Anna Gots is the only CD candidate who does not have to worry at all at Agora Enschede. Whereas there are more candidates than places for nearly all tasks, Anna from AEGEE-Kyiv is the only candidate for Financial Director. Currently Anna has already a pretty good overview over the finances of AEGEE-Europe – she is Audit Commissioner. The Golden Times asked her about her plans for her CD time and found out about her biggest passion: singing.
Golden Times: Anna, how did you feel when you saw that no one else candidated for Financial Director until the deadline?
Anna Gots: To be honest, frightened! At 24:00 on 25th of March I realised that it’s actually happening, and that the chances for me to become a part of the next CD became higher than ever. I remember that night in the train going back from Network Meeting Kharkiv, almost not sleeping at all, thinking…
Golden Times: So you are already getting used to the fact that you will be Financial Director soon?
Anna: Haha, I may start getting used to that only in one month, if I’m elected! So far, just dreaming and counting days till the Agora.
Golden Times: How and when did you actually join AEGEE? Is there an interesting story?
Anna: Well, I guess my story is rather the usual one. In February 2009 a friend of mine told me that she had spent an awesome week in Kyiv and Lviv, accompanying the group from Malta together with other members of some youth organisation. Of course I immediately decided that I’d like to participate in such activity as well and already the next day contacted the board of AEGEE-Kyiv. My life changed dramatically after that day!
Golden Times: You did a lot of things in AEGEE already. Which three of them are most important to you?
Anna: First, Fall Agora Kyiv 2009 – the first serious challenge in AEGEEE and, actually, one of the biggest challenges during my student years; second, the SU “How Creative UA” 2010 – my baby; third, human resources activities – bringing new people to the organisation and seeing them grow there, becoming active on local and European level. The fact that you’ve somehow inspired other people and showed the way to release their potential here can reward you a lot.
Golden Times: And which were your best and worst moments so far in AEGEE? And which was your favourite event?
Anna (smiles): The best moment for me is always when the participants fall in love with my city at some point of an event, it’s always visible. The worst moment I had was when I just started working seriously and was still studying at the same time; therefore I didn’t have time and inspiration then to devote myself to AEGEE as much as I wanted. And I think my favourite event is still my first SU – the TSU “Balkan Raw Energy” in 2009 – the most remarkable combination of everything, the true AEGEE event should have!
Golden Times: Please complete this sentence: “AEGEE is for me…”
Anna: …a place, where one can always find a soul mate. A place, where the most creative and craziest ideas are being implemented.”
Golden Times: How did you get the idea to candidate for the CD? What motivates you for this?
Anna: Alla Resheten. She gave me this crazy idea to try, and I decided to do that, since I saw how her year in CD changed her, how it made her wiser, strengthened her and made her more tolerant towards the others and towards herself in the first place. Therefore, the first and foremost reason for me to candidate is that I feel this need for changes and this challenge for a long time already, and the CD can give it for sure. Moreover, it’s the unique opportunity to work with people with whom you have that much in common: you’re striving for the common ideas and serve the organisation you respect and for which you feel responsible. Moreover, I’ve heard from a couple of previous and current CD members several times, that it’s going to be the best year of my life. And since I haven’t had that one so far, maybe, it’s my chance to finally live it.
Golden Times: You’ve been working in a bank for two years already, holding a position of a Senior Analyst. Why do you give up such a stable job with a sure income?
Anna: It’s boring! I mean it’s the same routine day by day, same people sitting on the same places, doing the very same tasks in the same order. But the most important is that there are less and less opportunities to learn and develop. It’s a comfort zone, true, but aren’t we all in AEGEE to withdraw ourselves from that comfort zone with each project we do and each event, we participate in?
Golden Times: According to your programme, you’d like to initiate the creation of one main storage for all financial data. Why? Is it such a mess?
Anna: First of all, I like when everything has its own and proper place. Especially when it comes to the financial data! The loss of one transaction may prevent your financial report from being balanced, so can you imagine what may happen if there are lots of documents missing. Or if the documents you need are held in various places under various names organised by various people, and to get the one you need you have to make several requests simultaneously!
Golden Times: You’d also like to improve the level of financial knowledge base in AEGEE. Is it so bad?
Anna: After the term in the Audit Commission of AEGEE-Europe I’ve realised that the main problem is even not that there’s sometimes a lack of basic knowledge to deal with finances here, but that the importance of the financial side of the local management is underestimated. It isn’t paid the attention it deserves. As a result, the guidelines are not read and the same mistakes are being repeated…
Golden Times: The current Financial Director Elena Antova is boxing – you too? What hobbies do you have?
Anna (smiles): Well, boxing is not my strength, unfortunately not. My passion is singing. I remember myself giving concerts to my grandma’s friends already at the age of 4. And when it comes to the stage and the microphone, I simply can’t resist!
Golden Times: Now you make us curious about your singing talents… You’ll leave Ukraine for a year. What will you miss from your home country?
Anna: Kyiv! My hometown, my best friend and my best date. It keeps my secrets, shelters my memories and always can energise me. Even with all its traffic jams, crowded transport and long winter, I’ll be missing it badly.
Golden Times: What’s your dream job after finishing AEGEE?
Anna: I think some big international company with extremely interesting projects running all over the world. Though my position there – unknown so far…
Golden Times: Can you imagine living abroad for more years? Maybe start working in Brussels? Or will you go back immediately after your CD term ends?
Anna: It’s hard to tell now what I’d like to do with my life after year like that. Though, I can say that I’ve always been certain that I’m going to face lot of challenges and changes before I find some stable harbour. So, it might be only the beginning…
Golden Times: What’s never missing in your fridge?
Anna: Cheese, juice and apples.
Golden Times: How would you describe yourself in five keywords?
Anna: Smiling, hard-working, stubborn, naive, self-made.
Golden Times: Anything you’d like to add? What should people know about you?
Anna: Well, my best friends call me just Gots.
