At the 6th NICE Conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, Prof Monika Petermandl (Danube University Krems, Austria) presented the outcomes of a survey among members of the NICE network on May 29, 2015. The goal of the survey, undertaken in cooperation of Prof Monika Petermandl, Johannes Katsarov and Dr Peter Weber (Heidelberg University), was to understand whether there is a demand to keep NICE running as a European organisation. Following this presentation, the participants of the conference discussed different options, identified potential new projects and permanent working groups and elected a taskforce: It was very clear that people wished for NICE to be continued in the future.

1. Considerations for the
Organisational Structure for the
Sustainability of NICE
Prof. Monika Petermandl
6th NICE Conference in Bratislava – May 29, 2015

2. Organisational Structure 2
Members
Leadership and Management
Mission
Temporary Working-Groups
Permanent Working-
Groups

3. Online Survey
61 people participated in the online survey on the foundation of a
NICE Association between May 4 and May 26.
To allow for anonymity, we only asked about academic qualification
and professional roles of the respondents.
3

4. Mission and Activities of NICE 4
Question 1:
If we found an
association to
make our NICE
network
sustainable,
which of the
following
functions would
you (from your
personal point of
view) evaluate as
being
important?

5. Mission and Activities of NICE
The first three aspects were rated highest or high priority by 90% of respondents:
1.Represent a joint voice of academic training in career guidance and counselling in
Europe, promoting and implementing common reference points, the NICE Memorandum,
the European Competence Standards, and developing joint frameworks further
2.Support the coordination of academic training in career guidance and counselling at the
European level
3.Support excellence and quality development in higher education for career
professionals and people in supporting roles (e.g. with view to innovative methods of
teaching, learning and assessment)
We could consider them the “mission” of NICE. The other aspects could be considered
“activities” of the network instead.
5

6. Perceived Benefits of a NICE Association 6
Question 2:
How large would you
estimate the benefits
of a sustainable
network NICE?
There is massive
support for the
foundation of a NICE
association:
53 of 60 respondents
have at least assessed
the benefits from one
or more perspectives
as high (88%)

7. Legal Form of an Association 7
Question 3:
“What is your attitude
towards the legal form of
an "association" to sustain
NICE as a network?”
1.Action: “The legal form of an
association ensures the capability
of acting, e.g. through the
election of a board and
committees”
2.Inclusion: “The legal form of an
association can help to open the
network and make it even more
inclusive”
3.Protection: “The legal form of
an association assures to reserve
some level of protection for the
joint accomplishments of NICE”

8. Membership of the NICE Association 8

9. Willingness to Engage in the NICE Association 9

10. Financial Contributions 10
Question 6:
“What would be the
highest acceptable
membership fee per
year?”
For understanding:
•28% would pay a
maximum fee of 20€
for individual
membership
•The rest would be
willing to pay 50€ or
more

11. Financial Contributions 11
Question 7: “Would you support special conditions for membership, which support the
inclusion of people and organisations with less resources?”
There is strong
support for measures
which promote social
justice and inclusion.
• > 80% support a
payment scheme,
which considers the
average income in
different countries
• > 90% support lower
rates for people still
studying (perhaps also
for part-time
employed)
• 70% ready to pay
higher rates so that
people with less funds
can participate

12. Organisational Structure 12
Members
Leadership and Management
Mission
Temporary Working-Groups
Permanent Working-
Groups