DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIP

Our Q and A with the candidates for 2018 LSS Director of Sponsorship

What does the Director of Sponsorship bring to the character and functioning of the LSS? Why are you suitable for this role?

Mariah Cartsidimas

As Careers Director I have:
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- Worked closely with a variety of sponsors
- Attended sponsorship meetings
- Developed relationships with new firms
- Gained an appreciation of the benefits and obligations Sponsorship brings

These responsibilities have provided me with an in depth understanding of the Director of Sponsorship role and its processes, including the Sponsorship Drive and how each portfolio can be supported to meet their obligations.

I believe that my experience, knowledge and passion will allow me to best support the LSS and Student Body in maintaining and establishing relationships that enhance student experience, across Careers and more!

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​Michael Botha
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The Director of Sponsorship breathes financial passion and enthusiasm into the LSS. It is a relatively new Leadership Team position having only been created in 2014. The role requires clear communication skills and a zest for networking to secure the best funding for our diverse LSS portfolios.

I am the ideal candidate for this position. I have a natural style of leadership stemming from being a treasurer of a residential college students’ club to involving myself as a LSS Director of Environments. I know sponsorship. Whilst volunteering in Madagascar I secured agreements with multinational companies to fund health access in remote communities.  More recently I raised money for the Batyr Youth Mental Health foundation through facilitating ongoing business donations. As an LSS portfolio Director, I have not only built professional relationships with our ongoing corporate sponsors but have involved additional firms to the benefit of students.

​Alexander Meredith

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• The Director of Sponsorship must be a relationship builder within and outside of the law school. They must establish and maintain partnerships with varied stakeholders – from major law firms through to NGOs and government. The financial and non-financial support these partnerships provide underpins almost all LSS initiatives.
• They must also have leadership experience, and the capacity to project the values of the MLS community. After all, they represent the LSS when working with sponsors.
• I suit this role because I have professional experience from beyond MLS, establishing sponsorship relationships for a Melbourne-based Health Tech start-up, and through fundraising too.
• I run an organisation that raises money for cutting-edge medical research. In this role, I oversee a committee of 20, which provides services to a community of 500 members in Melbourne’s CBD and regional Victoria. In July we successfully raised almost $10,000 through corporate partnerships and private donations.
• Most importantly, I suit this role because I am committed to achieving the best deal possible for the MLS community.

If successful, what do you most hope to achieve, and do differently, in your term as Director of Sponsorship?

Mariah Cartsidimas

If elected, I would like to achieve the following things:

1.       Continue the amazing work and relationships Daniel Conti has established this year, while exploring opportunities for new growth

2. Implement a non-financial sponsorship program
- This will allow the LSS to increase the variety of organisations that students are exposed to and interact with
- It will provide a platform for Government Departments, Regulatory Bodies, CLCs and a range of smaller legal and corporate firms to become involved in the LSS program
       3.       As a member of the LT I would like to:
- Promote increased collaboration across LSS portfolios, with MLS and other Student Bodies (E.g. LLSN and GLSA) so that we are able to collectively advocate for and support student needs and interests
- increase awareness of Sponsorship drive process, while providing students with the opportunity to suggest organisations that they believe would benefit the student experience  



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​Michael Botha
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Diversity and transparency are my two aims. If elected, I will engage with non-law specific companies, government departments and not-for-profit organisations to provide each student with the opportunities that they deserve. Not all students seek corporate legal careers, and this should be reflected in our sponsorship arrangements. Organisations unable to provide financial support may instead provide pro bono and public interest student possibilities or other services in kind. Secondly, I would like for students to be able to know how their money is both sourced and spent. Greater transparency will allow the LSS to build better relationships with our sponsors and secure the best value for our student cohort. I hope to provide better sponsorship for all.

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​Alexander Meredith​
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• I will further develop existing sponsorship arrangements, while establishing new LSS partnerships with start-up incubators and accelerators so that as the working world evolves, MLS is not left behind.
• I will also increase transparency, by introducing a Sponsorship Report, because I believe these partnerships should reflect the values of the community.
• Ultimately, I am committed to ensuring the richest possible educational, social and professional development experience for all MLS students, and I will roll up my sleeves to get this done.

Don't forget to Vote! Unlike Malc's stupid postal survey your vote will actually impact the result! The voting form is live now HERE