AIESEC Romania is halfway towards achieving its 2015 goals. Key achievements from 2010 include growth in the Global Internship Program and Global Citizenship Development Program. However, there was a decrease in Talent Mobility Program realizations in 2012. For the next 3 years, AIESEC Romania needs to focus on talent development and increasing efficiency to achieve higher growth rates. Improving matching capabilities will also be important to reduce the number of skipped exchanges. New initiatives around EU funds awareness and inter-LC exchanges could help attract more international participants to projects in Romania.

1. 1. What is your inner motivation to apply in the MC of AIESEC Romania 2013 – 2014?
In fact it is a question about 3 different issues.
First is about AIESEC. Why AIESEC? For whole my life I felt different from anyone surrounding
me. Sometimes I was even forced to resign of meeting few friends because of the way they changed and my
strong care about my values, what could not work any more. Sometimes I felt sad because of this specific
kind of loneliness. For whole this time I was aware of the fact that the reason of this, is me. But I didn't want
to change.
In June 2011, with my flat-mate we were invited for barbecue by one of my flat-mate’s friend, who
was an AIESECer. I will never forget this evening. I knew most of people there, because we were at few
parties before. But there were two people I'd never met before. Eduardo from Columbia and Jenny from
China.
Without these foreigners it would probably be just next party with those people. But, when today, I
remember that evening I don't even know where to start the story. First time in my life I talked to someone
from China and South America, I was so excited that I finally can use my English, and that I still remember
it. Because of these guests, after some time, almost all Polish people started to dance some strange dance.
They didn't care that there are like 20 other barbecues around. I didn't understand, but I liked their self-
confidence. But what I liked the most, were conversations. We weren't talking about parties, computers and
cars, but about Polish history in XIX century, Colombian international relations and philosophy. I finally
found friends that I was truly similar to.
LC in Kielce was in big troubles by that time, caused, as I found latter, by previous EB. And it was
Jenny's first day in Poland. They didn't have accommodation for her yet, so she was suppose to share bed
with one of AIESECers by 3 nights. But in our flat we had 2 free rooms. Then, I didn't even know that this is
called “buddy”, but this was my first, unofficial, position I took.
Since then I'd been being involved in more and more AIESEC activities. With every step I was
discovering that this is the place I belong. Because AIESEC does not only accept individuals, but needs
them.
The answer for two last parts “Why now?” and “Why Romania” is now only a part of “Golden
Circle's” – “What” area. Romania?, because after my internship there I just felt in love with this country.
Studying Romanian culture is for me amazing opportunity to discover new areas withing European Culture I
am interested in. Now?, because in my personal opinion and opinion of few more experienced in AIESEC
people, MC is the best level of AIESEC to use my skills, knowledge and experience, giving me in exchange
even more of them.
2. What is the leadership that the World & Romania is expecting from AIESEC?
This question is a little bit philosophical. I believe that world does not expect anything from us. What
is more, I am pretty sure that even the World itself doesn't know the answer for this question. It is even more
important in AIESEC, where we pretend to be real leaders. In my opinion the question for AIESECers should
look more like: “What AIESEC's leaders should expect the World and Romania to look like in the future". As
leaders we have a right to design plans for the future, but as leaders we are the only ones who are responsible
for the future.
But trying to give an answer for the question I will split it into two parts. “What are needs in World
and Romania, that AIESEC can fulfill?” and “What new standard AIESEC's leaders should provide to the
World and Romania?”
During my internship in Romania I could see two contradictory positions that Romanians take. Very
sad one and very hopeful one. First is the fact that a lot of Romanian young people plan to leave the country
in the future. Both, AIESECers and my students in small town of Urziceni believe in themselves, but don't
believe in Romania. Or maybe they are just selfish.
But, fortunately, not everyone belongs in Romania to the first group. There is another group of
positivist patriots (in opposition to the romantic patriots). They talk about their country being proud of
achievements but aware of mistakes. In my life I have visited over a dozen countries, I lived by longer term
in four of them. I met people from over 50 countries. There is only one country in the World that citizens of
are better in positivist patriotism – Pakistan. I believe that this is amazing Romanian potential. I believe that
what Romania needs from AIESEC is to realize to the youth this potential. Because the pair: the potential
and all of economical and social problems in Romania gives Romanians great chance to live important and
Damian Gorlicki
Application for the post of MCVP GCDPi, AIESEC in Romania

2. full of passion life.
