WKND by EYP Ukraine

CONTENTS: EDITORIAL / ORGANISER`s INTRO

2ND ALUMNI WEEKEND OF EYP UKRAINE OR……

DON’T THINK ABOUT IT

BEING MORE THAN A PIECE OF FURNITURE

MULTIPURPOSE EYP

THE LIFE BEHIND THE FIRO

TEST YOURSELF!

Have you ever seen the ocean? This ethereal and majestic wonder, so tremendous and formidable a human eye cannot embrace it. You might probably be rapturous when you first face the ocean, perhaps frightened, with this pleasant ticklish feeling of excitement, related to something yet unknown. Then you come closer. And closer. And a bit more closer. You can clearly smell the odor of waves, hear the sound of birds (not singing, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be realistic) and feel the wind in your hair . You cannot stop, you keep going until you feel the water.Then you just jump straight in with both feet. We have never seen the ocean. But this is how we anchored in EYP, just like in the oceanquickly and fixedly. Just like the ocean does not care who you are, EYP welcomes warmly everyone, no matter where you are from, how experienced you are or how many oddities you have (we all do, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it). Alumni weekend for alumni everyone is the best proof of it. As long as you want to swim, EYP will hold you. It will teach you so many things, it will support you in all your initiatives, it will help you, it will change you. This is the best place to try something you never tried before and no one will judge you. We did. Enjoy. Yours,

Dear Participants,

EYP is something special for me. It is about variation, spirit, silliness, internationality, freshness, dares, post-its, innovations, celebrations, resolutions, future, parties, English, fun, knowledge, sleeplessness, experience, coffee, teamwork, energy, possibility, addiction, people, and FRIENDS. I am extremely happy to congratulate you with the successful 2nd Alumni Weekend of EYP Ukraine. Last year I attended the 1st Alumni Weekend and was inspired so much, that this time it was my pleasure to be involved into the organising process. I am extremely happy and honoured that you decided to join and become a part of this amazing event. Things I have learnt at my first Alumni Weekend I do remember and it still sparks my interest to EYP. The value of this training is priceless.The Alumni Weekend is the place where you share and learn so many useful things. Here you have a chance to spend the whole day with super experienced EYPers who are opened for questions, TED talks, successful stories and gossips. You have a chance to get behind the scene of EYP and discover Brainstorming, Grouping, Discussion and Phrasing. The significant insight you have got is the chance to develop your skills and gain new ones in the future. I hope that the time you spent at the event will be one of the brightest memories in your life. The unique spirit and all the random craziness made a bright and absolutely unforgettable experience for you. Please, do not underestimate yourself and accept new challenges as this is the best thing EYP provides you with. There are so many things ahead so now it is your time to explore the world of Teambuilding, Committee Work and General Assembly. Do not hesitate to celebrate this with EYP Ukraine and whole Europe. Looking forward to seeing each of you very soon!

Garbuz & Prilipka

MIKE (HO)

2ND ALUMNI WEEKEND OF EYP UKRAINE OR…… ANOTHER SLEEPLESS NIGHT AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE How did YOU spend your weekend? Laying in bed? Watching TV? Or just sleeping? Our weekend was rather different, we didn’t really sleep, hardly laid on the bed and of course didn’t watch TV, but I think I will tell the truth, that it was one of the most interesting weekends that we’ve ever had . Starting from the very beginning, I expected some kind of not so interesting workshops and was really surprised, how talks about organising and fundraising could be so easy to get. This is because we’ve practiced everything in a very funny way. Only in one of the tasks, where we had to draw our Ideal Session, we saw how many talented people we have in EYP. And everyone saw it from different perspectives. We were parts of different teams,tried to solve different problems and I really enjoyed the process, it was a good contribution in future

I would like to thank Jan Philip Beck, because he really did a great job. He explained us “a theory“ of organising, special hints and tricks of fundraising, just shared his experience with us. This event wouldn’t be so special without this person! I like that every workshop was different, well prepared and had everyone involved. I found out many new things in chairing and organising process. It was quite interesting to listen how to use our experience in real life. This weekend was full of exciting activities and flew away really fast! As you don’t think about time, when you with EYP, you simply enjoy. It’s something special, in which you fell in love from the first sight. Every time, when we are together, it’s like to meet some oldold friends: such a good warm feeling inside. We feel unite, it’s all about being in EYP, you are already different, you think in another way, you feel different and you have this special spirit inside your heart!!!! <3

