Board Positions Opening 2026–2027
The Kaleido vision
Kaleido, derived from kaleidoscope, is the name of our student-led community. A kaleidoscope is a constantly shifting collection of colors and shapes, just like Maastricht’s diverse, international student population. That image captures our essence perfectly.
We started Kaleido to improve student life in Maastricht by building a welcoming, inclusive space where creativity and collaboration can thrive.
We strive to:
• Support students in turning their ideas into reality
• Host and develop events that enrich Maastricht’s cultural life
• Collaborate with smaller local initiatives and organizations
• Build a home where students from all walks of life feel safe and welcome
• Respect our surroundings and take responsibility for how we use space and resources
What sets Kaleido apart is our bottom-up approach. We don’t just offer events. We build a community. Students work with students, support each other, and shape Kaleido together.
A pivotal year: from temporary space to opening the Hub
The 2026–2027 board will play a unique and defining role in Kaleido’s story.
You will start the year at our temporary location at Sint Servaasklooster 39, while Tapijn Z is still under renovation. During this time, you will continue to host events, keep the community active, and make sure Kaleido remains a place people want to be.
At the same time, you will be closely involved in the final stages of the redevelopment.
As the year progresses, you will be part of something special: the opening of the Student Community Hub at Tapijn Z.
This means you won’t just be running Kaleido. You will help shape how the space comes to life. Together with a team of Maastricht University support staff, you will:
• Help implement new systems and workflows
Contribute to shaping how the building is used day-to-day
• Build structures for events, community, and operations
• Help define what this space means for future generations of students
It’s a rare opportunity to not only be part of a community, but to help build its foundation.
Working within the UM context
The Student Community Hub is a shared project between students and the university.
While Kaleido remains student-led, you will work closely with UM employees, project leaders, and different departments. You will regularly coordinate with support staff, collaborate with teams across the university, and represent Kaleido within a wider network.
In practice, this means you are not doing this alone. You are part of a bigger team, where student initiative and institutional support come together.
What do we expect from you?
Kaleido is still evolving, and the Student Community Hub is being shaped both physically and organisationally. That means there is a lot of room for your ideas, energy, and way of working.
Whether you are into music, art, community building, logistics, or something else entirely, there is space to bring your interests into Kaleido.
We ask that board members are available for 25–32 hours per week, compensated through administrative board months (a UM financial compensation system for student boards).
That might sound like a lot, and at times it can be. But you will not be doing it alone. You work as a team, support each other, and figure things out together along the way.
If you feel excited but unsure whether you fully fit the role, we would still encourage you to apply.
Kaleido’s board works with a relatively flat structure. Everyone has their own focus, but tasks are shared based on strengths, interests, and availability. The role descriptions are there to guide you, not to limit you.
What Kaleido offers you
• First-hand experience in running and shaping a community-driven organization
• A unique role in opening and establishing the Student Community Hub
• The chance to take ownership over projects, events, and ideas
• Close collaboration with UM employees, departments, and partner organizations
• A space to be creative and make a real impact in student life
• Access to crew-only events, merchandise, and drink discounts
• A BHV emergency response certificate (optional but encouraged)
• Onboarding and guidance from the current board
• And of course, a close-knit group of people to grow with and have fun along the way
What does the role entail?
Being on the Kaleido board is varied, hands-on, and sometimes intense. You will take on different roles throughout the week: organizing events, supporting members, coordinating with partners, and helping run the space.
This year also includes a transition phase. You will move from working in a temporary location to opening and activating a completely renewed building.
The responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Maintaining a social media and communication presence
You will help design posts, plan communication, respond to messages, and keep members and visitors informed and engaged.
• Responsibility over events
You will plan, organize, and run a wide range of cultural and community-focused events, together with committees and partners.
• Event duties and shared space responsibility
This includes evaluating events, and helping manage the building as a shared space used by different groups.
• Community building
You will welcome new people, support existing members, and help create an environment where people feel comfortable and involved.
Time commitment & term
• Term: August 2026 – August 2027 (with a transition month overlapping with the current board)
• Weekly commitment: 25–32 hours, varying by role and event periods
The role is flexible in rhythm. Some weeks are quieter and focused on planning, while others are more intense due to events, deadlines, or the opening phase of the Hub. As a board, you support each other and distribute the workload where needed.
