Board Blog Maud

18-12-2023

Dear people, 

Time has flown by quickly over the past few months. It’s crazy that Christmas is almost here and that the first semester is almost over. I feel like I have only just stared my third year of my study and my board year. The past few months have been quite hectic and my life now looks very different compared to before (in a positive way of course). 

If you had told me a year ago that I would be doing a board year now, I would have probably laughed at you. I had always planned to complete my studies in three years and immediately start with my master after I graduated. In the previous two years I have always been an active member of SPiN: in my first year I was in the Freshmen Committee and in my second year I was part of the Citytrip Committee. During these two years I got to know SPiN as an association and I met many nice members. But doing a board year at SPiN? No, that was definitely not part of my plan.  

Suddenly it was April 2023 and I thought about the fact that in a year I would be working on my thesis. Everything was going so fast, and I didn’t feel like saying goodbye to my bachelor years at all. I realised that I wanted to really enjoy my years as a student and therefore I spontaneously decided to apply for a board year at SPiN. And there’s no better way to experience student life than doing a board year, right? 

I was soon told that I had been admitted to the XVIth board of SPiN and that I would also become my personal favourite position in the board: the secretary. I ended up with six other board members: some I knew by name, but I didn't know anything elsey. It was strange to join a group of six ‘strangers’, knowing that I would have to spend so much time with them. Little did I know that these six people would be meaning so much to me. We have already spent so many hours together during meetings, room duties, constitution drinks, activities of committees and just doing fun activities together. I can no longer imagine a board without them. 

As the secretary, I am less involved in committees because my tasks mainly take place behind my laptop. For example, I keep track of the many emails I receive and write out the minutes during our board meetings. Every time I hide a secret phrase in the minutes about something I experienced in the days before. My fellow board members must text me this sentence before the next board meeting, otherwise they will get a point. If they have three points they need to bake something delicious for the rest of us. Unfortunately, no one has three points yet (or maybe that’s a good sign…). I am also responsible for the website; something that takes a lot of time given the fact that we are working on the development of a new website behind the scenes. I really enjoy my tasks and I like that my position offers a lot of flexibility. 

Finally, I have really enjoyed all the (new) members that I have met and the activities that have taken place in the past months. A board year has really expanded my network and I really enjoy all the people around me. I can’t wait for the rest of the year and I’m sure we will make many great memories together!  

Lots of love from your seccie, 

Maud <3