vss 2013 herald 1

VSS Herald February 2013 1 VSS 2013 July 21st to 26th

INGA

THE VSS HERALDFebruary 2013


EFILVOLUNTEERSUMMERSUMMIT

DENMARK

2013july 21st to 26th

in RANUM

6 years ago, many volunteers from the AFS network gathered somewhere in the eastern part of France for the first EFIL Volunteer Summer Summit. They were all together to talk about AFS, Intercultural Learning, exchange ideas and to create new and interesting projects. It took place during the year of Intercultural Dialogue. It was an intense week, and nobody had time to sleep. During the day, participants attended workshops organized by members of the EPOT (EFIL Pool Of Trainers) and in the evening, everyone was together to share common experiences as AFS volunteers.At the time, nobody expected that the VSS, as we call it, would endure this long.

6 years it has been, and we hope that in 6 years someone will start writing the edito of the first VSS Herald, as I’m doing right now.Writing the edito of the first Herald of the year is always something unique, because it will be the first thing people read about the Summer Summit. It will give the tone, the coulor and the spirit of what is to come in the following months. Last year I was in front of the same screen wondering ”What should I say” and I remember that I was so excited about the VSS that I talked about it, but the Summer Summit is not only about excitement and fun, it’s also about how to improve ourselves as AFS volunteers.

So this time, I want to write about a basic idea “improvement”». The 6th edition of the VSS will be by far the best prepared, original, full of new ideas and even if you have been to 5 Volunteer Summer Summits before, this one will be like going to the first one. It will be like a resurrection of the EFIL Volunteer Summer Summit.

EDITOby Joshua Fitoussi

WHAT’S IN IT ?

EDITOPage 2

WELCOME TO VSS 2013

MEET THE PREP TEAM

Page 4

THE PREP TEAM MEETING

Page 13

THE VSS MOTIVATION FORM

Page 15

INFORMATIONSPage 16

SUNFLOWER STORYPage 17


The European Federation for Intercultural Learning (EFIL) proudly presents the 6th edition of the Volunteer Summer Summit (VSS). The first VSS took pace in France in 2008 and was followed by Turkey in 2009, Hungary in 2010, Portugal in 2011 and Latvia in 2012. This year the VSS will take place on July 21st-26thin the village of Ranum in Denmark and the prep team is already working hard in order to make this the best Summit as of yet.

The aim of the Summer Summit is to connect and motivate people from diverse backgrounds to raise awareness about intercultural links and share experiences to further develop the AFS network and beyond. The general objectives of the Summer Summit and what we hope to achieve are many. We want to motivate volunteers and give space for haring and networking. It is also important to value the diversity of volunteers, that is, different backgrounds, ages, cultures and more. Furthermore we stress the importance of inclusion of new organisations as well as a European understanding and solidarity.

The title of this year’s Summer Summit is “Building bridges through imagination and sports to tackle global issues.” As the theme of each VSS is different we also have specific objectives for each edition of the event. This year the specific objectives are that participants will understand the concept of Global Learning and that they are able to differentiate between that and Intercultural Learning. We also hope to challenge participants as well as teams with new methods and to foster critical thinking. Last but not least we emphasise that participants gain skills and knowledge linked to Global Learning that is relevant in the AFS context and outside of it.

The Volunteer Summer Summit is a training event and this year we hope to be able to supply participants with many interesting workshops. We will keep to the track system that was first introduced in Portugal in 2010 but with some modifications. This will be explained in detail in future Heralds. In addition to the workshops there will be plenty of opportunities to learn about Danish culture as well as other AFS organisations. Get ready for an interesting, educational and fun event.

The call for participants will be sent out on the 1st of February and there you can read all about what it is to be a participant that the EFIL Volunteer Summer Summit. Sign up via http://efilsummersummit.org/2013/ will open on the 15th of February but check it out now for a little surprise.

WELCOME TO THE EFIL SUMMER SUMMIT

by Tinna Sveinsdottir

http://efilsummersummit.org/2013/





MEET THE PREP TEAM

To read the entire presentation of the Prep Team members go on the website www.efilsummersummit.org


INGA, BELGIUMEFIL Liaison/Team Leader

AFS exchange - USAVolunteer in AFS Germany - chapter level, regional level,

national levelEFIL volunteer and later

EFIL staff member trainer on many levels I hope having a good time

together, satisfying everyone's needs, getting

some sleep, making the event more sustainable

Favorite quote: freely translated: "Everyone said - that's impossible

to do - and then someone came who did not know and he just did

it"

