Network Commission Preparing for Agora Zaragoza

The Network Commission (NetCom) is preparing in many ways for Agora Zaragoza. At this Agora some Netwotk Commissioners will finish their term and new people will join the team. The AEGEEan interviewed some of the Network Commissioners about their time working for AEGEE-antennae across the Network.

How has this year in the NetCom been for you?

Claudio Armandi: Unbelievable, the best year in my AEGEE-career by far. I can’t really describe how challenging and rewarding a year in the NetCom can be, you have to try it to understand it! It just brings your AEGEE experience at the next level, all you tried before is nothing in comparison!

Andra Toma: Like a rollercoaster ride but with jet rocket attached as fuel. I’ve learned so much more that I ever expected when I first decided to submit my candidature. I won’t lie, it was hard! A lot of patience, long hours but definitely worth all my time.

What’s next for you in AEGEE?

Claudio: I am still motivated to stay at the European level. Since there are people willing to take my place I will not go for another year in the NetCom, even if I will miss this so much. If you want a more detailed answer, just check the candidatures!

Andra: A very good question! Well, as Claudio also mentioned I am still motivated to stay at the European level, so I decided to re-candidate for the Network Commission (candidature coming up soon). As for what will happen we’ll just have to wait and see.

Why would you encourage others to submit a candidature for NetCom?

Antonija Parat: Working in the NetCom is very rewarding – it’s an opportunity to use your experience in AEGEE to help others, to inspire them and motivate them. Seeing your locals grow and develop is an amazing feeling. You also get to grow and develop – you get to hear a lot of great ideas from your locals, to learn from them, and to work together with them on improving our organization. If you are thinking about running for NetCom, I can only say the best about this experience!

Dominique Lessen: Working as NetCommie is amazing. The contact with locals, helping them wherever you can and trying to motivate  people. Not only the work you do is great, but it is also an amazing experience to be part of the NetCom team. So if you are dedicated, submit your candidature and experience this yourself!

Claudio: NetCom gives you an insight into the Network you can never gain anyway else. You really get to know many different realities and many amazing people that will inspire you. You end up learning more than you can teach. It also gives you a lot career wise: NetCom is the right mixture of HR, management and consulting! Just going on stage to present your candidature is one of the best experiences you will ever get in AEGEE.

Andra: It’s a challenge, but just like for every other thing in life, you have to go for it. Besides the opportunity to meet and greet new people, if you were a board member before, this is like the next step in the chain of evolution, you get to see what it’s like to have not just one but 10-20 locals to take care of. So if you want to candidate, my advice is to just go for it, you’ll get more out of this experience than you can possibly imagine!

What has been your favorite moment so far?

Antonija: I had a lot of great moments, but one experience I am particularly fond of is our NetCom meeting in Brussels. Before I came there, I didn’t know a lot about the other team members, but the moment we got to know each other better we clicked, and I was so grateful for the chance to work with them. We were working nonstop it seemed, and that weekend was my most inspiring and enthusiastic time in AEGEE so far.

Dominique: As a NetCommie, you have a lot of Skype meetings, send a lot of emails and make a lot of phone calls… So when you meet all these people in real life, that is great! My favorite moments so far were thus these meetings, where I was able to meet with my fellow NetCommies, in Brussels and in Zagreb. It is great to talk in real life, which increases the ‘team spirit’ and makes working together when we are back home even easier.

Claudio: I can’t recall just one. Network meeting in Bergamo was surely one. It was the first one entirely organized by me, I really felt the esteem and the love of my locals there. Also the birth of every new local was an emotional moment for me. Each one of them has a different story. Bologna is mainly formed by expat AEGEEans that got in touch with me. Foggia guys also contacted me because they heard of AEGEE and wanted to know more. Verona, on the other hand, was born because I managed to create a group of interested people I gathered from different sources.

Andra: No! Come on! This is like: ‘’please choose between these two chocolate bars’’. However, for me the most rewarding moment is when I get to meet the people of the locals I am responsible for. That moment when you stop being just the replayer on the other side of the e-mail and you start being that person they can call at 10:00 am because they have problems uploading the membership lists or just go for a coffee and tell you their fears or problems or just ask you about your experience.

What are you working on besides antennae?

Antonija: As NetCom speaker, I’m also performing my speaker tasks – which basically means coordinating the NetCom team. I am working a lot with other Netcommies – one of our main goals is to enhance our cooperation – the exchange of ideas between us will definitely benefit the whole Network. I am also working on improving Knowledge Transfer, finishing a manual about it.

Dominique: I am working on a Twin & Mentor manual, so we will hopefully get more twin agreements and a better system for the mentorship of locals. At this moment we only have one twin agreement, but I am looking forward to seeing more agreements signed at the Agora!

What value does working with subcommies have for you?

Antonija: I am lucky to work with very motivated subcommies – they support and inspire me in a lot of ways. Having subcommies gives me the chance to cover my locals’ needs better, to get useful feedback, and to work in a more structured and organized way.

Dominique: My subcommies give me feedback, help me to stay in touch with my locals, give me ideas and so much more. We are lucky to all live relatively close to each other, so besides our Skype meetings, we meet up regularly. We are not only working as a team, but we are also good friends, so they are really valuable to me.

Claudio: Since I’m the guy with the most locals, the work of my subcommies is pure gold. Each one of them is responsible for a group of locals and they help me keep the communication with them. This does not mean I don’t have a direct line with my locals, but my subcommies help me in collecting reports and sending reminders.

Andra: I haven’t really had sub-commies until now but if I will get reelected it is something I really want to try to see how it works.

All the Network Commissioners are looking forward to Agora Zaragoza: to see motivated Network Commissioners presenting themselves on stage, meet European friends, enjoy the last time with the locals in case for the Network Commissioners finishing their term. All in all, it will be a great Agora for the Network Commission!

Written by Patricia Anthony, AEGEE-København