KSA Spotlight: Krystal Wereta

1.How did you come to work for the KSA?
I was hired as a barista at GrassRoots Café and worked there for about a year. I’m currently studying at KPU and was just about to move out on my own so I needed a steady flow of income and a job that would be able to provide flexibility around my school schedule. I then heard about an opening in the KSA and that they were looking for a new MultiPass Specialist. I wanted to become more actively involved in the student association and wanted to make a greater contribution to student life so I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to do just that.

2. What is your position, and can you provide a brief summary of what you do?
I’m a MultiPass Specialist so my job involves promoting and assisting in the day-to-day operations of the MultiPass program at KPU. I assist students in troubleshooting any issues they may be having with the program such as problems with using their U-Pass or Steve Nash membership. I also help to organize fun events such as EcoDays on campus!

3. What is your favourite thing about working here?
Basically everyone else’s answer which is: the people! When I started working at GrassRoots, I didn’t really have many friends on campus and ended up developing a close bond with a lot of my co-workers.

4. Best activity to do on the weekend?
Absolutely nothing. I am the queen of doing nothing. My roommate can probably vouch for me too. If I’m given the chance, I will find a way to kill time. Even if it seems impossible, I will always find a way. Trust.
But, on the rare occasion that I’m actually willing to venture out of my apartment, I love visiting art galleries and museums, as well as, bookstores like Indigo.

5. What is something that makes you unique?
I’m able to jump right into a new working environment and have no problem getting along with others. I’ve been told that I’m highly personable which helps me relate to others and put myself in their shoes so that I’m able to make meaningful connections with people.

6. What is something most people don’t know about you? 
I’m a music geek. I love listening to it and playing it. Ask me anything about it (especially if it has to do with musical theory & The Beatles and/or Queen) and I’m likely to know the answer.

7. What is your favourite food?
Honestly anything as long as it tastes good. I’m not picky. Food is life.

8. What is one of your best memories at the KSA?
Way too many. One of the highlights definitely had to be watching one of my coworkers at GrassRoots willingly chug an entire pitcher of lemonade at the end of our shift because he “didn’t want to waste it”.

- Krystal

Our Car2Go Adventure

Hi guys! I am Michelle, KSA Multipass Coordinator. Do you guys know about our KSA Multipass program that is exclusive to KPU students? MultiPass is so much more than just a bus pass!

Today’s blog is going to highlight our Car2Go service and Steve Nash UFC gym in Richmond.
I invited Shannen, our Events coordinator, Erin, our Sustainable coordinator, and Piper, our Active KSA coordinator, now Student Services Manager, to go on a Car2Go adventure with me.

KSA offers a Car2Go promo code which gives you 20 free minutes of drive time each month and free registration (regularly $35) if you’re not already a Car2Go member. You can pick up or drop off the Car2Go at the reserved spot on the Surrey or Richmond KPU Campus.  All you have to do is to email multipass@kusa.ca with your KPU ID to get the promo code. Then, you can use the code when you register online.

On that day, we reserved a Car2Go at KPU Surrey campus 30 mins in advance with the Car2Go app. We picked up a Mercedes-Benz GLA from the parking lot outside Surrey Main Building.

Car2Go provides a 2-seater smart car or a Mercedes-Benz CLA/ GLA. I always rent a smart car when I go grocery shopping. Its “small” size makes parking so much easier but its trunk is big enough to fit 3 carry-on suitcases, making it super convenient!

The Mercedes-Benz  can easily fit 4-5people, which makes weekend trips with your friends even better! They are equipped with great features like a rear-view camera and Blind Spot Assist for ultimate driving comfort and ease.

They have different pricing packages depending on the car you use:

We booked a 1-day package for $99. This way we were able to make multiple stops without giving up the car – simply turn off the car and take the keys with you. Stay tuned for more blog posts about our adventure to the sustainable grocery store and cherry blossoms in the Vancouver area!

Car2Go makes the trip from KPU Surrey to KPU Richmond quick and easy.  It was a 30 minute drive via Highway 91. After visiting our friends in KPU Richmond , we drove to the Richmond UFC gym and checked out the latest equipment for strength training, cardio, and functional training needs. The UFC gym offers many things, from free weights to bags, turf to the Octagon®, as well as, mixed martial arts and kickboxing classes to their members.