VIKTORIYA YASHCHUK

DON’T THINK ABOUT IT “Just say it”, they tell you. That is, my friend and future head organiser of some cool and fantastic event, the very first moment when your idea has completely taken your mind. New challenges come this way - but you know, in EYP you are always required to think outside the box. “Try the impossible to reach the possible”, and it will become a new deal you are going to make truly successful. Well, everything begins with the spark as the oldest people have known that a fire took its start there. Unfortunately, not everyone can resist the inspiring flow and keep it going all way, to the very end. Sometimes our expectations do not meet harsh realities, and we start loosing the most crucial point of the whole thing our belief. It makes us put so much efforts, leading on our way so far. Is it even worth giving up? If delegates were blood in the system and officials, including chairpersons and journalists, were organs, the organising team would be a heart of the session, its source of vital energy that makes everything works like a clock. Considering bonds and communication itself between members of a team as the basis of the fruitful work, a head organiser is still a key actor, a leader who coordinates others like a watcher with its pocket watch. If the lack of motivation among team mates

going to increase it, using whatever he or she has: biscuits, sweets or warm words, a shoulder you can sleep on, or simply his very favourite tool - crazy but inspiring ideas.This energy a person full of is the greatest motivation ever, alongside with the responsible attitude towards common goals, i.e. organising a successful session. Showing confidence in his team makes other people always feel not pressure but responsibility. And when a head organiser, a hero that became a spirit of a team, is in the time of need, seems to loose all his inspiration and, as the consequence, motivation, his grateful team is always there to help him bringing willingness to work, showing the aim they are about to achieve. No doubts, system works both ways. What if you are still careless and seem to have no passion, only tiredness? You know, it happens but hope still remains. Remember: your mind set is the source of inspiration itself, you do not need some extra methods to find it. Just say it, one more time, and your spark will become an eternal flame again and forever. Head Organiser?

MARIA FEDORUK

BEING MORE THAN A PIECE OF FURNITURE When you are a delegate, you hope to find yourself in a perfect team with a perfect atmosphere during a session. When you are a chair, it is up to you how to create it. Before this Sunday for me, an EYPer with a little experience, the ability to compose a productive union of totally different individuals, preserving friendliness and sense of respect within it, seemed to be a miracle. However, due to Roksolana and Ira’s workshop the secrets of being a successful chair were revealed. First of all, we analysed a circle of stages I- You- We, getting to know about techniques to accelerate passage from one to another, possible obstacles on this way and changes in inner state of delegates during every stage. And, of course, we couldn’t leave out the famous EYP- games, which, except for entertaining, can also relax, draw together and relieve from conflicts. Secondly, we learned what chairs should and should not do before the session, during the team building, committee work and General Assembly.

This part of workshop was very inspiring as the irresistible desire of trying oneself in this role appeared immediately.That is because this role gives a wide range of opportunities to improve your various skills and your performance, which is seen by delegates; this is just a peak of iceberg, constant work that lies behind someone’s eyes. Thirdly, we had a chance to practice in the interesting, even unpredictable simulations. And this was the time when less experienced EYPers could learn from their fellow colleagues. It was in a true spirit of EYP – funny and serious at the same time. That is what no university can teach you. So thanks for that training one more timea perfect kind of interactive modules, which gave new stimulus and new motivation. Ira and Roksolana made their best to share their experience in the intelligible form, preserving richness in content. Perhaps, during this workshop every participant received some new tools in breaking empty walls between delegates in his or her next session on the chair’s position.

HRYSTYNA PARADIY

MULTIPURPOSE EYP EYP is a trully great thing. It gives you a lot of opportunities, such as public speaking, skills in English, fundraising, team work, organising events and chairing at sessions. When you are preparing for school classes, you just learn the material by heart; but when you are searching for some piece of information, you try not only to learn it, but to make other delegates understand it by rephrasing your own words. If you miss your classes, you might have some problems with marks, but what does this mean at university? Just only that you weren’t present and skip the material given there. But if you want to improve the grades, you will do it without much effort, because you are an EYPer and you know exactly how to deal with multitasking – you are capable of doing incredible things. Sessions in EYP also help you improve your teamwork and leadership skills, which are necessary in real life. Not in every university professors can teach you these qualities. According toYegor’s training at the 2nd Alumni Weekend, being a member EYP means not just to have fun, but also to have a great opportunity to improve your knowledge. So, I think, spending your time at different sessions instead of going to university, doesn’t damage your knowledge, because you absorb not just the facts, but some experience, skills and useful, interesting information you can use nowadays. Everything is possible with EYP ;)

MARYNA TESLENKO

THE LIFE BEHIND THE FIRO From ever since I can remember I have always had this issue with leadership. When I was five, I dreamed of being a kindergarten teacher. Not very attractive middle-aged lady embodied an absolute power, which I, without any doubt, wanted to posses. Somewhat similar feelings overwhelmed 17-year old me at the International Session - my third and last delegate experience. Despite the fact that I was of a very typical EYP age when I went to the International Session (unlike other Ukrainian EYPers), I already felt huge life experience behind the shoulders: 1,5 years of the university, a job which gave me an opportunity to pay for EYP trips, and own apartment (which my mom still pays for, but does it matter for a teenage self-esteem?). Being extremely proud of myself, I usually and quite naturally did not get along with my fellow delegates. That was another “noble” reason why I wanted to become a chairperson.

