When you meet Francesca Zorcolo from AEGEE-Cagliari, you can tell straight away that she is an active member of our association. She was vice-president and president of her local, main organiser for NWM Cagliari 2106, subcommie for the Rainbow for Netcom Gabriele Scollo. Now candidating for the Network Commission. 

The AEGEEan: How would you describe yourself?

Francesca: My name is Francesca, but I love to be called  “Zorci”, I currently study Economy and management at the University of Cagliari but I’m going to finish soon –luckily- ahahah. I’m 24 and I’m from AEGEE-Cagliari. I have been a member since 2014 and from the very first moment I’ve always been an active member, I’ve been for two years on the board and now I’m subcommie for the Netcom Gabriele.

Why did you choose to candidate for the Network Commission?

As I said before, I have been in AEGEE since 2014 and in these past years I’ve gained experience, I’ve learnt a lot about what locals need and how to support them and that’s exactly what I would like to do: support locals, make them shine and be present for everything they could need, giving them my time and the resources they need.

What would be your main objective as a member of NetCom?

Certainly, I would like to work together with the Netcom team to study and put in action a recruiting strategy to spread among our locals in order to solve the problem of decreasing numbers in memberships that AEGEE is facing now. Then I would like to create a strong collaboration among locals and between locals and European Bodies, in this way the right field to share best practices, resources and opinions can be created.

Who would you say is your best source of inspiration in AEGEE?

Aww I didn’t expect this question! I cannot nominate just one, so I answer with Lisa Gregis, because she’s a hard worker and she has inspired me to dream big and to realise bigger! Marina Klancic, because I love the way she works and she keeps me motivated to give my best to the Network Commission and of course Mattia Abis, because I think he had a great impact on the Network when he was Netcommie and his feedbacks are still for me the most important I can receive.

You mention in your application that you would you like to create a strong cooperation spirit among locals. How do you plan to achieve this result?

First, I would like to create chances to get to know each other: through live meeting at events, but even through hangouts, challenges, inviting them to introduce themselves in the locals group and creating focus groups about common interest issues. Then, I would like to invite them to share their best practices filling jointly folders about different subjects, like PR, HR, FR and so on. And lastly inviting locals to organise events, such as Summer Universities or RTC or Promotion Days, together, in this way even those locals which suffer from a lack of members could organise something to involve new ones.

But I would like to know the opinion of the Netcom team and the Subcommie team for building a well-studied strategy together.

You live in Sardinia. Do you think this might be an obstacle for you when you need to visit your locals?

I think not, Sardinia is well-connected with everywhere by plane and by ferry, we have low-cost companies and special offers that connect Sardinia to Italy, so definitely it won’t be a problem.

How do you envision cooperation with your fellow NetCommies?

I think we will set up common projects and go on with those that are currently working, and I imagine our cooperation will be like a constant sharing of opinion and points of view. I hope we will support each other in case we would have any problem or doubt!

Do you already have an idea about your SubCommies team, in case you were elected?

I would like to collaborate again with some people I met this year, but I don’t have a clear idea about it yet. I just know how I would like to work with them, I’d like to structure the subcommie team as Gabriele did before, giving them general tasks for help locals about different fields and giving them specific locals to support.

Questions from the Network

You have experience with Gabrielle’s locals. Would you have a problem if you were assigned to other locals?

I’d say no, because if I will be elected I can count on the previous Netcom’s knowledge transfer for those locals, probably I would choose subcommies who already got experience with some of those locals and of course, I would organise a meeting with all of the locals assigned to know them better

What’s your opinion about cutting a wide series of useless Netcom criteria which just create useless bureaucracy?

As we have seen from the last email about the “possible changes in the Network”, there is of course a problem regarding the Antenna Criteria, but now I cannot says what. Of course, this issue will be discussed with the Netcom team and our Network Director in order to find a solution that it’s suitable for the locals and our network in general.

You can read her full candidature here.

Written by Firdevs Cazim

Recently we talked with Gabriele Scollo from AEGEE-Torino, who is running for a position as Network Commissioner. He joined AEGEE when he was 25 years old, and has been an active member ever since. He was a member of the Action Agenda Committee for one year and participated in many local and European events otherwise. Now he is taking it to the next level and applying for member of the Network Commission. Read below the interview and get to know him better.

The AEGEEan: Hello, let us begin by telling us a few words about yourself. 

Action Coordination Team (ACT) workshop at EPM Leiden

Gabriele: Hello, I’m Gabriele, I’m from Turin and I’m 27 years old. I’m an economics student and I’m currently writing my Master thesis about sustainable food production. If I have to choose two things I love, I would choose cooking and travelling, that’s why in the future I see myself as an entrepreneur in the sector of gastronomic tourism, so I can share my passion with everyone visiting my country and maybe make some money to travel to new destinations during my free time. I’m also a big fan of science fiction, because it makes me think a lot about how the future should or shouldn’t look like.

What motivates you in AEGEE?

