What makes our teammates, the cogs in our TEDxAUBG wheel, keep moving? How did we survive and thrive in the midst of a shaky semester while organizing our tenth annual conference? We were curious to see what motivates our teammates and makes them excited to be part of the club. That’s why we went into a reporter-style mode (full-scale)! Join us in chatting about casual TEDxAUBG stuff with Daria, Yenlik, and Viktoria who share more about their club journey:
Daria Naidenova, Speakers Team
Why did you decide to join TEDxAUBG?
I joined TEDxAUBG in my third year. This decision of mine makes me both regret and be immensely thankful. Why regret? Because I could have joined in my freshman year and spent even more time in this great club. Because from our very first meeting for the semester, I saw what a great community TEDxAUBG has managed to create. I could feel just how much passion and love are put into the conference and the team itself. Before I was a part of the club, I always thought that TEDxAUBG members seemed very close to one another. I really liked that sense of closeness, and I wanted to experience it first-hand. The other major reason for me joining the club is the desire to be a part of something so big and meaningful. Just like most people, I had watched TEDx videos on Youtube, and I’ve always been amazed by the quality of both the speeches and the events themselves. Being able to be one of the people creating such a magical experience is a truly amazing opportunity that I decided to take. This I would never regret.
What do you like the most about the club?
My previous answer is applicable for both questions, I think. I can split it into two parts if needed for the format, though. Let me know.
What is your favorite TEDxAUBG memory?
That would have to be our first team building in the fall semester. As a new member who had recently joined the club, I wasn’t yet feeling like a true part of it. To be honest, I didn’t expect that the team building would do wonders and make me feel at ease for just one day. To my greatest surprise, it actually did. Spending just one day and night with the team was more than enough for me to feel like I was at the right place.
What keeps you motivated?
What keeps me motivated is the end product we are tirelessly working to create. Having the conference and seeing how all the work paid off is the thing pushing me further.
Describe TEDxAUBG with one word.
Closeness.
Yenlik O'Neill, Vice President and Part of Design Team
Why did you decide to join TEDxAUBG?
The main reason why I joined TEDxAUBG back in 2018 is the fact that I was truly impressed by the team’s energy. For me, it was fascinating to see how these individuals, thanks to their professionalism and dedication to the club and its values, work together to organize a conference of such a scale.
What do you like the most about the club?
The people. People with whom I work side by side throughout the year. People who come from different countries to AUBG to present their ideas worth spreading. People who are as excited about the conference as the team members are.
WWhat is your favorite TEDxAUBG memory?
My favorite memory is connected to my first TEDxAUBG conference that was held on April 10, 2019. I vividly remember the moment at the end of the conference, when Desislava Stoeva, that year’s President of TEDxAUBG, came down to the stage as the last elusive speaker. It was a very heartwarming moment not only because her speech was very touching but also because I, together with everyone else in the audience, got to see the result of persistence, dedication, and hard work. Deep down in my heart, I felt very proud of all the team members.
What keeps you motivated?
Seeing how everyone is working towards the same goal — to organize the conference that will be valuable not only to the AUBG community but also to all those who are interested in what TED together with all the independently organized TED events have to offer.
Describe TEDxAUBG with one word.
Family.
Viktoria Kuzmanova, Vice President and Part of the Speakers Team
Why did you decide to join TEDxAUBG?
Because a few key people in my life. The first time I heard of the club was from one of my mentors who helped me learn more about AUBG and introduced me to how close-knit the community at our university is. I started reading more about the club, exploring its initiatives and presence on social media. The idea of TEDxAUBG thrilled me and filing my application in my freshman year was among the first things I did. The supportiveness of all the TEDxAUBG members throughout the recruitment process at those times warmed my heart and I decided my main mission is to carry the energy of those people forward by helping members of the community whenever I can.
What do you like the most about the club?
Because a few key people in my life. The first time I heard of the club was from one of my mentors who helped me learn more about AUBG and introduced me to how close-knit the community at our university is. I started reading more about the club, exploring its initiatives and presence on social media. The idea of TEDxAUBG thrilled me and filing my application in my freshman year was among the first things I did. The supportiveness of all the TEDxAUBG members throughout the recruitment process at those times warmed my heart and I decided my main mission is to carry the energy of those people forward by helping members of the community whenever I can.
What is your favourite TEDxAUBG memory?
My first general meeting in 2019 that we spent chatting, learning more about each other, and celebrating our togetherness!
What keeps you motivated?
The joint effort all my teammates are putting into making the cogs of the wheel move. I love the culture we’ve set in place — one of tolerance where we’re giving our best to support each other even in hard times. The most motivating thing to me is the way the team manages to balance our dynamic schedules and that when you have a gazillion other things to do, it is super normal to share it with the rest and they would be happy to help with whatever they can.
Describe TEDxAUBG with one word.
Belonging.