I LIKE sports e.g. slackline, climbing, horse riding, skiing,

inline skating, sun, sunflowers, ice cream, hugs, travelling, warm feet, Latte Macchiato, swimming naked in the sea, water, summer,

brunch, theatre, earrings, flip flops, walking barefoot through

sand, fire, laughing

I DISLIKE pink, dishonesty, cold nose, shopping during Christmas time, constant rain, getting yelled

at, nationalism, war, injustice, stereotyping, wet feet,

waiting for the bus, wearing glasses

How old do I feel? depends on the day - like a child when I see snow, older

than I am during the VSS and mostly just right


TINNA, ICELANDEFIL intern

I went on an exchange to Chicago in 2003-2004 and I have been an active volunteer for AFS

Iceland ever since I returned. Orientations, trainings,

development of material and much more have been part of my volunteer work. I was also on the board of the Reykjavik Chapter for two year. Now I am doing an internship at the EFIL office in

Brussels.

I hope that we will have Motivated participants. Team cohesion. New friends. A challenge.

Inspiration.

Favorite quote: "Eitt bros getur dimmu í dagsljós breytt." -Einar Ben. Loosely translated: A smile can turn darkness into daylight.

I LIKE Bright colors. Good books. Sunshine. Snow. Hot chocolate on a cold day.

Surprises. Spontaneous ideas. AFS. Soaking in a hot tub.

Feminism. Friends. Letters. Singing. Traveling. Knitting.

Giving gifts. Learning something new every day. Boats. Optimism.

Swimming. Sunflowers. Brussels.

I DISLIKE Waking up early. People who put their feet up on

the seat on the bus. Cooked vegetables. Rudeness. Lack of organization. Pessimism. War.

Talking to cameras.How old do I feel? I feel 17 and 71 at the same time. I

still don't know what I want to be when I grow up but I

enjoy knitting and old novels.


GERT, GERMANYIT Manager

Host father starting from 1992 (several times). Since that time volunteering in my AFS chapter (Konstanz), 1994 started project work on national level, 1995 to

2002 board member and chair of AFS Germany board, 2002 until

2008 member of the International Board of Trustees. Currently I am

working in my chapter and several national project groups, most important as head of the organisational part of "Service for Training, Organisation and

Methodology" in AFS Germany.

My biggest hope is that we will be able to find enough participants to get the VSS

away from to many financial restrictions. Of

course, I also hope for high quality workshops, smooth organisation, and a lot of

fun for everybody.

None or too many. I have not yet made up my mind for a favourite

quote.

I LIKE I like talking much more than playing games.

I DISLIKE Dishonesty. I hate people who do not tell the truth or pretend to support ideas that

they do not like.

How old do I feel? 64I was always happy with my age

and had never the wish to change it. More than that I never had the

impression that age matters. Since I started volunteering for

AFS I enjoyed working with others of very different ages and

I like to take others and being taken myself as a person and not

a member of an age group.


ANNIKA, GERMANYTrainers Coordinator

After a year exchange to Thailand

I have been volunteer in AFS GER in Hosting and Sending, then trainer and since 2010

also in the EPOT. I am especially interested in ICL and other

aspects of Global Education.

I hope To get inspired by the AFS spirit, be creative

and develop ideas for a peaceful and sustainible

future!

Favorite quote: All our dreams can come true, if we have the

courage to pursue them

I LIKE smiles and laughing, seals, sunflowers & sunflower

seeds, climbing, yoga, dancing, walking barefoot, slackline,

beach & sun, Global Learning, swimming in the sea, massage,

coffee with milk, çay & tavla, chocolate, wine & cheese, rowing,

running, travelling by train

I DISLIKE Racism, poverty, sexism, lies, thesis, headaches,

formal education, prejudices

How old do I feel? 28 - seems to be just the

perfect age :)


Started volunteering 8 years ago, when I came back from the US.

Always took care of the exchange students, hosting was MY thing in my chapter for many

years. I left for Paris in September and only focus on

National Events. I’m now a Board Member of AFS FRANCE

I LIKE Movies, art, Apple, Foods, Soccer, did I say Movies?I DISLIKE Selfish people,

Parisians, endless debates, dark chocolate, did I say Parisians?