I got to know AEGEE when I was 25, so I was already a bit too old for a new member. Since my first European event (European Planning Meeting in Burgos 2015), I started to realize how many possibilities to develop yourself this organisation gives you. The very thing that motivated me was seeing all these people from everywhere around Europe, much younger than me, with such great skills, self-awareness and determination, so I can say I was greatly inspired by them to make up for all the time I spent ignoring the existence of student organisations.

Gabriele as main coordinator at AEGEE-Firenze’s Summer University “Go wild in Tuscany!” 2016

How would you explain to a five year old child what means to be a Network Commissioner?

A Network Commissioner is the good teacher who didn’t forget how to play, helps you do your homework, cares about your well being and asks you about your dreams and life goals.

Which are the two main points you want to focus on if elected as Network Commissioner? 

Gabriele Scollo at Network Meeting Valetta

I think there’s a problem that all members should take very seriously right now: the fact that our Network is shrinking more and more every year. AEGEE has been a strong and influential organisation for decades and it can’t just die out like this, especially in a moment when Europe itself is going through a serious crisis and needs all of our passion and energy. We should all do our part to invert this trend, and it goes without saying that NetCom should have a role of primary importance in this process.

A second problem on which I want to focus on personally is the development of our Network in qualitative terms: we need more thematic and training events for our members, more locals organising them, better prepared delegates at Agorae and, in general, more involved and active members. This doesn’t mean “no more parties”, but aiming at representing something more than a simple occasion for fun.

Gabriele Scollo as main coordinator at the Network Meeting in Firenze, autumn 2015

According to you, which is the biggest problem in Europe? How would you solve it?

Unemployment is definitely the biggest issue, and the one that has triggered the lack of trust towards politics that we all know of. There are no easy solutions, I’ll leave that to populist politicians that are trying to bring us back to the past. A good starting point though, would be for society to start learning from young people, often way more skilled, open-minded and mentally flexible than previous generations. Our society should believe more in us, let us access positions of power more easily, finance our projects and understand our world view. This means that we have to make our voice heard.

Do you plan to candidate also for a position in the Comité Directeur in the future?

It’s an experience I would really love to have, but I think I will prioritize having a job in my field of study.

Gabriele as main coordinator at AEGEE-Firenze’s SU “Go wild in Tuscany!” 2016

Name three personal strengths and fears.

One of my biggest strengths is that I get along well with 99% of people, even the ones who are really different from me. This takes me to my second strength: the ability to understand all points of view and find good compromises. This is probably linked to another strength I have: an analytical way of thinking.

My fears: to disappoint people I admire, disappoint myself, the inability to face uncertainty.

Do you have any message for the people who are coming to Agora Chișinău?

Let’s try to make this Agora a moment of reflection on our organisation’s future. We have what it takes to achieve all the goals we set for ourselves.

The AEGEEan: Thank you and good luck!

Gabriele: Thanks a lot!

You can read his candidature here.

Written by Gabriela Geană, AEGEE-București

He has been active in his local for almost two years. After his first Summer University in 2015, he was elected as Public Relations Responsible in the local board, organising the Local Training Course and Summer University of 2016 as both main organiser and treasurer. But that’s not all, he also coordinated local volunteering events such as Let’s Do It Ioannina 2016 and the Student Associations 2016 for his antenna. Spyridon Papadatos from AEGEE-Ioannina may not have the European level experience, but he is very motivated and wants to devote himself entirely to the position as Network Commissioner of AEGEE. We talked with him a little about himself and more about his plans for this position. 

The AEGEEan: To begin with, tell us three words that best describe you and why. 

What do you think is the biggest and most concerning problem in the Network at the moment and how do you plan to solve it?

In your application you said you want to build a strong team of SubCommies with vision. What is your vision as a possible Network Commissioner?

Questions from our readers:

Giving the fact that there are no fixed regions, which locals do you want to work with?

I would like to work with the Greek antennae of course, because I am aware of their strengths and weaknesses and I have met a lot of their board members. Also, I would love to work with the Turkish antennae, just like Network Commissioner Danae Matakou, because she has set a solid base of work with them and I would like to continue it. Also, Turkey has a lot in common with Greece and I am interested in reinforcing the connections between their locals. Alternatively, I would like to work with some Italian ones at some point, because Italy is one of my biggest loves (I’m fond of the Italian culture and country, I simply can’t get enough!).

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?

Apart from supporting them with their responsibilities and the criteria, some trainings to reinforce their HR and PR are always a must. But for me, the most important thing would be helping the locals and their members take initiatives. They are the ones that know their needs best, their pros and cons, as well as the environment, the society they exist in. So, I would like to help them develop and realise their ideas, start making their potential projects come true. That way, they can achieve the best of what AEGEE offers, while at the same time they can personally grow in a groundbreaking way.

You didn’t mention LTC, despite the fact that it recently became a criterion. How would you ensure that locals will organise one?

