vss herald 2nd

The VSS HERALD, 2nd Edition 1 February 15th, 2012

THE VSS HERALD

2nd EDITION

FEBRUARY 2012


Now, it’s time to apply !!EDITOby Joshua Fitoussi

Already a month has passed since the first Herald was published. A lot has happened since then. You might not have noticed but the Prep Team has been working day and night in order to launch the website on February 1st and to send the calls for trainers and participants. That same day the Facebook page was officially opened and many of you have already become fans of it and are checking everyday for some interesting news.

Our team hasn't had a day to rest: the last two weeks have been spent (among other things) preparing the 2nd edition of the VSS Herald. Here we are. So, what's next? Now it’s time to apply! The page «My Summit» is now open on the website and to help you through this process, and a lot of what is coming in here will guide you through it. The VSS is on its way.

THE VSS HERALDFe

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2nd EDITION

What’s in it?Edito.......................................................2

10 reasons to be at the VSS.................3

A Frog’s Tale..........................................4

Audrey Bonnefons................................5

The Venue..............................................6

How to Apply.......................................10

VSS on the web...................................11

What’s Next?.......................................12


In the first Herald, we gave you 10 reasons to be a the VSS, among them were the International atmosphere, the networking, the wonderful activities, and above all it’s in Latvia.This time, we give you 10 more reasons to be at the VSS, and we are not joking at all when we tell you «VSS is the most tremendous event of the year in the AFS network».

10 More Reasons to be at the VSSBy Balazs Lato and Joshua Fitoussi

10 M

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SUPERB FOODSFEEL PART OF A WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION

ADD A T’SHIRT TO YOUR COLLECTION

CARING AND HOSPITABLE SUPPORT TEAM

HAVE FUNUPDATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE

INSPIRING TRAINERSMOTIVATIONAL BOOST

MAKE NEW FRIENDS

DIVERSE WORKSHOPS


A Frog’s Taleby Joshua Fitoussi

A FR

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As you may already know (if you read the 1st Herald) I had the honor of being part of the support team for the 1st EFIL VSS, which took place in Vigy, France. The Summer Summit was something weird. When I got the call for being a support team member, sometime at the beginning of 2008, I did not know what it was. A meeting? A Camp? A kind of AFS European Volunteer Cup? So here I was with my AFS friends in France wondering what it was all about. At the time, Brian Arnold was our guru, our volunteer, the one who trained us, who showed us how to be a good volunteer; he was the French Hazar (a bit strange to call him that when he happens to be American...) Anyway, Brian made us do the craziest event of the year, the first returnee camp, the 60th anniversary of AFS France, and now, there it was, the first EFIL Volunteer Summer Summit.I remember when we arrived in Metz, the town closest to Vigy, we still did not know anything about the event. We drove to this small village, beginning with a visit at the venue, to talk about the event, to decide who will do what and making the decoration. We

went to the place where we slept overnight, and in the middle of that same night some Hungarians came early and slept in the same room. There one of those AFS friendships started with a Hungarian volunteer named András. Someone kicked him, thinking he was me, because I was snoring too much. Since that day András has participated at all VSS events, and we became good friends.The VSS in France began on a wonderful day in August 2008. At that time, there weren't many t-shirt colors, no walkie-talkies, no small cars at the venue and no swimming pool. We, the support team, wore green t-shirts and were called the Frogs. A lot happened since that day, and now I’m part of the prep team for the 5th edition of the EFIL Volunteer Summer Summit. I wanted to dedicate a page in this Herald to the volunteer who was our support-team coordinator in Vigy, and ask her to share her thoughts about the VSS.Audrey Bonnefons was an AFS volunteer for quite a long time and 2007-08 was her last year as a volunteer. She did many events in AFS France and the VSS was her closing act; «the apotheosis» as she likes to say.

Right : French Support Team working

Bottom : The Entire French Support team at the closing session of the VSS


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I was assisting the Prep Team with logistics (it always helps to be on site), and I was coordinating the marvelous Frogs (aka the French support team) motivating, helping, listening, organizing their day, and sometimes doing massage to those who deserved it. I think that the first VSS showed it was possible. It was the beginning of something tremendous for all volunteers around Europe. It was possible to gather everyone in one place, and not only that we proved it to European volunteers, but also to the world because we welcomed our friends from the US and Hong Kong.The first time I’ve heard about the VSS, it was the first of its kind. What I knew was that I would see so many volunteers like me from various countries. A place where I could share experiences and knowledge, possibly a place where I could make friends from different countries, but above all, the fact that I was able to do something I LOVED, it really made a good impression on me.

