NetCom Project

Twin Antennae

NetCom Project

Twin Antennae

PROJECT OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION

The Twin Antenna project is a concept which is very similar to the twin towns, or sister cities

which is present amongst many of the world’s cities. The main idea around the Twin Antenna

project is to encourage AEGEE locals to form a mutual partnership for collaboration to work

together, on one or various projects, for at least 18 months.

MISSION

The Network Commission wants to establish the Twin Antenna project to improve

cooperation and communication within the Network. Combining forces and the experience of

two different locals offers them the possibility to support each other, solve problems together

and organize common activities. It is the Network Commission’s goal to involve more people

in constant cross-border cooperation, bring the Network closer together and eventually

strengthen our internal structure with this project. The Network Commission believes that

AEGEE is a network of friends and establishing friendships is the best way to serve its

purpose.

Every AEGEE antenna is eligible to become a Twin Antenna. All you need to do is to find a

suitable "Twin" who also wants to collaborate with your antenna. But what can be done as a

Twin Antenna and why should an antenna embark on this project? The main aim of a Twin

Antenna is to create a greater sense of friendship between two antennae. This can be done at

any statutory event (Agora or EPM) where you can decide to form a twinning agreement with

another antenna. Surely, this will only bring happiness to the Agora, especially to the two

antennae involved.

Primarily, the main aims of the Twin Project are the following:

Connect different parts of the Network by establishing direct contacts between locals

from all over Europe;

Create new possibilities for constant inter-regional cooperation;

Enhance the communication and exchange of best practices and knowledge transfer

both within the participating Antennae and within the Network itself;

Provide a framework for locals to help each other with their daily work;

Establish partnerships/friendships that are profound, fruitful and sustainable

NetCom Project

Twin Antennae

STRATEGY

How can you select your ideal twin antenna? There a lot of factors which can help you to

choose ideal partners for your local. You can decide to become a twin antenna after coming

back from Summer University of your dream and would like to keep in touch with new

friends. Another reason could be that an antenna would like a particular culture so much that

they would want to live that culture themselves. One can also like the geographical position of

an antenna, and would like to experience the different aspects of the country this antenna is

situated in, which include climate, festive traditions and so on. The reasons are endless, so

just look up all the antennae present on the AEGEE-Europe map and choose your ideal twin!

IMPLEMENTATION

From the signing of the agreement, two locals can start to realize their ideas as Twin

Antennae. Since this moment they have to make the most of their partnership and try to

exploit every resource and every idea in order to make their twinning agreement a fruitful

one. Twin Antennae have to keep really good contact for the best results. Committed Twins

will of course visit each other as often as possible and create a special bond of friendship

between their members.

Twin antennae can assist each other in their daily challenges and exchange ideas for new

projects and maybe even organize an event together. A twin antenna should be your real twin

who will be the first who can if your local been facing a problem and try to solve problems to

each other together. Also as real twins Twin Antennae should know each other better than

anybody. That why it's a good opportunity for locals share and promote their own cultures

and know a lot about culture of your Twin.

CONCLUSION

A Twinning agreement enriches the AEGEE life of two antennae at one go, bringing a new

challenge to their members, creating new possibilities and perspectives and most of all create

a strong bond of friendship that will not cease to exist when the project is complete.

NetCom Project

Twin Antennae

NetCom Project

Twin Antennae

PROJECT GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION

Following the project outline, this section will be dedicated to the steps that an antenna needs

to take to become a twin antenna. A twinning agreement will consist of a set of basic

guidelines by which both antennae are asked to comply. These guidelines help the antennae

in accomplishing their twinning agreement and make sure that such an agreement reaps the

desired fruits by the time the agreement comes to an end.

WHY BECOME A TWIN ANTENNA?

Becoming a twin antenna in the AEGEE network will open a whole new perspective to your

local and a new world of exciting opportunities.

If your antenna:

seeks new friendships with another antenna in which you have a particular interest;

seeks to learn a new exciting culture which is completely different from yours;

needs a close local to exchange know how and best practices;

wants to launch new initiatives across Europe;

has any other creative or valid reason which will be beneficial to your antenna and your

twin antenna;

then this is the ideal project for you!

NetCom Project

Twin Antennae

STARTING OFF YOUR TWINNING AGREEMENT

An antenna should always have a number of valid reasons, or starting ideas, as to why they

would like to start a twinning agreement with another antenna. The ideas can range from

creative to original to serious, depending on the needs of your antennae.

Here are a few tips of the general “starting ideas”:

Cultural interest, which may lead to cultural exchange trips;

Knowledge transfer. An Antenna might want to twin with another antenna which has

high reputable standards in organizing events especially if related to Action Agenda

and AEGEE aims;

Geographical positioning. An antenna might want to twin with another antenna based

on their geographical position, e.g. a Finnish antenna twinning with a Spanish antenna;

Problem solving, which is beneficial for both antennae which might be facing certain

problems within their local;

Breaking down language barriers. An antenna might have a particular interest in a

language from which another antenna hails, therefore creating room for language

workshops, European Day of Languages project collaboration and so on.

The reasons are endless. Having a twin, you will always have somebody with whom you can

share ideas and solve common problems, someone who will be just like a brother or sister for

you in your AEGEE activities.

