CAN YOU MANAGE SEFA?
125 events
250 company contacts 300 active members 6500 members
www.sefa.nl/board
FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear student, As chairman of the Sefa board 2016-2017 I would like to emphasize the exceptional advantages and possibilities that come with a board year. At Sefa we offer students an extensive social and professional network to explore and develop their personal and professional skills. Sefa is the largest study association in the field of Economics and Business in the Netherlands, with over 6500 members of which 300 dedicated and enthusiastic students organise the more than 100 events per year. The daily management of the association and supervision of the 40 committees lies with the Sefa board with a fulltime workload. You and your fellow board members have the power and responsibility to develop Sefa into an association that inspires all Economics and Business students from the University of Amsterdam to transcend, connecting them to their future. Through our career events such as de Amsterdamse Carrière Dagen, the Career Week and the Master Career Clubs for example, we connect thousands of students with hundreds of companies to help them orientate on their future career. Our academic events such as Room for Discussion inspires students to broaden and deepen their knowledge in numerous fields of expertise. Our international projects give students the opportunity to experience business and culture on an international level. Lastly, the social side of Sefa is an important aspect of the association, through numerous social events we aim to create an Sefa community that increases the feeling of social bonding between students of the faculty of Economics and Business. The experience and knowledge you acquire during a board year is extremely valuable. A board year at Sefa composes all the different aspects that will prepare you for your future career as well are your personal life, such as a variety of hard and soft skills. You will develop your communication, coaching, planning and strategic capacities. You will have to overcome difficult obstacles which will increase your solution-driven thinking and will challenge your capability to improvise. Leading such a large, professional, diverse and social organisation with in total seven ambitious students is something which I can highly recommend you to do. Are you ready for the ultimate challenge? Do you want to give your CV a boost and kickstart your career? Do you want to have a steep learning curve all year round? Manage one of the largest professional study associations combined with a social aspect? Then this is your chance to apply for the 96th Sefa board! We are looking forward to meet you and answer all your questions during our information meetings on March 13th and March 23rd. With kind regards, Lise Kleijn
LISE KLEIJN Chairman Sefa Board 2016-2017 1
WHAT DOES A BOARD YEAR LOOK LIKE?
In addition to the responsibilities that come with your specific board position, you will be the coordinator of projects and committees. Your daily tasks will be very diverse. You will be working on a strategic level by implementing long-term policies, while at the same time you will be closely involved in the daily development of your committees.
TIME INVESTMENT
NEW AT SEFA?
A board year at Sefa is fulltime. You will be working from Monday to Friday during office hours and you are expected to be present at all social activities that may take place in evenings and during weekends. A board year at Sefa demands a lot of flexibility!
It is no problem if you are new to Sefa. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated students. Being a former active member of Sefa is not a requirement.
FINANCIAL COMPENSATION
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
Since you will be working hard during a board year at Sefa, there is little time left for activities like work. Therefore, Sefa compensates you financially. During your board year, Sefa compensates your tuition fee and provides you with a student grant. In addition, many activities related to Sefa will be compensated financially.
We are still working hard to internationalise. However, the Sefa board has important daily contacts that require board members to have a good understanding of Dutch.
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FROM THE PROFESSIONALS
A board year is a unique opportunity to distinguish yourself from other students and to experience what it is like to have the full responsibility of an organisation. You will get in touch with many potential employers during a board year at Sefa. During exclusive board days at companies and other professional Sefa events, you have the chance to get in touch with the biggest companies in the Netherlands. A board year at Sefa is the perfect way to expand your professional network. Nicky Caron – HR Officer Sefa Board 2014-2015 “Being a student for me was a time to have as much fun as possible, but it was also an opportunity to learn new things. That’s why I chose to apply for a board year. I cannot even begin to explain how incredible this year was, but I can tell you is that it’s a choice I have not regretted ever since. I learned so much in terms of leadership, collaboration, communication, negotiation and organizing skills. There is room for failure and I got more responsibility than I ever had before, and in some ways also more than in my current job as consultant. I was in charge of recruiting and maintaining 300 active members, led some big projects and set up new projects. It was challenging at times, but also very rewarding.”
Hederik de Vries - Chairman Sefa Board 2010-2011 “Being in the board of Sefa was an incredible experience. The amount of responsibility and freedom you have is huge, and the skills that you acquire are invaluable. On top, I met some amazing people that I am still in contact with today. Given all this, I advise every student with ambition to consider it!” 3
ABOUT SEFA Sefa has been the study association of Economics and Business at the University of Amsterdam since 1922. We aim at enriching the lives of students with unique activities in the following four strategic pillars:
ACADEMIC CAREER INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL
Sefa offers you the possibility to get the most out of your student life. On the following pages, you find more information about Sefa’s activities within one of the four pillars.
