Jillian Griffin is your voice to the outside world
By Julia Siedlanowska, Staff Writer
Jillian Griffin is the External Relations Coordinator at the Douglas Students’ Union. In her interview with the Other Press, Griffin discusses how she got involved in student politics, and the issues she’s passionate about.
Could you explain for us your role as External Relations Coordinator with the Douglas Students’ Union (DSU)? What duties does this include?
As the External Relations Coordinator, my portfolio consists mostly of working mostly external. For example, the primary task I have been working on for the past two years has been the U-Pass BC program. This gives me the opportunity to work collaboratively with all the student unions and post-secondary institutions in the Lower Mainland, as well as TransLink and the Ministry of Transportation. I also do a lot of work connecting with students on campus through various events and social activism campaigns, such as free food events, Sisters in Spirit, and our upcoming re-launch of the “No Means No” campaign.
When did you start being interested in external relations? Is this how your involvement with the DSU began?
I originally got involved with the DSU by being a volunteer. My roommate at the time was the External Relations Coordinator and she was looking for volunteers to help with the OnePassNow campaign. After volunteering for a year I ran as Member-at-large and then ran as External Relations Coordinator the following year.
How has working with the DSU affected your life? Have you found it helpful in other aspects of your daily life?
Being an elected representative for students at Douglas College has had a profound impact on my life. It has given me the opportunity to work with incredible people and to really connect with Douglas College as a community.
Being involved in the DSU has helped me in my daily life by helping to develop things like time management and organizational skills, but most importantly it has helped to connect me with my passion.
If you could change one thing at Douglas College, what would it be?
If I could change one thing I would continue to build the DSU to a hub where all students could go to explore their passions and receive the support they need to be successful during their time at Douglas College. The DSU has grown a lot over the years, but there is still more room to grow to achieve this.
What advice would you give someone wanting to get involved with the DSU?
Volunteering is a great way to start! The students’ union has a wide range of events from pub nights and free food events to social activism and awareness campaigns and events. Volunteers get the opportunity to explore what aspects of the DSU they are most passionate about.
