A committee in a study association is a fun crew that gets together to make things happen! Some committees organize the best parties, city trips, and social drinks, while others handle study-related events.
Gyrinus natans has a wide variety of committees. Every committee consists of active members of the association who wish to do something extra for the association, such as by organizing activities.
At the start of the academic year there is a possibility to apply for committees, although certain committees have a different application window.
Below, you’ll find some of our amazing committees. You can sign up by sending them an email (see email addresses below) in which you briefly introduce yourself and let them know you want to be part of their committee.
A full list of our committees can be found here.
- Actcie
The Actcie organizes and promotes all kinds of different activities that focus on volunteering. Our signature activity is Cooking for the Homeless. Every month we cook in a small group of five people for 45 to 50 homeless people from Amsterdam on the Marnixstraat at the Stoelenproject.
- Alcoholaat
The Alcoholaat is the largest committee of Gyrinus natans. This committee ensures that the social drinks (‘borrels’ called in Dutch), of the association are always a success. In addition to the regular weekly borrels, the Alcoholaat also offers special borrels with a theme, such as an Après-ski borrel.
- Carrièredagcie
We are the Career Day Committee! A small group of now 8 driven people (which really started with 2 people who set up the entire event) with a big task. We are concerned with your future! Every year we set up the Life Sciences career day so that you can find your future employer there. We contact the participating companies, take care of promotion, look at other career days to see how they approach it, and thus establish the largest career market of the Faculty of Science every year!
- Excurcie
As the name of the committee indicates, the Excurcie organizes excursions. The annual Bird Excursion for example, where we go under the guidance of two or three experienced bird watchers into the nature around Amsterdam in search of rare birds. But our activities are not limited to just excursions. We also organize activities like a Whiskey tasting. The activities that we organize are therefore varied. Sometimes educational, sometimes challenging, but always great fun!
- Feestcie
As the Feestcie, we have the honour of organizing a party twice a year for the real Gyrini and all the fantastic people who come along. We try to invent a crazy theme every time, whereby everyone can dress as original and sexy as possible. We also provide extremely trendy locations in Amsterdam so that everyone can show their crazy dance moves while enjoying a real Gyrinus DJ. Everything to make it a fantastic evening. In addition to the parties that we hold, the Feestcie also organizes the Christmas dinner once a year. A three-course dinner for more than 100 people, a fantastic evening for all!
- Galacie
Once every two years, the Galacie organizes the gala of your dreams. The ladies put on their beautiful gowns, and the men look handsome in their neat suits. There will be music, drinks, and an amazing ambience that can only be achieved by being in the amazing location we have arranged and being with your friends and fellow Gyrini. Are you interested in organizing this amazing night? Sign up for the Galacie!
- ITcie
The ITcie, which would be called the full Information-technical committee, maintains the digital facilities and website of our beautiful association. The members of the ITcie have knowledge of computers and related matters and/or a desire to get more knowledge of this, and we know how to find a solution for every digital problem!
- Kampcie
Every year, Gyrinus goes on a trip. Not once, but twice a year! The first trip is around November, this trip, we’ll go with a big group of Gyrini on Biocamp. It is fun for everyone who wants to party with his fellow students for a whole weekend! Biocamp will take place in the Netherlands, every year a different place. During this trip, the Kampcie organizes a fun activity, but Biocamp is mainly for people who want to rest and party after the first period of studying at the VU. The second trip is usually around May, this trip is called the city trip. The Kampcie ensures that you can enjoy the culture of a city during the day, but you can still party during the night. Of course, this trip does not take place in de Netherlands, but somewhere in Europe. Last year, we went to Poznań, Poland, which brought us many adventures. A city trip brings you many different experiences, so you really do not want to stay here in our little country.
- Mediacie
The Mediacie is a committee that deals with the writing and making of the Natator. The Natator is the association magazine of Gyrinus. Four times a year, the Mediacie brings out the Natator, and there are various things to read and do. The Natator always consists of a few standard parts. You can always read how your coming month will elapse in the horoscope and which committees within Gyrinus can cook the best (including recipes). There are always enough fun puzzles to make and solve riddles. The Mediacie consists of two subcommittees, the Lay-outcie and the Mediacie members who write the pieces. The Layout is mainly concerned with the design of the Natator. They do this in Illustrator. The members who write the pieces do this themselves or let others do this for them, for example, externals.
- Onderwijscie
Ever since 2007 the education committee has been responsible for organizing education-related activities like for instance, beetle lectures, visits to companies, debates, speed dates between bachelor- and master’s students, and student lectures.
- Spelcie
The Spelcie organize several games at Gyrinus Natans. At the beginning of the year, the Stef Stuntpiloot Tournament is very popular. Around February, it is time again for the Liftcie. This subcommittee organizes the hitchhike contest. You have to hitchhike to a location as quickly as possible (in teams). We always have fantastic prizes for all winners.
- Sportcie
Of all commissions, Sportcie has the best condition and, as you expect, is involved in all sorts of sporting events. For instance, the committee tournament, where we compete in volleyball and basketball against all the other commissions. We also organize a dodgeball event and of course, participate in the Batavierenrace. This way, we ensure that, in addition to all parties, drinks, and meals, our bellies stay in proportion! Besides that, it’s also very nice to work out with your fellow students.
- Studiereiscie
The study trip committee is a fairly new committee of Gyrinus. Last January (2017), we organized the first study trip for a very long time, and due to its great success, we have already started organizing the study for next year!
Despite the fact that our committee mostly consists of women, our only man, Michiel, still enjoys working with us. Our preparations for the study trip include: looking for fun cities to visit and approaching interesting companies, organizations, or universities to visit during the trip. Of course, we also take care of the travel scheme, finding places to sleep and a fun program besides the companies we visit.
Would you like to help us organize the next study trip, or would you like to find out more about the committee or the next study trip? Send us an email!
- Technicie
The TechniCie, the full name of the technical commission of Gyrinus Natans, has managed the equipment for events by Gyrinus and others since the beginning. Our members are skilled at creating the right vibe using sound and visuals. We also support other associations at the VU with materials and expertise.
- Wintersportcie
This committee organizes a ski trip once a year. These days consist of skiing and snowboarding (of course), drinking Aperol Spritz and Jaeger at the après-ski and a lot of fun! Last year we went to La Plagne, France. The next location is still a surprise, but join the committee and find out where we’ll go!