Two Beers with Martine
Two Beers with Martine
Martine invites us in and comments that there have been very few beers in Two Beers lately. She brings out two cold light beers with a striking blue exterior and we sit on a sunny terrace for a chat about life, volunteering, motivation, and commitment.
“Don't let the fact that you've never done it before, stop you”
Journalist: Celine Våga
Photographer: Ingunn Reimers
Translator: Rebekka Berg
Web distributor: Martha Ingeborg Evensen
Who is Martine Bingen?
Martine is a lively soul from Fredrikstad who has just completed her master's in Environmental Science from NMBU. She may no longer be a student, but she is far from finished with her academic life. She is currently a member of the Student Board (AU), and has been given the responsibility for study quality, learning environment and innovation. Over the next year, she will devote her waking hours to the students of Ås and work to ensure that the students have a better everyday life.
The start of it all
It started with a rather rough Buddy Week. As new students, Martine and her peers were not properly introduced to, in retrospect, the real Ås. She describes it as being difficult to find out what was really the matter with Ås. But she still realized that part of the point was to get involved. So, she joined the Entrance Committee at Samfunnet i Ås, a place she would end up staying for more than three years. She says that sometimes she can find herself running away from the party when she is the Party Manager (FA) to the entrance just to relax. "This is where I thrive ... this is where it all started," she says.
Since the start in the Entrance Committee, things have only continued. Martine has taken on several positions from sponsor responsible to student ambassador for Naturviterne, leader of the association Collegium Alfa, OKD (senior corporate director), Chairman of the General Assembly, part of the Ringfest Committee and member of AU. She has gained an insight into all forms and shapes of student volunteering and commitment in Ås, and says that the experiences from the various positions have had great "interdisciplinary" value.
Experiences from her time in Ås
The advantage of taking on a myriad of responsibilities is that you are left with life experiences that you cannot find anywhere else. One of the things she has learned is that you don't need any experience to take on major positions at Ås. "The only thing you need is courage!" urges Martine. Before, she had the feeling that you should start in the less extensive positions and then work your way up, but has learned that this really does not matter. "Don't let the fact that you've never done it before, stop you," she says, and shares that before she was up for election as a member of AU, she had no previous experience with the Student Democracy. Today, she is happy that she dared to do it.
A leader (?)
Martine is somewhat perplexed when I comment that she seems like a natural leader. She does not see herself as a leader at all, but rather as part of the team. If she had the choice, she would always choose to work together with others. She admits that writing her master's degree alone was terrible, but manageable because of the student friends around her.
But it is no secret that she has taken on the leadership role on several occasions. As leader in her different positions, the welfare of her coworkers has always been important, and she has tried to be a fair leader who respects other people's time. In addition to being good at planning and delegating, she is one of those managers who stands up for her coworkers when needed. She says that she was very aware that she could not encourage others to work if she did not do it herself. "It comes naturally to stand up [for others]," she adds. Sounds like a leader to me.
She clarifies that sometimes being a leader has been incredibly demanding. In particular, she points out that the role as leader of the student association Collegium Alfa was challenging and at times scary. For Martine, the choices made as leader of the association felt more personal because the consequences would affect her friends directly. Being able to separate "work" from leisure time and friends is one of the major challenges for every manager.
Martine's "philosophy"
For Martine, it is precisely this aspect of having a distinction between work and leisure that is the key; whether as a member of AU or as a student. She says that she is strict about taking it easy and relaxing when she’s at home, and that a healthy social life with good friends is important for one's wellbeing. For Martine, and probably many others, what happens in the evening should motivate what happens during the day due to school and work. "Take time for yourself and take care of yourself!" she encourages. Martine adds that it also applies to those around you, and that seeing those around you is at least as important.
The core of Martine's "philosophy" has always been that: "What I leave behind should be better than when I started." For her, this has taken shape through commitment and work for those around her. Whether it is work as a volunteer at Samfunnet, as part of association life or as a key player in the political work for students' everyday life, Martine has always moved in the direction of improving and developing Ås for others. She finds pride in being part of something bigger than herself, and not least in the fruits of the work that you create together.
What I leave behind should be better now than when I started
It's OK to be unsure!
One of the things she hopes to have managed during her time at Ås is to create greater room for uncertainty. Or, better explained: bigger room to dare to ask if you are unsure about something or simply wonder why it is the way it is. Everyone has started somewhere, and everyone has been new once. She herself constantly tries to set a good example and ask more often. Sometimes all it takes is a good question to bring about a change that should have been made earlier. "We won't get anywhere if we follow the same tracks," she adds, "the familiar is familiar, but uncertainty can be fun."
Moving forward
After spending a large part of her time in work clothes in a dusty Bodega, Martine is at her (perhaps) last part of student life at Ås. For one year, she will work to ensure that the students' everyday life at Ås is at least as good as hers, if not several times better. When I ask her about what lies beyond the horizon that is AU and NMBU, she doesn't have much to say. Nothing, actually. She says that previously she would have been stressed about not having a plan for the future, but that now it is actually "quite nice". Martine is sure that she will find something she enjoys, and ends the interview with the mantra "It always works out in the end!
Greetings for Martine
GOLDEN Bingen,
Ever since you joined our dear association in 2020, you have really left your mark. You've never been known as someone who says no, and if there aren't at least eight balls in the air at once, you make sure to quickly get another position. You can be sure that things will work out when you're in charge, whether it's yelling at politicians or finishing 3000m beer (in style). Fortunately for us, you also took responsibility for the girls' recovery at Gulltur. An experience we, Krakow and Gregor will not soon forget!
We are SO proud of you and everything you accomplish!
Lots of love from your golden girls in Collegium Alfa<3
Hey dear Bingen!
Having had the pleasure of being led by you, and working with you as the board of Collegium Alfa, is something that all three of us look back on as an incredibly pleasant time! You have a unique quality where you can balance authority and seriousness with a fantastic sense of humour, which made you a safe and comfortable leader both for us and for the rest of the association.
The four of us became a good team and even better friends during this period, every occasion with you was a highlight whether it was at a board meeting or at an afterparty. You are a strong, efficient and cool lady who takes challenges head on. We are impressed by your other involvements in Ås and are very proud to see how well you manage everything.
Many hugs from your x-colleagues Hedda, Gunhild and Ylva, Collegium Alfa board H21
Martine,
BingBing,
Martine B.
It is with joy and love that we write a greeting in your honour. With determination and real backbone, you have taken Ås, and us, by storm. You always impress, both with a drill and five glasses of aquavit in your hand. As a self-proclaimed chief witch, not much gets past you, much to the delight of the rest of us. That it is possible to be equally surprised every time you open the daily snaps from your mother, and see "fiiiin puus", is difficult for the rest of us to understand. We are still proud to be able to call you, Hvaler's answer to "kjekk snekker", our friend. We are very happy for you and delighted that you have not left Ås yet
So far, it's just a rumble
Kisses and hugs, Sigridx5
Dear Martine
Thank you for an incredible number of great memories and experiences during 5 years at NMBU; Sweden trips with Adam, many good hours at Samfunnet, long days in the study rooms, cabin trips and holidays. You are always involved in everything, even board games, and we were always welcome to coffee breaks and festivities in Bunkersen. Committed, determined and inclusive are words we associate with you. The years as a student would not have been the same without you. Good luck with your journey ahead! We are looking forward to many more late nights and good memories!
Regards, the Pentægån gang
