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Manifesto for Finance Officer of UCC Law Society, 84th session.

Proposer: Enda Kerr Seconder: John Prendergast

My name is Sen O'Mahony, I am a 1st Year BCLF student, and I am running for the position of Finance Officer for the 84th session of the UCC Law Society. Below is my manifesto for the upcoming elections.

Introduction Having almost completed my first year as a law student in UCC and having spent this time as an active member of the UCC Law Society, I must acknowledge that I have been thoroughy astounded by the professionalism and cohesion with which the Law Soc operates. From mooting to debating, and COLR to the fantastic Law Soc socials, the society provides its members with such a diverse range of activities with which to persevere and progress as students and as people. Finance is incontrovertibly fundamental to the running of the society in all aspects. I wish to run for the position of Finance Officer as I feel that I have the requisite skills, work ethic, and intiative to ensure the financial well being and stability of the Law Soc and thus to maintain the progress and prosperity of the society as a whole. I recognise that my main responsibilites as Finance Officer would of course involve all financial matters pertaining to the society, primarily the maintenance of the society's accounts and the procurement of sponsorship to generate income. Firstly however, I would like to acknowledge the fantastic work done by Ls N Chonchuir as Finance Officer of the 83rd session of UCC Law Society, and if elected I hope to continue this work and strive to make the Law Soc operate to its maximum capacity.

My Aims As Finance Officer

The most essential role of the Finance Officer in my view is the generation of income through a number of sources, which include funding from the societies guild, the procurement of sponsorship, and any other innovative way in which substantial funds can be raised to assist in the running of the society. With regard to seeking sponsorship I would would to maintain the strong links we have with such firms as Arthur Cox, William Fry, and A & L Goodbody but also to attract new sponsors who we can persuade possess a genuine interest in our society. In light of this, I feel more of an effort could be made to seek sponsorship from the smaller law firms within Cork city, as the vast majority of these firms tend to have a substantial ratio of UCC graduates within their ranks, and would be more likely to offer us sponsorship than some of the Dublin-based firms. Whilst it may prove a more tedious process, I am of the opinion that taking the time to seek lesser sums of money from a more diverse range of sources would inherently improve the financial position of the society from an income point of view.

The selling of advertising is another way in which I believe finance could be obtained for the society, and in this regard I must strongly advise that more is made of the prestige which UCC Law Society undoubtedly possesses. Whilst one of the biggest societies within the university, the Law Soc also has a sterling reputation not only within the college but throughout the city as a superbly well-run organisation. The fact that we can entice the Chief Justice of Ireland to the opening of COLR is just one indication of the influence of the 'brand name' of UCC Law Society, as it were. I certainly would advocate more commercial use of the name of the Law Society, in cajoling businesses to advertise with us. With respect to this I would also encourage intelligent and prudent distribution of advertising by rationally determining which businesses would consider it within their best interests as well as ours to be associated with UCC Law Soc. For example, book shops such as Liam Ruisal's (who run a 5% student discount on law books) and formal clothing retailers such

as Suit Distributors (given the tendency for formal dress at house meetings, moot and socials) would appear to be our most promising options in this regard. I would be more than obliged to work closely and co-operatively with our PRO Officer on this issue and I would hope that together we could ensure that the good name of UCC Law Society is both financially and socially beneficial for its members.

With respect to maintenance of the society's accounts I would firstly advise the use of deposit accounts with a view to gaining interest on sums of money which the Law Soc is not putting into use on a daily basis, which I believe could be achieved by working closely and negotiating with Bank of Ireland on campus. I feel that this would be a more minor measure in the long term however, given that it would be my wish to return the majority of the income generated back into the activities of the society and improve the overall quality of the society for its members. I would also be in favour of more transparency and regularity with regard to the presentation of the society's figures to the rest of the committee. If the auditor deems it within the society's best interests I would be delighted to include a very brief update on the society's accounts at house meetings as well as the report at the AGM.

Finally, I must strongly enforce that I am very aware that finance is one of the more difficult positions within the society, particularly given the current economic climate. I recognise that we must be realistic and rational with the society's finances, and whilst I would ideally like to distribute the requisite funding to all areas of the society I feel that we must address the fact that money is not currently a free flowing commodity for the Law Society's members. The fact that the SUSI grant requirements have recently been altered as well as the fact that fees are due to rise by 250 next year are just some examples of how difficult it may be for a vast number of university students to survive financially in the near future. I

therefore promise to do my utmost if elected to acquire the most affordable prices the Law Society can provide to its members. In this respect I believe that all superfluous costs must be eliminated, such as the distribution of free Law Ball tickets to past committee members, as touched on in the auditor's manifesto. Whilst it may seem like a trivial expense, it is something the society simply cannot afford in the current climate and it does not conform with the best interests of its current members.

Suitability For The Postition In the past year I have been actively involved in many aspects of the Law Society including competing in first year mooting, attending both the Law Dinner and Law Ball Socials as well as a number of house debates, and captaining the First Year Law soccer team in our ultimately unsuccessful Quarry Cup and Law Cup campaigns. I feel that such invovement has given me a solid foundation of knowledge as to how the society works and how its best interests would be served financially. I consider myself a proficient public speaker which I believe I have showcased both in mooting and in competitive Irish debating with An Chuallacht and I feel that I would have the necessary communication skills required in dealing with the Societies' Guild and with prospective sponsors when applying for funding. I would also be confident in my numerical and budgeting skills, having achieved an A1 and B1 in Leaving Cert honours Business Studies and Maths respectively. I am no novice in dealing with money, having worked on cash registers in my previous job at Super Value, as well as having collected on a number of occasions for organisations such as Concern and Gael Linn. I firmly believe that such experiences would stand me in good stead if elected as Finance Officer of the 84th session of the UCC Law Society, having proven that I am trustworthy with money, and I am unfazed by the pressure such a position brings with it. First and foremost I am a rationalist, I do not intend to be in any way frivolous or impulsive with the Law Society's money, and I will do everything within my capabilities if elected to

ensure the best possible allocation of funding to all areas of the society. It is my only intention to ensure that the Law Society is run to its maximum potential capacity, and I believe that I have the competence to fulfil the role of Finance Officer in order to see that it does so.

If you have any queries or issues you would like to raise with me please feel free to contact me by email at seanom094@gmail.com. I offer my sincerest thanks and hope that seanom094@gmail.com. you have been convinced by this manifesto that I am the most suitable candidate for the position of Finance Officer on the 84th session of UCC Law Society.

Is mise le meas,

Sen O'Mahony.

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