Solveig Malvik

What is your role on national board?
I'm the Immediate Past National President which means that I was National President last year. This year I'm supporting and mentoring Emma (which will be really easy because we worked together really closely last year and I think she's absolutely fabulous). In addition I'm responsible for a New Chamber Task force and we'll be working on setting up and supporting new (or struggling) Chambers across the UK.

What are your objectives for your role in 2013?
Like every year I plan to have a lot of fun and make new friends, but my main goals are to support Emma in her job as National President, support Local Presidents and Chambers in their work, support members in getting involved and also to ensure new Chambers feel they have what they need to succeed.

How long have you been involved?
I've been a member of JCI since 2008 but I've been involved with JCI since around 2006.

Where are you from?
I'm originally from Malvik, Norway (yes, I am from the same place as my name, which is pretty common in Norway). I've not lived in Norway for about 12 years so I consider myself more a citizen of the world than strictly Norwegian - I spent my twenties abroad and I think those are quite formative years in terms of personality. I've lived the last 5-ish years in London, before this I've lived all around the Middle East, Japan, USA, France and Switzerland.

Which is your local chamber?
JCI London, I was Local President in 2010. Being Local President was absolutely amazing and kick-started me in so many ways in the UK and London. I cannot recommend being Local President highly enough.

Why did you join?
I joined to get in touch with people who are engaged in the world around them and who care about more than just their immediate needs. I first got in touch with JCI in Lebanon after setting up my own business as a music manager. I wasn’t able to join as a semi-civil war broke out and it became hard to get to the meetings. When I moved to London in 2008 I needed people around me I could have decent discussions with and looked up JCI London. I tried to not get too involved but I don't think you can escape yourself and in 2009 I was the local Deputy President and the rest is history as we say...

Which international events have you been to?
Loads! I've been to four World Congresses (2009 Tunisia, 2010 Osaka, 2011 Brussels and 2012 Taipei), which were all really different but awesome experiences. I've been to three European Conferences (2010 Aarhus, 2011 Tarragona and 2012 Braunschweig), three Asia Pacific Conferences (2010 Singapore, 2011 Manila and 2012 Hong Kong). I've also been to a couple of European Presidents Meetings (2010 Riga, 2011 Varese and 2012 Sibiu, Romania), European Academy (2008 Gothenburg), 24th JCI Academy (2011 Toyama and was AMAAAAAAZING!!!!), NOM2NOM in Belgium in 2011, Netherlands 2012, European Capitals Meeting in 2010 in Stockholm, JCI Global Partnership Summit in New York in 2010, the US Jaycees Leadership Academy 2011 in Tulsa and a number of National Conventions. In addition I've trained Jaycees in Norway, Denmark and Lebanon.

What do you do in your spare time?
Eh...spare time? I try to see my boyfriend Søren, who was, like me National President last year, but for JCI Denmark. I also like cooking and doing craft projects, it's really nice doing something with your hands, actually creating something, after hours and hours in front of a PC. I'm also planning a wedding as Søren and I are getting married in June this year. It will happen in Denmark, where Søren lives and I don't, so luckily Søren will take care of a lot of the practical stuff.

What's your profession?
Jack of all Trades and Master of None. At the moment I'm Global Hire bid manager for a survival technology based in Southampton, which doesn't explain what my job is at all as bids is probably what I do least of. Prior to this I've been head of Marketing for a British training company, worked for an investment bank, organised a Middle East top level peace conference, managed alternative rock artists, worked for NGOs in the Middle East, run a Goth night club, managed an online community and published a free newspaper in the Middle East. I also write for a Norwegian newspaper every month and run my own company (Total Presence) that trains people in personal leadership and charisma.

Share a little known fact about yourself?
I'm quite private so I think there's a lot of things you don't know. When I was in high school I travelled around Norway as a street artist. I juggled, did acrobatics on a nail mat and did fire tricks. The biggest problem was getting the 18kg nail mat with us on the plane. The nails are actual iron nails and super sharp, touching them you risk hurting yourself, and the "mat" bit was a thick wooden block. I don't really blame the airlines.

How can we get in touch with you?
My email is solveig.malvik@jciuk.org.uk