Marina Rrika

Nationality: Albanian

Member Association past two years: Volt Albania

Gender: Female

What strategy would you implement to recruit and retain highly specialised volunteers for the functional teams, for example in communications, policy, or data, over a full Board term? 

First, recruitment should be more targeted and role-specific. Instead of general calls, Volt should clearly define the skills needed (e.g. policy, communications, data) and actively reach out through relevant networks, universities, and professional communities across Europe. People with specialised skills are more likely to engage when expectations and impact are clearly communicated. And secondly, volunteers need to feel that their work is valued, well-organized, and impactful. This means having clear roles, defined responsibilities, and structured workflows that respect their time and expertise. From a Board perspective, my role would be to ensure that these structures exist, are consistent across teams, and are aligned with Volt’s long-term organizational development.

Non-executive Board members must both support and challenge the executives. Describe a situation where you would publicly back the Co-Presidents, and one where you would publicly dissent. What guides your choice?

As a Board member, my default approach would be to support and strengthen leadership through internal dialogue, ensuring that disagreements are addressed constructively before becoming public. I would publicly back the Co-Presidents when decisions are aligned with Volt’s values and strategic direction, even if there are minor differences in approach. Unity is important for credibility, and the Board has a responsibility to provide stability and trust in leadership. My priority is always to protect Volt’s long-term credibility, while ensuring that public disagreement remains respectful, well-reasoned, and focused on principles and not individuals.

What would you do if you believed the Board was making a decision that conflicted with Volt Europa's core values?

I would advocate for revisiting the decision, providing arguments grounded in Volt’s values, rules, and long-term strategic interests. If necessary, I would push for further discussion, clarification, or alternative solutions that better reflect Volt’s commitments to democracy, transparency, and inclusion. My responsibility as a Board member is to act in the best interest of Volt as a whole. This means ensuring that decisions are not only effective, but also consistent with the values that define the organization and its credibility.