Melanie is one of our current representatives at EMES (European and Middle East Section of FWCC).
As we are looking for a new person to represent EMEYF at EMES, we wanted to hear from Melanie about her adventures with this role.
“As EMEYF Representative, I report on the activities and meetings of EMEYF in the regular meetings of the Executive Committee of EMES. Decisions of the Annual Meeting of EMES are processed by the Executive Committee afterwards or prepared for the next Annual Meeting. For this purpose, the Executive Committee meets about 6 times a year, two to three times in presence somewhere in the EMES area.
To work on certain tasks, the Executive Committee of EMES splits into subgroups that continue to work on them and then bring the results to the next Executive Committee meeting. For example, I have been working on the sustainability policy of EMES or am currently helping to think about how we can offset the CO2 of our trips. So in addition to the 6 meetings, there are a few more evenings a year.
Despite this, I find the work in the EC incredibly rewarding. I have met so many Quakers from all over Europe and beyond. I hear what is going on with Quakers everywhere and get a much better sense of what is going on beyond the confines of my own group/Yearly Meeting.
As EMEYF Representative to the Executive Committee, I also see it as my task to make the perspective of young Quakers visible in the deliberations of the Executive Committee. Visits as Executive Committee Delegate to some Yearly Meetings within the EMES region are also part of my role. When my service ends in May 2024, I will miss all this exciting, challenging, joyful and enriching work.”
This sounds interesting to you? Suggestions of names the Nominations Committee might want to consider are welcome – as well as self-nominations! You can find further information on free roles, the EMES Representative Role Description and an Overview on EMEYF. Feel free to comment on this article or send us a message! We look forward to hearing from you!