What are the World's needs? According to The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) rapport for 2013
there are at least 23 areas in the World where there is a strong threat of armed conflict. One of main reasons
why AIESEC has been founded for was to give future leaders change to meet and break stereotypes in order
to avoid conflicts like this. Personally I strongly believe that AIESEC took a very important role in achieving
this goal in Europe. During whole AIESEC's existence we developed and expanded our areas of interest and
unfortunately, sometimes I think that we forgot about this important goal. Although I am aware of the fact,
that we are not able to stop all conflicts quickly, I believe that we should keep working having this idea in
our minds. Because there is still a lot to do … 23 areas.
But, as I mentioned, as leaders we should create brand new standards. The World of XXI century is a
lot different from the time when AIESEC has been created. Even if we can feel very safe in Europe, and
probably there will be no war in nearest future on our Continent, there are still few problems that we should
try to solve. Mainly I mean economical problems that cause social ones. What is more, I can see a big chance
for this in AIESEC, because we already have whole infrastructure needed to do this. All that we have to do is
to design new topics for our GCDP projects. Topics about economical awareness, delivered by precisely
matched trainers (f.ex: EP from poor African country delivering a workshop together with EP from rich
developed country). However it may be hard to imagine now how projects like this could be realized now,
when a lot of LCs have problems with matching, I believe that Romania could be a good place to lead the
whole process, because of its position in Europe, EU, and the World (More info in specific questions about
my strategy).
3. Having in mind a SWOT analysis for AIESEC in Romania, what is the role of AIESEC in Romania?
Based on that, how can AIESEC in Romania be more relevant?
Trying to describe AIESEC in Romania from foreigner's point of view in context of this question I
would like to focus on 3 main areas: Romanian AIESEC's image in eyes of AIESECers from different
countries I talked about this to, Romanian economical situation and Romania-UE relations.
Next few paragraphs I base on my conversations with AIESECers from Poland, Croatia, Serbia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina and a little bit on opinions of EPs met in Romania during my staying there (The last
factor may be very subjective). Image of AIESEC in Romania is comparatively very good. Unfortunately,
sometimes it is caused by not so good image of Romania. People, comparing Romanian AIESEC's results
with their stereotypes about the country, are impressed.
Very important part of Romanian positive image is made by project gROw. This project is known
even in Committees that had never sent EP for it. In my LC printed TN form of this project was on our news-
wall since I entered the office first time, and is being updated with every next edition (In total, there were 2
EPs on gROw from our LC). In LC Osijek (Croatia) when I asked if would they be interested in me inviting
LC members for gROw at their LCM, they told me that they already posted the information on LC's mail
group. In almost all other situation, when I talked to any “older” AIESECer, she/he heard about it. This is
amazing potential that AIESEC in Romania could use to increase the impact made by even different projects.
Having one project with great brand it is a lot easier to transfer the brand to other projects and whole
AIESEC in Romania. Having in mind, of course, that quality of any other project connected by brand to
gROw would have to be of very good quality.
Another good opinion I've heard about AIESEC in Romania is the way all members are treated.
Professionalism in AIESEC Romania is also a part of very good image.
Economical situation in Romania taught me a lot about statistics and reality connection. I was
extremely surprised observing that everyday life of people in Romania and people in Ireland is very similar.
Then I asked myself: “How is it possible, that in my house in Poland, in my house in Ireland and in houses of
my Romanian friends everything looks so similar? Even if, according to statistics, there should be a huge
difference.” (GDP (PPP) per capita in Romania ~12.000USD, Ireland 48.000USD). Then I realized that what
generates huge GDP are international companies, and in fact those companies don't influence our life so
much. This is why AIESEC in Romania has different objectives than AIESEC in Germany, Great Britain etc.