Considering that it officially became a criterion, I thought that I didn’t necessarily have to specify it. But you are right, because that shows that there are AEGEE members, who haven’t gotten used to this change yet. The LTC is a great chance for the local members to explore a more serious aspect of the Network and to be activated on an international level. But that doesn’t mean it has to be less interesting for some of them, because of its seriousness. Just like at the Agorae, we have the fun activities (the parties, the city tours), and the LTC can be lighter too. With the help of the local board’s HR responsible, activities can be organised to help new members enjoy the LTC, while learning deeper things about AEGEE. For example, in my antenna we were thinking of a yoga event in the city castle after the LTC (combined of course with the beloved AEGEEan energizers!). Don’t you think that would make a LTC seem less of a ‘criterion’ and more of fun?

What do you think about the Network Meeting Reform? Do you think a standardised NWM will bring more pros or cons?

I believe that the Network Meeting Reform is a positive change the NetCom came up with. It helps the NWMs to have a common concept and structure, while at the same time it allows the NetComs to approach it in their own way and implement their antenna’s character and needs in it. For example, a NWM in Aachen and a NWM in Napoli can share common sessions, but won’t be the same at all. They can both have sessions adjusted to their own individualities, because at the end of the day the locals are the ones that give to the Network Meeting its unique identity, and the NWM reform works to facilitate this, while at the same time trying to improve the quality of the content. It also helps making the whole procedure more transparent and more organised. Furthermore, it helps amplifying the team character of the Network Commission and the whole Network to be more unified. Let’s not forget though, that the AEGEE locals and their needs are still in the center, so it is really not a standardised version, but more of a common structure on which you can build a unique NWM, that will respond to the exact needs of the locals.

 

You have never taken part in a NWM. How will you be able to organise one?

First of all, being a part of a team is all about covering each other. The Network Commission is a team consisting of ten more NetComs, so I am optimistic that the more experienced ones will help the new ones. That is why there are two terms and a transition period. So the new NetComs won’t have to face problems like this. Also, I am sure that NetCom Danae Matakou will be more than happy to support me and help me prepare for it during the transition period. And last but not least, my antenna, AEGEE-Ioannina hosted a NWM in 2014 and a lot of my fellow members were organising it back then. So, I am sure they will help a lot if I need it, just like they have supported me all this time (for which I would like to thank them and express my gratitude for it!).

He attended many European events and is currently a trainer, being also a member of the Human Resources Committee (HRC), as part of the Learning and Training Task Force. Luca was also Vice-President of AEGEE-Pisa between 2013-2014 and now wants to take it to the next level and is running for Network Commissioner. We asked him a few questions about his motivation and program.

The AEGEEan: Let us begin by telling us three words that describe you and why you chose them. 

Luca: Curious: I am thrilled by the new and always eager to experiment new ways of getting things to work. Hopefully without blasting anything off.

Cautious: I tend to listen, take in and think trice before taking an important steps.

Patient: Rome was not built in a day. Some solutions require time before they come into effect.

Why do you want to run for Network Commissioner?

Because I believe that as Network Commissioner I can better help others to improve, both themselves and within AEGEE. With my work, I think I can be closer to the locals in need, and their members, and offer a helpful support for their issues.

How would you explain the role of the Network Commissioner within AEGEE to a 10 year old?

I am the guy who can help you do your homework even better and while having more fun.

What do you think it is the main problem with the Network Commission?

Rather than a main problem with the Network Commission, I believe it is possible to distinguish between internal and external issues, to be dealt with before nasty consequences start hitting the locals. More specifically, internal issues would be related to not having a full synergy between the work of the members of the Network Commission, while external issues would be generated by a disharmonious course of action and communication between the Network Commission and the Comité Directeur, for instance, or other commissions.

How do you plan to solve it? 

For both, the solution would come from putting effort toward a more genuine and constructive dialogue between all the involved members of each team, so to better define the common goals and the necessary strategies and tactics on how to achieve them. I also strongly believe that playing as a team has a double importance: avoid disruption in the work of the group, and allow it to operate and bring assistance to locals at its utmost.

What is the main contribution you bring to the Network Commission?

My baggage of knowledge from the events I attended (notably, three European Schools and the Training for Trainers), and the belief that by sharing it with the locals and supporting them in doing the same, there will be no problem too hard to overcome.

How much time do you think you can invest in this position? (approximate hours per day)

At least two hours per day, plus some bonus time during those random days where the professor deletes the lesson without notice.

Could you elaborate on what you meant to say by “proactive contact founding” in your application regarding the program?

Being in the front line with a selected task force to accomplish the delicate process of spreading the existence of AEGEE into other universities. Organising and implementing meeting days in other cities can be a challenging, yet rewarding experience for anyone. It can be seen like a special training for public speaking, event planning, fund raising (dealing with universities, potential partners and such) that anyone can attend and gain from. In the best scenarios, a new contact might rise, in the worst, my team will gain valuable experience from all implemented activities. There will always be a prise.

Written by Gabriela Geană, AEGEE-București

You can read his full candidature here.