Kristina Reshetova from AEGEE-Moskva is currently running for the position of Member of the Network Commission. To get to know who this relatively new, but very active member of AEGEE is, the AEGEEan decided to interview her in our ongoing coverage of the various candidates for elected positions at the Agora.
The AEGEEan: What would you like your fellow members of AEGEE to know about yourself?
Kristina: I’m a 20-year-old student of Linguistics, who devoted herself to AEGEE. I’m fond of foreign languages, travelling (on my way to become a globe-trotter!), reading and dancing. Also I’m interested in international relations and journalism. Last summer I spent one month and a half in Bologna, Italy, where I was a volunteer, what definitely became the most turning experience in my life.
What is it that you like most about AEGEE, and what do you think could be most improved?
I think since the first day of my membership, AEGEE became my priority. It gives me much more than my university, as here I can get the most important thing – experience. In AEGEE no one will dismiss you for a mistake, on the contrary, they will help you correct it. Here you learn fast, you learn a lot, you learn with passion. Your every dream or idea may find an expression in AEGEE and, probably, the craziest one will find its expression faster!
At the same time, we still have some things to be improved. In my opinion, we have to understand that AEGEE is not only a place of great parties and cheap travelling. AEGEE is a place of inspiration, ideas and hard work. So, people, why do we still have zero candidatures for some positions? Apply and let’s work on the future of our organisation together!
Could you tell us what you think would make you the perfect candidate as a Member of the Network Commission?
I used to think that there is no limit to perfection but I think one of my advantages is that I’m a new member, what actually means that I’m full of energy and ideas! I’m ready to work hard, to work until the moment I achieve my goals. Another thing which can make me a perfect candidate is my team of SubComs! They are all experienced and very active members of their antennae, so together we can literally move mountains!
Could you tell us about your experience with improving communication and relations between multiple parties?
First of all, I think I should name my experience of being a secretary in my antenna. This position itself implies that I have to be multi-tasked. I should communicate with a lot of people, solve different problems and work in a team, where people have different responsibilities but the same goal. As a secretary I must be aware of everything that is going on in my antenna. Secondly, my SubCom experience. It helped me to get acquainted with a position of a Member of the Network Commission a bit closer and learn how to deal with a lot of tasks simultaneously. So, I’m well-prepared! [she winks, ed.] And finally, when I was the main coordinator of the Moscow part of our winter event “Capital Cities #2” I didn’t only have to keep in mind all the tasks of organisers, but I also had to be constantly in touch with AEGEE-Kyïv that organised the Kyïv part of our event. It was a unique experience with improving communication and relations between multiple parties.
Why specifically would you like to become a Member of the Network Commission?
I’m not indifferent to the future of our locals. My personal goal is to make all members of AEGEE interested in our network. We need you for our events, our projects. With this comes motivation. Motivation to organise. It’s difficult to organise something when you barely have participants from your network, let alone participants from other networks. That’s why, If I’m elected, I will try to do everything to make our network more active and popular among others!
What makes you unique as a candidate or even as a possible future Member of the Network Commission?
I’ve already mentioned that maybe I’m not a very experienced member compared to other candidates, but probably that’s what makes me unique… I have a fresh view on AEGEE structure and possible changes, that will have a positive influence on the locals. I still have a lot of things to do, to experience, to feel, to create in AEGEE, that’s why I’m super motivated to become a member of the Network Commission!
Could you tell us about your ideas to improve the cooperation and exchanges between all the locals?
First of all, I think I should visit as many locals of my network as possible. It’s an essential part of a good communication in the future. It will bring our partner relationships to a personal level because it’s more comfortable and productive to work with a person, who you’ve met in reality. And after that we could arrange weekly/monthly Skype calls. Also, we are thinking about organizing SUPS for our area because this year no one from our area could participate in SUPS in Catania. Besides, we will try to organise different trainings and workshops aimed at HR, FR, PR, Leadership development and cultural exchange.
QUESTIONS FROM OUR READERS:
Giving the fact that there are no fixed regions, which locals do you want to work with?
As I was a Subcommissioner for Network Commissioner Tereza, I started to work with her locals. I already have contacts and information about the situation in these locals, so, I think, I would like to continue working with them. But I’m open for new horizons and any changes!
What do you think is the thing you, as a Network Commissioner should work more on with the locals in order to improve their lives?
First of all, I would try to increase the interest in projects that are organised by locals of my future network. 
Also, I would give my entire support to the locals in organising LTCs and RTCs. Moreover, we are thinking about organising different trainings and workshops in our network that will help the locals to share experience and knowledge. For example, HR/PR/Fundraising workshop and SUPS, oriented on our locals.
You didn’t mention LTCs, despite the fact that it recently became a criterion. How would you ensure that locals will organise one?
I will arrange this work together with my SubComs. We will be in touch with the boards of the locals and give our support in the organisation of the LTCs. Also, we could have a series of Skype meetings, which would help understanding how to organise LTCs in a right way. During the organising process we could also be in touch with the main coordinators and after the LTC we would ask for a report.
What do you think about the Network Meeting Reform? Do you think a standardised NWM will bring more pros or cons?
As I wasn’t in the team of NetComs and just one round of NWMs has passed after the adoption of the reform, I think it’s difficult to say whether it was successful or not, meaning: whether the goalswere achieved or not. But, in general, I think this reform can help us to be sure that the networks receive the same information about the processes and opportunities in AEGEE.
You have been in AEGEE only for a year, do you think you have all the necessary competences to help locals?
Yes, I’ve been in AEGEE for only for one year, but I’m an active member. I’ve already learnt a lot and I’m going to learn even more. During my life I used to be guided by the following phrase: ‘Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn’. So, by developing myself I’ll help developing the locals.
You have never taken part in a NWM. How will you be able to organise one?
I believe that organising and participating are two different things. I’ve already been an organiser of several events, so I’m sure that I have all the essential skills for creating an event. Yes, a NWM is of a different kind, but, as a Network Commissioner, I’ll be a Content Manager, which implies that I’ll work together with the NetCom Team and the CD. Plus, challenges are another opportunity for development, aren’t they? [she smiles, ed.]
You didn’t mention the Action Agenda or Strategic Plan in your program. How do you think the AA and the Strategic Plan can be more present in the activities of the locals?
After submitting my application, I corrected my programme which, anyway, will be formed after the Agora and during the Knowledge Transfer. But, I think, we should pay more and more attention to the Action Agenda and try to achieve it. For example, we are thinking about creating an AEGEE page in the Russian analogue of Facebook, Vkontakte, that would match the objectives of the Action Agenda. Also, we would like to organise different workshops, aimed at the Focus Areas of the Action Agenda and many more! [she smiles, ed.]
If you want to know more about Kristina Reshetova, check out this video she and some of her friends made.
You can read her full candidature here.
Written by Willem Laurentzen, AEGEE-Nijmegen