Platforms for VP Personnel

Below are the platforms for those running for VP Personnel in the elections this coming Tuesday, November 27, free period in the theater.

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Doug Phelan
Platform for the Office of Vice President of Personnel
Masque of La Salle University

Firstly, I am honored to have been nominated without solicitation for this position. It is a very comforting surprise to know that people believe I can help this organization in a positive way at the executive level.

If there’s one thing I don’t want to do, it is to be overbearing concerning the social duties VP Personnel performs for the general membership. Social life in the Masque has never been in need of forcing. Therefore, I believe that beyond creating a good atmosphere, I need not—and should not—overdo it. I feel those who have held this position during my time have taken great care in walking this fine line between not doing enough and excessively planning social events. I offer my thanks to Gwen, Melissa, and Sam for a job very well done and exemplifying how this position can be run.

The VP of Personnel serves as a liaison between three main parties: the executive board, the membership, and the rest of the La Salle community. Through my work on the executive board of another major Arts group on campus (the Jazz & Pep Bands), and through my work for the Division of Student Affairs, I have accumulated the necessary contacts at a professional level to maintain the beneficial channels of communication the Masque enjoys with the University and its many student groups. It is in this capacity that I feel zealous representation is key and I would be proud to represent you all in any way called upon.

Concerning the communication between the membership and the executive board, I rely on my years of friendship and conversation with all of you whether that be in the classroom, in the theater, or at lunch every day in Backstage. No matter the outcome of this election, I’ll always be available to you for help, a chat, or just a listening ear because you are my friends and, in many instances in this crazily related organization, my family.

Ah, family. One of the most exciting prospects of becoming VP Personnel would be helping to set-up the inductions process. I remember how special and memorable inductions were for me and I would love the opportunity to give that back to a new class. My Masque MOM being Megan McGee, I have grown to love all of the intricacies of the various trees and subsets that make up the Masque. I would love the opportunity to work with the E-board in ensuring an enjoyable inductions process for all who choose to enter it. We all leave our mark on this organization in different ways, yet there is nothing quite as historically prominent as continuing the growth of these family trees, started so many years ago. I hope this demonstrates, through my reverence for the process, the work and care I would invest.

Planning social events is my last major point here. I believe another characteristic of a good leader is the ability to realize one’s weaknesses. When you think “social chair,” you might not think “Doug Phelan.” I know I haven’t. However, in recognizing that I may not have a multitude of personal connections, I would reach out through the Masque to make our desire to celebrate work well done a reality. The formal has been held—in recent tradition—at Johnny’s, and I gather that it’s a place we look forward to seeing again. Concerning cast/crew parties, I would use all of the Masque’s connections to secure a good location. It is the good reputation of the Masque which allows us to secure off-campus houses for our gatherings, and I would look forward to utilizing and maintaining our good…err…“community ties.” Concerning Meet the Masque, I enjoy how it has been run, and this year’s freshman class has remained very active—so I consider it effective as is.

I know I’m running with a field of great folks for this position. When you’re voting a week or so from now, and you come across “Doug Phelan” on the ballot, there are a few things I hope come to mind: work ethic, personable, and intense desire to make the Masque an enjoyable group both on and off the stage. I feel that as an active member, I’ve reached the limits of what I can do, and I still have the desire to do more for each and every one of you. The majority of my college years having passed, I feel confident in saying that in retrospect, my closest friends have come from the Masque. Please elect me, so that I can be the steward of this organization’s great atmosphere and be part of a team that can bring the wonderful friendship and support you’ve given me these past two years to a new generation of the Masque.


Your Friend,
Doug Phelan

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Pam Woodward for VP Personnel!

Vice President of Personnel - kind of an important job, if you ask me. I mean, you’re only responsible for keeping the organization close-knit, the whole MoM-Baby system going, and organizing the most anticipated event of the year – the Masque formal…no pressure, right? But here’s the thing – I can handle it. Not only that, but I also believe that I have a lot to bring to such an important position. Hopefully, you will give me the opportunity to do it.

