An Ode to an Association

Last Saturday was Intermate’s Dies Natalis. For those who don’t know, this means “Day of Birth” in Latin. To commemorate the 41st birthday, I would like to raise a glass and propose a toast to our cherished association. To start things off, allow me to be incredibly cliché.  

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines an association as:  

Association 

noun 

1. (often in names) “A group of people organized for a joint purpose.”  

Given that Intermate is a study association, one would be led to believe that the joint purpose of our association is to study. However, spending any time whatsoever among our people immediately debunks this; Intermate members hardly study at all! Joking aside, the OED definition is a gross oversimplification of the function and importance of Intermate as a study association in my life, as well as in the lives of our members. We may be connected through study in one way or another, but studying is not the purpose of the collective, it is merely the catalyst that serves as an introduction to the microcosm known as Intermate. 

Perhaps we should be less innocent. We’re all students, and there’s one thing that students do best. You guessed it: Rummikub. No, of course not! It’s partying, drinking alcohol, and having a grand time all together. A related tidbit that everyone already knows but one I’ll need to pad this article is that students are excluded from the national alcoholism indices of the Central Bureau of Statistics of the Netherlands, as it would skew the data too much. I do not know if this is true, but it sounds fun and somewhat plausible. Coming back to the OED definition of an association, maybe our joint purpose is to fill our leisure time as effectively as possible. Organizing drinks, parties, and other fun activities is what the members desire most, right? Right? I do not think so. Sure, students are students, and we have our antics, but claiming that unfettered alcoholism is our ultimate purpose is perhaps a slight exaggeration. For one because I often hear people complain about their alcohol consumption on Friday mornings. 

One last joint purpose that I can come up with is self-development. Building an association that has committees and a board, that organizes activities and helps you orient on your future career ultimately aims to improve the hard and soft skills of the students. It gives them the tools needed to succeed in the following stages of their lives. I do not believe that a single one of our alumni would claim that their time at Intermate has been a detriment to their capabilities, professional connections, or overall quality as a person in the labour force. Is that really the goal of our association though? To prepare them for life after their student time? 

No. That too, is not the joint purpose of Intermate. But then that means that none of these three is the association’s purpose. I’d even go as far as to say that all three combined do not define the association! Intermate is greater than the sum of its parts. Sure, they represent the pillars Intermate works so hard on to realize for its members, but they’re not the reasons why I get out of bed as a board member. Nor do I think they’re why you choose to spend your time at the association. The fond times you will remember in the future are not about the pillars, the educational, leisure, or career parts of Intermate. They’re only the impetus that moves you to become involved. They’re still insufficient as a definition of Intermate. 

To properly define our association, one has to look at the other part of the OED definition. It’s not about the “joint purpose” at all. All along our association has been about “A group of people”. It’s a group of people that transforms Intermate from an association to a home for me. A group of people that I will hopefully have with me for the rest of my finite life. A group of people that I have been fortunate enough to share the most impactful experiences with, both positive and negative. A group of people, without whom Intermate would be a husk of its current glory. This group of people is of course you, dear reader.  

I’d like to raise a toast.  

For everyone who chose to share their time and life with me and us.  

For everyone who contributes and is a part of our association. 

For all the experiences you’ve given me. 

For Intermate.