I first met Danae Matakou (AEGEE-Athina) at Agora Budapest, when we both were Secretary’s Assistants at Agora Zaragoza. Now she runs for the position of Secretary of the Agora and she seems really determined to work with the rest of the Chair Team.
The AEGEEan: Feel free to introduce yourself. When and how did you join AEGEE?
Presenting Activity Reports at Agora Zaragoza
Danae: My name is Danae Matakou, I am 20 years old and I am currently in my third year of university studying Management Science and Technology. I joined AEGEE two years ago and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The summer before I started university I had been to a Youth in Action exchange in France and I loved it, so when I heard about AEGEE, I knew I had to become a member and I did right away!
The AEGEEan: Describe yourself in five words.
Danae: Always trying to become better. But I really think the words that would describe me would be determined, perfectionist, diplomatic, easy-going and optimistic (some friends also say I am a bit too optimistic sometimes).
The AEGEEan: You are active in many European Level bodies, do you think that you can make it as Secretary of the Agora?
Danae: The answer is yes, because thankfully time is on my side for this. My term in most of the European Level bodies I am currently involved in ends before the next Agora, so by the time the Agora is approaching my schedule will be a lot less busy and I will be free to focus on the tasks of the secretary.
The AEGEEan: At the last Agora there was no candidate for the position of Secretary of the Agora. What do you think is the reason for that? Why didn’t you apply for it?
Danae: I think a lot of people don’t like the position of Secretary because it involves a lot of work, like taking minutes and other tasks and people tend to find them boring or tiresome. Also I guess that Secretary is not such a “fancy” position as some others, but I personally find it very important so it’s definitely worth the work.
As for why I didn’t apply sooner, it was because I happen to be an organiser in Agora Patra. This means that my focus and priority before and during the Agora has to be the Agora itself and I would not have the necessary time and energy for my task as Secretary. I am a perfectionist so I want to do things well, so I didn’t think combining those two tasks (Chair Team + organisation of the Agora) would have a good result.
Secretary Assistants at Agora Zaragoza
The AEGEEan: According to you, when is it normal for the Secretary to publish the minutes of an Agora?
Danae: I think about a month after the Agora is a good time. People have gone back to their routines so they are back to checking their email and it is also soon enough after the Agora so the issues discussed are still on people’s mind.
The AEGEEan: Have you worked with any members of the Chair Team before? Are you excited to work exactly with this team?
Danae: No, unfortunately I haven’t been lucky to work with then before. Howeverm I know the work they have done for AEGEE and I have a lot of respect for their abilities. So I would love to have the chance to work with them in the future.
The AEGEEan: Why people should vote for you?
Danae: Because I have experience with Agorae and the European Level, so I know how things work and I have the skills (quick typing, minute-taking experience, good level of English etc.) necessary for the job of Secretary.
Written by Lia Tuska, AEGEE-Kastoria/AEGEE-Sofia