Interested in trying out the facilities in the UFC Gym? You can now sign up for a free trial at the KSA Member Service Office. There is a mandatory survey after the free trial. It will help us determine whether or not students like the UFC gym and if we should look into including it in the Multipass program.

More great news about our Steve Nash pass is that the Morgan crossing location is now available to the Level Two Sport Club Pass. Check out our map of all the Fitness World and Sports Clubs locations. Click here to see how to get the discounted Steve Nash Pass.

KSA Spotlight: Piper Greekas

1. How did you come to work for the KSA?
On Valentine's Day 2017, I started at the GrassRoots cafe as a barista. I was there for 14 months before graduating and moving up to Active KSA Coordinator position where I took students out on outdoor events on weekends. 

2. What is your position, and can you provide a brief summary of what you do?
I am now the Student Services Manager. I make sure all services and events run smoothly and students get all the right information about our programs, services, and all the free swag they can get before they graduate. I make connections between staff where they might not be found previously and hire new people to the KSA team.

3. What is your favourite thing about working here?
I like all the friendships in the office. We work hard together and play hard, we often play pranks on each other.

4. Best activity to do on the weekend?
While I was a part of the Active KSA team, my favourite activities were kayaking, canoeing, anything to do with boating. Now I still like to do those things, but since I no longer work weekends I’ve started to get into cooking more. Plus, hanging out with my friends and family, playing board games, BBQs, and other fun things are always great.

5. What is something that makes you unique?
I’ve been told my compassion and leadership skills make me stand out. They help me make strong connections with my friends and coworkers. 

6. What is something most people don’t know about you?
I can wiggle my ears.

7. What is your favourite food?
If I had to pick, it would be a good steak with roasted potatoes and veggies.

8. What is one of your best memories at the KSA?
One time, I went to do a liquor run for the cafe with Adam Rhode, the cafe manager. The liquor store had a promotion where they were giving out free sunglasses to customers. We grabbed a couple pairs of these hilarious rainbow shaded sunglasses when we left the store and we made sure to wear them as we walked back into the cafe with the order. I’ve never seen the whole cafe staff laugh so hard.

- Piper (Student Services Manager)

KSA Volunteer Gala 2019

This years volunteer gala brought together three distinct programs from the KSA.

START, Peer Support, and Clubs have volunteers and council members who contribute many hours towards helping the KSA and improving KPU student life. The START volunteers alone contributed around 800 hours of volunteer time between April 2018 and April 2019.

The April 24th gala was held to recognize and appreciate the efforts of the many individuals who care about their own personal growth, the community, and our KPU society.

We enjoyed scrumptious food, catered by our very own Grassroots Cafe, while being serenaded by the very talented KPU Langley Music students. The event as a whole was a great success and nothing was more enjoyed and more luscious than the cakes.

Thank you again to the many volunteers that make everything we do possible! We look forward to another year of successful events made possible by new, and returning, volunteers.

If you would like to join our volunteer team visit https://start-ksa.weebly.com/.

- Stephanie (START Coordinator) 

KSA Spotlight: Shannen Johnson-Barker

1. How did you come to work for the KSA?
I was originally hired by the KSA as a barista at Grassroots café. I worked as a supervisor at the café for many years. I was an international student and needed to find a job that worked well with my classes. Grassroots was perfect for this, it allowed me to integrate with fellow students while making money.

2. What is your position, and can you provide a brief summary of what you do?
I am now the events Coordinator for the KSA which means I get to be a part of planning all the fun events and activities that happen on campus!

3. What is your favourite thing about working here?
The people. I knew almost no one when starting at Grassroots. I was new to Canada and was incredibly shy. I found a home amongst my co-workers. I finally felt comfortable enough to come out of my shell and be myself. I have made friends great friends at the KSA.

4. Best activity to do on the weekend?
I’m not a very outdoorsy person but whenever the sun graces us with its presence I love to get out and spend time in nature, even if it’s just sitting in the garden in the sunshine with a cup of tea. I love Vancouver and take any opportunity to explore the city. I am a bit of a foody, so any weekend spent enjoying new and unique food with my friends is a good weekend.

5. What is something that makes you unique?
Maybe that I have an accent? Or that I’m incredibly sarcastic? I am sure that I have many personality traits that make me unique, but I honestly don’t know what they are. I tend to mother everybody. I’m usually pretty concerned about the well-being of those around me. I’m always checking that they have eaten well or if they need a cup of tea.

