Words from the MCP Dear Applicant, Sometime you want something so much that you actually outdo yourself in the process of getting there. You overcome obstacles, challenges and limits that existed and go beyond what you though you were capable of. You undergo a transformative experience that enables you to be the best version of yourself. It’s not an easy process but one that will stretch you and shows you what you’re made of. That’s the experience I went through as I ran for MCP almost a year ago and the experience I chose to live from then onward. Being MCP means a lot of things, but in the end it is what you want it to be. Over the course of the next month you will doubt yourself and question the things you believe in. You’ll search for answers you already have and create questions that don’t need answers to. Don’t be confused. It’s normal, that happens. Enjoy the process. Filling out the application calls for honesty, authenticity, moments of brilliance and grit. Prepare well, have no regrets. The role of an MCP has a lot of responsibility, not just toward your team and AIESEC US but to the millions of young people across the United States of America that believe the country needs better leadership. How will you develop the leadership the US needs? In the end I leave you with two questions. Before you proceed, ask yourself - Am I the best person for the role? Am I what I what AIESEC US needs? And if you truly believe you are, then proceed.
Niels Caszo MCP 2014-15 AIESEC United States
Role of the MCP The MCP’s prime responsibility is to provide leadership and guidance to AIESEC US and represent AIESEC US on a global level. Being responsible for the overall direction of AIESEC US, the role of MCP requires close cooperation with the Local Committee Presidents (LCPs), the AIESEC US Board of Directors and AIESEC International.
Core responsibilities of the MCP are: o Team management o Ensuring common direction of MC o Providing coaching and support (including evaluations and feedback) to team members
o Supporting financial management o o o o
Forming and managing a large budget Analyzing financial data and using to ensure optimal financial management Authorizing expenditure Ensuring the financial sustainability of AIESEC US
o Organizational leadership and LC development o Communicating with the membership of AIESEC US o Coaching, training, supporting and giving feedback to LCPs
o Strategic development and planning o Management and facilitation of national planning processes o Ensure execution of national direction o Ensure long-term perspective for AIESEC US
o External Representation o Acting as the spokesperson for AIESEC US o Working with most valuable partners o Representing AIESEC US at external functions/award ceremonies, etc.
o International Relations o Representing the views and opinions of AIESEC US to the global network o Building international cooperation with countries and AI o Ensuring AIESEC US is learning from the global network
o Legal and compendium o Management of legislative process o Ensuring compliance with compendium o Working with lawyers on legal issues affecting AIESEC US
o Accountability o Management of the Board of Directors o Reporting to, and communication with, the Board on a regular basis o Ensuring information is communicated to stakeholders to hold MC accountable
o AIESEC 2015 Implementation and AIESEC 2020 creation o Ensuring AIESEC US’s direction is aligned with AIESEC 2015 and the BHAG o Ensuring AIESEC Experience Programs effectively implemented in the organization o Represent AIESEC US in the creation of the next midterm ambition
Election & Selection Manager Phillip Krouse, current MC Director Account Delivery will be our Election and Selection Manager. He’s the man behind and in front of the scene. Feel free to contact him at phillipk@aiesecus.org , +1 7049426476 The role of the election and selection manager is to co-ordinate and facilitate the entire MCP election and MC selection process with the current MCP, WNC chair, national plenary and the applicants. The manger will be ensure that the process for MCP elections and MC selection isn’t compromised or violated in any way. The manager will also mange online platforms and virtual spaces related to the elections. Phil will be the main touch point for the applicants once all applications have been submitted
Application Process The application form is the main opportunity you will have to present yourself to all the LCs in the US before the elections at Winter National Conference 2014. These notes are intended to help you make the most of this part of the election process. Your MCP application must be uploaded to http://bit.ly/usmcp2015-16 and must be emailed to Niels Caszo at nielsc@aiesecus.org by 5 PM EST on December 1, 2014 You will receive email confirmation of the receipt of your application within 24 hours of submission. In order to apply, you must submit an application in the form of a single .pdf file. The application must include all of the following sections: Section 1- Platform :A URL link to your platform must be included in your application. Your platform may be in video format or any other media platform, but should be easily accessed and opened by anyone in the National Plenary Section 2- Questionnaire: The completed questionnaire may be no longer than 12 pages (excluding the cover page and platform) and minimum 10-point font. Section 3- Blank Paper Challenge: Size A4 – 1 Page Section 5- Resume/CV: Maximum 1 page Section 4- Three Endorsement Letters There is no set process to go through when answering the questions. You are advised to answer them as honestly as possible. Your answers should assist the LCs in understanding your aims for AIESEC, the areas that you would like to focus on, your reasons for standing and your personality/working style
