The very first LCM this year

We had LC meeting last Wednesday. It was the very first one of this year and we had some interesting conversations there.

Firstly we discussed shortly about LC meetings in general - why are they important? Why is it that usually there aren't so many people attending? How come there were hardly any people from Exchange side? What made those 4 team leaders come to the meeting out of 11 team leaders that we actually have? Some interesting thoughts came up and now the hard work starts to make conclusions from them and really make the meetings more interesting and worth the time.

We also received some information about Annual Conference - what's the status with the organizing? What kind of difficulties have come up and how are they dealing with them? How many people have already registered and so on. A lot of information there as well. Liise also shared with us what is happening from the agenda side.

Some more information about MC elections - the applications are out:

(http://myaiesec.net/content/viewfile.do?contentid=10003713)

and two AIESEC Tallinn EB members have also applied: Marina Vilop, our VP Exchange has applied to become the next MC VP Exchange and Cristo Pajust, our VP ER/PR applying to become the next MC VP ER. You can ask them questions and for that post all your questions here:

(http://myaiesec.net/content/viewforum.do?contentid=10003185)

If you have problems getting into myaiesec.net, let your team leader know immediately!

Just before our guests arrived, there was briefly information about applying to AIESEC Tallinn EB as well. The elections will happen a bit earlier this year - March 7-8 and this year AIESEC Tallinn is organizing the event. We will keep you updated on that topic as some preparations have to be made still.

Last but not least - we had some alumni there telling us their stories: Siim Juks and Jaan Aps. They shared with us funny stories from their time in AIESEC, where and what are they doing now and how being in AIESEC has helped them to get there. As we didn't have much time to chat, they said they'll answer all our questions at Annual Conference - so be there ;)

All in all, I felt quite happy to see all of you who came - I hope you got something out of it and you also had a chance to share your ideas what we could do better for next LC meetings.

PS. The next LC meeting is happening Wednesday, February 13 - more detailed information will be available soon ;)

Congratulations, Helena!

A person is a success if they get up in the morning and gets to bed at night and in between does what they want to do.

Bob Dylan

Just few moments ago I found out that our dear Helena Rebane from AIESEC Pärnu has succeeded big time - she is the President of AIESEC in Finland for 2008/2009.

On behalf of AIESEC Tallinn I wish you the greatest successes during your year and the greatest failures to learn from ;)

Best of everything for your term!

5 actions that can change your life in next 5 months

In my previous post, I was talking about importance of making plans, thinking things through and trying to find out what's the best thing you can do for yourself, for your own good. Well, here you have 5 opportunities all brought out for you to think over and perhaps even to act upon ;)

• Members Committee applications for AIESEC Estonia MC 08/09 have been opened. It's really one-of-a-kind opportunity to make things happen in the whole AIESEC in Estonia. (1)
• AIESEC Tallinn is searching for the people who have the most courage and willingness to work on the Spring Recruitment 2008 campaign. It's specially designed campaign to recruit new members who wish to experience the life of AIESEC. (2)
• Do you have a great idea for a project based on exchange? Want to see how your idea could become one of the greatest things in AIESEC Tallinn history? Are you ready to become the a Project Manager in AIESEC Tallinn? (3)
• Become a facilitator in Baltic Conference Synergy 2008. The target group of participants consists of newies, elected leaders (Coo., OCP, teamleaders, project managers), elected EB members, EPs and all other active members (current EB, current leaders, MC, NST, NTT, other active members who are members of the teams). (4)
• If your resolution for 2008 is to find out how you can positively impact society and experience another great AIESEC conference abroad, then Solution 2008 in Austria is something for you. It's a conference about "Sustainable Leadership" with a very special atmosphere and purpose to find your inner calling for positive impact on society! (5)

(1) Deadline is Tuesday, 22.01. You can find more information about it here:
http://myaiesec.net/content/viewfile.do?contentid=10001313

(2) Deadline is Wednesday, 9.01. Detailed information will be sent to the list. If you're interested already, e-mail Siret.