In fact, now, having seen many first-time chairs I still believe that the majority of them seek for officials positions, driven by a desire to belong to this exclusive club of “cooler people”. Unfortunately, not all of them eventually understand that chairing is not solely about exclusivity. I do not want to deceive myself pretending that I do not enjoy little privileges, which the CJO team has at the sessions. Nonetheless, I quickly grasped the idea that I chair not because of the right to be tired and emotional with my colleagues after midnight. And it is not about the power either. Hardly did I feel any power being left alone in front of ten people, who tend to treat me - ridiculous Ukrainian girl - in a slightly suspicious manner. It keeps happening to the chairs all the time, by the way. Disregarding how much you are respected or known in EYP, you will be just a weirdo for a newcomer. It teaches confidence.

Girls and their first times. a chance to talk to each person properly. Moreover, As a rule EYPers begin chairing careers at their no one guarantees that you will get along with othhome countries. I have never looked for easy ways. er chairs. Be ready, that you are not cool by definiEven at the university I subconsciously choose tion when you are a chair. You may remain the same the toughest disciplines, which I am destined to tedious amoeba, which has required a new status. fail. One of those exams I was supposed to re- However, disregarding the fact that I do not believe take when I went abroad to chair for the first time. that there is a direct connection between the number I was absolutely confident that to make a first step of people and atmosphere, my favourite teams were is the most difficult thing. If I had predicted how per- small. They were cosy temporary families to me, which sistent I would need to be to get to the third step, figu- as well as any other EYP groups ceased to exist at cerratively speaking, I would have given up before starting. tain point. Of course, I missed them all for quite a reaGenerally my “success rate” is 34%. In other words only sonable time comparable to the length of casual PED. 1/3 of my Chair or VP applications submitted since No- At the same time, it is worth mentioning that I never vember 2011 were successful. Of course, the percent- regretted going to a single session. Even if I did not feel age of positive selection outcomes has the tendency comfortable within the chairs team, it did not matter. to increase. Yet, in 2012 I had 8-month period without a single successful application. . Was it discourag- Delegates vs. people ing? Definitely yes. Did I blame the people in Selection People theoretically know, but rarely think of the fact Panels? Never. Sometimes your application honest- that 90% of the time a chair spends with the delely sucks. What kind of commitment can one expect gates. One can be a chair-mommy, a chair-buddy, and a from a person, who did not find an opportunity to put chair-god-knows-what, but they always will need to fulenough efforts in the application? A president, the NC’s fil their primary responsibility – be there for a delegate. board and head-organisers in particular spend a lot of That is why I do not understand chairs who do not their personal time to make the session happen and like their delegates. It must be very tiring and annoythey - surprise-surprise - expect you to correspond. ing for them to sit it the committee room all the day. Sometimes I do submit horrible appliYet, I am convinced that a chair can have cations, which I would ban right away “Unfortunately, not all of them a great influence on their committee. If being on Selection Panel myself, and [first-time chairs] eventually you do not look at your delegates forat times I even get selected. Howev- understand that chairing is not mally, you will see the people. Many difer, it is also not very flattering to unferent personalities. Not all of them are solely about derstand that you are selected, not intelligent; moreover to be frank some exclusivity.” because you are good, but because of them are extremely unintelligent, you fit. You may fit the team because you are a girl, but if you do your job right, you have an exclusive powand the Panel needs to reach a gender balance; or you er to help them. After quite a couple of EYP sessions, are more academically oriented to contrast with the that is the only exclusivity I value in the chairs work. spiritual chairs; or you are coming from the right geo- I do not want to mislead you.You are not going to drasgraphical region. Ironically, for the same reasons you tically change the lives of ten people at every session. may not get selected. But often you are simply not Some of your delegates will not even remember you good enough. Face it, and work harder. Go to a chairs in a year; some will refer to you as a horrid tyrant, who training or read a book on the group dynamics. Just did not allow a smoke-break at the Committee Work. do not think that anyone owes you anything because However, as long as at least one of them will remember of how wonderful you are. Think about it for a sec- you months after, and at a casual conversation in the pub ond - every year 450 IS alumni join the EYP network, will mention you as “that guy, who taught them someand I bet one third of them wants to chair. Stand out! thing”, please do consider it as your personal victory. It is up to you whether you want to be a despotic leader, Amoebas and their social statuses. babysitter or a cool buddy to your delegates, and I am I did not like all the sessions equally. Frankly speaking, no one here to judge your attitude towards chairing or some of them I did not like at all. “Exclusive clubs” inner motives, which brought you to the session. Howlive by their own rules, and formal belonging to them ever, I kindly ask you, never apply to chair if you are not does not make one happy. It happens that there are so ready to see the people behind the delegates’ nametags. many people in the chairs team that one does not get

