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List Organizational Experience within the MSA-UMD (Include positions,
responsibilities, and accomplishments, please be specific, outlining
in detail what you individually did/accomplished):
Worked with the MSA as Brotherhood Coordinator for half a semister, started
about 2 months ago when the other brother resigned. So my experiences as an
Eboard member are new, but as an MSA member of the past and activist, pretty
regular. We designed flyers, shirts, and did a few wonderful joint events with
other organizations on campus
List Work/Volunteer Experience (Include positions, responsibilities, and
accomplishments in other organizations on or off campus)
Worked with Almaghrib Institute, a 4,000 student Islamic Institute for about a
year. Started out as a City Rep, and later moved up to PR head. Participated and
moderated the Almaghrib.org
forums as well.
Participated in the Islamic Center of Detroit youth network, from halaqas to
dinners. Was elected to ameer and lead an entire promo dinner in a professional
banquet hall. For the past 6 years,
volunteered EVERY year, with Life, Islamic Relief, and Isna conferences, mostly
booth related activity. Attended the MSA-National co-conference last year with
ISNA and volunteered for the entire weekend. Helped setup and administer the ICD
website, and last year did the MSA-UMD member of the week for a bit :)
What are your organizational strengths? Weaknesses?
I love to work with people who are serious and dedicated to work. My weaknesses
are a few, but in all honesty, when others are not working or dedicated to their
job, it influences my dedication as well, but I see room for improvement here
insha'Allah.
How do you cope and work under pressure? (Please answer in full
thoughts/sentences providing real-life examples/situations)
I've been working under pressure for a while. I have been volunteering at
hospitals and busy places for a while. For example, working at Oakwood hospital,
in the Emergency lounge was alot of pressure. I just
got hired at Beaumont hospital, and with 18 credits this semester, I think
working under pressure is fun because it keeps me busy!
How well do you multi task? (Please answer in full
thoughts/sentences providing real-life examples/situations)
Relating back to the hospital volunteering, multi-tasking is key. We once had to
sit 8-9 patients at one time, taking care of each one when they call for help.
So multi-tasking on the job, a small scale event,
is simple. The real test is when someone multi-tasks things on a large skill,
whether we are talking about school, work, the Islamic centers, the MSA, and
family, all at one time! Now that is real mutl-tasking, and I believe I have
that insha'Allah.
How do you deal with criticism? (Please answer in full thoughts/sentences
providing real-life examples/situations)
I take criticism, negative or positive, twist it, throw it away, and learn from
it! I don't let it bother me at all. In fact, I think my criticism drives people
nuts. So I believe in constructive crticism, something alot of us need to work
on together insha'Allah.
What will your schedule look like in the 2008-2009 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.
My new job is flexible. I can choose my schedule, so I'm not worried about work.
School is like always, a need. And we can always work around it. I can put in
5-7 hours a week for MSA per week, max. But
nothing on the outside will affect my ability to participate in the MSA
insha'Allah.
What does MSA mean to you? Why are you getting involved with MSA, other than
the fact that you were nominated?
MSA means working for Islam and Muslims, period. My sole purpose of joining the
MSA is to unite the Muslims on campus, create a sense of love and brotherhood
between everyone in a fun, school atmosphere, create a connection to the
non-Muslims, and last, spread the message of Islam, all for the sake of Allah
swt.
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?
Outreach is reaching out and giving da3wa, probably the most comfortable thing I
would enjoy doing. I believe if the entire MSA concentrated on Outreach more
than Social or fun events, then the blessings will be there. While the MSA is
known to be fun and professional, outreach gives it the kick it needs to really
bring the inner joy, to know we did something for Islam. I feel very capable of
holding such a position because my whole life revolved around masjid halaqas,
events, and Muslim youth and organizational work. My whole life revolves around
these values, so outreach is probably my only chance to show what I've really
got.
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.
Main reasons are to work for the sake of Allah, Muslims, and non-Muslims as
well. I want to be elected because I feel qualified for this position. Future
plans I have for this position include the
following: Create a strong sense of Islamic presence on campus, push forward
with having more Muslims participating in da3wa events, get awesome speakers for
the Friday sermon that we hold, and keep the
spiritual aspect high throughout the Muslim population on campus.
If you lose the elections, what will your course of action be towards the
organization (please specify)?
They're wonderful people, I'll support and make dua' for them all the way! I'm
already an eboard member and know exactly how it feels to work for free, while
still maintaining an outside life in school and work. So my support will always
extend to them insha'Allah.
If you are elected, will your parent(s) be supportive of your work with the
organization?
I'm already in eboard, they will be more than supportive for me to continue with
the MSA.
What do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of MSA-UMD?
Strengths: Very professional, organized, and disciplined
Weaknesses: No blessing in the work anymore, our goals are not met,
our Islamic aspect has dropped down. We are becoming a social network
and gathering. But it's tiny things that need to be worked on.
Overall, a very respectable and strong organization.
Have you fully read & understood the constitution, have you specifically
understood your duties/responsibilities?
I have the most updated constitution saved on my computer, since I'm already in
eboard. It is updated actually every few weeks during our meetings, so yes, the
roles and duties are understood!
How well do you work with others? Give an example of when you led a team and
how you delegated responsibilities and ensure team cohesiveness.
Work well with others. Try to make things fun and open so that everyone
contributes. One time I was elected to run and organize an entire Promo dinner
for Almaghrib institutes newest instructor. The
committee I formed was over 30-40 volunteers, all who worked together with me to
make it a successful dinner. We had sponsored food from fancy restaurants
delivered and served wedding style to every round table at a professional
banquet hall. It was a first time leading a team so big, and it was wonderful!
Which Islamic school of thought do you subscribe to, and what is your
viewpoint in regards to other schools of thought?
The Prophet pbuh, left us with two things: The Quran, and his sunnah. I follow
both to the best of my abilities, and ask Allah swt to increase my knowledge,
iman, and ihsan, so that he will join us with the prophet in paradise. As long
as other schools of thoughts do NOT contradict the Quran or the sunnah of the
prophet, they are A OK! :) |
