The biggest events in AEGEE after Agorae and European Planning Meetings (EPM) are the Polish Network Meetings (NWM), which often gather more than hundred participants. This spring, AEGEE-Warszawa will be hosting the event from the 30th of April until the 3rd of May, being open to 100 participants. We spoke to main organiser Martyna Szustakowska and Network Commissioner in charge of that area Marta Wnuk to find out more about this Pandatastic Network Meeting.
The AEGEEan: First of all, can you tell us a bit more about your local?
Martyna: Our local is 24 years old and we have around 120 members. We are quite good in PR-related activites such as our charity calendar, postcrossing and merchandise (our purple t-shirt and sleeping mask are quite famous). We also focus very much on the training of our members. We do so not only by organising Local Training Courses about the local and European level twice a year but also by holding a lot of workshops on different topics such as excel or body language. This year we also have the fifth edition of the project “Siegaj Wyżej”- a series of soft skills workshops open to all students. We’re all about skills and learning. What is special about our local is our mascot Panda Wanda, who is married to the Polar Bear from AEGEE-Aachen.
Why did you apply to organise the Network Meeting? When did the idea start?
Martyna: We wanted to organise some European event other than a Summer University for a long time, but we had some trouble to find a date that would work for us and the Academy so we had to give up on organising a European School. Then our event in cooperation with EurStory Project got cancelled after we prepared all the logistics for it. So, we thought a Network Meeting was a safe option.
Marta, what made AEGEE-Warszawa the best choice for this Network Meeting?
Marta: AEGEE-Warszawa was chosen, because we thought that the local is in the good moment of development to organise such an event. We saw it as an opportunity to open it more to the European dimension of AEGEE and show others how hospitable and ready for new challenges the antenna is. What is more, the city of Warsaw is easily accessible both for Polish-speaking locals and those who travel from other parts of Europe.
Who will be responsible for the organisation?
Martyna: Our amazing, highly motivated team. I’m the main coordinator but there are many more people who do their best to make this event special: Klaudia Chłopaś (vice coordinator), Ewelina Żurowska (responsible for PR and contact with the main partner Warsaw City Hall), Kuba Kostrzewa (FR responsible), Monika Ślusarczyk (photographer and graphic designer), Joanna Pankowska (responsible for Warsaw NGOs Fairs and Opening Ceremony), Marta Pąk (Incoming and Facebook responsible), Ewelina Rajzyngier and Anna Broczkowska (responsible for logistics during the event). I’m really thankful, both to my core team and every single person who gives a contribution to this project. They all are invaluable support for me.
What are the plans for the program of the Network Meeting?
Marta: There will be three paths, specially adjusted to the profile of participants, so both newbies and board members will find something suitable for them. There will be one full day of boards meetings, which allows board members to work on solutions for current problems and share best practices. The Network Meeting will also include a Presidents Meeting, sector group work of PRs, HRs, FRs, Agora follow-up and all other important issues that are relevant for the development of locals. There will be also two open space sessions, one dedicated to HR and one that will grant space to topics chosen by participants. This Network Meeting won’t lack a highlight on history, European projects and matters related to organisational improvements either, like Podio, IT tools, communication in AEGEE and the strategy for learning and training.
What about the social program?
Martyna: We cannot reveal the details but we guarantee our participants three unforgettable theme parties. There’s no better place to party in Poland than Warsaw so we will not let them down for sure. What else… We’re about to fix free entrance into some of the museums in Warsaw and we are planning to organise a city tour, too.
Why should people apply for NWM Warszawa? What makes you special?
Martyna: There’s a lot of reasons people shouldn’t miss our NWM. Firstly: great location, low fee (only 35 euro) and over 100 AEGEEans in one place! Secondly, our Network Comissioner provides three profiled paths of valuables trainings and workshops structured in parallel sessions. We cannot forget about the social part. Ask any participant of our SU or pre-EBM Lublin, because we’re quite good at that. Besides, the Network Meeting gives you an unique chance to meet Panda Wanda herself!
Marta: Applying for NWM Warszawa means granting yourself a truly unique experience. It’s a chance to take part in the biggest, yet very structured Network Meeting, meet people from all over Europe and engage with them in discussions and common initiatives. As mentioned above, we offer a variety of parallel sessions, so everyone will find something for them. And what is also worth highlighting, Network Meetings organised in this part of the Network always are full of AEGEE-Spirit, so a new infusion of motivation, inspiration and energy to act is guaranteed.
What experience with organising events does your antenna have already?
Martyna: We organise a Summer University year every year and Local Training Courses twice a year. Our last NWM was in 2011, and besides that we organised an Agora in Spring 2006, T4T in 2012 and a very successful pre-event before the EBM in Lublin 2014.
During Autumn Agora Cagliari you signed the twin antenna contract with AEGEE Aachen. Have they been helping you with this NWM or will they be involved in any way?
Martyna: Of course! Our beloved Bears not only support us with promotion of the event but I know they’re preparing a strong team of helpers too.
Network Meetings in Poland are known for having a lot of participants. How are you preparing for this?
Martyna: It’s quite a challenge for us but… this is what AEGEE is about, isn’t it? Our preparation consists mainly of providing a big gym and an energetic team of logistics and helpers.
Marta: Network Meetings that gather big number of participants are our local practise, so we developed an expertise in how to organise such events. Also, the main organiser, Martyna, was given knowledge transfer by organisers of the previous NWM in Zielona Góra, so she knows how to deal with all the arrangements. Moreover, we will have helpers from AEGEE-Aachen (twin antenna of AEGEE-Warszawa) and from other Polish-speaking locals.
Besides the NWM, you are also organising a Summer University. What is the plan for your SU, and how do you manage to combine it with the preparations for the NWM?
Martyna: This year we will have a Summer University together with AEGEE-Gdańsk and the theme is “Explore your SoUl on the Slavicshore” so get ready for some Slavic culture! As I mentioned before, there are a lot of active members in our antenna so we just created two separate teams. Of course, we support one another but we are responsible for different issues.
How is the cooperation with your NetCom team going?
Great! Marta participates actively in the project meetings and she’s actually one of the team members. She helps us not only with her experience in AEGEE but she provides a real contribution to this project too.
And the cooperation with the organising team?
Marta: I assess my cooperation with the organising team very well. Currently I live in Warsaw, so I have the chance to attend project meetings, supervise and advice being at the place, which makes communication easier. AEGEE-Warszawa has new motivated members that have creative spirit and willingness to deliver a good event. Martyna deserves appreciation for how she conducts the preparations in a very skilful, dedicated and responsible way.
Do you have any other big events coming up that AEGEEans shouldn’t miss?
Martyna: We are planning to organise a pre-event before Autumn Agora Kyiv. The last pre-event in Warsaw was legendary so we definitely want to repeat that. And again, our Summer University “Explore your SoUl on the Slavicshore” by AEGEE-Warszawa and AEGEE-Gdańsk. Don’t forget about it! (she smiles)
Written by Svenja van der Tol, AEGEE-Nijmegen