Letter of Intent - Neil Patel for Sangam President

 

April 2, 2008

Dear Sangam Members,

My name is Neil Patel, and I would like to officially announce my intent to run for President of Sangam.

There are several reasons for which I am qualified to be the President of one of the most influential minority organizations on campus. My dedication to this organization is my main asset, as an active member of Sangam since my freshmen year I have held many responsibilities from planning Sangam Nite to co-chairing the Mahatma Gandhi Fellowship and being elected the Vice President my junior year. As both a member of cabinet and the executive board, my leadership abilities and devotion to this organization have been witnessed. Regularly attending Sangam executive meetings since my freshmen year, has also given me great insight on the structure of Sangam and how this organization works and where improvements lie. I have also made a concerted attempt to attend most if not all Sangam related events, which speaks volumes about my commitment. Not only am I dedicated to this organization, but I also have the experience and knowledge necessary to be an effective, competent, and steadfast leader. This knowledge is an extension of my two years as a cabinet member and one year on the executive board.

There are many ideas that I wish to implement if elected President of Sangam. The main objective of Sangam as written in its constitution is the spreading of South Asian awareness throughout the campus and local community. The cultural diversity of South Asia is enormous, and with the inclusion of eight different countries the mission of awareness is arduous. In the past, Sangam has mainly concentrated on India as its primary outlet of cultural awareness. Recently this past year’s executive board has made consistent attempts to diversify Sangam’s awareness attempts through various innovations from speakers to cultural outreaches. In the past year Sangam has partnered with more student organizations and than ever before and begun to slowly change the way in which Sangam is portrayed by the student community. From partnerships with the LBGTQ coalition, BSM, Student Government, and community organizations Sangam in the past year has striven to attain excellence and in many respects attained it. These innovations are a mere stepping stone in creating greater awareness. If elected I promise to continue implementing new policies that further Sangam’s goal of excellence in sharing the vast beauty of South Asia with the student and local community. In order to attain this goal I propose more member interaction and involvement in the decision making process. It is important to remember that though an executive board and cabinet exist it is the general body which brings forth new creative ideas and who make up the real Sangam. It is my hope that I may bring the campus and community South Asian populations together as one force to more effectively spread awareness of South Asia in its entirety.

Although Sangam’s mission is to spread awareness, there is a secondary if not just as important role of Sangam. Sangam also has a social obligation to its various members, and at times it seems if the social aspect of Sangam is drowned by the mission of awareness. It is just as important to forge friendships and cohesiveness in the general body of Sangam as it is to spread awareness. If we cannot act as a community then how are we to spread awareness. By providing more events in which Sangam members may interact with one another and the campus community, we not only foster the development of friendships between Sangam members but also teach awareness through interaction. As a group volunteering at a local food bank or a team at Relay for Life, we provide both a time and place where Sangam members may both interact with one another and with non-South Asians in the local community spreading awareness at the same time. I feel strongly that Sangam has become more and more politicized in its actions, and I wish to bring more of a sense of openness and community if elected President.

I am thoroughly dedicated to the success of Sangam and its continued prominence on the Chapel Hill campus and within the local communities. Sangam is not just an executive board making decisions, but a creative outlet composed of students and faculty intent on sharing their unique cultural heritage. It is up to us as a whole to make Sangam what we want and if elected I plan to bring that vision to fruition. If there are questions or concerns about my vision for the future of Sangam please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Thank You,

Neil Patel
nmpatel@email.unc.edu