On the Board of Trustees

Marliese Seiler-Beck (MSB) and Gunter Schwedhelm (GS) serve as volunteers on the board of trustees of the wannseeFORUM Foundation. The interview was conducted by Barbara Kühn (BK), Chair of the Board.

BK:  

Dear Gunter, dear Marliese, I am interested in when and why you decided to join the board of trustees, formerly the Wannseeheim Association for Youth Work?               

MSB:  

As a teacher advisor, I attended student council seminars at the "Wannseeheim" for years with students who were interested in or involved in student government at my school. I was convinced by the concept. I'm still enthusiastic about the combination of political and cultural work. The students left those weeks feeling 10 cm taller. Democratic education was and is a major focus for me. When Moritz von Engelhardt died (in 2004), I decided—almost as a tribute to him—to get involved with the association. He had asked me about it from time to time.             

GS:    

In the 1970s, I was part of Gabi Naundorf's team, along with Sylvia Wetzel, Rita Eichelkraut, and others. Under the motto "proletarian youth work," we conducted seminars for secondary school students. This was a real innovation, and it was a pivotal time for emancipatory youth education. I left Berlin for professional reasons, and when I returned almost 20 years later, I ran into Gabi by chance, and she recruited me for the then-existing association "Wannseeheim for Youth Work.".              

BK:    

You were both involved in youth work at the Wannseeheim association. What is the difference between that work and your current work on the board of trustees of the wannseeFORUM foundation?              

MSB:   

I perceived the composition of the association more as a meeting of various youth education centers, including some politicians. I remember it as an exchange about the work of the youth education centers. To me, the association seemed like a good network for extracurricular youth education work.     

GS:          

In my opinion, there is a change both at the level of awareness and at the organizational level. Foundation law prescribes a specific structure: the board of trustees, the executive board, and the management. Previously, the chairperson and the director of the educational institution were the most important and prominent figures in the association. 

The foundation's board currently has five members and a dual leadership structure – the administrative and educational directors – which provides more capacity than it did with the two individuals mentioned above. Many things have become more professional – the foundation and the association – that's quite a difference.

MSB:   

For me, the work on the board of trustees is more concrete. Everything revolves around the concerns of the wannseeFORUM, and reports are given from all areas of work.            

BK:           

You have been long-time companions of the wannseeFORUM: How do you see your tasks in this voluntary role?

MSB:   

Having experienced the work at wannseeFORUM as a teacher, I was very enthusiastic and convinced by the seminar program. I also got to know other participants, and this led me to want to support and contribute to the work. What expertise can I offer? My knowledge and experience as an educator and trade unionist. I am also a member of the German Society for Democratic Education. 

GS:     

After moving back to Berlin, the wannseeFORUM felt like a return to familiar territory. I knew Gabi Naundorf, Moritz von Engelhardt, and Wolfgang C. Müller. My time there had provided valuable professional experience, and I wanted to give something back.    

Regarding your question about specific ways to get involved, I found it particularly interesting to witness the formation of the youth advisory board or to document the foundation's history in the stairwell. In the search committee, we are looking for potential new members for the board of trustees. They should be familiar with the work of the organization and willing to commit themselves.             

MSB:

I believe it's important for members of the board of trustees to have an insider's understanding of the work of the wannseeFORUM. The bylaws state: "The board of trustees advises, supports, and oversees the executive board in its activities"Of course, this requires receiving sufficient information! And naturally, exchanging information about the day-to-day work within the organization is crucial.

With only two meetings a year and limited time, the board of trustees places a great deal of trust in the executive board and management when it comes to voting. This can continue, perhaps supplemented by more substantive work. I would be interested and willing to participate, for example, in an advisory board.

GS:     

Sure, the meetings are very packed. But if a major issue arises, the board of trustees has been known to call an extraordinary meeting. The question is, what expertise is represented on the board, and on the other hand, it's important to identify topics that can be used for consultation. Where does it really make sense? Where is it necessary?

For example, there was the discussion about the new website. This involves expertise in technology, marketing, and youth-specific user behavior. These aren't necessarily the board's areas of expertise. But, for example, regarding the question of political positioning – does that need to be refined? That's a more fundamental matter for the board.

BK:   

You held a mission statement workshop in the fall . What was your experience like?

MSB:   

The mission statement workshop was a good step in initiating the discussion. The mission statement needs to be updated: What is special, what is the unique selling point of the wannseeFORUM?

GS:

I found this discussion very interesting. Ten people participated, and there was a substantive exchangein which I learned, for example, about the backgrounds – such as trade union or academic – that inform the board members' positions. The discussion focused on the core tasks of the institution. This wouldn't have been possible in a board meeting. The event was also successful because it was very well moderated by Stefanie Elies (a board member). We probably wouldn't have gotten this far on our own. 

MSB:   

Based on the guiding principles, questions such as "What is meant by democratic education?" be discussed. This discussion should be intergenerational, involving both young and old. I also see this as a task of the wannseeFORUM. I will contact the chairman of the board of trustees about this again.            

GS:     

I think certain tasks for the board of trustees are clearly and explicitly stated in the statutes, such as monitoring financial stability and ensuring compliance with the foundation's objectives. But the task of "advising" is not so clearly defined.

When I think about our guiding principles discussion and, for example, the statement: "Democracy must become more resilient against authoritarian tendencies? How can this be developed in seminars?" I see opportunities at this level for the board of trustees to engage in dialogue with the field of education.          

BK:

What do you think? What motivates you most to support the foundation's educational work?

MSB:    

Anyone who has the opportunity to witness a final presentation by course participants has a special experience: The presentation of a collaboratively developed result often evokes great joy and pride. It's not uncommon for the young people to rush out of the Theatersaal at the end of their presentation, happy, some even euphoric. Something special has been accomplished and has received recognition. This learning experience is worth supporting.           

GS:

Regarding your question about what personally motivates me most, the answer lies in the history of the organization: the wannseeFORUM has often played a pioneering role. This includes work with secondary school students, proletarian youth education, theater projects, gender-specific youth education, student council seminars, its transformation into a foundation, a youth advisory board, and Quality Label for Youth Centres . The wannseeFORUM has always stood for innovation and is characterized by its willingness to take risks with new projects. In this respect, the wannseeFORUM is like a laboratory.

From my perspective, it is the responsibility of the board of trustees to support the innovative side of the wannseeFORUM. I find this experimental space important, and there can be difficult situations for educators in which they need the board's support. It is a crucial function to stand behind the teaching team. I hope that this will continue in the future.

BK:                  

You mean showing solidarity?

GS:    

If you believe that oversight also includes a good connection to pedagogical work, I agree with you. It's good that another aspect of the board of trustees comes up at the end of the conversation: its protective function.