MSA-UMD Elections 2007 - Candidates

Throughout this year I was the Vice President for MSA. I was responsible for making sure different tasks that the executive board members were responsible for were complete and I was also responsible for the Ramadan Task Force this year. Also my position required that I take meeting minutes throughout the meetings, room reservations and also helping other executive board members complete their tasks.

Last year I was On-Campus Brother for MSA. Throughout that year, I was responsible for planning monthly socials, open to the campus, with my co-chair. Also, my job required planning monthly community service events and off campus socials. With one or two exception, I believe that there was on campus social planned for each month. For community service, there were different ones planned throughout the year, some that were campus wide and others more so for our members. They have been going great throughout the year. Off campus socials was something that I didn’t do as much as I should have. For the brother’s there was one off campus social, however I was unable to do more throughout the year.

Also throughout this year and previous years, I’ve helped MSA with their annual Unity in Diversity Dinner and their annual Generation Next Dinner. This year I was in charge of volunteers for the Unity in Diversity Dinner.
 

List Work/Volunteer Experience (include positions, responsibilities, and accomplishments in other organizations on or off campus)

Aside from being involved in MSA I have also been involved with Student Government. For two years I was a CASL senator. Also last year, I was co-chair of Student and Academic Affairs Committee. Previously I was chair for the publication committee in Student Government. Also, I am on the Student Organizations’ Advisory Council. I am responsible for keeping track of how much money different student organizations on campus have used and make sure they don’t go over their budgeted amount.

Currently I’m working at a retail store, Gap. For the past two summers I was an orientation leader for campus – meaning I gave campus tours to new students and advise them in what classes to take. Previously I was employed as a math and reading tutor.

What are your organizational strengths? Weaknesses? 

Some strengths that I have are that I am extremely hardworking and extremely well rounded. I’ve got a lot of experience in planning events. Also, I do have leadership experience and if there is a job under me that need to be completed, it usually does.

A major weakness that I have is sometimes I have a hard time rely on people. I rather prefer to get the job done myself, because I think it would just be quicker and I know that if I am unable to complete it I will beat myself down instead of them. Another weakness that I have is that occasionally I’m a perfectionist and if a certain job isn’t done a certain way then it’s not good enough.

How do you cope and work under pressure (please answer in full thoughts/sentences providing real-life examples/situations)?

Whenever I’m under pressure, I usually am extremely quiet and just try my best in completing the job. I try not to lose my mind when I’m under pressure and to be calm as much as possible. By thinking about all the pressures around me I know I won’t get the task at had complete and eventually fail at it.

Throughout this year, holding an E-board position in MSA, working on weekends and taking a full load of classes there were those weeks that everything just piled up and I needed to complete a bunch of things (especially during finals). I had to push myself to do whatever it was, at hand.
 

How well do you multi task (please answer in full thoughts/sentences providing real-life examples/situations)?

I think I can multi task well. I think that when you have to do many things at once, you eventually get the hang of multi tasking. Also with multi tasking, I think balancing is important and prioritizing.


How do you deal with criticism (please answer in full thoughts/sentences providing real-life examples/situations)?

I can handle criticism well. It is extremely important to take criticism, to know what others think of your work, and to improve your work. As holding those, position mentioned above, I’ve been trained to take the criticism so that I can improve my work, and see what people are thinking. I will look at each criticism individually. If it is relevant then I will accept it and work on whatever it may be. However if it isn’t relevant I’ve learned to keep quiet and take the criticism still and ignore it later.

What will your schedule look like in the 2006-2007 school year? How many hours can you dedicate to the MSA if you are elected? List any external factors such as parents, school, or work that might inhibit your work.

Next year, inshallah I will continue to work towards my undergraduate degree. Also, I hope to continue in the jobs that I currently have and still actively be involved in student organizations. However many hours my position requires, I will give it my 110%. I will not rest until I’ve complete the tasks that need to be completed. My family understands the commitment that I’m ready to give and they will, inshallah be supportive of it.
 

What does MSA mean to you? Why are you getting involved with MSA other than the fact that you were nominated?

MSA means a lot to me. It is working towards promoting unity among Muslims as well as unity among Muslims and Non-Muslims. It is to educate everyone about the message. To disprove all misconceptions of Muslims and to represent people who are unable to be represent if it weren’t for MSA. And most importantly give a helping had to people less fortunate then us.

What do you feel the MSA executive board positions you are running for entails, and why do you feel you are capable of holding such a position?

As President, a person needs to be extremely organized and extremely responsible. They need to keep in contact with all the other executive board members and make sure they are accomplishing their task and are on schedule. They need to listen to the other board members, and give suggestions when needed. I think that I am organized, usually, and responsible. I am hard working. As chair of committees in previous experience, I had to keep up with people and make sure jobs are being completed, so I’m use to that. With my experience, if a problem does arise I can help people out of it by offering them different suggestions.
 

What are the main reasons you want to be elected as an MSA executive board member? Include future plans you have in respect to the position.

I have developed different connections throughout my experience as an MSA board member and through other organizations and can bring it to this organization. I can continue my hard work in this organization and make sure that the success of this organization continues. I know what is expected from each position so I will make sure that everyone works hard, complete whatever they have to and at the same time help them out.
 

If you lose the elections, what will your course of action be towards the organization (please specify)?

Regardless if I am elected for vice president or not, I will continue to work hard for this organization, possibly be on a taskforce. In addition, I will continue to give my advice when needed to help this organization accomplish its goals.
 

If you are elected, will your parent(s) be supportive of your work with the organization?

Currently they have been supportive of whatever I’ve done. I know that if this is what is best for me, they will then they will continue to support me.
 

What do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of MSA-UMD?

I think this organization's strengths is promoting unity and making people enjoy the company of each other. MSA has been successful with their dinners, their weekly Halaqas and their Jummahs. A weakness would probably be getting the campus Muslim population more involved with MSA opportunities.
 

Have you fully read & understood the constitution, have you specifically understood your duties/responsibilities?

Yes, I have.
 

How well do you work with others, give an example of when you lead a team and how you delegated responsibilities and ensure team cohesiveness?

I work great with others. With my jobs and the other organization that I am part of, I am required to work with people I want to work with and people I normally would not choose to work with. Regardless of the case, I work with them. Whenever I’m the leader of a group assignment or a team, the way I delegate responsibility is by the experience that the person has, their capabilities, and their willingness to work on that certain item.
 

Which Islamic school of thought do you subscribe to, and what are your viewpoint in regards to other schools of thought?

I follow the Sunni school of thought. However my school of thought will not affect the way I treat other people because everyone is equal to one another and we should all respect each other, regardless of what school of thought we are from.