(3) Deadline is not set yet. Action starts next week with project planning. Detailed information will be sent to the list. If you're interested already, e-mail Marina.

(4) Deadline is Friday, 11.01. Detailed information can be received from Liise.

(5) Deadline is Sunday, 20.01. Detailed information can be found here: http://www.aiesec.at/solution/community/

I wish you the year full of great actions and emotions. In the end of the day, it's not the things you own, but the things you have experienced, that really matters :)

The Unknown

It is absolutely good to be back in business, the feeling is awesome :) I have managed to relax a bit, be with my family and friends, thought about my next steps and so on. I have to admit, my year so far has been quite bumpy, but also refreshing. I have had time to realize that making plans is necessary at times, but absolutely pointless at other times. You know what they say "life is what happens while we're making plans" ;)

Anyhow, plans are still important. For example I cannot imagine making new year resolutions without a bit of planning. It's one thing to write down what I want from the coming year, a whole lot of other deal is to really make it happen. To see the dreams come true. No, I won't write down my own dreams here, sorry to disappoint you :) I'm only here to provoke your thoughts ;)

I remember the time lets say about 5 years ago - it was quite the same, quiet new year's eve with family, missing the loved ones, etc. Then I decided for the coming year - that's the one where I renew my relations with my good friends. Guess what?! Didn't quite happen, cause I just thought that thinking about it is enough. It wasn't. It never is! It's the action plan that will make it happen! That year I lost quite a bit. Some friends, lost touch with family, just minded my own business instead of focusing on what is important.

Then another picture - Christmas 2005, at Kivi talu (you know the place where the traditional AIESEC Tallinn Christmas party takes place), I hardly knew anyone, but I had a blast. The evening was wonderful, I felt almost like home :) I guess I knew it already there and then that I have given my finger to AIESEC, it's now up to AIESEC to take the full hand :) And it did! Step-by-step it got me into everything more and more.

January 2007, exactly one year ago - whew, I had to start thinking what's next! It was a tough call, I was sure that I won't apply for president, then I was sure that I was absolutely the only candidate and I must do it, then I started to feel that it's actually something that would really suit to be the next step in my own growth. Today I feel that I'm the luckiest person to be in this position and it took me about 9 months to realize that. The good thing is that for the first time I feel that my family has started to appreciate it. They are finally beginning to understand what it means to me, what it means for the organization, heck, what it means for them ;) To have your family support you in what you are doing - I really wish all of you to experience that - the feeling is awesome :)

What is the meaning of all this?! Well, we all give the meaning to our words and our actions ourselves. And most of the time it's just a matter of time when we are able to put it to reasonable words when we explain it to others. Once I'm able to talk in my parents' language and explain what is it exactly that I'm doing here, I'm on top of it, because then I can be sure that I really know what I'm doing and it's not something totally random.

So feel free to explore your options, think things through, act on your emotions if needed and find the best (or the next best thing if that's going to get you the best thing) available action that really helps you get to the point where you can say - it's great to be back in business, my friends and family support me on my way and the feeling, the feeling is totally awesome!

AIESEC Estonia MC 08-09

Applications to MC 08-09
of AIESEC in Estonia are opened!

This is your chance to...

- work in a country with fastest growing economy in Central and Eastern Europe and that is globally ranked on 20th place by IT sector development

- grow professionally in ambitious, financially sustainable and well established organization

- get more than you expected from the next year. You will be positively surprised, guaranteed.

We are looking for young , ambitious , adventurous and skilled people, who want to make things happen in a dynamic and growing organization.

Our goal is to be number one organization in Estonia to be appreciated for its leadership experince opportunities and role modelling among small AIESEC countries in global network.

If we have a match check out the application package here http://myaiesec.net/content/viewfile.do?contentid=10001313

Send the application by 22nd of January to

marjam(.)vaher(at)aiesec(.)net

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference."

Robert Frost

AIESEC Estonia MC 07-08
Marjam, Inna, Kadi, Alisa, Inga

Keep it simple and make things happen