6. What is something most people don’t know about you? 
People are usually surprised that I am a trained special effects makeup artist and worked in the makeup industry before moving to Canada. I guess it is fairly surprising considering I never wear makeup. Most people assume I'm Australian or British when they meet me. I'm South African.

7. What is your favourite food?
Oh that’s a tough one. I can’t pick one so I’m going to go with my top three, in no particular order – Sushi, a perfectly tender rare steak, any and all veggies.

8. What is one of your best memories at the KSA?
I have so many amazing memories from working at Grassroots. Honestly almost every day was memorable. I worked with an amazing team and have so many great memories with them. One of my best so far from my new position is covering my veggie hating co-worker’s desk in obnoxiously happy pictures of fruits and vegetables for April Fools.

KSA Spotlight: Erin Pedersen

1. How did you come to work for the KSA?
I studied at KPU Langley campus in the Environmental Protection Technology program. As the program was about to finish, my instructor Paul Richard shared that the KSA was hiring for the position of Sustainability Coordinator. I was looking for a role where I could contribute to positive environmental and social change, so here I am!

Sediment sampling at KPU Langley campus with EPT

2. What is your position and can you provide a brief summary of what you do? 
I’m the Sustainability Coordinator. My job is to research and implement policies, events and initiatives to increase environmental awareness and reduce negative environmental impacts within the organization and the student body. I also advocate for increased environmental sustainability at KPU, and support student sustainability initiatives. Some of the programs I work on are the Kwantlen St. Market, Westerman Campus Garden, ecoDAYS Sustainability Fair, Clothing+ donation bins, and more.

3. What is your favourite thing about working here?
There’s a lot of variety in this job, and a great deal of freedom to experiment with new ideas and initiatives. Much of “business as usual” is inherently unsustainable, so I’m excited to work with an organization of young people who are willing to break norms and have fun while doing it.

4. Best activity to do on the weekend?
Hike. Climb. Ski. Mountains, Gandalf, mountains!

5. What is something that makes you unique?
Before going back to school, I worked as a boat driver and tour guide in Gwaii Haanas National Park in Haida Gwaii.

6. What is your favourite food?
Avocado toast. The more expensive, the better.

7. What is one of your best memories at the KSA? 
Soon after being hired, I was able to travel to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my coworker Michelle and two student delegates to attend the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Conference. It was a great opportunity to meet people from around North America working to make higher education more environmentally and socially sustainable.

Helping out at our ecoDAYS screening of KDocs Presents: The True Cost in March

- Erin (Sustainable KSA)

Kwantlen St. Farmers Market 2019 Opening

The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and what better way to celebrate than at your local Farmers Market?

The KSA’s very own Kwantlen St. Farmers Market will be opening for the 2019 season on Tuesday, April 16th. The market will be returning to Minoru Plaza, outside the Richmond Cultural Centre and Library, only a 30-minute walk or 10-minute bike ride from KPU Richmond campus. Come check it out! The Market takes place every Tuesday from 12pm - 4pm, rain or shine, until October 8th.

The Kwantlen St. Market features fresh student-grown produce from the KPU Sustainable Agriculture Program, along with baked goods, honey, bath and body products, jewelry, and SPCA-certified, organically-fed chicken and eggs. An expanding number of booths will offer locally harvested farm products as the season progresses.

Celebrate opening day at the Market! At one o'clock we will be serving up Sweet Thea's Divine Vanilla Bean Mango Cake to market shoppers, so please join us for a slice while Barry Wilson performs live at our Main Stage Tent.

Interested in volunteering at the market? Volunteers are needed to help with market set up, host the market's information table, and plan special events. For information on how to get involved, check out the market website, or email our Market Manager.

Interested in becoming a vendor? Check out the vendor application here. All products must be made, baked, or grown locally in order to qualify under BC Association of Farmers Markets guidelines. Booth space costs $40 per day plus $2 GST (30% off for KPU student vendors!), and vendors are responsible for providing everything they need for their mini storefront.

Why a farmers market? Farmers markets give students and community members an opportunity to directly support local farmers, meet their neighbors, and purchase healthy, local produce and other foods. Events like these help to build strong, resilient and healthy communities.

The Kwantlen St. Farmers Market is hosted by the Kwantlen Student Association and produced by Farm Fresh Events.

Want to get involved? Contact:
Market Manager: Anne Janzen
Email: farmfreshevents@gmail.com
Website & Applications: www.kwantlenstmarket.ca

- Erin (Sustainable KSA)