I hope that this VSS will set a new kind of VSS for the next 4 years (till we reach the 10 year

Anniversary in 2018) and that we will have more than 200

participants ^^

Favorite quote: "If you can dream it, then you can do it" Walt Disney

JOSHUA, FRANCEPR Manager

How old do I feel? 30, feels like I'm at a turn of my life, and I

always thought 30 was the age of changes, when you are not a

child, student, when you have to chose what your life will be for

the rest of your life...So I feel I'm reaching this point...Although

I'm only 26


Ever since my exchange in Grenoble, France in 04/05, I

have been doing a lot of different volunteer work, mainly on a national level

where I have been a trainer and a trainer for trainers.

I hope that together with the support team I can

give the trainers the best workshop facilities, and

offer all the participants a lot of interesting leisure

activities.

Favorite quote: "yes london. You know; fish n’ chips, cup of tea, bad food, worse weather, mary

fuckin' poppins... london!" from Snatch :-)

I LIKE Sports! Running, climbing, mountain biking, adventure

racing, hiking, snowboarding, swimming, are some of my

favourites. I also enjoy cooking, watching movies and seeing live music - although I do to seldom.

I DISLIKE People who push forward to board a metro, instead of letting people leave the metro

first, and people that insist of standing right next to baggage

belt in the airport!How old do I feel? hmm... 18

maybe. Most off the time I still feel like a teenager, like when I leave

the country for a week on a moped with 2 friends, or when I

go bathing naked in Nyhavn in the middle of the night.

ANTON, DENMARKSupport Team Coordinator/Home office Liaison


MARIE LOUISE, DENMARKSupport Team Coordinator/Home office Liaison

My AFS-life started in 2005 when I went on my exchange to Wisconsin, USA. When I came

home in 2006 I became a volunteer mostly on the national

level which means that I have done a lot of different things for

AFS during the years. I have several times been a trainer at

national-trainings and been part of a group developing the

volunteer training system in AFS DEN. I have been the national

sending coordinator together with Anton for the last 3 years

I hope this VSS will have a high level of training and that

there will come tons of top motivated participants. I also

hope that all the teams can live up to the participant high

expectations and that everyone will leave the VSS feeling

satisfied and filled with new motivation and spirit.

Favorite quote: «All our dreams can come true, if we have the

courage to pursue them»

I LIKE chocolate, hugs, coffee, laughter, flowers, swimming,

beaches

I DISLIKE Stress, to drink milk, fights, snakes

How old do I feel? I feel like my actual age - 23 - and it is the perfect age! you are no longer a teenager, but you are still

not old. I have responsibilities but not

more than I can take a day off without feeling bad.


MILA, BOSNIAPlenary Session Organiser

My life in AFS Bosnia and Herzegovina (UG ISU BIH) began in 2008, when I was selected as

one of students who got the scholarship for a one year

exchange program in Germany.2012, I was a member of the

preparatory team with EFIL in a project of Balkans promotion, which was presented on the meeting during the days of

celebration of 10th Anniversary of AFS Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Besides, I took part in several seminars for implementation of

Intercultural Learning and shared gained knowledge with other volunteers in my organisation

through efficient follow-up projects.

I am really looking forward to feel the VSS spirit this summer in

Denmark. I have never been part of anything similar, so it makes my excitement even higher. My

greatest hope is to have everything done until the event, and to realise all the ideas we

have had in our minds, working as one good, satisfied team

ready to help each other

Favorite quote: «Carpe diem»

I LIKE honesty, trust, laughing, team-work, good sense of humour,

travelling, spending time with friends, swimming

I DISLIKE Unpunctuality, stubbornness, rain, talking behind

one’s back, creativity-lost-moments, pessimism, childish people, being bored, annoying

people.How old do I feel?

25. Actually, it is not much different than reality. But,

some extra years are added because of the fact that I

like to be serious and dedicated when it comes to work and activities which have something to do with it. On the other side, this age is not so much far

away from the childhood and they still let me afford myself some funny, silly

sense of humour moments and immature acts.


THE PREP TEAM MEETINGby Tinna Sveinsdottir

After a difficult selection process the prep team of the 6th edition of the EFIL Volunteer Summer Summit was announced on the 27th of November. Although it was almost eight months before the start of the event there was no time to loose. E-mails started flying back and forth across Europe and the first Skype call was set up. More e-mails and preparations for the in-person prep meeting followed and everyone got to know each other through the internet.

On the 2nd of January, one by one, the prep arrived in Copenhagen from different directions. Some travelled the whole day to reach the destination while other biked for ten minutes. When Josh arrived shortly before midnight the team was together in person for the first time at the office of AFS Denmark. Anton and Marie Louise, who know their way around the office, cooked a lovely meal with the help of Inga and Annika.