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ACADEMIC
A glance at the current situation in the world Sefa gives students the chance to gain insight into current economic issues by organizing the following academic events and initiatives. • TEDx • List Sefa • Room for Discussion • Rostra Economica • Skillsweek One of the main academic activities is Room for Discussion. Room for Discussion is the platform of Study Association Sefa and the Faculty of Economics and Business that aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and current developments. Every week during lunchtime, professors, entrepreneurs, politicians, CEOs, journalists and other guests will take their seat on our characteristic Chesterfields, ready to debate on interesting economic topics and actualities. Some guests that were welcomed at Room for Discussion are Christine Lagarde, Mario Draghi, Thomas Piketty, Larry Summers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem and Ratan Tata.
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CAREER
Meet your future employer Sefa organises various career activities to give students the opportunity to get in touch with potential future employers. • Amsterdamse Carrière Dagen • Commercial Team • Let’s Get Started • Master Career Clubs • Marketing Team • Sefa Career Month Junior • Sefa Career Week • Sefa Social Consulting Group • Student Business Battle Sefa’s biggest and best-known career event is the Amsterdamse Carrière Dagen, which is also the biggest career event of entire Amsterdam. During this five-day event, 2000 students take the opportunity to meet with 70 companies during presentations, workshops, trainings, lunches and other individual contact moments. For several years already, the Amsterdamse Carrière Dagen takes place in the World Trade Center on the Zuidas in Amsterdam. Examples from participating companies are ING, Shell and Unilever.
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INTERNATIONAL
Broaden your horizon in a globalising world In the world we are living in today, it is important to gain experience with organisations and cultures abroad. For this reason, Sefa organises various activities that give students the opportunity to broaden their horizon and gain experiences abroad. •
International Development Project
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International Student Committee
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International Week
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Research Project
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Sefa Study Trip
Sefa’s Research Project is the most prestigious project within our international pillar. Every year, the committee and the participants of Sefa’s Research Project acquire assignments to do research in an emerging economy. During the summer of 2017, the committee and the participants will travel to China to conduct research on behalf of the acquired companies. In the previous years, Sefa’s Research Project went to Chile, Argentina, tPhilippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, India and South Africa. The students participating in the International Development Project will visit WestPapua during the summer of 2017, to conduct research about a specific social-economic issue.
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SOCIAL
Meet your fellow students At Sefa, the social aspect of student life is well represented as well. We organise monthly drinks, Winter Sports, Active Members Weekends and a Grand Ball. By representing our social pillar, we connect our active members to make their committee period an even more fun experience. Besides, we also give passive members and other students at the faculty the opportunity to get to know their fellow students by organising open drinks and activities that are open for every student at the faculty. • Active Members Weekends • Almanac • As Good As New • Batavierenrace • Grand Ball • Introduction Camp • Kingsday • Social committee I & II • Winter Sports Every August, the Sefa Introduction Camp takes place to introduce the new first year students to the association. The Introduction Camp offers first year students the perfect opportunity to meet other students before their first lecture starts.
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THE AVAILABLE POSITIONS
CHAIRMAN
As chairman, you have a central position within the board and outside world. You are the one held responsible for all that Sefa organizes. You keep overview of objectives and safeguard the accomplishments of the association as a whole. In addition, the proper functioning of your team is crucial, in which you take responsibility. You lead weekly board meetings and four-monthly General Meetings, in which you account for the performance and the policy of the association.
TASKS - Organize and lead board and General Meetings - Outline, implement and monitor strategic policies - Maintain relationships with the Faculty, Supervisory Board, Advisory Board and other associations - Sefa’s face to the outside world - Ensure proper functioning of the board - Financial audit Capacities: diligent, leadership skills, team player, strategic insight and diplomatic
LISE’S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE “As chairman of one of the largest study associations of the Netherlands I have gained valuable experience in a wide variety of areas. I have learned to further develop my leadership skills because of the tasks and responsibilities that come with this position, which I think will definitely be of importance in my personal life but most certainly also in my future career. I have also learned to think more on a strategic level and how to implement such a strategy within daily practice without losing focus on the association’s end goals. I think a board year at Sefa is a great opportunity and unique experience that combines working on a professional level with a fun social aspect. I can recommend everyone who is eager to develop their personal and professional skills to apply for a board year, you won’t regret it!”
