The Comite Directeur of AEGEE has recently opened new positions in order to increase the efficiency of the board; the positions of home-based assistants of the CD. The twelve AEGEE members will help the work of the CD52 in several tasks but without moving from their houses. 
“In the CD, we decided to introduce the position of home-based assistants because we have a very ambitious and extensive Activity Plan, and we understand that in order to be able to implement all tasks from this plan properly, a lot of time needs to be dedicated to each task”, said Antonija Parat, Secretary General of AEGEE-Europe. “We understand that, realistically speaking, we do not have time to dedicate as much time as needed, but we still want each task to be implemented efficiently. That’s why we decided to have this Open Call, and find people from the Network who have the time and will to help us. So on one hand we could get some assistance for the tasks that we wanted to perform this year, and on the other hand, home-based assistants can benefit by learning and developing themselves, as well as contributing to the overall work of the organisation” .
The selection of the home-based assistants, after the recruitment period from February, was done by the members of the CD by reviewing the applications. In order to pick the best applicants, they took the following aspects into consideration: the experience they have in AEGEE, the motivation to become a home-based assistant, and, last but not least, their availability on a weekly basis. But being a new member is not considered a barrier. “In the end, we are happy with the selection,” Antonija concluded.
After being selected, the candidates officially became home-based assistants and received information and knowledge transfer from the CD responsible. After the knowledge transfer period, every assistant received his well-defined task, being supervised by one or even two CD members, depending on the member who is responsible for the implementation of the task, as indicated in the Activity Plan. Even though they receive instructions for the completion of the task while being supervised by the CD members, they can freely expose their thoughts and ideas on the matter. The initiative and self-sufficiency in their work is well regarded by the CD members.
There are eight different tasks for the home-based assistants:
In-charge of the Visa guidelines update – the assistants have to support AEGEE members outside of the Schengen zone with information on visa regulations and procedures, to assess the existing guidelines of the deleted Visa Freedom Working Group and update these guidelines according to the Action Agenda 2014/2015. The assistants in charge of this task are: Daria Lovkova (AEGEE-Moskva), Katsiaryna Yakushyk (AEGEE-Minsk), and Svetlana Danchenko (AEGEE-Sankt-Peterburg).
Network development analysis – they have to analyse the existing Network and figure out ways on how to develop and expand it. The assistants in charge of this task are: Inna Mezentseva (AEGEE-Minsk) and Loes Rutten (AEGEE-Utrecht).
Website management (WordPress knowledge) – the assistant has to do software updates, update the content and is also in charge of the development of AEGEE Wiki. The person who is handling this task is Philipp Blum (AEGEE-Aachen).
Development of online trainings in AEGEE – they have to realise the development and coordination of more online trainings. The assistants in charge of this task are Matthijs Overhaal (AEGEE-Tartu) and Stephanie Bestges (AEGEE-Hamburg).
Policy monitoring and writing reaction drafts – they have to monitor European policies that are relevant for AEGEE and help in the creation of reactions/articles. The assistants in charge are Matthijs Overhaal (AEGEE-Tartu) and Wieke Van Der Kroef (AEGEE-Leuven).
Organisational culture survey creation and data analysis – they have to support and help in the creation of the survey on organisational culture, they analyse the results of the survey and create an overview of the results. The assistants in charge of this task are Lavinia Manea (AEGEE-Bucureşti) and Stephanie Bestges (AEGEE-Hamburg).
Impact measurement survey analysis/development of toolkit – the assistant has to support and help with the development of the project management toolkit. The person in charge of the task is Yana Ballod (AEGEE-Delft).
Mapping relations between bodies – the assistant has to help in the creation of a survey for European bodies, asking about their relations and needs towards other bodies, possibly also including their HR needs, analyse the survey and work on the visualisation of the results. The person in charge of the task is Iris Hordijk (AEGEE-Utrecht).
Daria Lovkova (AEGEE-Moskva) shares her experience as one of the new assistants: “When I was applying for the position, I was scared. I did not know if the people I’d be working with would be friendly and supportive. So far, I can say that we are always ready to help each other and promote our freshly established group. There is quite a lot to do right now and sometimes it is difficult to meet deadlines, however, we are doing our best and feel inspired about our work. Communicating only via the Internet is not the easiest thing on this planet but we are managing successfully!”
Written by Gabriela Cioată, AEGEE București