Hello and Goodbye from the Presidents
It's election time again, and Kit Smart is pleased to report that the Junior Parlour has elected a new President.
As head of the Junior Parlour Committee, the President’s role is to coordinate the Committee’s efforts throughout the year and to act as a voice for the College's undergraduates. The new President, Clo Ryan (2014), and her predecessor Will Popplewell (2013) sat down to have a chat about the role and what it involves.
Let’s start with Clo. What made you decide to run for President?
Clo: It sounds cheesy, but I just really wanted to be part of the process by which change can happen. I’m very enthusiastic about working with people, and I thought it would be good to get involved with College on a higher level. The Cambridge system is very different to other universities, but I like the sense of community at Pembroke and it’s really great having the JPC and the system for representing students’ views. Most people don’t really know what goes on in the JPC so I thought it would be a good thing to try and get involved with. In terms of the time commitment, it’s a bit of a worry about balancing everything, but you have time for what you make time for, I think.
How did you find the experience of Hustings?*
Clo: I ran for the Junior Access position last year and I was absolutely terrified – I had to hold my notes against the wall because I was shaking so much. I think it was partly because I was a Fresher. This time was a lot better. I was still quite nervous, but I think I dealt with it better.
Will: I thought Clo spoke really well. She struck a good balance between being approachable and really knowing what she was talking about.
Clo, what do you think your first major challenge will be as President?
Clo: I think it’s just figuring out the processes behind everything. So if there’s a certain thing that needs to change, or if someone comes to me with an issue, I need to know the protocol: which things need to be addressed to which people, and in which way. It sounds quite boring, but figuring out the protocol is really important! And Will’s been really helpful; it’s been great knowing that he’s there when I don’t understand something and I can just ask him. I also have Amy [the Vice-President] there to help me as well. Staggering the President and Vice-President elections is so important, because otherwise it would just be, I don't know…
Will: Chaos.
Will, how would you describe your emotions having just completed your year as President?
Will: We just had the hand-over JPC meeting, and then also ConCom [Consultative Committee] today, and every time I wanted to say something I had to remind myself that it’s no longer my baby, and I have to let other people deal with it… But I’m super happy that Clo’s been elected, so I’m not worried. It’s the end of a year and a half, really, because I was Men’s Officer before running for President, so it’s going to be strange. Bop is going to be completely surreal – I haven’t had a free Bop in so long!
How will you be making the most of your newfound spare time?
Will: Ideally, I would be using it to do loads of work, but I’m actually directing a show this term so that’s kind of become my focus. It’s quite nice to have a complete shift out of College as well. I love College and everything, but it’ll be good to have something else to focus on now that I’m not on the JPC any more.
Any highs and lows from your time as President?
Will: Freshers’ Week was phenomenal. I did a lot of work for it, but I could see first-hand how that all paid off, which was great. And being able to see things that I’d suggested at ConCom becoming a reality, and seeing my role in something changing across the whole of College, was so special. If you’re involved in even the smallest change at Cambridge, that’s something that’s quite rewarding. Lows, I would say… Not really. There were times when I felt like I had so many emails and had to rush dinner and stuff, but I never felt like it wasn’t worth it. It was always for a good reason.
Do you have any advice for Clo?
Will: Use the team. The JPC is such a valuable group of people; they’ve all run for their positions, so they’re all motived. And people want you to do well, so you can trust them to support you, and they also want to take part. It’s not necessarily deciding who will tackle this particular job, but just seeing who wants to get involved, and if the President can try and bring that together then it all flows so well. We’ve seen a decline in attendance within the JP lately, so I know that’s a challenge the new JPC is keen to tackle and I’d still love to help with and be a part of that. I hope it’s not a long-term problem!
* Hustings: a Germanic word meaning ‘house-parliament’, from Old English hūs and Old Norse þing; a gathering at which candidates prepare a short speech in support of their manifesto and subsequently answer questions from the audience.