I’m Thomas van der Geest, the current chairman of the 14th board of TeMa! Here, I will explain the awesome job of the chairman. If you are interested, then continue reading!
What my week looks like
As the chairman, you are in many meetings. As a board, we have two meetings per week. The role of the chairman is to prepare the agenda and lead this meeting. Furthermore, I have monthly meetings with the Operations department, the advisory board of TeMa, and the chairmen of the other study associations linked to the FEB. Besides, the chairman has meetings with many other external parties like the faculty board, Career Services, and other study associations.
What my daily tasks are
As the chairman, you are not always busy with the daily operations. Your main task is to help your fellow board members where necessary, and to oversee the complete picture. I always try to motivate the others. The chairman has the strategic mindset, and always takes into consideration the long-term effect of actions. You are responsible for the correct execution of the policy.
What qualities suit a chairman
As a chairman, you should feel confident and have the capabilities to lead a group. This doesn’t mean you are an asshole ;) But you need to be able to make decisions and help the group discussions to come to the best possible result. The chairman should communicate a clear vision, set goals, and motivate the rest of the board. Therefore, the chairman should have great communicative skills. As the chairman, you are the face of the association, and you present quite often in front of large groups. You should keep a good overview of the activities of the board. In the end, the chairman is responsible for everything that happens at TeMa. It all might sound harsh, but you should also be a lovely person, and have empathy for others.
What I like most about being the chairman of TeMa
Being the chairman of TeMa brings you a lot of challenges, it brings you many new skills, such as leadership and communication skills. During such a year, you meet a lot of new people within and outside the association. There is a great combination of formal situations and informal parties and “borrels”. It really is a great experience next to your student life!
