Kylie Luong

(She/Her/Hers)

Candidate for President

General Questions

1. What are some ideas or projects you would like to see implemented within UVSA Gulf Coast?

   One idea I would like to implement is a “GC City Tour,” where UVSA Gulf Coast hosts events in major cities across the region. This would make events more accessible and give more members the opportunity to attend without having to travel long distances, while also helping strengthen connections within each local community. I would also focus on improving board-to-board relationships by organizing regular President meetings, about once a month, along with check-ins with each VSA’s eboard. This would be a way to stay connected, see how everyone is doing, and understand how GC can better support each organization.

2. What are the top three concerns within our region that you would like to improve on?

   My top three concerns within our region that I would want to improve on are member retention, VSA participation, and connection across the region. I think it’s important to not only bring people into the community but also find ways to keep them engaged and involved long-term. I also want to see more consistent participation across VSAs, so members feel more encouraged and excited to show up. Lastly, I think strengthening connections between different VSAs is key, so it feels like one unified community rather than separate groups.

3. What is your strategy to promote and maintain leadership within the Gulf Coast through your position?

   My strategy to promote and maintain leadership within the Gulf Coast really comes down to helping people grow, staying connected as a region, and making sure things are sustainable long-term. I think leadership works best when people are actually given the chance to step up, so I want members to feel supported but also trusted with real responsibilities so they can grow into their roles. I also want to bring back cabinet opportunities within GC, where smaller teams work directly with the GC E-Board. I think this is a really good way for more members to get hands-on experience in leadership and feel more involved in what GC is doing. It also helps bridge the gap between the E-Board and general members.

4. As the face of the Vietnamese community, how would you address and empower rising young leaders regarding politics and race in today’s society?

   As the face of the Vietnamese community, I think it’s important to lead with awareness, respect, and openness. Topics like politics and race can be sensitive, so I would want to create a space where people feel comfortable sharing without feeling judged. It’s less about having all the answers and more about encouraging respectful conversations and understanding different perspectives.I also want to empower members to find their voice by encouraging them to stay informed, ask questions, and get involved in ways that feel right for them. Instead of speaking for them, I want to support them and make sure they feel heard.

5. What are some ways to honor our organization’s professionalism?

   One way I think we can honor our organization’s professionalism is by adding workshops to our events that help members build skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork. I think it’s a good way to make sure we’re not only focusing on social events, but also giving people chances to grow in more intentional ways.

6. What is your stance on how UVSAGC should interact with other community organizations?

   I think UVSA Gulf Coast should be open to collaborating with other community organizations, but in a way that’s intentional and aligned with our values. Partnerships can bring more opportunities, resources, and visibility to our community, which can help us grow and reach more people. At the same time, I think it’s important that we stay grounded in and prioritize our own community. Not every opportunity is the right fit, so I would want to be thoughtful about which organizations we work with, making sure it genuinely benefits our members and strengthens what we already have.

7. How would you deal with your eboard having burnout?

   I think burnout is a very normal thing, especially with our term being two years long. To deal with it, I think communication is really important, being open with each other about what’s going on and how we’re feeling. While I don’t think we’re always in a position to take long breaks, I do think it helps a lot when we can be honest about our capacity and step in for each other when needed. Just making sure we’re checking in and supporting each other can go a long way in preventing burnout from building up.

8. What are your feelings, if any eboard member wanted to step down?

   I don’t think you can really stop someone from stepping down, but I would do everything I can to understand why and try to find a solution to help them stay if possible. If it’s related to workload, I’d try to figure out a compromise or help redistribute responsibilities so it feels more manageable. If it’s something personal, I’d want to be someone they feel comfortable talking to and support them however I can. At the end of the day, I would respect their decision, but still try my best to support them before it gets to that point.

9. How do you make sure other positions stay accountable for their roles?

   I think one of the best ways to make sure other positions stay accountable is by setting clear action items and deadlines. When everyone knows exactly what they need to do and when it needs to be done, it’s a lot easier to stay on track. I also think having regular check-ins helps make sure things are actually getting done and gives people a chance to ask for help if they need it, instead of waiting until the last minute.

10. What do you feel is the most important thing within your eboard?

    I think the most important thing within the E-Board is connection, especially since it’s just the three of us. Having a strong relationship with each other would make it easier to communicate openly about our needs throughout the term and support each other when things get busy or stressful.

11. What do you think is the biggest downfall of VSA, and what will set you different from past presidents?

    I think the biggest downfall is a lack of connection and clear priorities. As a general member in GC and seeing two E-Boards go by, there were times when I didn’t really know much about the people on the E-Board. From an outside perspective, it can also be pretty clear when priorities start to shift elsewhere, which sometimes leaves GC and VSA feeling out of the loop. Because of that, what I would do differently is focus on being more present and transparent as an E-Board member. I would make an effort to build stronger connections with general members so there’s more familiarity and trust, and also be intentional about communication so people feel informed and included rather than disconnected.

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Extra Questions

How do you intend to promote youth for the cabinet?

• I would like to open in December. Because at that point and time, the eboard is already comfortable and put in its current positions. So I would reach out to people in VSA who are interested as a whole. Reaching out to those who have those passions in VSA. I think making those connections to reach out to them is important.

What’s your plan to push local boards that don't want involvement with GC?

• I think that just starting from having a stronger connection with them. To have a connection with them and actually be on the same level with them. In the end, if they don’t want to participate, then that's just their preference. I think just starting slow and having that connection first with them could change their perspectives.

What is the reasoning for pushing back Cabinent Applications to December?

• I think for me, I would talk from experience. I remember seeing apps come in and thinking about applying and looking at them. I was so new in the VSA space. So, for me, applying for that is like going in blind. I wasn't comfortable with doing it, so I think pushing back to December would allow newer VSA people to get the chance to see what VSA is actually about. Like locally on their own boards, and give them a chance to understand.

What would you look for in people running for the Gulf Coast Cabinet?

• A sense of leadership is already kind of established, but someone who is. I guess who has the passion for wanting to learn how to work with other communities and work alongside GC. And also does anyone who's really interested in warning know more about us, and also grow as a leader.

What would you say a GC event is most impactful in prompting you to sign onto the presidency?

• The first GC event was TA 28. That was the start of the VSA journey. I was very new to VSA, and I think doing this for myself will prove to myself that I can do Presidency. I think just seeing the impact on me back then, I wanted to do the same thing for other people and for myself as well.

One of GC’s Leadership Programs is actually a summit. Do you think you and your eboard would plan to bring back the summit for our region?

• I think at this very moment. Yes and no. I think that GC needs time to regrow as a community and have a set of foundations. I think with time, it's something that we can look into bringing back, but as of right now, it’s not realistic. I think it could be a waste of resources if it's something that we are striving to do at this moment. But I don’t think it’s something that's never going to come back.

Do you have any ideas on the top of your head right now, like certain projects that you would like to see, or like something that was done in the past that you actually like to bring back?

• I think I want to do more. I guess more outward volunteer work, I guess. I feel like my GC is very low. So I kind of want to make more of an impact on the actual region that we are all a part of.