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Editorial

It would appear that VUWSA has a firmly entrenched tradition of shedding great quantities of Executive members throughout the academic year. 1981's Exec has shown itself, already, to be acting strictly in accordance with this lamentable custom.

In 1979, the Executive had lost three of its number at this stage of the year. Last year, only four of the original ten Exec members managed to last the year. Now 1981's Exec has four vacant positions. The Cultural Affairs Officer position was not filled in the elections held at the end of last year; and the Finance Officer, Paul Wiggins resigned very early this year after some less than fortunate experiences as Publications sub-committee's Business Manager in 1980. The two more recent resignations have come from David Beder, the Media Officer, in mid-February — and Mandi Cunningham as Woman Vice President, just one week ago.

Beder, who had apparently been out of the country until mid-February, made his one and only appearance at an Exec meeting to resign for "personal reasons" in a display of concern and commitment to the Association that can only be marvelled at.

While Cunningham lasted a little longer, she did not grace the Exec with a reason for her departure. However, the resignation followed closely on the heels of a fruitless request for her assistence at an Orientation event (an essential aspect of Exec members' work at this stage of the year).

Certainly, there's a lot of hard work involved with being an Exec member. There's very little power and even less glory. It's ninety percent shit work; cleaning up after boozy socials, selling tickets, dealing with students' hassles and attending great streams of meetings — as well as dealing with the work in your particular portfolio. But all this is well known before a person stands for the job; it's no excuse to whine 'I haven't got the time' after the event.

Orientation has put Exec members under a lot of pressure. Overall, Exec help with Orientation up until the end of the first week was patchy, with the Orientation Controllers being left in the lurch several times when promised help did not eventuate. However, some particular members of Exec (roughly correlating to those now remaining) have worked extremely hard for long hours over Orientation.

Resignations from Exec are a bummer for several reasons. They mean extra work is placed on remaining members (a situation which led to further resignations in 1979) and it costs lots to hold by-elections when more than three have resigned (the coming one has a price tag of $600 to $700). Resignations also have an effect of undercutting student confidence in the Exec and Association, they mock the principle that Exec members are students committed to serving other students, and undermine any urging that students take an active interest in the affairs of the Association.

The one bright aspect of the resignations is that we've now divested ourselves of the deadwood on Exec. Virginia Adams has managed to keep the remaining six relatively united — there are no great splits or antagonisms (a feature of Execs over the past two years). While there have been disagreements, they've been argued about openly enough to prevent bitterness. If we can get hold of some competent and hard working Exec members, this year's version may well yet prove to be one of the more successful Execs of recent years.

While it's well worth considering standing for a vacant Exec position if you have the time, interest and commitment required, first think seriously about what the job involves. Probably the best method is to talk with the President or other Exec members. While this Association needs a full complement on Exec; the last thing it needs is more resignations later in the year.

Stephen A'Court