(Because of specific situation of AIESEC in Ireland, I am not even trying to compare AIESEC in these two
countries)
But, we must realize that since Romania is a part of European Union, probably, with every single
year there are going to be more and more international companies in Romania which opens for AIESEC in
Romania a lot of new doors. What is even more important, in the term of office 2013-2014 there might
Damian Gorlicki
Application for the post of MCVP GCDPi, AIESEC in Romania

3. happen two new opportunities that AIESEC has to cope with, but that bring great possibilities as well.
First of them is planned Schengen zone's enlargement, second is the 2014-2020 EU financial term. In
the first one, in my opinion AIESEC in Romania can earn a lot. However there are few countries that need
visa to Schengen and don't need to Romania, in fact it is not a big amount of countries. But for those who
need visa to both it is an important argument for applying only for projects in the zone. All that AIESEC has
to do in this area is to cope with all logistics about the enlargement.
Second of them gives AIESEC in Romania amazing opportunity to increase ELD realizations. (More
in point 5. and specific questions at the strategy part)
4. AIESEC Romania is halfway towards our 2015 midterm ambition. Evaluate our key achievements from
2010 and key things that should happen in the next 3 years.
In order to answer this question I have prepared analysis presenting 2015 measures and goals on
both: global and Romanian level with comparison between them. Below you can see screen-shots of tables
and I enclosed the document to my application for those interested in learning more about the document (The
document is sent in "ods" and "xls" version, but has been created in OpenOffice, and this is why there is a
risk of errors while using Microsoft Office. The document is d eveloped on the basis of sources available on:
myaiesec.net > Analysis > Entity Report and: http://www.myaiesec.net/content/viewwiki.do?
contentid=10169680).
Damian Gorlicki
Application for the post of MCVP GCDPi, AIESEC in Romania

4. The first table presents expected realizations on global level with percentage of growth in each year
and whole term. What is not included in the table is global realizations rates. In fact in:
- TMP: 2011 assumption had not been achieved (60969/70000), in 2012 neither
(79402/81000)
- TLP: 2011 assumption had been achieved, in 2012 had been achieved even a goal for 2013
- GIP: 2011assumption had not been achieved, in 2012 still even the goal for 2011 had not
been achieved.
- GCDP: 2011 assumption had been achieved, in 2012 had not (17625/18500)
However global realization rates are relevant, should not make an influence on domestic results,
because we should care about own results regardless of the results of other countries. This is why here I
would like to focus on relations between Romanian results and 2015 goals and MoSs.
At this part of explanation of the analysis for Romania I would like to draw your attention to few
more expectations. First of them is the relation between expected growth in TMP and three other programs.
This difference means that it is strongly recommended to focus on growth in quality, not in amount. All
committees are expected to achieve higher results by using comparatively smaller teams (twice more
members should achieve 3-4 times higher realization in other programs). To achieve this goal, we should
focus on Talent Development area. Achieving goal like this may be done by two ways: spending more time
on project by team members, or by implementing solutions that will increase our efficiency. However,
theoretically, both of these solutions can be used in same time I would advise to focus on the second one.
Apart obvious reasons like: we should “strive for excellence”, higher efficiency may motivate better than
wasting time, etc, let me note that in voluntary organization such as AIESEC expecting from members to
spend every single free time on working for the organization can cause a variety of pathologies.
Another important fact is that it is recommended to achieve higher growth in TLP than in TMP.
General relation should look like: 3 TMP realizations for every 1 TLP. This is why despite of fact that in
2012 there was 46% decrease in TMP, the 3:1 relation has been achieved. This is why I am far from critical
opinions about the decrease, because I find it as a positive effect. Now the goal for next years should be to to
achieve growth proportional to expectations expressed in percent.
Theoretically, for Romania one of solutions that could be useful in achieving growth could be
opening new Local Committees and reopening the one in Ploiesti. From foreigners point of view, analyzing
just statistics I can see some potential in few cities. But on the other hand, because of being foreigner I think
that there are at least two reasons, why, despite some help, I shouldn't lead process like this. To do this there
is very specific data needed, and specifics of the process requires Romanian language.
