AIESEC 60 years, a book and an alumni event

Yesterday it was time for a national alumni event to celebrate AIESEC's 60th birthday. Held in a beautiful location at Amsterdam's Keizersgracht, some 500 people gathered not only for this birthday but also for a book. Eske, former member of AIESEC Amsterdam got it into his head that we wanted to write a book on leadership and youth. He pitched the idea to a publisher and it worked. Yesterday we all got a copy of this book.

I was reading trough it this morning and again so impressed. Some of my friends are in this book,Atma Mumbai is in this book, AIESEC is in this book and big names like Ruud Lubbers, Tex Gunning and Ben Verwaayen are in this book. Many elements of my life of the past 5 years come together in this book. Very proud of Eske for taking this initiative.

At moments like these I remember how special and amazing my time in AIESEC was and the people I met were. It is hard to think about these lessons in everyday life but at least I learnt them. The way I feel about leadership and good ways of doing business make me stand out. I already expressed earlier my struggles to combine a career in a world where everything revolves about money and my own beliefs and motivation. Nights like these at least make me wonder.

It was also great to talk to some long lost friends. Joost, who flew over from London especially for this. I had no idea who to talk to first since I knew almost everyone in the room.

It was a very good night.

For Dutch readers:
"Jij maakt het verschil- inspiratie en leiderschap voor the next generation, Eske Scavenius en Patrice van Riemsijk"

Press release

Floor Schmeitz will join the board of Atma Mumbai starting from April 2007. She will be responsible for PR and communication strategies.

"In the last months I mainly worked on fundraising by selling products for Atma Mumbai. I very much wanted to have a direct impact on the organisation and support the projects with funding. When Adrienne asked me to join the board however I could not refuse. I think many opportunities lay ahead for Atma Mumbai and I am very enthusiastic about contributing to them. This will be a new challenge for me and I am very much looking forward to it ", says Floor.

Floor is currently working at a PR-firm, where she specializes in Investor Relations. She holds a master degree in communication sciences and is currently finishing her master in business administration.

**** end of press release******

Warmth of an LC

When Adrienne starts to talk about HER NGO and HER children, her face just lights up. Imagine a small, messy room above a cafe packed with people. They are all making jokes, screaming at eachother and being loud. She stands there and tells the story about her India and the work she does. Everyone goes quiet and they all stare at her. They can see the enthusiasm and passion in her face.

Yesterday me and Adrienne went to LC Tilburg to promote Atma Mumbai. The story above illustrates the atmosphere. At the end we showed them a movie about children in India. We said they did not need to stay if they wished, it was optional. Everyone stayed and they all watched the video in absolute silence. A lot of them wanted to buy scarfs to support Atma and some were thinking of giving monthly donations.

What makes this so powerful?
The people in the LC were so supportive and warm, their reactions amazing. I was sincerely touched. I know in AIESEC lot of people talk about making a change but Adrienne (and Hayley ofcourse) are really doing it. Sometimes it feel that people so not realize the impact these activities have on Adrienne's life and the appreciation is very low. She could have gotten a well-paid job by now but she chose to live a modest life and dedicate all her time to helping children at the other side of the world. That is why the reaction of this LC is so touching, they acknowlegde her efforts and supported the ideas. There is nothing more rewarding then taking a night of from your thesis or work to do this and get such feedback.