Burak Topaloglu, from AEGEE-Eskişehir, is running for the position of Network Commissioner in Spring Agora Patra 2014. I had an amazing opportunity to get to know him better as a person when he was participant in AEGEE-Kyiv’s TSU “Big Kyiv Theory” and heard lots about his great job as president of the local, but now it’s time for you to know more about him!
Anna: How long have you been in AEGEE? What have you done so far?
Burak: I have been in AEGEE since October 20
10. I have been working for AEGEE-Eskişehir for almost four years. I have worked in lots of different positions in the local level such as Accomodation Coordinator in IT School’11 of AEGEE-Eskişehir, main coordinator of NWM Eskişehir More Europe, Logistic and Local Staff in Local Training Courses of AEGEE-Eskişehir, Tutor, Case Manager Assistant and Case Manager in Regional Training Course of AEGEE-Eskişehir,2012-2013 Term AEGEE-Eskişehir’s Board member, Vice President and Public Relations Director.
In the European Level, I am the former Human Resources Responsible and Speaker of Visa Freedom Working Group, former member of the Human Resources Committee, PR SubTeam, former member of Europe in Exchage Project, currently SubCom of Meltem Darakci and president of AEGEE-Eskişehir.
Anna: So tell us WHY people should choose YOU as NetCom?
Burak: Well, I have worked and seen all processes of Network Meetings. I can say that I am an AEGEE member who has experienced a lot of things in order to be NetCom, however it is never enough. I need to keep learning and sharing. I have also been working in the European Level for the last three years so I have great contacts in the Network. As a result, I love AEGEE and I am still eager to learn and give a lot to and for my organization.
Anna: You said (in your motivation letter) that in order to define the problems and solve them, you will need the ideas and advice of all the former NetComs since at least 2011 and you are planning to have a SubCom team. Have you started the communication with old NetComs and potential subcommies?
Burak: I am planning to have a SubCom team, formed by at least three members. I have been in touch with some people, however I will announce who will be my SubCommies in Agora Patra (if elected ed.). I am in touch with our current Netcom Meltem Darakcı, too.
Anna: Tell us more about the plan you have with your current NetCom Meltem and the other NetCom candidate Elmar Guliyev from your region, in case you are both elected?
Burak: If both of us are elected as Network Commissioners, we plan to divide the Turkcaucasus Network into two parts: Turkish antennae, and the ones from the Caucasus. Right now we are able to organize two NWMs per year, but we can’t organize suitable NWMs for the whole region because it is too big and our antennae are really far away. It results into two NWMs: one is always for the Caucasus locals (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia), and the other one is for Turkish-speaking locals. If we divide the network into two parts, the distances will be reduced and thelocals will be closer to each other. I think this chance is something that we don’t want to miss. The result of a better communication will affect the future of our Network efficiently.
Anna: You said you will work on creating an e-magazine of the Network. Can you explain more about it?
Burak: As I think we need better promotion channels, I believe it is all about to work on having things like that. An E-Magazine focused on our Network will give us the chance to be aware of what we are and what we are doing at the same time. If I am elected, locals will have another platform to show what they have been done in the network and, by that, I plan to have a good communication with them.
Anna: Tell us more about the preparation of AEGEEans for statutory events. How do you plan to give them more information? What information is usually missing in your opinion?
Burak: In my opinion, you really need to be prepared before statutory events such as EBM and Agorae, and it is also the task of NetCom as it is the representative of that region. Unfortunately, members mostly learn something just during Agorae, and I think it is too late. The worst thing is that they sometimes don’t understand and realize what’s going on there. So all these people can’t contribute anything to Agora or EBM. I will try to solve this problem: I want members to know where they actually are. It is also the task of local boards to inform their members. I will use some methodologies to achieve it such as organizing Skype meetings with the delegates of locals plus also a Skype meeting with visitors, too.
Why also visitors? I believe the role of visitors are as important as delegates because they are the potential delegates in next Agorae or next local board members. If they only learn about workshops at Agorae and we don’t get what they learned in there, it might just seem fun to be visitors. I think Agorae have a very important place in AEGEE’s future, so if we don’t want the next generations to forget our process and culture, we need to give more attention on educating and helping our members. I will be there to help and work with locals in this topic. In addition I have the same sensitiveness for EBMs, too.
Anna: What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?
Burak: I like doing sports such as fitness, football, basketball and etc., writing, listening music, travelling and reading.
Anna: What inspires you as a person?
Burak: I have always been inspired by modest and hard-working people who never gave up to survive.
Anna: Is there anything you would like to add?
Burak: I wish good luck to all candidates.
Anna: A question from our readers – “My question concerns the gap between the local and European levels. Would you consider making some implementations to reduce it? In case you already thought about it, what are the ideas you would like to be put to work?”
Burak: I agree, it is a problem I need to work on. I plan to give information about current activities of Projects and Working Groups in the e-magazine I will create. I can share all the news in mailing lists or groups as well. The most important thing to forward members on European Level is to give them motivation and courage, and I will need the help of local boards in this issue. However, I don’t have a problem to locals in order to forward members to me or to the SubCom team.
Thanks for a great talk, we wish Burak good luck and see him soon in Agora Patra!
Written by Anna Smailikova, AEGEE-Kyiv