One of my ideas that should help to achieve the expected growth is to organize a chain of workshops
organized by specialized organization responsible for implementing knowledge about European Union,
knowledge focused on EU funds. The idea is that by building “EU funds awareness” in business-mans and
NGOs minds. This process should make it easier to convince them to take TNs. More TNs means bigger
needs in TLP, TMP and potentially bigger realizations in all programs.
Unfortunately in 2012, comparing with 2011 in Romania there was growth only in OG GCDP (6%).
What is even more important the difference between raised and realized statuses in all programs is high. This
is why, in my opinion, the main challenge for MC in Romania 2013-2014 will be IC matching. More EPs
coming to country means higher satisfaction of OC members and OCPs, this means smaller amount of skips.
I believe that this will the biggest challenge because of few factors. First is the fact that the financial
crisis decreases middle class (main target for AIESEC internships) in many countries and for people from
countries, where crisis doesn't make such a big impact or even is positive for - like China or Brazil – the cost
of traveling to Europe is very high (tickets, visa process, OGX fee). Second is the high possibility, that in
2013 Romania will join Schengen Area. Whole this process may strongly influence decrease in IC
realizations. However, on of the most possible dates of the enlargement is before the 2013-2014 term, in this
term MC will be strongly responsible of controlling new know-how's implementation.
My main idea how to increase amount of people interested in visiting Romania for GCDP projects is
to organize “inter-LC-EPs-exchange”. Romania is one of biggest countries in Europe, but without fast
transportation. But, on the other hand is culturally diverse. This is why from foreigner's point of view it
would be extremely attractive to have an opportunity to spend more time in each part of the country. More
about this idea you can read in specific questions about strategy.
Coming back to the analysis, in next three years AIESEC in Romania should strive for yearly growth
of over 20%. However this number may terrify I strongly believe that if our whole organization could notice
over 30% of growth in 3 of 4 our programs, Romania can do even more!
Damian Gorlicki
Application for the post of MCVP GCDPi, AIESEC in Romania

5. 5. What will be the changes that will increase the volume of AIESEC in Romania ELD realizations for 2013
– 2014 term (have in mind the connection between our products and external environment).
First of all, I would prefer to focus on quality on numbers of ELD realized. Having in mind that
every single ELD realization should be valuable. What is even more important, if we want to “Engage and
develop every young person in the world“ and “fulfill humankind's potential” sometimes we should even
advice some of applicants to our organization, or even members to choose other organization. However it
may be considered as extremal opinion, let me explain.
Imagine a girl, who is applying to AIESEC. She is very active and full of positive energy. Her CV is
great. But, asked a question: “What do you love the most in your life?”, “Animals” she answers. At the
beginning of her first project as OC, she already knows everything. She is not afraid of phone calls, of
meetings with coo in a big company. But the LC has some difficulties, there were 2 skips in their team.
Because she is very active she takes more responsibilities. It is very tiring, but she is responsible and stays
till the end of the project. Finally Talent Manager has one more TMP realization.
So far this story sounds like it was perfect. But in fact it is the worst what can happen in AIESEC. Do
you believe that now, when she finish this project, is she going to apply for next one? Probably no! Did she
develop any skill? Is her (useful outside AIESEC) knowledge bigger? Is her potential fulfilled? No! And all
this because her values are different than AIESEC values. She loves animals.
Now imagine that good Talent Manager at their first review board, after the first question, asked
second one: “Ohh, animals! That is great! Have you heard that in our city few days ago a group of people
created new organization that works with animals? Here you have their card! But, please, call me if you will
manage there to do something that will help your beloved animals.” One year latter the same girl came to
thank and commend the achievements. She said: “I am not sure if you remember me, but a year ago you gave
me this card and asked to come again if I will achieve something big. So, here I am”. And now, imagine the
story …
Now, I would like to introduce you my friend. Two terms ago in my LC, EB made a huge mistake.
They focus so much on something they called “quality”, that at the end of their term they had 10 members
including EB. So, the previous EB had to manage somehow to increase number of members. After half a
year they had huge retention, so they had to do this again. And here the friend of mine comes. I remember
the LCC I met him at. He was so weird. He didn't speak English. He was almost like a caveman, didn't know
how to behave. Interrupted speakers in the least proper moments.