All you need to do is think about a valid reason, talk to your target twin antenna and agree on

what grounds and when you are going to sign the Twinning agreement.

NetCom Project

Twin Antennae

BECOMING A TWIN ANTENNA

Every Antenna can be your Twin.

It doesn’t matter how near or far the intended twin antenna is, the most important thing is

that there should be a concept of partnership. Before your partnership is officially announced,

you should take into consideration the following things:

Agree with your Twin Antenna on some common objectives and prepare an activity

plan.

Appoint a motivated and active member (maybe even create a post in the executive

board, if your statute permits the creation of a post) to coordinate the communication

and activities with your Twin Antenna. If you have a number of plans, you can also form

a sub-committee or internal working group to help out the Twin Antenna responsible.

After this, communicate your plans and proceedings to your NetCommie. S/he will be very

glad to help you, give you some useful feedback and most of all arrange the signing of the

Twin Antenna ‘contract’ to be signed at an EPM or Agora where one of the two NetCommies

(either your own or the one of your Twin Antenna) is present.

A Twinning agreement has to have a particular structure, better known as the foundations of

the agreement. The Twinning Agreement must be signed at a Statutory meeting (EPM or

Agora) in order to make the whole network aware that two antennae have become twins, and

share this joy with the whole network. A slot in the EPM or Agora will be dedicated to new twin

antennae to present the agreement, usually on the last plenary when AEGEEans use to sign

every kind of contract.

Subsequently, commemorative certificates, also known as the Twin Antenna ‘contract’, will

also be presented by the Comité Directeur to both antennae in order to have a tangible

record of your twinning agreement.

An antenna can only have one twin antenna for a period of time ranging from 12 to 18

months. Once the Twinning agreement is over, the antennae could either renew their

agreement or decide to embark on a new twinning agreement with another antenna.

NetCom Project

Twin Antennae

MAINTAINING AN ACTIVE TWINNING AGREEMENT

A Twinning agreement must be kept active as much as possible in order to obtain the desired

objectives. There are various activities that can be done in order to keep a twinning

agreement lively, these are:

Constant Communication

Both antennae must keep constant communication in order to know what new

activities are being organized, what problems an antenna is facing and so on.

A special mailing list for you and your twin antenna should be created, where you

can inform each other about happenings in your locals, exchange ideas, keep the

twin spirit alive and get to know each other better.

You can talk about any common interest topics, from funding opportunities to new

thoughts on projects, from nice quotes and jokes in your language to organize the

coolest thematic party.

One NetCommie, twin agents from both locals, at least one board member from

each local and any member who shows interest in the twin project may subscribe

to the mailing list.

Organize Common Events

Being a twin antenna, it is recommendable that as many members as possible

from both antennae get in contact and meet each other. Possibilities for members

of both antennae to host and visit each other within the twinning agreement

should be imperative. Part of your cooperation deal should include organizing a

regular exchange, visiting your partner local once a year and hosting them in your

local as well.

Besides exchanges, you can also organize a common activity which is held at 2

different events taking place at the same time. An example of this can be a video-

conference call that joins both events at the same time, and have an online

workshop session of one or two hours discussing various topics which may help

both participants in the events as well as the organizers of this activity.

You can also organize an event which runs in parallel in both antennae. For

example, your antenna is organizing an Art competition which has a particular

theme. If your twin antenna wants to cooperate with you, they can also organize

the same event in their antenna and the winners of each competition will have

their art works displayed in both antennae and maybe the chance to win a trip to

your twin antenna.

If you feel ambitious, twin antennae may also dare to organize a big project

together like a big conference or a Summer University. On the other hand, if your

antenna has reputable standards of organization, you can help out your twin

antenna in the organization of a big event and help the new enthusiastic members

of your twin antenna to overcome their initial difficulties and realize their ideas.

NetCom Project

Twin Antennae

Facilitate Knowledge Transfer

When a new board is elected or when a local face some problems, a lot of things

need to be given the due attention and transfer needs to be given to the new

board or active members. Your twin knows you quite well, and they will be able to

help in that process. It also gives a lot of motivation to your new board if they get a

part of their much needed information from somebody far away, this way they are

introduced to the famous AEGEE-Spirit right from the start!

Establish an Identity

You can devise things which make your antennae connected in a visual way. Have

your twin get your T-Shirts and get theirs, or even create new T-Shirts to give more

meaning to your Twinning agreement. That way, you will support each other in a

visible way and promote each other within the network. It also shows that

European spirit is something very important in AEGEE, and this can also help you in

your PR.

Every other idea you have

We cannot write a complete list of examples, it is also up to you decide what kind

of activities and relation you want to build together so…it’s up to your imagination!

EUROPE LIES AT YOUR FEET!

You will also get the needed support by a NetCommie who will be the responsible assigned

for your twinning. S/he will help you in joint projects; give you new ideas on how to cooperate

and answer any questions you may have. You may also receive a welcome package with some

goodies you can use to promote the twinning to your members.

So what are you waiting for!? Gather all your board members, decide which antenna would be

your best twin and propose a twinning agreement and you just might find the ideal sibling

you always wanted in your AEGEE experience!

NetCom Project

Twin Antennae