T.S.V. Plato

This week in Associations Friday, we spoke with external affairs officer Ilze and internal affairs officer Suzanne from the board of T.S.V. Plato. This association arose from a counter movement to the existing associations. Plato has grown enormously in recent years. They now count more than 900 members and there is a reason for that. The atmosphere in this association is described as cosy, accessible and easy-going. You can make it as crazy as you want. Nothing is compulsory, everything is possible! Chill right? Plato fits Tilburg and Tilburg fits Plato. Curious about what there is to do and see at this club? Read on!

WHAT IS PLATO?

"Plato actually originated from a group of students who wanted to start a countermovement with respect to the existing associations at the time. It was a group that wanted to set up an association with few rules and hierarchy. With this in mind, Plato was founded in 1987. We now have over 900 members in our building at the Schouwburgring. We have had two very large groups, which has led to enormous growth."

WHAT DOES PLATO STAND FOR?

Suzanne tells us clearly: "We really stand for friendship! We are also a very versatile association. You can make it as crazy as you want. That is very nice to see. We have a large group that is very active, but if you want to take it a bit easier, there is always a middle ground.

Ilze adds: "There is actually a place for everyone. If you want to get really busy, you can do that through committees or 'disputen'. If you want to take it more easy, you still have your year club. Furthermore, it really doesn't matter where you come from or how you feel about life. That is what we want to stand for. Everyone is welcome and everyone can feel at home here without having to pretend to be different."

WE STAND FOR FRIENDSHIP; THERE IS ACTUALLY A PLACE FOR EVERYONE HERE!

WHAT CHARACTERISES A PLATOON?

"Yes, super fun of course", Suzanne laughs.

Ilze adds: "Yes, I think most Platoons are quite ambitious. They are mostly active students with jobs on the side, committees, but also many years on the board within and outside Plato. They are usually very accessible people. It is easy to talk to them. Together with the ambitious character, that makes it a nice combination. Everyone is there to help each other and you notice that."

"I think we are very open to the outside world (read: beyond Plato). Many disputes have drinks with Vidar and Olof disputes, but also with associations outside Tilburg. You won't easily hear a Platoon say something condescending about another association. They are respectful."

WHAT KIND OF POSSIBILITIES ARE THERE WITHIN PLATO WITH REGARD TO different CLUBS?

"You have 'disputen', but also 'genootschappen'. We have a total of 10 women's 'disputen' and 11 men's 'disputen'. A 'genootschap' is also a possibility. That is actually a 'dispuut-light'. They have fewer obligations, but also fewer rights. As a rule, every first year also joins a year club. That is actually a group that you can always fall back on. Then there are committees and these are often close groups as well."

WHAT IS THE ATMOSPHERE AT PLATO?

Ilze gives an example: "When you're at a party here in the hall, it's not like people look at you differently, because you're 'new'. Outside Plato, you often meet people from Plato and then it is immediately cosy and easy. I really liked that in my first year. I felt at home in Tilburg much quicker. Wherever I went, I always met a familiar face. I really liked that, because it made it easier to settle down here."

Suzanne: "You really get a village feeling here. I like to just walk around and chat with everyone. It's just very easy-going."

BECAUSE I WENT TO PLATO I FELT MYSELF AT HOME IN TILBURG MUCH QUICKER

WHAT KIND OF EVENTS DOES PLATO ORGANISE?

"Well, we had the first edition of the Spring Career Event last year. There is also a board for that. Then you can dedicate yourself to Plato at a higher level for a year, without having to enter into a whole board year."

"Furthermore, our 'disputen' also organise a lot. It is quite common for a 'dispuut' to organise a big activity. Because we have 21 'disputen', there are a lot of fun things to do. You can think of a boxing gala, Bal Masque, a volleyball tournament and the TOCK, which is just drinking rosé.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS IN A PLATOON'S YEAR?

"Plato Carnival," both indicate. "On the Sunday of Carnival, we open for anyone who wants to come. The whole place is packed, the beer flows richly and there is a relaxed Plato atmosphere. It is actually always full to capacity and there is a lovely relaxed vibe."

"In the summer we always go on a sailing weekend. We go to Friesland with half the club. We rent some boats, go sailing and have a nice beer in the evening. It may be called a sailing weekend, but plenty of people take a sloop with a motorboat," both girls laugh. "It's a really fun weekend."

"The Plato camp is also a real highlight. All freshmen go to camp with us shortly after they register. It's the kick-start for our new members to get to know each other and the senior Platoons. That's basically a big party throughout the weekend."

"You also have committees that organise events. For example, one committee organises 'The Masked Platoon'. All the Platoons are singing in disguise while everyone is eating. That provides some very comical moments."

HOW CAN PLATOONS DEVELOP?

"Apart from the fact that you develop within committees, the Spring Career Event is really a way to develop. Plato is a very diverse group of people. We noticed that many career events only focus on the economic and academic. We thought that was a shame. That's actually where the event came from. It is an event that shows the big companies, but also the smaller, more local companies. It's suitable for both college and university and it's accessible to everyone."

"In addition to that, so committees like the introduction committee, acquisition committee and sustainability committees are just a few examples of other ways to develop yourself."

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELVES IN 5 YEARS?

"I wouldn't want to change the culture that much, for instance. That's what makes Plato so great right now. Of course, there are always things to optimise. That is why we have now set up the sustainability committee, for example, because that fits in very well with the times. So in that sense, we want to stay alert and look for things that are necessary. In addition, I think you also have to listen carefully to what your members want."

"Plato changes along with its members and that is the charm. I personally would like the Spring Career Event to be a bit bigger and better known. We also have some renovation projects running."

THE CULTURE HERE IS WHAT MAKES PLATO, AND IT'S NOW REALLY AMAZING

IF YOU HAD UNLIMITED RESOURCES, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH THEM?

"Our location is really in the middle of a residential area. We are surrounded by houses, which means that we cannot use our garden very much because of the noise. If you really have all the means, it would be great to have some more 'dispuut' houses for Plato. Many Platoons would like to live together. In Tilburg it is hard to find a room, let alone a house. So if we had all the money, it would be cool to buy someone out of their house and have some more houses and living arrangements."

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER AT PLATO?

Ilze: "Come along in the TOP week. It is especially good to come and experience it once. The great thing about Plato is the 'Plato atmosphere'. By this I mean that it is very easy-going and cosy. You really have to experience that atmosphere, so come and have a look."

Suzanne: "I agree with that. Most people at Plato say that you roll in it and you have to have a good feeling about it. You have to feel at home and if that is the case, you will notice that pretty quickly."

 

Take a look on the site of Plato to obtain more information!