Bright and early the morning after the team drove to Odden to take a ferry to Arhus. This made Tinna super happy as she is a big fan of any public transportation and never misses a change to go on a boat. From Arhus they drove towards the village of Ranum and around midday they arrived at the boarding school Ranum Efterskole – the venue of this year’s VSS. When the car stopped Mila woke up, happy after a good nap in the comfortable car.

After some teambuilding involving sitting on each other and a cooking competition (where Gert showed master chef skills) it was time for some serious business. The programme was discussed as well as prospected participants, support team and trainers’ team, sustainability of the event, diverse evening activities, the community project, the theme and much more. The logo was created and the aim and objectives defines. In addition, meetings were held with the headmaster of the school as well as with the head chef. Lasse and Shiska, who are teachers at the school and attended the VSS in Latvia last year, gave the prep team an extensive tour of the venue where they had a chance to see all the workshop rooms, the plenary and the exciting sport and imagination facilities the school offers.

The team was fed by Lasse and Rasmus, two Danish volunteers, who showed us that the Danes are more than capable of the challenge of cooking for an international group during the VSS this summer.

It is needless to say that the days in Ranum were productive and a highly motivated prep team departed from there on the 6th of January. They said goodbye at the close-by beach and returned to their different corners of Europe to continue the preparations of the Summer Summit via skype and e-mails.


THE PREP TEAM TRAVEL MAP

After a nice Christmas break, Tinna took a plane to Copenhagen. She travelled 2107.09 km

Annika and Inga drove to Germany, then to CopenhagenThey travelled 946 km

Mila has the craziest trip. She left Bosnia by bus to Croatia. There she

took a plane to Munich to Copenhagen

She traveled 2436 km

After a Christmas trip from Paris to Marseille and Brussels, Joshua flew from Paris to CopenhagenHe travelled 1222 km

From Konstanz, Germany, Gert drove to Zurich and then took a plane to Copenhagen He travelled 1262 km

Anton and Marie Louise were already in Copenhagen, so they hosted Gert,

Mila and Josh. They traveled 0 km

Even though everyone met in Copenhagen, the Meeting took place

in Ranum. Two cars, 8 people, 4 hours of trip, car and boat.

They traveled 309 km


ARE YOU TIRED AFTER A

GREAT YEAR

Do You need to Relax

Want to do MORE AFS

STUFFS

Close to the sea?

In the countryside

EFIL VolunteerSummer Summit

By Plane

By Car

Go North

Go South

DENMARK

Travel with

Hungarians

Is it a

good place in Summer

If you are from the North

DENMARK

PROMISE IT WON’T

RAIN (Anton)

I want to volunteer

I want to Improve my Volunteer’s

skills

VSS !!!(Koen de Prez)

Meet other

volunteers of Europe

Attend workshops

on ICL

Being a TRAINER at

an event

A FULL TRAINER

A HALF TRAINER

Meet old Friends

For Experienced volunteers

DENMARKBoard

Members

Can we get Bacon? (Rasmus)

THE VSS MOTIVATION


DO YOU WANT TO BE A TRAINER AT THE VSS

by Annika Menke

We are looking for up to 8 full or 16 half trainers to prepare the workshops of the VSS. The call for trainers has been sent out two weeks ago and the deadline to apply as a trainer is the 17th of February. The call was sent to all EPOT trainers. In case you did not get the call but feel competent to offer trainings that fit to our overall theme and in particular a certain track please contact Tinna ([email protected]) for more information.

The trainers’ team should be as diverse as possible concerning age, nationality, experience and background. All trainers will be part of the big VSS team, meaning there are also some other tasks during the event apart from the actual training sessions.

This year’s venue really offers great training conditions for conventional and innovative trainings. Get inspired! We are looking forward to receiving more interesting and motivated applications with great training ideas!

Official homepage:


EFIL Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/vss2013?ref=ts&fref=ts

VSS Sunflower Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/vss.sunflower?fref=ts

Videos:

http://vimeo.com/groups/174421

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/vssdenmark

Questions can also be referred to [email protected]

How to quench your information thirstby Tinna Sveinsdottir

mailto:[email protected]



















Text : Tinna Sveinsdottir - Annika Menke - Joshua Fitoussi Design : Joshua Fitoussi

Pictures : Joshua Fitoussi - Inga Menke

February 2013 - Efil Summer SummitDenmark - VSS HERALD

www.efilsummersummit.org/2013

vss 2013 herald 1

Documents

years summer summit

efil volunteer summer

vss motivation formpage

ingathe vss heraldfebruary

best summit

afs volunteers

volunteer summer summits

afs network