Board in the house and they’re in the house board.

The 2020-2021 Board of Directors (BoD) began its term on May 4, 2020.  It was ratified during IGNITE’s virtual Annual General Meeting on March 27, 2020, and elected by you during the 2020 Voting Week.

The BoD call the shots at IGNITE. They determine where your student fees are allocated to implement programs that improve your student experience.

It’s important to get to know your decision-makers, so we caught up with them to ask some questions. Learn all about your student leaders at the University of Guelph-Humber: Megan Roopnarine and Stefan Thomas.

Introduce yourself! What’s your program, campus, social media channels, email and year of study?

Megan Roopnarine: I’m headed into my fourth (and final!) year in the Media Studies program at Guelph-Humber. My Instagram is @megan.boardofdirectors and my email is megan.rooparine@gmail.com.

Stefan Thomas: I am going into my fourth and final year of the Family and Community Social Services (FCSS) program at the University of Guelph Humber. Students can feel free to contact me through the following: My Instagram is @stefan.directorofgh and my email is sthoma17@guelphhumber.ca.

What inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?

Megan Roopnarine: During my third year, I was IGNITE’s Guelph-Humber vice-president. Throughout this experience, I learned how much I appreciate and value advocating for the student body. Being involved on campus has always been important to me which is what inspired me to run for the Board of Directors. I saw this opportunity to try something new, continue my involvement with IGNITE, and most importantly to continue building relationships and helping fellow students.

Stefan Thomas: What inspired me the most to run for the Board of Directors was my desire to create a positive impact on campus. I’ve always believed that at the end of four years, students should feel like they had the best post-secondary experience ever. However, a large variable that determines the likelihood of this occurring is how well the needs of each student are met by IGNITE. Therefore, as a person who has a passion for advocating on behalf of what’s right for others, I decided to run in this year’s election so I could get the opportunity to voice the needs of my peers and actively work to influence decisions that will benefit them.

What do you consider to be IGNITE’s most significant accomplishment to date?

Megan Roopnarine: I think one of the most exciting accomplishments IGNITE has done is providing free menstrual kits for students. What started as an executive’s initiative turned into something that helps thousands of women every day across our campus. Not only has it proved the exciting work a student union can do but it resulted in something extremely beneficial and sets a standard for schools everywhere! Accomplishments like this one make me extremely proud to work with IGNITE.

Stefan Thomas: IGNITE has made a lot of positive strives and has accomplished quite a few things over the past few years. However, one accomplishment that has been very significant was the emergency menstrual products initiative. Periods are normal and can happen at any time or place. I love that IGNITE decided to make these menstrual products free and more accessible across the Humber and Guelph-Humber campuses.

With that in mind, what do you hope to see IGNITE accomplish throughout the upcoming year?

Megan Roopnarine: Given these uncertain times with COVID-19, I understand how complicated things must be for many students. I hope to see IGNITE continuing to help students financially with bursaries while encouraging many to stay involved and keep busy!

Stefan Thomas: Something that I hope to see IGNITE accomplish throughout this upcoming year is finding a way to keep students engaged and connected. COVID-19 has brought many challenges and there is a strong possibility that students won’t have the ability to physically partake in professional or social events like before. However, one thing that I think will help many get through these challenging times, is reliable and engaging virtual services that will enable students to still network socially and professionally.

What message would you like to share with your fellow students?

Megan Roopnarine: I would encourage everyone to always do their best and try to look at the glass as half full. Sometimes things don’t go the way we plan or expect but it is so important to be grateful for what we have and to never stop learning. To any Humber and Guelph-Humber student reading this, I am so proud to be one of your Board of Directors for 2020-2021 and if you ever need someone to reach out to, you’ll have me. For now, I’ll be sending you all lots of positive energy for the months to come!

Stefan Thomas: I would love to encourage all my fellow peers to never stop believing in themselves. I believe everyone has a desire to do good and create a positive impact in the world. However, we sometimes tend to be our biggest critic, persuading ourselves that we cannot accomplish certain dreams or goals.

Through time and experience, I have adopted the mindset that I can accomplish any and everything that I put my mind to and I have the ability to impact change. I believe it was this same self-belief that helped me gain this opportunity to represent my peers on the Board of Directors. Therefore, as a fellow student, don’t give up! Don’t stop dreaming! Don’t stop believing in yourself! It may get hard sometimes, but if you continue to maintain a positive mindset and work hard, you’ll be able to do whatever you put your mind to!

Voilà! Now you know a little more about your peer leaders. If you have any questions about student living, contact the Board of Directors and join the conversation.

For more on how the Board of Directors is working to improve your student experience, get familiar with your new IGNITE fees.

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