We’re in kind of a weird situation right now with a mid-year election – but I have to say I couldn’t be more excited about it, because getting elected now would mean getting to work almost immediately on one of the Masque’s most unique activities – Baby Week and Inductions. Now, while all of the candidates are incredibly qualified for this position, I have a major asset in this area. I have had the opportunity to spend time with almost every single person in the organization, particularly the freshmen on tech and in the show. See - spending every waking hour in the theater does have its benefits… I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know so many of you and am in a good position to make some good MoM-baby pairings with the help of the rest of E-board.

Speaking of always being in the theater – that means I’m really easy to find to discuss what’s on your mind as far as ideas or concerns for the Masque. If I’m not in the theater I’m probably at the table or in my townhouse, which is always open. I really like how accessible the E-board has become this year and I’m interested in keeping that trend going and making communication easier. Plus, I promise to not be too intimidating to talk to. This organization relies so heavily on the general membership – you guys deserve to be heard and as the go-between for E-board and the rest of the Masque, you can rest assured that you will be fairly represented.

Alright, communication: check, Inductions: check – that leaves socializing. It’s common knowledge I don’t drink, but I think we’ve all seen that it doesn’t have much of an effect on anything aside from the fact that with me around there’s always someone with their head on straight to handle any situation that might come up. Urinetown’s cast party was the first in awhile to not be broken up and I’d like to keep things on that positive note. In addition to the usual festivities, I’d like to see a couple of get-togethers take place between the beginning of the semester and the next show, since Picasso doesn’t pick up until February. I’d be interested in taking suggestions for specific ideas. And you can all breathe easy because guess who’s finally 21 come April 1st? That means that the case race and formal will be easily covered. Additionally, I have been known to throw a pretty awesome party and can put together a mean playlist – ask and I’ll get you a list of my references.

Alright guys, here’s the thing: this organization means the world to me. I think I’ve hit on the major jobs of VP Personnel. Hopefully I’ve given you some convincing reasons to consider me. Just think about it – most of you know me and what I can offer without even reading this platform. You’ve all seen how invested I am in the Masque currently. You can be sure that I’d like to do so much more in the future. As your VP Personnel I will do all that I can to make sure that the rest of this year is nothing short of amazing.

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Kyle Michael Abbott
Platform for VP Personnel
And Resident Wizard


Dear Masque,

There comes a time in every young person’s life when the difficult topic of the birds and the bees must be addressed. Thank you for instructing me thoroughly during the Urinetown cast party.

That said I’d like to help you continue such events. Not necessarily in the debauchery realm, but in the role of coordinating such social functions as we’ve all grown to crave. I also realize that the position means more than that. As Megan put it, I would “represent the organization to the E-board” as well as represent all of you. I know I’ve got a reputation for not being around and I can be quite boorish but I think, I know, I can do you all justice.

And not just justice. Integrity. Civility. Citizenship. The entire Affirmation.

Political sentiments aside, I want to help make your second semester a pretty darn good time. I’ve turned positions down before, I’ve verbally crapped on the Masque, but I genuinely want to help out. I feel like I’ve been around the block on campus enough to know that in order to make you all enjoy yourselves, I’ve got to ask you how you want it done. Also, I’ve seen what has worked, and what hasn’t, and want to revamp/create anew and make your times here the ones that people talk about for semesters to come. We’ve got a lot to be proud of and I’d like to help continue to add to the list. For the record, I’m not doing this for popularity, I’m not doing it for power, and I’m not doing it to throw a coup and make Improv the supreme rulers of Dan Rodden (although the thought crossed my mind). From a sincere heart, please send a vote this way.

It’s my last semester (other than grad school), so let’s all go out with a bang. I’ve got some weird ideas, some fun ideas, and the in-between too. Like the “Pie for Picasso on date somewhere close to Pi Day” Meet and Greet.

No guilt, but all I can ask is for you to give me a shot.
Please.
(Violent sobbing)

Thanks for the nomination and have a great break!

With love,

Kyle

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Ok kids, look them over and come to the meeting to hear their speeches and vote!