Election Process
The election process will take place as detailed below during Winter National Conference from 30th December until 5th January, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. All full-member Local Committees will be able to vote in the elections. The vote will be cast by the respective Local Committee President or President-elect (or a suitable Proxy). The Local Committee President will be strongly advised to consider the views of all Local Committee members when casting their votes. Taking part in the election process is a very demanding experience and the candidates should aim to support each other as much as possible regardless of personal differences. Candidates are asked to make the process as fair as possible. This means no campaigning or selfpromotion in advance of the elections. Your application, platform, and presentations at WNC should speak for themselves. You may speak with other members of AIESEC United States to learn what they think about certain topics and answer their questions, but you are requested not to promote your own platform or criticize other candidates. Violations of this will be made known to the National Plenary. The process contains the following: Before WNC • Interview with committee- By 10th December • Top four candidate selections (if more than 4 applications are received)- By 18th December • Online Questioning Forum- As soon as all applications are released. At WNC • Presentation to the Members – 10 mins • Panel Discussion with Candidates- 45 mins • Regional Q&A Session – 20 mins • Closing speech – 5 mins More details will be provided to the candidates after the submission of the application. Note: As per compendium section 3.3.6. Should there be more than four candidates running for the position of Member Committee President, the voting members of the NP will be asked to vote on the candidates based on their applications and the report of the committee specified in Section 3.2.5. Responsibilities after election/selection The MCP-elect will be required to begin transition immediately. This is a substantial commitment. It includes VP selection, visa processes for international VPs, functional transition, history, and more. A minimum expectation is 20-25 hours a week are expected if you are selected, but it is strongly advised that you begin your transition full-time as soon as possible. The MCP elect must also attend International President’s Meeting (IPM) in Vietnam from around the 10th to 21st February 2015.The MCP elect shall also be required to start the physical transition in New York City on May 1st, 2014. In the event that attendance at these events prevents you from applying, please contact nielsc@aiesecus.org to discuss possible solutions to the dilemma. It is essential that elected candidates meet their international counterparts as soon as possible but it may be possible to reach some degree of compromise.
Application Section 1: Platform
In your application, please include a URL link to your platform accessible on the internet. Your platform is your stand for MCP of AIESEC United States and what you will bring as leader of the organization. Most often for candidates in the past, it is a video introducing the background, motivation, and/or plan of the candidate, but it is entirely up to you to determine the content of your platform and the media format in which it is presented.
Section 2: Questionnaire
In this section you may use only up till 12 A4 size pages with a minimum font size of 10. General Information 1. Name: 2. Member/Local Committee: 3. Email Address: 4. Phone Number: 5. Nationality: 6. Birthdate: 7. Address: Logistical Information 1. Will you be able to attend WNC in Dallas, Texas from 30th to 5th November? 2. Will you be able to attend International Presidents Meeting from the 19th of February to the 2nd of March 3. When is the soonest you could begin transition full time in New York after your election? 4. As of right now, are you legally allowed to hold a CEO position in the United States? Explain why? 5. If the above answer was ‘No’, what are your action steps to legally be able to hold a CEO position in the United States by 30th December? About You 1. Who are you and why are you applying for the role of MCP in AIESEC US for the term 2015-16? 2. What are your current and past positions of responsibility and achievements within AIESEC? 3. What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses as a leader and how will they affect your term as MCP? Our Relevance 1. In your opinion, what is AIESEC’s relevance in American society? What does the AIESEC US Manifesto mean to you? 2. What will be the most relevant market for each of the AIESEC programs in 15/16? How will you ensure that AIESEC in US increases it’s market share in those markets? 3. In your opinion, what is the relevance of AIESEC in US in the global network? What will be it’s contribution to the global network in 2015-16?
