The basic idea is that individual SAINTs will make themselves available pro bono to advise and mentor, on request, colleagues who are early- or mid-career. That way at least some of the wealth of knowledge, experience and, yes, wisdom can remain available to the international education community.
Of course there are limitations. The contribution of a SAINT will largely take the form of short e-mails in response to a question asked or a problem posed. A SAINT might be asked for an opinion, or a point of view. A SAINT may be willing to suggest a course of action, or to explain what happened when s/he faced a similar situation. But no more than this.
At the moment there are about twenty core members of the SAINTs, and a rather larger list of aspirants who have not yet reached the Holy Grail of retirement. There is always room for more SAINTs. Members must satisfy the following criteria:
- Must have been a member of EAIE for at least four years
- Must have retired from his/her regular job, or not more than two years from retirement
- Must have indicated his/her interest in becoming a member
- Must pay the required EAIE membership fee (which is lower for retired members than the regular fee)
The SAINTs could:
- Give advice on plans or proposals
- Work out certain aspects of proposals or plans
- Make contacts with persons who are of interest to EAIE
- Co-edit or write articles for EAIE publications
- Be a trend-watcher, or member of EAIE think-tank
- Be a member of EAIE review committees
- Act as an EAIE expert on external bodies
- Chair or monitor workshops and sessions at EAIE conferences
- Advise single members of EAIE
The SAINTS cannot:
- Undertake major projects
- Offer help in situations with a conflict-of-interest
- Contribute any kind of economic resources to a project
The SAINTS network is going to run for a trial period of two years, from September 2006, so this will also be the initial membership term. If the SAINTS continue, a maximum membership term of eight years is planned.
Enquiries concerning membership should be addressed to Karel Reus, Melbourne, Australia, SAINT Chair for 2008 and/or Jos Cornelissen, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, Vice-Chair.