Sunday, March 4, 2007

Nominated for the IEC

I've been nominated to be an Executive Trustee in IEC for CISV International. Below you'll find my answers to the "CANDIDATES' QUESTIONNAIRE for the 2007 CISV International Elections".

Question 1: What you do in your life outside CISV (work, family, hobbies etc.)?

–I am an University student (soon with a Masters degree in Entrepreneurship); work part-time as Vice president for LSU (The National Council of Swedish Youth Organisations, an umbrella organisation for 92 youth-led Swedish NGO's, including CISV Sweden); spend many hours and weekends in CISV meetings, workshops and trainings; and use the rest of the time for friends, reading and sports.

Question 2: Provide some information on your CISV history (programme participation, administrative work on the different levels of CISV etc).
–Easier would probobly be to ask what I have not done but here is a short list of my CISV adventures: National executive board and Trustee (attended AIM's 2002–2006); National Information chair & National Promotion coordinator; A number of international trainings/workshops as participant or coordinator; National Summer Camp chair & National Leadership training committee; A number of Villages, Youth Meetings, Summer Camps and Mosaik activities as Leader, Staff or CD; and Local chapter boards, i.e. as Vice president and Finance.

The picture below is from when I was a leader at Greedy Summer Camp in Sweden 2005.


















Question 3: What personal skills do you have that will make you a useful member of the IEC, and where do you see your position within the IEC?
–My experience is in communication and information, national and international advocacy, organisational management and development, and process oriented leadership; plus my hope for me in the IEC is to contribute with a professional, effective and out-put oriented focus on the strategic development, branding and communication, experience in NGO-relations, and a fresh perspective on the organizational structures of CISV.

Question 4: Why have you accepted this nomination for IEC?
–Four main reasons: 1) I've been asked to run by people I trust and respect; 2) I find it personally challenging; 3) I am confident that I can do a good job; and 4) I am hopeful it will futher develop my personal skills and awareness.

Question 5: If you are elected to the IEC, you may have to take time off from work to attend meetings or deal with an urgent CISV matter. You may get to work and have to decide "Do I do my normal work, for which I get paid or do I do the CISV work for which I do not get paid". How do you think you will deal with these priorities and will your home/work environment allow for this?
–It is extremely important that, and the responcibility of, all volunteers in CISV to find their own sustainable personal balance between volunteer work, family, friends and career. So, in short – yes.

Question 6: What skills do you believe are essential for the IEC to have as a group in order to best serve as the CISVinternational leaders?

–Diversity in personality, experience and interest plus having fun together while working effective, focused, transparent and strategic. The key is to get into a cycle where the IEC not only responds to the current needs of the organisation but also has a strong focus on the long term development of the organisation. The IEC should lead the vision-development-process and focus on the long term implementation, not nessesarely by asking all others to follow the vision of the IEC but by creating transparent processes including all volunteers. However, at the same time the IEC should not shy away from its position and perspective but rather use it and take a lead in these processes.

Question 7: If elected, you will be assuming some of the responsibility for managing the last 2 years of the current Strategic Planning process. Please choose one of the five priorities and describe why you chose that priority and what you could contribute to working toward the goal.
–I see a strong need in the organisation to further develop our chapters. Along the priorities "Leadership is the key to success" and "How to Consolidate (Strengthen) Existing Chapters" I think the organisation more should see these two in combination and focus on the development of streamlined and effective trainings for our organisational leaders (i.e. presidents and board/committee members, at all levels), preferably including a chapter development guide and guides/platforms for sharing of best practice. No organisation is stronger than its roots, and thus this should be a priority the coming years.

Question 8: You are committing at least 3 years to the CISV organization. What is your long term vision for CISV. In 10 or 20 years, what would CISV International and CISV National look like in your vision?
–That we preserve our educational and volunteer core while continously refining our programmes; develop CISV into an even more effective organisation in terms of training, administration, finance and communication; honour our history and tradition by keeping the organisation focused on the presentet challenges of the global society; and clearify to CISVers and society the skills, knowledege and awareness that CISVers develop in its programmes.

Question 9: Is there one memory you have from your CISV experiences that motivates you to keep working for CISV?

–No, many – but the primary aspect of CISV that keeps inspiering me is the fact that we continously develop fantastic, aware, strong, young (male and female) leaders.

1 comment:

M. said...

You got my vote...
But then again, you always did!
M.