We understand that not everyone is available for a full year. If you are only available for part of the term (for example one semester), we still encourage you to apply. In some cases, board roles can be shared between two people who each take on half a year, with a clear handover in between.
Who we're looking for
You don’t need to have all the answers. We’re looking for students who:
• Are team players and open to new perspectives
• Feel comfortable taking initiative and learning along the way
• Are internationally minded and community-driven
• Enjoy working with people and bringing ideas to life
• Want to leave something meaningful behind
• Are excited to connect students across disciplines
• Are ready to step up and help shape Kaleido’s future
Above all, we’re looking for people who care about creating a place where others feel welcome.
If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
The seven board roles
Each role has a specific focus, but all board members share responsibility for representing the community, shaping the space, and ensuring day-to-day operations.
President
Represents Kaleido and the community towards UM, partners and the city.
Holds ultimate responsibility for Kaleido as an association.
Shares, together with the Head of the Student Centre, the strategic vision for the Student Community Hub as a student-driven hub.
Safeguards the vision and philosophy of Kaleido.
Leads the board, monitors the division of roles and ensures that decisions are consistent with the mission and values.
Chairs the strategic meetings with professionals and ensures that the student perspective genuinely carries weight there.
Initiates and monitors the annual agenda and main priorities of the community.
Vice President Programme & Partnerships (VP)
Is the content lead for programming from the student side.
Works closely with the Community & Program Manager on the annual programme within the five programme pillars.
Steers the content-based programme committees (Special Events, Music, Collaborations, Battle of the Faculties, Sustainability) on direction and quality.
Maintains relationships with student organisations and external partners and brings in new collaboration opportunities.
Takes the lead in assessing event proposals (content, alignment with the mission) and monitors the financial mandate per event.
Treasurer
Is responsible for the student budget and its allocation across events, committees and initiatives.
Reviews committee budgets for feasibility and impact and ensures that expenditures fit within the student-driven priorities.
Manages the membership contributions and is the contact person for the Chamber of Commerce and the bank.
Draws up, together with the Head of Student Centre/Office, a clear annual planning and accountability for all student-related expenses.
Advises the board and committees on financial choices, risks and sustainability of plans for the Student Community Hub.
Ensures transparent communication to members (General Assembly, annual report) about how funds have been used.
Secretary
Organises and documents all board and member meetings (agenda, minutes, decisions list).
Safeguards internal governance: statutes, cooperation agreement with UM, and agreements with professionals and committees.
Is the board contact for the Social Media & Marketing Committee and cooperates with the Communications Officer.
Ensures that important decisions, changes and frameworks are clearly and timely communicated to members and committees.
Keeps oversight of deadlines and procedures (e.g. elections, General Assembly) and safeguards continuity between boards.
Community Manager
Oversees community-building and inclusion: how students join, stay and develop within the community.
Coordinates the Community & Care Committee in organising activities around wellbeing, connection and mutual support.
Is the first point of contact for members with concerns, conflicts or questions around safety/inclusion, and involves professionals where needed.
Identifies patterns in the community (who we do and do not reach) and translates these into proposals for the board and the Community & Program Manager.
Helps safeguard the values from the Space & Event Guidelines in daily practice.
Operations Manager (Bar, Kitchen & Space)
Collects and translates the wishes of the community regarding bar, kitchen, atmosphere and interior to the Hospitality Manager and Facilities.
Is the board contact for the Bar Committee, Kitchen Committee, Interior & Renovation Committee and Sustainability Committee.
Is involved in the facilities required for events such as audiovisual equipment, stage, etc.
Reviews proposals from these committees for student needs and alignment with the broader concept of the hub.
Ensures practical deployment of student workers and volunteers at the bar, in the kitchen and at events, in coordination with MOA, Hospitality Manager and Event Staff.
Identifies bottlenecks in building usage, logistics and hospitality experience and brings these in a structured way to the professional staff.
Events Manager
Coordinates cooperation between committees, such as the Events Committee and the Social Media Marketing Committee.
Ensures that events planned by committees align with the vision of Kaleido.
Ensures there is sufficient support for the practical implementation of the events.
Evaluates ongoing activities together with the committees to improve the functioning and strategy of the organisation.
Implements a clear structure for each committee, including objectives, necessary tasks and the responsibilities of the committee for the year.