Finances & Members

1. Finances & Members Allan Päll vice-chairperson

2. 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.

3. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Lesson learned?

14. 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

15. 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