They volunteer. Meet Johan and Joel, who are the nation’s technicians

Photo: Sandra Johansson, Olivia Stjärnholm och Liisa Eelsoo

VOLUNTEER AT THE NATION

A volunteer is someone who does something extra for the nation. The posts are many and may include helping set up different events, like dinners or clubs, or arranging book clubs, producing radio shows or writing for the nation’s magazine.

Antiquarian

Responsible for the nation’s art and movables. They do regular inventories to check the status of the nation’s belongings and work close to the property board.

Archivist

The archivist is responsible for taking care of the nation’s archive and makes sure that the nation’s publications are conserved.

Marskalk

The marskalk help organize dinners at the nation, act as toastmasters and make sure everything goes as planned.

Nation photographer

Are you interested in photography? This could be the post for you! The nation photographer is responsible for documenting gasks, the landskap and for editing and publishing the material on Facebook.

NV Editor

The editors are responsible for the nation’s magazine Norrlands Varjehanda, which is published twice per semester. The work includes writing articles, doing layout and meeting lots of new people.

Song Leader

The song leader makes sure that there are song books and leaflets at the nation’s gasques and leads the singing at these events.

Technical director

This post includes setting up the technical apparatus before festivities and making sure that the equipment is in good condition. The technical director is the Club manager’s helping hand.

Dagvärdar

Help the club worker’s with their daily work, with everything from refilling the bars to carrying stage material for clubs.

Text: Linn Larsen Foto: Linn Larsen och nationsarkiv

THEY VOLUNTEER AS TECHNICAL DIRECTORS

You can get involved at Norrlands nation in many different ways, and it is the perfect chance to try something completely new, or to develop your interests on the side of the studies. We met Joel d’Argy and Johan Gunnarsson, who love sound, light and creativity. Since last fall, they work as the nation’s technical directors, even though the road to the nation was not entirely clear.

Johan, who is from Småland and studies theology, slipped into Norrlands nation as a recce during a pub crawl when he realized that he needed a nation card to favour his new life as a student. – Norrlands chose me, he says jokingly. At that moment, he might not have imagined that a few weeks later he would be one of the people who would bring the nation’s dance floor to life, before the club closed because of the pandemic.

Joel, who studies to be a nurse, is originally from Skåne but after living in Umeå (in northern Sweden) for a year, he felt that Norrlands nation was the one that appealed to him the most. As he entered the nation, he saw a poster announcing the position of technical director and decided to apply for the post. The fact that they both ended up as technical directors is perhaps not that coincidental. They both have previous experiences that are perfect for the position. Joel used to work as a stage technician at Helsingborg City Theater and Johan has previously been involved in arranging discos, dj-ing and playing in bands.

An ordinary day as a technical director is very varied. Wednesday night before Hexagon begins, or when there is a “släpp” at the nation, preparations begin in the afternoon. The guys set up the stage and arrange the lamps in the dancing areas. During the evening they often sit in the mixing booth which is located opposite the stage. There, they have a good view of the dance floor and can decide which effects fit the moment.

- But we don’t just sit there the entire evening, things always happen that need to be solved, such as changing a fuse or helping the club hosts with something, Johan adds.

It is hard to miss the burning interest in stage technology that the two of them share. As technical directors, the passion for sound sometimes takes other forms as well. From time to time, Johan and Joel are asked to step in as DJ’s, which they happily do under the pseudonym of “DJ TF”.

COMMITTEES

Norrlands has nine committees that are responsible for different parts of the nation’s business. Some of the committees’ representatives are selected at the Landskap, whilst some are selected by the Board. Which committee are you interested in?

The Events Committee The Events Committee is responsible for coming up with new ideas and concepts that can improve and develop the nation’s recurring events.

The Library Committee The committee is responsible for the purchasing and lending of books and magazines. During the semester they also arrange short story book clubs.

The Equality Committee Responsible for the equality work within the nation. The committee educates the nation’s full-time employees and hosts.

The Contact Committee The committee helps the nation’s new students with enrollment, arranges receptions, pub crawls and other activities.

The Culture Committee Arranges and promotes the nation’s cultural events. Each semester, the Cultural committee arranges dinners, art tours and exhibitions.

The International Committee The International committee takes care of the nation’s international students. The committee is also responsible for the international grant holders that visit Norrlands at proms and other events.

The Information Committee Collaborates with the Communications Management to coordinate the nation’s internal and external information.

The Sports Committee Through the nation’s sports association NNIF, the committee arranges weekly sports activities for members of Norrlands nation. Football, floorball, and badminton are among the activities.

