdoor activities like cross country skiing, biking, hiking, and ultimate Frisbee. Generally when I find myself distracted from schoolwork or procrastinating it’s because I am experimenting with different recipes in the kitchen. For a year and a half now I have been volunteering as a cook for Community Eats. I would love to represent Sprouts as the Community Eats Assistant!