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SECRETARY
The role as Secretary in the board is a diverse role. On the one hand you are coordinating the Sefa Store and keeping contact with the suppliers. On the other hand you are taking care of the Office Mangement and external communication of the association. This makes the work diverse and never boring! Being able to multitask and switch rapidly are the challenges you need to face. You have a relative free role in the board, where there is space for personal initiative and a long-term view at the association with innovative ideas. You know the ins and outs of the association witch makes you the ideal support and sparring partner for the board.
TASKS - - - - - -
Keeping the members administration up-to-date Responsible for the board and members office Maintain a positive relationship with employees of the faculty Take care of the general mailbox Support board and active members Running the Sefa Store and Sefa’s education services
Capabilities: team player, punctual, efficient, flexible
MARIËLLE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE “A board year at Sefa is a year full of new experiences, challenges and personal development. Leading such a large organisation with your fellow board members means a lot of responsibility. This responsibility learns you to become very stress resistant and gives you a lot of freedom as it enables you to put your strategic plans into practice. During the year, you are pushed to get out of your comfort zone, a very valuable experience as you will learn a lot about yourself. The special thing about a board year is also that you will get to know so many different people, through all the committees and organisations you are in contact with. This is useful, inspiring and above all a lot of fun!”
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TREASURER
As treasurer, you are responsible for the financial position of Sefa. This means you personally have to monitor every euro spent by the association and you are responsible for all in- and outgoing cash flows. But it’s a lot more that just controlling, the treasurer also has a huge role in making financial plans and helps the board and all committees set out a strategy that is financially sound. You will make sure that your fellow board members always spend money in the most efficient and rational way. Furthermore, the treasurer has an important role during the General Meetings by justifying the financial choices made by the board. This includes preparing Sefa’s overall budget and realisation and giving an adequate explanation.
TASKS - - - -
Responsible for budgets and realisations Have a complete overview of the financial position of the association Manage and authorise all in- and outgoing cash flows Coordinate the finances of committees
Capacities: punctual, reliable, stress resistant, confident and experience with Excel is preferred.
SANNEKE’S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE “As the treasurer of the 95th Sefa board, I have developed many skills that are going to be truly valuable in my future career, as well as in my everyday life. Managing the financial position of such a large organisation comes with a great responsibility and I have learned how to make important decisions in the most rational way. Moreover, I have learned to think on a strategic level and how to set out a sound long-term financial strategy. But above all, during my board year at Sefa I have met many great and inspiring people and got in contact with many interesting companies.” 12
MARKETING OFFICER
As Marketing Officer you are responsible for building and maintaining a strong brand image. It is your task to lift the marketing and PR strategy to the next level. This is done by coordinating promotion and brand display for all activities, recruitment and Sefa in general. It’s your ambition to strive perfection, so that all expressions and promotional outings are unique, appealing and professional. One of the most important parts is executing a powerful and effective off- and online marketing strategy to cover all promotion channels and to reach every target group.
TASKS - - - - - -
Create a strond and powerful brand image Coordinate all promotional activities of Sefa Design and implement the corporate design of Sefa Set out and guard a social media strategy and PR-strategy Support board and active members Running the Sefa Store and Sefa’s education services
Capabilities: team player, punctual, efficient, flexible
MO’S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE “As Marketing Officer, I am responsible for building and sustaining the brand image of Sefa. When my board year started, I was completely unfamiliar with designing and creating a marketing strategy. Within a very short time I acquired the necessary design skills and marketing knowledge. Apart from these hard skills, I developed on a personal level more than I ever expected. I have learned to manage, take responsibility, work closely together, to focus, to plan, to convince, to give and take criticism, to discuss, to negotiate and improved my social skills. All the experience and knowledge I have gained will be valuable for the rest of my life and besides that, I’ve made loads of new friends this year.”
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HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER
The Human Resource Officer is the first contact person for students from outside of the association that want to become active within one of Sefa’s committees. You will be promoting active membership and you will try to recruit new committee members, which is crucial for the existence of the association. As Human Resource Officer, you are responsible for the application and selection procedure. Finally, you are also responsible for coaching and retaining active Sefa members to make sure that every student can get the most out of his or her active membership at Sefa.