Application Our Current State 1. Provide an analysis of the external environment in the US and what trends AIESEC US can capitalize on to grow in 2015-16. Which programs can benefit the most and how? 2. Provide a holistic analysis of AIESEC US. What trends do you see helping the organization grow as well as trends you see holding the organization back in 2015-16? Your Plan and Direction 1. As MCP in 2015-16, you will have the chance to create the next mid term ambition for AIESEC at IC in India. Where do you see AIESEC as an organization in 2020? 2. What is your vision for the term 2015-16? What national focuses do you propose that compliment your vision for the term 2015-16? Please elaborate. 3. What are your exchange program goals (including NPS) for 2015-16? Provide an explanation for the growth you propose and a summary of strategies to achieve them. 4. What is your goal for membership productivity in 2015-16? Provide an explanation for your goal and a summary of strategies to achieve it. 5. Using the framework of the new membership model and the growth model, what are your goals for entity development? Provide an explanation for your goals and a summary of strategies to achieve it. 6. How would you like to see AIESEC US positioned externally by the end of your term? Provide a summary of strategies to achieve your goal. 7. Putting yourself in the shoes of our customers in each program, what would you start/stop and continue to improve their experience? ( Answers must be based on the new Customer Flows) 8. Explain your MC 2015-16 structure (maximum of 11 members). 9. What kind of leadership does AIESEC US need in the 2015-16? How would you describe your leadership style and how will you use that to lead your team and AIESEC US in 2015-16?
Section 3: Blank Paper Challenge
You have 1 page (A4) and your own creativity to propose your own question addressing the biggest challenge facing AIESEC US today and give an answer to it. You have the license to change the system, challenge any paradigms and unleash the potential of the organization.
Section 4: Endorsements
Submit the following • Endorsement from your home entity • Endorsement from an affiliated person or entity within AIESEC • Endorsement from an external (not related to AIESEC)
Section 5: Resume
Please insert your resume/CV in your application. Maximum 1 page. Please submit your application including all 5 sections as 1 PDF. Submit your application by emailing it to nielsc@aiesecus.org and uploading to this form: http://bit.ly/usmcp2015-16
FAQs When are the elections held? Elections will be held during Winter Conference on the 30th of December 2014 till the 5th January 2015 in Dallas, Texas. Can international applicants apply? According to the compendium, international applicants may apply for MCP. However, not all internationals may be able to obtain the visa necessary to legally fulfil the position. Any potential international or non-US citizen applicants should contact Niels Caszo at nielsc@aiesecus.org as soon as possible. Does AIESEC US contribute to my delegate fee for WNC? AIESEC US will not be able to pay for your delegate fee or travel expenses. Is there a word limit for answering questions? No. Just a page and a font limit. But as an MCP, you’re also a facilitator and communicator, so I wouldn’t recommend submitting a wall of text. If you exceed the page limit, your application will be modified and the exceeding portion will not be revealed to the plenary. From whom do I need endorsements? Applicants from AIESEC US need to gain three endorsements, one from your own LC and one from any other AIESEC entity that has a good knowledge of you personally and who would be willing to state that you are a person who should have their views heard during the election process and is capable of standing for election, and one from an external you have interacted with who isn’t part of AIESEC. The endorsements should be in the form of a signed written letter. An endorsement is only an indication that the LC/ person feels that you are capable of running and fulfilling the position of MCP; it does not imply any commitment to voting for the candidate. International applicants are required to have a letter of endorsement from their MC and one other endorsement letter. The second endorsement can be from any LC/MC/AI. The third one from an external you’ve worked with who isn’t from AIESEC. Endorsements should include contact information for the endorser. Current AIESEC US MC members will not provide endorsement letters to any candidate. Are there any special requirements for my application form? You are free to design the application as you wish as long as it is A4 size and printable in black ink. It is useful to remember that LCs will be reading through your application, so you should consider the readability and length of your application carefully. The entire application must also be submitted as a single .pdf file. How can I contact the Niels Caszo to learn more about the role or responsibilities? Email Niels at nielsc@aiesecus.org Phone number: +1 9173303200 Book a meeting: nielscaszo.youcanbookme.com