ROKSOLANA PIDLASA

TEST YOURSELF! Defining chairing styles are like a lot of other things, where it’s pretty common to hear people say there are as many different styles as there are people. It’s a cliché we all love. Well, the truth is, chairing is the same way. Everyone is unique, and there is no universal set of standards for everyone. People have different skills and tools, and depending on which is their specialty, that determines what type of chairing style they naturally fall into. Answer these 7 questions to see which style can describe best your chairing in most (not all) of the cases. There is no wrong/right answer; there are just different approaches, all unique, all useful, all having their pros and cons 1. How do you plan your TB ? a) I have everything structured, game-by-game with time limits. Usually no innovation since I believe a system is set and works well. b) I play games spontaneously, usually do not plan as I believe each committee is unique. c) I plan, trying to include some surprises for my delegates, e.g. cookies, bracelets, etc. 2. If delegates are late after Lunch, are they reprimanded or punished? a) Never. I would talk to them, asking not to do it again. b) Almost never. Delegates will see themselves why they should not repeat it again. c) Absolutely 3. I carefully watch delegates to be sure they are performing tasks properly. a) Never. Delegates need to feel freedom, not a pressure from my side. b) Always. I need to know if everyone is involved and feel comfortable. c) Somewhat. I offer guidance if it is needed. 4. I tell group members what to do, how to do it, and when I want it done. a) Absolutely. I have a right for this since it is my responsibility to be on time with a product and I have an absolute authority.

b) I usually ask them how much time they need and how they want to do the task. c) I don’t care how, the most important for me is to follow the rules and be on time 5. If at the beginning of CW you see that delegates have different level of preparation, you: a) Give them some time to discuss the topic altogether not controlling the discussion b) Give them your materials and some time to read them. c) Give them some time to read their materials. 6. If the committee is not on time with resolution: a) We finish on time, but with what we have. b) I set the time when and where we meet after dinner in order to finish it. c) I set the time when the latest they have to send me the clauses, which are missing. 7. During the GA: a) I chair actively, encouraging everyone to be active and asking if everything is clear. b) I give the placards to one of the delegates and let them ask the questions they want without pushing them. c) I asked everyone to prepare 3 questions to each resolution, certain delegates to prepare Attack Speeches in order to be very active at the GA.

Now count the amount of shapes you gave. If you have more stars, your style is autocratic chairing, if leaves- bureaucratic, if hands – laissez fair, if hearts - people-oriented. Autocratic chairperson Laissez fair chairperson Autocratic chairing involves absolute, authoritarian control over a group. These chairs provide clear expectations for what needs to be done, when it should be done, and how it should be done. Pros. When the committee is up against a tight deadline with a very fixed, critical piece of work, an autocrat is often more likely to deliver results. Autocrats remain very focused on the objective, discarding anything else that comes along the way and refusing to be distracted. Cons. This style of chairing is seen as a bit harsh one, some of the delegates might feel a bit stressed.

A non-authoritarian chairing style. Laissez fair chairs try to give the least possible guidance to delegates and try to achieve control through less obvious means. Also, these chairs tend to be quite distant from their committee, what is not usually a bad thing. Pros. In some situations, the sharing of authority and minimal direction empowers delegates. It also gives them a feeling of responsibility, what can build a stronger team. Cons. If the delegates are not strong enough or inexperienced, they can feel lost and unsupported by a chairperson what can lead to demotivation.

People-oriented

Bureaucratic chairperson

This chairperson is usually very close with the delegates. He/she tries to do everything to make them feel comfortable, to include each and single one and make a session unforgettable. Pros. A people-oriented chairing style tends to energise delegates because it makes them feel appreciated and loved. One of the biggest benefits of people-oriented chairing is that a chair helps delegates to overcome their fears since he/ she tries to find a special approach to everyone. Cons. When you concentrate on the feelings of your delegates it is hard to be strict with them, sometimes even harsh, what might be hard for a people-oriented chairperson

Bureaucratic chairs work “by the book.” They follow rules rigorously, and ensure that their people follow procedures precisely. Perhaps the best chairing style to try when you are not experienced enough. Pros. Everything is well structured and prepared. Each game is planned and everything is under control. “Rules are created to follow them” Cons. t’s ineffective when flexibility, creativity, or innovation is needed. Also in stressful situations, when decisions must be made quickly, bureaucratic chairpersons might feel very uncomfortable. People-oriented chairperson