TASKS - - - - - -
Promoting Sefa’s active membership and recruiting new members Informing potential new Sefa members Develop efficient and effective application procedures Selecting students and conduct interview sessions Coaching and retaining active members Providing growth opportunities for active members
Capacities: social, enthusiastic, entrepreneurial, creative, team player and openminded
DAPHNE’S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE “Applying for a Sefa board year is one of the best decisions that I made in my student life. I was looking for a final challenge before starting my career and decided to apply for the Sefa board. The actual board experience is so much more than this little piece of text can convey. Not a single day is the same, which makes it a very dynamic and valuable year. You learn a lot about your own personality, as well as working together with your board members. You learn to take on a high level of responsibility and how to guide and supervise committees. Moreover, you get the chance to meet new students and take up interesting projects. One of my most challenging task was to select and place students in the right team. Seeing your decisions confirmed in well-fitted teams is very satisfying. Last, but also most importantly, a board year is a lot of fun!”
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COMMERCIAL OFFICER
The Commercial Officer of Sefa is responsible for the external affairs. This means that all contacts with companies and sponsors are your responsibility. In practice this comes down to visiting a broad range of different companies, managing relationships, negotiating contracts and heading all commercial activities at Sefa. It is your aim to set up long-term relationships with different parties. Additionally, you can transfer the necessary knowledge to help acquisitors in committees and you are always looking for new interesting partners for Sefa.
TASKS - - - - - -
Communication with commercial relations Generating Sefa’s cash flow Exploring the market and making new contacts Assist committees with acquisition Organizing trainings for active members Coordinating the Amsterdamse Carrière Dagen, the Career Week and the Commercial Team
Capacities: reliable, representative, commercial, convincing and target driven
SJORS’ PERSONAL EXPERIENCE “For the Commercial Officer the year begins with the most intensive period of the year. During the summer you meet up with all the existing partners and new possible partners as well. Being the Commercial Officer gives you an advantage that nobody else has, because of the different impressions you get of all the different companies that you get to meet. The meetings also lay the foundation of the partnerships you build and use during your board year. For the rest of the year you are the go-to person for commercial advice for the rest of your board and other committees. To be given that much responsibility is something that you get nowhere else and something that you will value for the rest of your career.”
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INFORMATION STRATEGY OFFICER
Information technology is on the rise. The role of big data on a company’s strategic desicion making is becoming increasingly important. For Sefa this is a long term challenge: the size of our business and multiple kinds of stakeholders make the implementation of an information strategy complicated. As the Information Strategy Officer you are responsible for developing techniques to capture data that can be translated into information to support the overall strategy of Sefa.
TASKS - - - -
Data management & data analysis Integration of IT systems and connection of the IT systems Finding software related solutions and improvement of current systems Creating real-time information sources for all board members
Capacities: Analytic, innovative, resourceful, result oriented, thorough
WILLEM’S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE “As information strategy officer I’ve been responsible for the optimalisation of our current IT related systems and the development of a new information platform: Sefa’s new website. The technical skills involved with completing these tasks require a pro-active attitude towards learning about managing IT systems. The reason I chose this position is that my work affects Sefa in the long run.”
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MODULES In addition to the tasks that every board member has within his or her funciton, there are two modules that can be assigned to you. During your first interview, you can let us know if you are interested in one of the two modules.
VICE-CHAIRMAN
COMPLIANCE
The vice-chairman assists the chairman on a strategic level. The vice-chairman is also an important partner when it comes to negotiations and meetings with members of the faculty. Next to that, the vice-chairman helps out with teambuilding and other issues related to inter-board relations.
The compliance module is all about making sure that Sefa operates according to the law. The board member responsible for the compliance module will create a compliance strategy and needs to make sure that all members of Sefa comply with the rules.
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IMPORTANT DATES • March 13th - Board Interest Drink I 20:00 Information meeting at Roeterseiland E1.50 20:30 Drink in Kriterion
• March 23rd - Board Interest Drink II 20:00 Information meeting at Roeterseiland E0.04 20:30 Drink in Kriterion
• April 9th 23:59 - Application Deadline Send your motivation letter and CV to hr@sefa.nl
• April 12th - April 21st - First Interviews After sending your motivation letter and cv, we will let you know whether you are invited for an interview with the current Sefa Board.
• April 22nd - May 2nd - Second Interviews After your first interview, we will let you know whether you are invited for a second interview with the current Supervisory Board.
• May 8th - May 9th - Selection results We will evaluate your interview and inform you about the outcome of the selection procedure. In case you got selected for the 2017-2018 board, you will be introduced during the General Meeting in May. 18
Send your motivation letter and CV to board@sefa.nl Application deadline 2017-2018 Board: April 9th 23:59