Over the past couple of weeks, the clubs at NYU Shanghai have started holding elections for their Executive Board members. Depending on the club, the positions offered have varied from President to Secretary to Treasurer, as ultimately the current Executive Boards are looking to be replaced by some fresh, enthusiastic faces. Most of the elections have been held via OrgSync and have included details from the applicants on why they are interested in the position they are applying for and what they would potentially bring to the club. All members of the club are then given the opportunity to vote those they wish to become their new leaders. Some of the polls are still open, but all results will be announced in the upcoming weeks. These elections have been especially important for Freshmen, as it has given us the chance to apply for positions of authority in the clubs that we have been part of for over a semester. Therefore the opportunity to make a significant difference has greatly increased and so have the levels of involvement that a Freshman can achieve. A strong position is also valuable experience, and as we move into the Sophomore year, leadership of the clubs will be passed onto the Class of 2018. Puja Chandramohan, a member of the Clubs Committee at NYU Shanghai, outlined the impact the elections will have: “The upcoming club elections affect the Class of 2018 in a powerful way. We entered the school practically anonymous- anxious to create an identity in an extremely diverse and broad community. In my opinion, I see these elections as an opportunity for freshmen to step up to the plate and serve as catalysts to shape NYUSH’s society. With these elections, the sophomores are handing us the responsibility to protect the university and its legacy. Instead of assuming a role in a community where the base was already established by the sophomore class, we get an amazing opportunity where we can reassemble this base and take charge while at the same time preserving the legacies and traditions of the inaugural class.” The elections, however, have also been important for those who haven’t applied for a place on the Executive Board. As the main body of the clubs is made up of members who don’t have a leadership position and attend because they are interested in what the club has to offer and want to be part of their meetings and events, the results of the elections largely affect the voters themselves. This article was written by Stephanie Bailey. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Dylan Crowe