The Audit Commitee The Audit Committee keeps track of and assists the daily operation on behalf of the Board.

Do you want more information about the different committees? Contact 1q@norrlandsnation.se

Study at Norrlands

The nation building offers several places to sit and study. Do you prefer daylight and a microwave for your lunch? Or would you rather hide out amongst bookshelves and reading lamps? Here are your options.

The Library The nation’s library with its study room is located downstairs, directly below Maj’s café. It offers 30 seats at tables with individual reading lamps. Here, you may loan course books about many different subjects. All students with a nation card are permitted to loan books from all thirteen nations of Uppsala. Your nation card functions as a library card. To find the book you are looking for, search at the nation libraries’ joint website: www.student.uu.se/ nation/kk/bk/argus/.

Datasalen / The computor room

Next to Majs café, on the opposite side of the registry, you will find the computer room. Once named for its desktop computers, it now offers endless charging opportunities for your laptop. With lots of seats, the permission to speak and, thus, do group assignments, as well as the close distance to lunch at Maj’s café, this is a comfortable option. 20 Brända Tentan och Lindrummet Upstairs from Majs café, “Brända tentan” (approx. “The Burnt Exam”) is located. Big windows offer great lighting and there are microwaves for your lunch. Across the building, upstairs from the registry, is the so-called Lindrummet. Lean back in comfortable armchairs and study with Orvar’s pub and the courtyard as your view.

HANG OUT AT THE NATION

Majs café

“Majs” is the café, named after once-upon-a-time café hostess Maj Reinhammar, who came up with the idea for the “lördagsfika” (an extra special “fika” on Saturdays!). At Maj’s, you are more than welcome to hang out with friends (or by yourself) in a cozy and homey environment. Maj’s offers breakfast, lunch and coffee in the afternoons. Saturdays, tables are set up for a buffé of cakes, sandwiches, smoothies and more. This has been a highly appreciated tradition for over 50 years. Thanks, Maj!

Hours:

9.00-15.00 Lunch with take-away: 12:00-13:00 Saturday fika: 12.00-15.00

Club Hexagon

In regular times, the nation has a club. With house music and amazing theme nights, club Hexagon turns the nation into a big dance floor each wednesday night. The club is now closed, but will open again after the pandemic.

Orvars krog

Want a burger and/or a beer? Welcome to “Orvar”! Norrlands nation’s pub offers a wide assortment of beers and quite incredible pub food. Norrlands nation’s pub is never empty, being a local waterhole for current as well as previous students. Step into the warmth, have a beer, and meet up with friends to chat or play darts.

Hours:

Wednesday - Thursday: 16.00-22.00 Friday - Saturday: 14.00-22.00

Associations

The nation offers a social life within the many social and cultural associations. As a member of a sorority or fraternity you will be able to dive into the glorious life of dinners, game nights, parties and more.

The cultural associations are made up of the orchestras Salongsorkesern and Attraktionsorkestern, the dance group Attrapperna, the big band Phontrattarne, the choirs Chorus Virorum, Cantus Feminis and Norrlands nations kammarkör (NNK), and the theatre group NoNSEns. Do you love to sing, dance, act och play an instrument? This is your chance to join a community of like-minded.

Last but not least, the athlete or sports lover will find a place within the sports association NNIF, with its own gym and activities. The gym card is sold only twice a year, so keep an eye on their Facebook page early on in the semester. The hunter or want-to-be-hunter, look here: the newest association NJF is for everyone passionate about hunting or the outdoors. Amongst many things, they arrange education opportunities for hunting licences.

NORRLANDS NATIONS ASSOCIATIONS

Angermannalaget

Have you ever tried “gäll” or fermented herring? If not, then Angermannalaget is the fraternity for you!

Angermannalaget is a fraternity with its roots in the province of Ångermanland. Do you want to make friendships that lasts for a lifetime, don’t hesitate to contact us!

For more information about Angermannalaget and our upcoming events, please visit our website www.angermannalaget. se, or contact our president “Åldermannen”: aldermannen@ angermannalaget.se

Cantus Feminis Cantus Feminis is the nation’s women’s choir. We’re a merry group who share a joyful approach to singing. No previous experience or musical knowledge is required – we welcome anyone who’d like to try singing in a choir. If it’s possible to carry out rehearsals during the spring semester we will do that each Thursday while we follow the restrictions without a risk of disease spreading. Otherwise we will have digital meetings where we will learn about choir song from our conductors. Are you interested in joining a choir and want to know more about us, don’t hesitate to shoot us an email at cantus.feminis@ gmail.com for more info! Attra

Attraktionsorkestern and Attrapperna is one of the nation’s orchestra and dance associations! We like to play and dance to genres such as pop, soul and big band jazz.

