As spring approaches, so does our association’s annual General Meeting (AGM) in late March. Traditionally, this is the moment we look back at what has been accomplished, approve the annual report, and decide on the future by electing part of the board composition.

This year, the AGM will be especially significant. Beyond electing three new board members, we will ask members to vote on essential amendments to the statutes. Our goal is to make the association’s work more impactful while making its governance simpler.

Why are changes necessary?

Past experience shows that the current election model (twice a year – in December and March) creates an unnecessary administrative burden and fragments the board’s workflow.

• Administrative: Two AGMs a year require significant time and financial resources.

• Team Dynamics: Currently, a specific board composition works together for only 8–9 months. Considering the time needed for new team members to “get up to speed,” the productive work stretch is only about half a year. This is too short to fully realize major initiatives as a team.

What are we proposing? We want to switch to a two-year term for board members, with elections held once a year (in December, in conjunction with the Christmas Ball).

This would mean:

1. Elections happen on a rotational basis: one year we elect 4 members, the next – 3.

2. A stable board composition works together for at least 12 months (December to December).

3. Each board member has the opportunity to realize their ambitions over a longer term – two years – accumulating knowledge and building a deeper connection with the community.

To transition to this cycle, the term for the three board members elected this March will be set until the 2027 AGM (just under two years).

Are you itching to get involved?

Along with these changes, we need powerful, active, and eager colleagues. If you care about the development of our community and want to help drive socially significant initiatives – this is your moment!

What does being on the board mean? A fair warning: the board is not just a formal “executive body” that sits in meetings. We are working hands and idea generators. The work is dynamic, sometimes challenging, never financially compensated, but always fun and rewarding.

Key functions where you can make your mark:

• Event Organizing: As a community of professionals, networking and events are our priority.

• Fundraising: Finding opportunities and writing project applications.

• Policy Making: Participation in NGO-government cooperation formats and advancing initiatives.

• Representation: Defending members’ interests in public forums and the media.

• Realizing Ideas: Any good idea that improves the well-being of the community or the country will find support here.

Next Step: If you feel this impulse, we invite you to start considering your candidacy! Don’t be shy—approach any of the existing board members in person (at Happy Hour, Story Nights) or via digital channels. Ask any questions you might have – we’ll be happy to answer them. And even if the call to join the board doesn’t appeal to you, we can always use an extra pair of hands.