Finances & Members Allan Päll vice-chairperson

Organization 21 member organisations –Membership based on quality: democratic elections once a year following of the policies and statements of EÜL Mission is to stand for students’ educational, social and cultural rights and interests.

Members All student bodies of HEI’s –21 of 34 HEI are represented in EÜL –but we represent (and stand for) ALL STUDENTS –Most others are smaller (and private) institutions: with mostly Russian speaking students almost non-existent student unions problems with quality of education

STUDENT BODIES BOARD EXECUTIVE BOARD BUSINESS (ISIC) PUBLIC POLICY STUDENT NEWSPAPER STUDENT DAYS COMMITTEE OF POLICY POLICY GROUPS COUNCILSUPERVISION

BOARD Boardmembers from each member of EÜL based on the size of the student body –42 members –5 to 6 Board Meetings every year –2-day events First day for policy making and input gathering in working groups Second day for the meeting itself General Assembly – once a year (declarative)

COUNCIL 8 members (experts, alumni and boardmembers) –Long-term planning –Strategies (financial strategy and investments) –Advisory board for the Executive Board –Formed in June 2008

Executive Board 4 members; elected every year Chairperson (general management, communications, finances, business) Vice-Chairperson (administration, membership issues) Member of EB on social policy Member of EB on educational and science policy

Interaction Somewhat close link with members –everyday and personal level interaction –about half of the members are quite active –about half of those have more than just a few active members Board meetings and PP working group meetings Regular trainings for members

Trainings Vision is to develop a full programme In PP and organisational issues –sustain and develop the student movement –ground for personal interaction –12-15 trainings per year –plus additional projects –NO PARTICIPATION FEES

And the money? EÜL – almost 90% from ISIC student cards –Over 700 different bonuses in private sector –We sell the cards directly –Or you can get it for free at SEB bank (exclusive deal) movement towards open market for banks –1/12 of the income flows directly to members Members – most income directly from HEI –Bigger student bodies have more diverse sources

Sustainability Exclusive deal with one bank does not align with our political intent to do the best for the students Immense need for diversification of income Negotiations in every 2-3 years

Blurry Patterns Political cycle favours expansion and expenditure No long term budgeting Minimal investments into future profits Weak supervision from the Board Close links with members (does not mean that they’re strong links) One main source of income Little interest in organisational matters among members We thought we we’re doing exceptionally well, but we just walked around blind-folded

Lesson learned?

Well, yes: watch out for the signs invest and economise at anytime economy is cyclical, thus drops can be drastic if your income is too dependant on few sources do your best to avoid the signs

Are we lost? NO! –Reorganise: cut-backs in management and administration –Restructuring of our business unit –Invest into future profits –Disseminate the organisation no matter what nobody should question your excistence