Research Trip 2022: “The Gateway to the West”

Research Trip 2022: “The Gateway to the West” 

Howdy folks! This year’s research trip will take us to The Gateway to the West: St. Louis (Missouri). St. Louis is booming with energy and excitement: from the iconic Gateway Arch to the Mississippi river. The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, luscious parks, some of the best brews and is one of the hottest food cities in the nation.  

Our challenge 

In the Impact Report Rabobank states the following: 

“We aim to be a responsible bank, championing issues that have a major impact on society, the environment, and on our clients. This is why we actively engage in facilitating transitions which matter to us and stakeholders now and in the future” 

One of the three pillars in the Impact Report is ‘The Food Transition’ and this is exactly what the focus of the research trip will be. Of course there are multiple ways to get to Rome (or in this case St. Louis)! We will explore opportunities on helping farmers become The Food Transition Champions that they can be. Focusing on the importance of sustainability, technology, culture and environment we will think along in helping Rabobank to achieve our goal.  

Besides this research component, there is a serious personal leadership aspect to the trip. This year, our coach from Minth will help you develop the leadership skills of the future. By expanding your perspective on personal leadership, you will further deepen your understanding of yourself, your environment, and our organization. Since you cannot grow a better future by yourself, start thinking: what makes you a future Rabo leader? And remember, leadership is not attached to your business card: everyone is a leader! 

Application 

Date and application 

The research trip 2022 starts on September 6th and will end September 13th. Application to join the research trip can be submitted from April 29th, 12:00 until May 29th, 12:00.     

What do you need to do to join the research trip?  

You can register through the Jong Rabo website (www.jongrabo.nl). Before the deadline (May 29th, 12:00), you need to share your motivation with us through a video or any other creative way to show why you want to partake in this year’s trip. A few criteria should be addressed in your statement of motivation:  

• Describe why you are the right person to join us on this trip, what will you bring to the group?  

• Let us know why you are interested in this theme and what you would like to at least take away from this trip;  
• Describe your view on personal leadership and how it impacts your life.  

Maximum of length of motivation: 2 minutes. 

We look forward to receive a powerful and fun motivation. Please feel free to get as creative as possible!  

You can share your motivation with us by sending this to our email address, researchtrip.jongrabo@rabobank.nl, or upload your application to the internet (e.g. Dropbox, Youtube or Microsoft Stream, please don’t use WeTransfer) and share the link (including a password if needed) using the same email address. Make sure that we have access to your digital creation before May 29th 2022, 12:00. Otherwise your registration will be regarded as incomplete and you will not be selected for the trip. 

Number of participants and selection criteria 

The number of participants is limited to 40 Jong Rabo members. 

Your motivation and view of personal leadership will be the main criteria in the selection process. Besides those main criteria we will strive to create a diverse group of participants.  

What do we expect from you? 

Personal contribution 

The research trip is made possible thanks to substantial contributions from both the Rabobank Managing Board and Jong Rabo. But you do have to chip in as well. This year the personal contribution has been set to 550 Euro. This will help cover the trip, stay, meals, transport, and all planned activities. After you have been selected, we will inform you how you can pay your personal contribution. 

Internal sponsorship 

Every year part of the budget is obtained by asking direct managers or whole departments to contribute as well. We request that you ask your management or department if they are willing to sponsor a (small) part of the research trip. It is more an investment than a sponsorship, because your manager and department are going to benefit from the experience that you will bring back! Once you are selected, we will facilitate you in proper ways of asking for this sponsorship. 

Attendance during the kick-offs 

Since we will perform an in-depth research assignment during our research trip, and because it's nice to meet each other, we are organizing two kick-offs. During these kick-off sessions we will inform you about the way we plan to do our research, a lot of practical stuff of the trip and we will get to know each other a little better. Also, we will make a head-start on our personal leadership process. The kick-offs are mandatory as they are an integral part of the total journey and experience. We need you all to be there. The kick-offs will be held in Utrecht.  

Kick-off 1: August 4th. Informative session on the how, what and where, closed off with drinks. 

Kick-off 2: August 25th and August 26th. In preparation of our personal leadership program, we invite you to a session which either take place on the morning or in the afternoon (we will communicate your timeslot later).  

Reunion 

Because we all love to reminisce about this incredible trip we are going to take together, we will plan a reunion to get together again. The reunion date will be announced later. 

Practicalities 

Travel insurance 

We strongly advise all participants to get travel insurance. Jong Rabo is not liable for damage of any kind. 

Travel documents 

You will need a passport that is valid until at least March 2023. Make sure to check this and make arrangements to get the necessary documents. Applying for a new passport might take weeks!  

Next to that, the USA requires an ESTA or Visa to enter the country. Which one you need depends on your nationality. Please check via the following link Visa Waiver Program (state.gov) whether you are eligible for an ESTA and notify us on the outcome when sending us your motivation. Applying for a Visa takes a long time and that process needs to start as soon as possible. 

COVID

At the moment, the USA requires non-U.S. citizens that want to enter the country to be fully vaccinated. Next to that, a negative PCR test is required. More information about these rules can be found here: Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers | CDC. 

No-show / cancellations 

If you were to be a no-show (with no/too late/invalid notice of cancellation), you will forfeit your personal contribution of 550 Euro as no-show fee. If you withdraw your application after July 25th, you will also forfeit your personal contribution of 550 Euro. 

Holiday leave 

Jong Rabo arranged that you do not need to take personal time off for Jong Rabo activities. If you receive questions about this from your manager or if you have other questions about this arrangement? Let us know via secretaris@jongrabo.nl. 

Disclaimer 

This research trip will continue, reserved that there are enough participants and sponsorship income to do so. In case of any unforeseen events that may jeopardize the trip, Jong Rabo will determine whether the research trip can take place. 

We are looking forward to an amazing trip, and we hope that you will be able to join us! We are curious what you will come up with for your motivation. If there any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: researchtrip.jongrabo@rabobank.nl 

Regards on behalf of the Research Trip Committee, 

Ben, Lynne, Patrick, Thijs and Yasmine