Board Blog: Jannes Kleinlugtenbeld
Hi all! My name is Jannes Kleinlugtenbeld, and I am this year’s Chair of TeMa. Before I applied for the Board, I was relatively new to TeMa. My first TeMa event was the Conference 2024, and I decided to come to TeMa events more often and eventually to apply for a Board position. It is one of the best decisions I made to get everything out of my time as a student. In this blog, I will tell you more about my tasks as Chair and what my life looks like as a Board member.
What my week looks like
To give you an idea: together with the Boards of other study associations from the Faculty of Economics and Business, we work from our own office (hok) in the Interim at Zernike. You’ll usually find me there from Monday to Thursday, between 10:00 and 16:00.
There’s always a positive vibe in our office. While we’re getting things done, TeMa members or other Boards often stop by for a coffee, a quick chat, or even a piece of fruit.
On Mondays and Thursdays, we always start the day with our Board meeting. The rest of my week is a mix of ticking off my to-do list, attending meetings, and chatting with people, whether that’s within our Board or with others around the Interim. It’s busy, but that’s what makes it so much fun!
One of the best parts of being on the Board is all the new people you get to meet in different settings. We’ve got our own TeMa socials and events in the evenings, but we also spend plenty of evenings connecting with other study associations, like at the monthly socials with all the associations from our faculty.
Throughout the year, we’re invited to plenty of constitution drinks from associations all over Groningen, which are always great fun. We also organise mix activities with our committees and other boards, and those are some of the best nights!
With so much going on in the evenings, it’s become a habit for the Board and me to have dinner together regularly. It’s a nice way to catch up and talk about things that are not related to TeMa.
My daily tasks
So, what does my role actually look like? One of the best aspects of being Chair is the variety; it ensures no two days are ever the same. My day typically starts with reviewing my agenda and responding to emails. From there, my schedule is shaped by meetings and working through my to-do list.
In addition to my core responsibilities, such as coordinating the Board and leading meetings, I also provide support to my fellow board members whenever needed. I need to stay informed about everyone’s activities to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Another part of the role that I greatly enjoy is being the primary contact for external parties (except company relations). This involves regular meetings with other study associations, the Department of Operations, and even political organisations, making it a dynamic and engaging role. As a Chair, you represent the association and stand up for the interests of TeMa.
My experience so far
As I’m reaching the halfway point of my Board year, I can honestly say it’s been a great experience so far. The mix of hard work and social activities makes the role both challenging and enjoyable. Along the way, I’ve met a lot of impressive people and developed skills faster than I expected.
One of the biggest highlights for me has been learning to speak confidently in front of large audiences. Speaking at the Master Graduation Ceremony for nearly 800 people and closing the TeMa Conference were moments that really stood out. Representing TeMa in those settings and helping create memorable experiences for students in Groningen has made the time and effort more than worth it.
Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. There have been challenges, but that’s part of the role. Those moments push you to grow, improve, and become more confident in your decisions.
I hope this blog gives you a good idea of what it’s like to be Chair of the TeMa Board. There’s a lot more behind the scenes, so if you’re curious or want to know more, feel free to reach out. Feel free to send a message to
+31 6 83 42 74 29 for a coffee or a quick call.
