Can I save it...?

Today was a significant day for myself and my Students Association. I managed to set up a meeting with a high-ranking member of the Liberal Party to discuss the issue of VSU and its impacts on the students in my university. I've been trying hard to set up such a meeting and am probably the only person who has managed to do this (with some help of course). He was only staying for an hour and a half so I made sure we planned everything nicely to ensure we got all that we wanted to tell him prepared to present to him before he left. Mondays are usually a full day of lectures for me. 9am to the latest 5pm without a lunch break in between. I had to dash out of class early just to ensure our final preparations were in order and that we were ready to receive him when he arrived. I was quite surprised at his demeanour when he arrived. He acted rather eccentric and effeminate which was quite interesting. I heard that he changes completely on the floor though. He is a politician after all. Anyways, we began with a chat and a short presentation about the structure and activities of our Association and highlighted significant achievements we have made over the years. After that we took him along for a campus tour to show him first hand what students use and what services we provide. We ended with a short lunch and that was when things started to get interesting. Well, we went on about how important our services are and the detrimental effects the WA model of VSU would bring upon our students. Our main fighting points were that we did not place a focus on politics and that our main concern was for the basic services that would potentially be lost under VSU. He then asked whether we were affiliated with the National Union of Students (NUS), which we of course replied in the affirmative. It was then that he started pushing the fact that we were supporting a political cause and that the NUS spent $400,000 on a Labor Party campaign in the previous Federal Elections and how they were not happy that one of their candidates lost her seat due to that campaign. Well, my Equity and Welfare VP and I both went on about how I put up a recommendation of disaffiliation earlier in the year and that it was something that was considered. Anyhow, the discussion proceeded further but it was clear that the main reason for VSU was to destroy the NUS as it was more or less a front for the Labor Party. He seemed in agreement of our push for the Victorian model of VSU but when asked whether he would support such an amendment, he went so far as to say that the legislatioon would be put into the Senate as is and that any amendments would have to come in the Senate itself. We're quite willing to compromise with the Victorian model because although it takes away the politics, it still allows the Association to provide those basic services to students, services that are very much required. I was quite happy with the outcome of the meeting. I mean, yes it probably didn't make a difference as he gave us the impression that he wouldn't change his mind. Nevertheless we have done our jobs and that is really the best we can do. We got the message across. That's the important thing. It still leaves me wondering whether or not I am capable of saving our Association. Regardless, I have to keep on fighting. If not for my sake then for the sake of those who depend on the Association. Also when he was leaving, he made a passing comment to me that our Association was the only one he decided to visit which was quite an "honour" to us.

That meeting left me feeling pretty comfortable and confident with myself. I must say that I felt confident in putting my point across and dealing with blunt criticisms from a politician very well. I mean, these politicians must be very good at arguing their case (or else they wouldn't be in their positions) and I felt I did well in the manner in which I conducted myself and led the discussion. It's going to prepare me for another meeting I am expecting in about a week's time. That one is going to be a tough one. I'm going straight into the lion's den. Well, that will probably be one of my toughest tests yet but I will give it my all and hopefully get a positive outcome.

There was one other thing today though that sort of brought me down to earth. Sometimes you do all you can to help someone out and you think you've made some progress. But then, you realise that the person may not have listened at all or that the person does not want to make that effort to change. It gets difficult after a while. When you repeat the same thing that you know will benefit the person. But then the person doesn't listen. Then again, am I being too proud by thinking that my effort really can make a difference? Is the person not listening because he/she does not feel that what I am saying is useful? What do you do when you really want to help someone, and you do all you can to help the person, and you know that you can help the person; but then the person doesn't want to acknowledge that help? Do you just leave the person be and say, "I did what I can"? Or do we continue trying to help? I would probably go for the latter option. However I must admit that it is frustrating to keep having to repeat yourself or spend time trying to fix something that refuses to be fixed. I could very well just let go but something inside tells me that I will do more harm by letting go. Oh well, I guess I'll have to keep trying. After all: if at first you don't succeed; try, try and try again!