On March 30, we would organize a board interest evening for those interested. Because of the corona virus, we are forced to design this evening in a different way. To be able to inform everyone about a board year at STC, we are going to hold this information meeting on Skype! Please contact us before registering (info@servethecitytilburg.nl). In addition, each board member writes his own blog (interview form). If you are interested in a certain position, you can contact us for 1 to 1 contact.
In this blog, Benthe Frie, secretary, will explain her position in detail!
“Who are you and what is your board position?”
My name is Benthe Frie, I am 20 years old and a third year student at Tilburg University. Within this board I am secretary and that means that I do a lot of small tasks. Some examples are writing the newsletter, taking minutes of the board meetings and maintaining contact with the volunteers. The latter task in itself also consists of various parts, such as holding initial and semi-annual interviews with the volunteers and organizing voluntary activities. In addition, within the board I am also the coordinator of Serve the Brave, the committee that works for physically and or mentally handicapped people and the chronically ill.
“Why did you start a board year?”
I study Liberal Arts and Sciences, a study that mainly consists of theory. A board year gives me the opportunity to put that theory into practice and to really experience what it is like to work together and run an organization for a year. I am convinced that a board year is a very good basis for your later work life. In an accessible way you learn to work in an organization and everything that comes with it, that was exactly what I was looking for.
“Why did you choose Serve the City and not another association / organization?”
My choice to do a board year at all came very late and quite impulsively. However, what convinced me to do a year here is the gratitude and the feeling that you can really mean something. I really believe that it is important to introduce students to volunteering and that it actually has a long-term effect.
“Why did you choose your current position?”
As a secretary you are in contact with many people. It is great fun to get to know the volunteers and to expand your network in a fun way. I also really like the variety of tasks. Sure, not every task is my favorite, but the change makes every week different and you come across something new almost every week. I really enjoy creating the newsletter because it makes you realize how much we are doing during this year.
“If you had to name 1 skill you learned last year, what would it be?”
I am quite chaotic myself and live with the motto “it will be all right”. Well, it does indeed often work out well, but I also learned that it does not always go by itself and that effort is often necessary to make something really successful. In addition to the previous one, I have also learned that it gives a lot of peace if you do things (such as minutes or emails) as quickly as possible. The tasks remain in your head and cause a lot of unrest, while they often only take a short time.
“What activity did you remember most and why?”
An activity that I really liked was the afternoon sports and games at a school for children with hearing and / or speech deficits. On this afternoon the children could play monkey cages, dance and djembe. It was then that I realized that an activity doesn’t need much preparation at all to be successful. It is also often the small initiatives that stick with the target group.
“What message would you like to give to your successor?”
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Realize that you are thrown into the deep end and none of you expect everything to go well in 1x. This year is really meant for learning and give yourself that time.