Unfortunately, I did not stay in AFS after the VSS, and maybe it was supposed to help me proceed in the volunteer lifecycle, for example becoming involved in European activities or being part of the EPOT, but for me, it was more like an apotheosis.Since I’ve only been a support team at a VSS, I would like to tell the future support team that You are the ambassadors of your country, have a lot of fun, give 100% of yourself for those few days but don’t forget to get the VSS spir it with participants and trainers, don’t do like me, (I was always in meetings besides one last memorable night) enjoy every single minute of the event. I really hope one day, when I’m back as an AFS volunteer I will be able to participate at a VSS, to see what it’s like to be on the other side, because in the end, I had so much pressure for the 1st VSS, on its success depended its future. Knowing it’s the 5th edition makes me happy; the job was done quite well.

Audrey BonnefonsSupport Team coordinator - VSS 2008

The Frogs are still friends. We see each other at some AFS France events, like trainings, meetings and orientation camps. Sometimes we talk about Vigy, friends we’ve met and friends who we still see when we have a chance. Somewhere in our closet we still have this green t-shirt, the first of its kind; with a white sun and the names of the all the volunteers who participated. It is kept safe. Some of us only have this one, others have two but I think only one of us has four t-shirts.

Audrey Bonnefons and Joshua Fitoussi - Vigy 2008


THE VENUE by Gizem Bayer


Let’s see the Venueby Gizem Bayer

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Readers of the first issue of the VSS Herald are already familiar with the venue´s description:“Just Like a Winter Tale.” After seeing the vast green areas covered with snowflakes the Prep Team members liked the idea of having a winter summit. However, the Volunteer Summer Summit – hence the name – is going to take place in July when the temperature is going to be around 24-28 degrees Celsius.

The VSS venue, Turbas Leisure Complex, is located in Latvia´s Ogre region, 40 km away from the capital Riga. It’s a huge complex with diverse facilities and plenty of hosting options combined with massive separate party areas.As the venue is going to be occupied solely AFS'ers, late-night activities, music, parties and talks will be limitless!

If you find time for other things than attending workshops, plenaries and chatting with your international friends, there are some great attractions at the VSS venue. You can enjoy steam baths and saunas, as well as the spacious sport fields, places for campfire, walking tracks in the woods and of course, a river with a slide and a lake to jump into!Additionally, Wi-Fi hotspots are going to be available (but who wants to chat on Facebook while having the great opportunity to breathe the fresh and active Summer Summit atmosphere?)

Sleeping in a comfortable area is an important matter at the VSS. Exciting workshops, new friends are various activities are cool, yet everybody needs to sleep at some point! Turbas offers numerous lodging options: you can choose between single, double or mixed rooms of up to ten beds and get cozy with your friends.

There are options both in the buildings facing the lake and green fields of Ogre, or if you prefer to stay much closer to the nature and enjoy the cottages just next to the river, surrounded by trees, it is also available. Rooms differ in their facilities, like shared or private bathrooms.For the adventure seekers, camping is possible, showers, toilets and electricity is available in the camping area. Don't forget to bring your own tent!

And the food, the delicious Latvian food!Latvia is one of those countries where the food culture is extremely important and a very good example of the sentence: “You’re what you eat.”We believe that the composition of the Prep Team could probably be the jury for a TV show like Top Chef. Coming from countries such as France, Turkey, Hungary, Germany, Iceland and Latvia, every single member of the Prep Team has a different but extraordinary sense of taste. Generous amount of delicious food is being served and everything we tasted left a smile on our faces. Being hungry in Turbas (or in Latvia in general) is not even an option!

Various types of cheese, Latvian pancakes, vegetables, and jams are only some of the essentials of a good breakfast, not even mentioning the freshly brewed coffee, tea and different types of juices.In Latvia, lunch is a warm dish, just like dinner. The portions are huge and the food is delicious and satisfying.

During coffee breaks several fulfilling snacks and sweets are being served. Therefore, all the participants of VSS are going to be full of energy and in good humor!


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How to get to the Summit?A Walkthrough the Application Process and Deadlinesby Gizem Bayer

Now you've had a glimpse at the venue, lets see the timeline that leads to the Summer Summit, and you know what to do! In order to be a part of this invaluable intercultural atmosphere, to attend to the very well-selected workshops, to make new friends, to share ideas and to have an unforgettable Volunteer Summer Summit which will be remembered in years to come, all you need to do is to follow these steps!

