"there is quite a bit of pressure for her to run for the VP position that opened after the OYL Presi-gate."
Pressure from who?
She'll lose. There's already a high profile candidate in the running.
The exec has probably already made up their mind about who they want. These things have NOTHING to do with qualifications and all about internal politics since it will be solely up to the 14 exec members to decide who gets to be a replacement.
Has McGee been wining and dining them lately? Because that's what wins in these things unfortunately.
Two reasons why she won't get it:
- Eastern region already has four representatives on the executive, adding a fifth is unfair to other regions
- What has she actually done for the OYL? Aside from coming to parties, she been invisible.
Being an effective EVP requires an in depth knowledge of the OYL Constitution and the committee system.
What OYL Committees was Danielle McGee a part of last term?
I believe there was the Communications Committee, the Women's Issues Committee, the Policy Committee and the Legal and Constitutional Affairs committee and perhaps others all of which had open calls to join through the Activist.
What did she contribute to the committees in the past? And if she wasn't a part of them why is she best suited for EVP as opposed to some other position that wouldn't be directly overseeing such committees.
This would be a great opportunity for the OYL exec to be transparent. At the least they should have to justify their choice based on clear criteria not just who has most "in good" with the current members of the exec.
Otherwise the whole process of filling the 2nd most important position on the exec is being done completely in the dark and NONE of the members of the exec will have to justify their choice to anyone and no one will know how much support on the exec any given candidate had or why one candidate was chosen over another.
In response to a few comments above...
I would like to challenge those who dismiss Danielle running because "she'll lose". The OYL Executive is not a damned high school popularity contest. There may be a high profile candidate in the running, but any candidate who can provide knowledge, experience and substance should be free and in fact encouraged to put their name forward. One key issue with the OYL is its "clique" nature and reliance on slates - and its well known, although not proven, that the OYL discourages people from running through coercion rather than welcoming an open process (two new OYL executive members should be well versed in this reality!)
I support those who have flagged the insider nature of the OYL. I certainly encourage a number of qualified Candidates, like Danielle McGee and others, to put their names forward. The OYL Executive should have to carefully review all candidates and make an informed decision based on experience, personal suitability, and judgement - not because they were wined and dined. THIS OYL Executive "claims" to be dedicated to renewal of its culture and institutions - and even "claims" to have established a renewal commission (although we await to hear about that!). Regardless of who the executive chooses (be it a 'nobody' from Ottawa or a 'somebody' with friends in Toronto), if they do not make their decision for OYL Executive Vice-President based on a concerted candidate search, any credibility this current executive has (if any) regarding an agenda to change the culture of the organization will be lost.
This past OYL AGM put the spotlight on a number of issues with the credibility of the Ontario Young Liberals as an organization. It is so far disconnected from its membership that it can barely be considered representative. At its darkest hour, the OYL needs leadership by example.
Finally, as a member of the Eastern Region and resident of Ottawa, I would like to ask who the executive members are from the Eastern Region. The only one I am aware of is Adam Leclair. And, David Valentin, as great a person he may be, eats, sleeps and bleeds Toronto - hardly representative of the Eastern Region.
David V lives in Ottawa and goes to school there now (past ties to Toronto notwithstanding), while Radey goes to Queen's and so does Smitich (who ran for Eastern region director last year and lost). So yes there are 4 people on the exec who live in Eastern region year round, and with the possible exception of Valentin their primary ties are to Eastern region ridings.
If regional considerations were taken into account: central region, southwestern and northern regions each only have ONE exec member right now.
If we want an OYL refelective of its membership perhaps the choice should come from one of those 3 regions.
There's more to eastern region than Ottawa there buddy. Eastern is over-represented on the executive already. It's disgusting to think that the exec would continue to load up from the region. As for qualifications, I'm hearing that this high profile person is a former executive member, with tons of experience. With only one returning exec member, this executive board lacks institutional memory. The exec needs experience, which Danielle McGee does not posses.
Why does it matter where Danielle is living now? As far as I know, she is originally from the North and anyways, she shouldn't be dismissed because of the geographical area where she currently resides. The OYL exec has one position in each of the region; it doesn't need to value region over competence for the other positions.
The OYL had Toronto-centric execs in the past. For the record, it didn't mean that they were better or worst.
"The OYL exec has one position in each of the region; it doesn't need to value region over competence for the other positions"
Pretty easy thing to say for a guy like Leo Bourdon who is from eastern region, from Ottawa specifically. Try living in South West or Central where they only have one voice on the exec. Even Toronto only has 3, and you want to have a 5th for Eastern? Unbelievable.
If you had such a problem with eastern region representation then rather than support a slate of candidates why didn't you assist someone to put their names forth from your region? I'm certain there was a long list of qualified and competent people. Or were you just too caught up in the slate mentality and requirements that the OYL exec be so inwardly focussed that you decided it was just not worth the effort?
Not supportive one way or another here in terms of candidates, but for once can this party look at candidates and executives based on competencies, skills, and experience (be it in politics, volunteer or business), placing greater consideration on factors that determine whether or not the person is qualified rather than just picking friends? I dont care who gets in at this point - this person wont have much of a say this executive anyways, but it would be nice to see the executive think about a decision before it makes one. Maybe, just maybe we can hold out hope the OYL will consider the best person for the job (be they from Sudbury, Welland, Sarnia, Toronto, or Ottawa) and not just because they partied alot with the person. But as other postings alude to earlier, thats just not what the OYL is about... prefering instead the insider route.
"If you had such a problem with eastern region representation then rather than support a slate of candidates why didn't you assist someone to put their names forth from your region?"
Yeah, I did. And they won.
What's unbelievable for me, Live Wire, is to discreminate a candidate because of the geographical region is which they are. If Danielle was living in the South West or Central, she would be just as qualified in my eyes. It's a shame you come down to such petty politics.
Seems McGee has some stiff competition:
http://liberalfreshmeat.blogspot...mpin-
seven.html
In alphabetical order:
Bianca Bruni
Danielle McGee
Danylo Korbabicz
Jacqueline Alderton
Kaitlynne-Rae Landry
Magda Drobnicki
Ryan Kennery
Three of those people have exec experience which Danielle lacks. If she manages to win through this 7 way race I will be quite surprised but we'll see.
Who do you think is the most qualified from this bunch Vicky and why?
Only two of them have previous exec experience: Magda and Jacquie. Who's the third?
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