Today Paweł, because this is his name, is an OCP of one of our most important project “Career
Days”. It is not PBOX, but it is a project that without it our LC probably couldn't exist. We expect the project
to bring about 3500 euro of profit. He goes for business meetings with the most important and the richest
people from our region. According to our plan we hope to invite for the event at least 10 international
companies, at least 30 national-level-known companies from our region and another 20 regional-level-
known.
And now imagine, that Paweł applied to the animal-carrying organization, and they didn't have good
Talent Manager... … … Paweł's story is not the most interesting, showing what real AIESEC spirit is, story I
know. Do you want to hear this one? Ask me at the conference about the most meaningful moment I have
ever experienced in AIESEC :]
This is why, first of all we should focus on quality, not on numbers.
*More specific answer for the question in specific questions: strategy.
6. What will AIESEC in Romania remember about 2013 – 2014 term? Describe which will be the key
milestones you commit to strive for during next term.
What AIESEC in Romania will remember is incredibility hard question. Mainly because I would feel
uncomfortable by setting such a big goal for a body that I cannot be sure if I will be a member of. What is
even more important about the body I would be just a part of. I believe that this is a question that MCEB
elect should be asked at SprinCo in March 2013. MC is a team and it is very important for every candidate
that our private aspirations, however essential, are going to form mutual goals of whole EB. Our aspirations
have to be reconciled with each others aspirations.
The above idea caused in me a need to prepare more projects, than even I believe are possible to
achieve. Here I also must add that because I am not Romanian, in fact some parts of my ideas are probably
unachievable without MC team-mates help at least until I will learn Romanian language up to level sufficient
Damian Gorlicki
Application for the post of MCVP GCDPi, AIESEC in Romania

6. to communicate with Romanians who doesn't speak English, but are interested in achieving mutual goals.
This is why I can present my potential contribution to the MC team, being aware of the fact that
success of these projects strongly depends on the team's mutual goals. My contribution can be presented in a
list of milestones:
– Reaching an agreement with an organization responsible for the implementation of knowledge about
EU funds and their compatibility with our projects.
– Creating at least a pilot project "Teen OC Team" – project building our positive brand among youth,
engaging and developing teenager's potential and activating futures AIESEC leaders generation.
– Encouraging LCs to organize projects using hosting families – in opinion of at least few EPs in
Romania extremely interesting offer for specific kind of EPs.
– Creating based on economical and political awareness GCDP project that objectives would cope
with challenges brought to us by XXI century – set of workshops designed by AIESECers, based on
professional knowledge delivered in teenagers relevant language.
– Implementing “interLCs” foreign EPs exchange – logistically hard because of division of labor
between LCs, but very interesting from potential EPs point of view.
*More specific information about projects in specific questions: strategy
7. In 2014, AIESEC in Romania is the winner of the Global Excellence UBS award. Explain why.
What is amazing about AIESEC in Romania is the fact, that it really has a chance to win this award.
Using terminology we use to compare countries I would say that AIESEC in Romania is developing one. It
means that there are huge opportunities waiting for this country and AIESEC there.
AIESEC in Romania has a stable position and good brand within AIESEC network. In countries that
have a lot of realizations it is comparatively difficult to make a large increase. In countries that that have
small amount of realizations it is easy to make an increase, but the overall amount will still be small. This is
why from formal point of view AIESEC in Romania has this chance.
Considering the fact that Romania even in economically hard time during the World's crisis is able to
achieve good results. Even exactly in time like this is able to organize project like gROw means that this
country has great potential. When I think about all EU grants that will come to Romania by European Social
Fund, all companies that will have opportunity to compete with other countries because of European
Regional Development Fund, and advantage that Romania may have according to EU's plans about CO2
emissions, I see that this may be the chance we should use, because even if we are non-profit organization,
our results strongly depend on potential of our sponsors. And this may increase in Romania greatly.
I cannot promise now that we will win the award. But I can make it sure that I see a real potential to
do this, I truly believe that it is possible and I want to be a part of this process.
Damian Gorlicki
Application for the post of MCVP GCDPi, AIESEC in Romania