Due to current circumstances both the orchestra and the dance group are rehearsing from home. We look forward to playing and dancing together again once everything is more like normal.

Currently, the orchestra is searching for trombonists. Get in touch by emailing kapellmastare@attra. nu if you are interested in playing with us!

Chorus Virorum Chorus Virorum - Norrlands nations men’s choir since 1853 Uppsalas oldest men’s choir is looking for new members! On many of the nation’s events, or to whoever might be interested, Chorus Virorum sings songs related to Swedish punsch and 19th century romance. Do you want to make your time in Uppsala even more memorable? Fill it with song and comradery! Come and try singing with CV. No prior choir experience required. Email chorusvirorum@gmail.com for more information. Birkarlarna

HBF Birkarlarna is an association targeting male students in Uppsala. Though the heart of our organization lies in the counties Norr- and Västerbotten, anyone who feels a connection to the culture, food and mentality prevalent in the northernmost part of our country is welcome to apply for membership. We meet regularly at so-called “stämmor” (meetings) to enjoy traditional northern Swedish food in the company of brothers. For more information–contact stavkarl@

birkarlarna.se

HärjaJämt

Hello HärjaJämtskor and Ongstårschan!

HärjaJämt is a sorority based out of Härjedalen and Jämtland. Normally, HJ gives us members a valid excuse to get together for an evening together! Although we’re hoping for brighter times this spring, we will until further notice have no physical meet-ups. Our most recent Oppsittje (sorority meeting) was held digitally and we look forward to more digital get-togethers in the near future!

To keep track of our coming events, check out our facebook-page: HärjaJämt

Do you want to learn more about HJ? Send an email to: lill-lisa@harjajamt.se

Härja bäst som HärjaJämt!

Jamtamot

Brothers Grandjamts, Jamts and Yellow Pant gentlemen! Jamtamot is a fraternity of men from primarily the provinces of Jämtland and Härjedalen that aims to create and encourage friendship between its members and raise awareness about Jamtlandish matters. Annually, a person who has made an honorable contribution for Jamtlands County is rewarded with Jamtamots Hederspris by the fraternity. If you seek contact or want to ask us something, write overhovding@jamtamot.org

Överhövding Anton Lysén

Salongsorkestern Salongsorkestern is one of the three orchestras at Norrlands nation. We are a symphony orchestra with a repertoire that consists of classical music and music from films and video games. Due to covid-19, our regular rehearsals have been cancelled for a while. We are planning for some Zoom acticivities for the beginning of the spring term. Interested in joining the orchestra? Send us an e-mail to ordf@salongsorkestern.org. We are always looking for new members! NJF

Are you interested of hunting or wildlife? Look over here! Norrlands nations jakt och friluftsförening (NJF) is a relatively new association at Norrlands nation. Our focus is on hunting and wildlife.

During the spring, we are planning activities, such as hunting, shooting, and nature events. Our hunting exam course will be arranged during the spring, starting in February. Keep yourself updated on our social platforms for more information, there are only a limited amount of participants.

Instagram: nnjaktochfriluft

Facebook: Norrlands Nations Jakt och Friluftsliv njf.kontakt@gmail.com Vajan Are you looking for fun things to do? Join the very best Norrlands-crew Is hanging with fun girls a priority? Then you’ll fit in with Vajan’s sorority! If you march to the beat of your own drum It doesn’t matter to us where you’re from Our meetings are “Gärden”, come along! To eat, drink lingon and sing a song! If you’re a female student who wants to hang out You should join Vajan, no doubt! Doesn’t it sound like fun? Find the Facebook-group “Vajan” or email siren. vajan@gmail.com for information Vaj vaj! Nonsens

Do you want to try everything from acting, singing and dancing to costume, light and sound? Look no further! Nonsens is a happy bunch of students that puts on a big Spex-production every spring, this year titled Hemligheternas Spex. We are always looking for new members so come and join us!

More information can be found on

our websitewww.nonsensspex.se Ypsilon

Dear recce,

Ypsilon is the oldest sorority at Norrland’s nation and was established in 1962. All female students are welcome to enjoy our tasty food and warm company!

Our meetings include food and are called Yror. We do also have events with male students in Angermannalaget and Skvadern. Every autumn, we organize the best gasque in Uppsala: Älggasquen!

Curious? If you want to know more about Ypsilon you can find us at www.ypsa.com or contact yngling@ypsa.se.