sebastian bustamante

(he/him/his)

Candidate for President

General Questions

What are some ideas or projects you would like to see implemented within UVSA Gulf Coast?
In the UVSA Gulf Coast region, I would love to implement projects that can bring the region closer together. Although we were unable to have it this year, sports events such as the GC Olympics were really fun and something I believe can bring a lot of schools together. Other newer projects would include a giant picnic style event for schools to come together, mix-and-mingle, and have fun. I want to stress the importance of respecting other schools and making an effort to include as much as we can. And lastly, a project that I would like to see implemented would be a way for VSA's to rely on each other and to communicate any problems or assistance they may have. This could be regarding assistance with classes, career help, and/or just somebody to ask advice. I believe there are a lot of people in VSA that have the knowledge that could possibly be the answer to someone's problem.

What are the top three concerns within our region that you would like to improve on?
One of my biggest concerns is having more events on the coast of Mississippi. I think it is extremely important to include people from smaller schools such as USM, MSU, and USA as it is more difficult for schools like these to connect to the region whenever they have to drive far for many events, and it makes it hard for them to truly connect and have a passion for the region and instead, just their own VSA.

1. Another concern is the lack of help struggling VSA’s have and wanting to provide them with more hands-on assistance. As president of my own VSA, which is more on a smaller scale, I understand the struggles of member retention and trying to spread that passion in new members to the club. For other VSA’s with smaller members and populations, I want to implement a way for UVSAGC to help them in planning or creating events, fundraisers, or activities with hopes of keeping that member retention or helping VSA’s raise funds for their club.

2. Last, but not least, I want to promote and encourage people to get a taste of UVSA Gulf Coast no matter how old or new they are to the VSA scene. I know some people aren’t interested in participating in out-of-region events or activities, but I believe it is something VSA schools and UVSAGC should highly encourage to get people to at least attend 1 or 2 if possible to test the waters and give it a try. You never know what small interaction could lead to.

What is your strategy to promote and maintain leadership within the Gulf Coast through your position?
With the President position, my strategy to promote and maintain leadership is to stay confident in my abilities, be proactive with the region, and make my board and schools in the region comfortable to ensure that everyone feels more than satisfied with my performance. I do not expect being President of the UVSA Gulf Coast region to be easy, but I have high expectations for myself, and I know the effort that is required by me is something I will not take for granted.

As the face of the Vietnamese community, how would you address and empower rising young leaders in regards to the politics and race in today’s society?
Being the face of the Vietnamese community will be difficult, but I would like to address and empower these young leaders by setting an example and being a role model for those who need a little push or help in the right direction. This community means much more than I ever thought it would to me, and I plan on taking care and valuing my time as the leader. Whether it be incorporating Vietnamese culture in more events and activities, or strengthening young leaders in their abilities to lead, I will strive to push for things like this so the region feels confident in me and the community.

What are some ways to honor our organization’s professionalism?
Our organization has kept a high level of professionalism these past two years, and I plan on keeping it the same way. Conducting policies as they have been and following rules and guidelines set before me, there is no need to stray away from how we have been conducting. I want to make sure that my eboard knows the difference between when to be professional and when not to be, and how to separate between the two. Being close to this community and these people make it hard at times to be professional, but this position is not something to be taken lightly. Being punctual, being respectful, and adhering to everything the region has emphasized regarding professionalism is something I have learned and something I want to teach to the newer generation.

What is your stance on how UVSAGC should interact with other community organizations? 
In regards to how we should interact, I believe building and developing relationships with community organizations is important, but it should not be the highest priority. This community is a community I care deeply about, and I want to prioritize our region's future and well-being. If a VSA school is struggling, I would rather go out of our way to help them stabilize, then try to plan something with a different community organization. I want to make sure our events are well-planned and better executed than struggle trying to balance between the two. It may sound a little selfish but that is the outlook I have on this UVSA Gulf Coast region. The region and schools itself will hold a higher place than anything else.

How would you deal with your eboard having burnout?

Burnout is serious and a very difficult feeling to overcome. If any of my eboard was struggling with burnout, then I would step in and have a conversation with them individually. I have learned that not everyone on a team moves at the same pace, and not everyone on the team shares the same responsibilities and struggles. But I am a believer that as a team, we are only as strong as our weakest link. Now just because I have mentioned weakest, I do not want people thinking that I think anyone on my team is incapable of the position. I believe that if someone is feeling burnout, then that affects the entire eboard as a whole, and is something I am willing to intervene and make sure my eboard/eboard member is okay before moving forward. One of my greatest strengths is checking in with my team and making sure everyone is okay. This is a time where I will prioritize them, their feelings, and their situation. Whether it be splitting their responsibilities for the time being or picking up where they are unable to, I want to ensure everyone that my team will not fall behind due to burnout.

What are your feelings if any eboard member wanted to step down?

If an eboard member wanted to step down, then I believe it is fair to sit down and talk to them about the situation first and hear out their thoughts. Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation, or a boost of morale to keep on pushing through. I won’t ever force someone into doing something they do not want to, but that doesn’t mean I can’t try to encourage them and make them feel more comfortable. Maybe the workload is a little too much, or there is a lot on their plate at the moment. These are things I would like to know so that stepping down isn’t their first option. Thinking of the eboard as one team and one unit, I want to help my eboard if they are struggling, and if after talking and encouraging they still want to step down, then that is something I will respect.

How do you make sure other positions stay accountable for their roles?
To ensure the other positions stay accountable, I would enforce open communication and transparency between me and the board. I do not think it is necessary for me to micro-manage my team and step on their toes, but I would push for honesty and communication between all of us so that we know what each of us are doing and the responsibilities we have. Outlining their duties and their positions is something important to know. I plan on checking on my eboard to make sure their tasks are coming along, and they are actively working on what they have been delegated to do. And if they aren’t able to for any reason, then that is something I will sit down and talk with them about.

What do you feel is the most important thing within your eboard?

Comfortability. Although communication is the key to everything, sometimes all it takes is the board to be comfortable working with each other to allow for high communication, and our goals to be executed. Developing a comfortable professional relationship between the entire board is something I value because of how much it helps with interactions, honesty, and communication. It won’t be easy with the distance between everyone, but at the very least, it is worth all my efforts to try and make this eboard work as smoothly and as efficient as possible.

What do you think is the biggest downfall of VSA and what will set you different from past presidents?

I believe the biggest downfall of VSA is split into two: member retention, and blending newer generations of VSA with older ones.

1. Member retention is a struggle for the schools that make up our region, but what most people don’t realize is that it affects UVSAGC as well. When a school is unable to bring together their members and to gather students in their club, that is less people and less participation we have for the region as a whole. 

2. Blending the generations is something I noticed throughout my 3 years of VSA. It felt as if through each year, I met and interacted with a generation of VSA people, and each year there were newer faces as well. But it seems hard to connect the two generations and make the entire region feel as one. People stay close and maintain relations with VSA people of their year or generation, and I want to encourage them to connect and bond with newer faces as well

   I believe what sets me apart from past presidents is that I have learned and worked under so many great leaders ever since I stepped foot into VSA. These experiences I have gained and lessons I have been taught, is what I want to bring to the region and VSA’s everywhere. I understand there are differences, and I understand that not everyone sees things the same way. But it is my goal to assist people in being strong leaders, help people with opening up to the VSA region, and encourage people to share the same goal as me of sparking passion in VSA and the future generations to come.