1. Apply: It will take you just a couple of minutes to fill in the application form on the VSS web siteIf you require a visa: Apply as early as possible, so EFIL can help you with visa letters.

2. Confirmation e-mail: Your national AFS organization has to confirm your application and that you are a volunteer. If your AFS organization is sponsoring certain number of volunteers the office will make a selection during this confirmation procedure. After this phase you’ll get an email with the confirmation of your application.

3. Register: As soon as you get confirmed, you can fill in the on-line registration form in your "My Summit" account. You can choose the room type; define your dietary restrictions, etc.

4. Make the payment: The payment can either be done via bank transfer or PayPal.

5. Book the flight

6. Finish the registration: After the confirmation of your payment; you can sign up for workshops. Please note that you will only be able to sign up for workshops when you have transferred the registration fee and provided your travel details.

7. Get final confirmation: If the final registration is done correctly, you’ll get an email with the final confirmation with workshop and room choices.

APPL

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FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY

1st - The Call for Trainers START

15th - 1st on-line Confirmation for participants/1st Confirmation for participants by National AFS Offices

1st - First Confirmation END

Payment START

Book Your Flights

2nd - Second confirmation for participants END

15th - Payment END

16th - Volunteer Summer Summit START

15th - On-line Application for participants START

15th - 1st on-line Confirmation for participants/1st Confirmation for participants by National AFS Offices

1st - First Confirmation END

Payment START

Book Your Flights 15th - Final

Registration (Workshops) START

Book Your Flights

30th - Final Registration (Workshops) END

21st - Volunteer Summer Summit END

21st - Trainers’ Application END

APPLICATION IN PROCESS

15th - Second Confirmation for participants START

On-line Application END

15th - Final Registration (Workshops) START

Book Your Flights

30th - Final Registration (Workshops) END

21st - Volunteer Summer Summit END

In case of withdrawal it is essential to cancel! · Cancellations after the application deadline (15th of April 2012) will require a 50 € fee. · If you cancel after the 15th of May 2012 you will be charged 50% of the registration fee.

· If you cancel after the payment deadline (15th of June 2012), there will be no reimbursement. Please inform us if you wish to cancel your application. Once you register on the website, we assume that

you will be a participant and we will apply the cancellation policy.


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2 VSS 2012 on the webFacebook, issue and websiteby Joshua Fitoussi

Alright, I see…Many people will be like “I got to wait 1 month to get the Herald”, “How can we be sure the VSS is going on well?”, “I want to see pictures of Tinna” So many questions or words we could hear. The question to ask is “How to know anything, anywhere, anytime?” one word : INTERNET.

What is on the internet for you? What can you see? What can you read? The prep team is actually working every day on that.

First, on January 18th, besides the issue of Herald 1st, some of you had the chance to add on Facebook Miss Sunflower. A nice and lovely friend. You probably know her brother, Mr Sunflower from Portugal. She is actually aware of everything, and she might give you some interesting news through the next five months.

On February 1st, what happened? The opening of the website and the facebook page. Let’s take a look at the web site. Last year, we have to admit that the work was tremendous, and we wanted to go on with the way the website was made. We added colours of this year’s summer summit, and a whole new homepage.On that homepage not only you’ll see the countdown, but you will have direct access to what’s new and important. Above all, My Summit page is online and there will be the place for you to sign up, to apply, to subscribe to workshops and rooms.

Last but not least, the facebook page. We know that many of you always check their facebook once or twice a day, on your phone, or your computer. If sometime you forget to visit www.efilsummersummit.org, you will have a reminder, photos, news on that page. Go and like the page on Facebook, look for VSS2012.

That is all for now, but don’t worry, many surprises will come till the final date, July 16th, starting right now, with the story of our mascot, The Mole.

http://www.efilsummersummit.org

http://www.efilsummersummit.org


MORE REASONS TO COMEWHAT THE VSS IS GONNA

BE ABOUT???

WHAT’S NEXT?LET’S FINALLY LEARN

ABOUT LATVIATRAINERS?

A LAMA STORY

SUPPORT TEAM?

WHAT

’S NE

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Hello my friends, applications are now open, so go right away

on the web site !!I really hope to see you in Latvia

and I’m sure we will have a tremendous time together

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Design : Joshua Fitoussi/ Text : Joshua Fitoussi, Gizem Bayer, Balazs Lato/ Pictures : Balazs Lato, Joshua Fitoussi

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