Hardly seems like a week since all those goodbyes at Malvern.
The week has been a bit odd without the urgency and purpose of needing to get to Malvern to do things or catch up with how things are going.
What's been great is to see that the spirt of the week has gone being shared on Facebook (note to self to find people's Twitter names) and it just confirms how great a week it was.
This will be the last post on this blog - it's been a bit too personal and is probably useless for seminar evaluation!
I've been thinking about the seminar since it finished and this what I have come up with:
Bad things
Not being able to get internet access sorted out for everyone - I know this was a bit of frustration and will cut down on the amount people could blog
Not being around all the time, particularly the Sunday afternoon and evening - I think I would have got to know some people better.
Never having travelled when I was a member - I missed out
Good things
To be part of it all - I was just going to do a few spreadsheets and check how the money was spent and maybe call over for a day or an evening to see what the results were.
Thanks
All of the participants - I'm not sure I've ever seen a group bond so quickly or so tightly. When I ran my sessions, the enthusiasm and how they responded was incredible
The prep team - they all did so much work and planning for the week and it all paid off and so much work during the week with commitment that I couldn't match.
Claire - the seminar was her vision, and it was her drive to deliver it and deliver it well kept everyone going.
I'm wearing my seminar hoodie today, because its cold and rainy (typical Malvern weather) but at least I have that to remind me of what a week it was.
Sunday, 27 October 2013
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Saturday afternoon and Sunday - emotionally and physically drained
On Saturday afternoon, I had to go and see a friend to help with his tax return - and that was when the tiredness kicked in. I probably did drift off for a fraction of a second but the rumble strip on the motorway brought me back pretty quickly and I stopped for coffee pretty quickly afterwards.
I drove quite slowly on the way home and stopped a couple of times along the way and the fact that it really was all over started to dawn, but I was too tired to try and do anything else but sleep.
On Sunday, I was scoring the live and carcase competition so it was a busy day so I didn't think of things too much, but when I got home, ate, stuck a picture of the pig onto facebook, I had a drink and read through my fuzzy notes and that was happy and sad all at the same time.
I asked someone of the prep team how they felt and they didn't know - I couldn't say either, but empty was about as close as I could get
I drove quite slowly on the way home and stopped a couple of times along the way and the fact that it really was all over started to dawn, but I was too tired to try and do anything else but sleep.
On Sunday, I was scoring the live and carcase competition so it was a busy day so I didn't think of things too much, but when I got home, ate, stuck a picture of the pig onto facebook, I had a drink and read through my fuzzy notes and that was happy and sad all at the same time.
I asked someone of the prep team how they felt and they didn't know - I couldn't say either, but empty was about as close as I could get
Saturday morning - it's hard to say goodbye
I chose, wrongly, to go home Friday night and do the 6am and onwards runs to the station to give Gaz and Russ a chance to sleep after the 3.30am airport run.
I expected all the goodbyes to be difficult, but I wasn't ready for exactly how difficult. I'm not someone who is known for showing a lot of emotion anywhere - I've been called both cold and distant probably with good reason, but just because I don't show them doesn't mean I don't feel them and I didn't try to hide how sad I was at all the goodbyes.
It was great that people were already talking about the next RYE event or going to the 2014 seminar in Denmark but that didn't apply to me so it would be the last time I would see them
For the me the hardest ones were the prep team, both England and International - knowing how much work that they had put in and knowing how well it had gone.
In between runs to the railway station, I mostly tidied up and vacuumed - I was glad of something to do because waiting for the next set of goodbyes with nothing to do would have been too hard to take.
By lunchtime all but those who were driving had gone, the people from Malvern Outdoor were happy and it was time to go. I think we all lingered a little bit because it was quite literally the end once we got in the cars and went but after a few more hugs and handshakes we went... and it was over
I expected all the goodbyes to be difficult, but I wasn't ready for exactly how difficult. I'm not someone who is known for showing a lot of emotion anywhere - I've been called both cold and distant probably with good reason, but just because I don't show them doesn't mean I don't feel them and I didn't try to hide how sad I was at all the goodbyes.
It was great that people were already talking about the next RYE event or going to the 2014 seminar in Denmark but that didn't apply to me so it would be the last time I would see them
For the me the hardest ones were the prep team, both England and International - knowing how much work that they had put in and knowing how well it had gone.
In between runs to the railway station, I mostly tidied up and vacuumed - I was glad of something to do because waiting for the next set of goodbyes with nothing to do would have been too hard to take.
By lunchtime all but those who were driving had gone, the people from Malvern Outdoor were happy and it was time to go. I think we all lingered a little bit because it was quite literally the end once we got in the cars and went but after a few more hugs and handshakes we went... and it was over
Friday evening - near the end, and everyone knows it
I was later back to Malvern than I was planning and when I got back the wedding reception was in full swing and I didn't want to interrupt the party so I went into the internet cafe and started writing my fuzzy notes.
That was a much much longer job than I thought - just the prep team took nearly three quarters of an hour, not because of struggling to find nice things to say but because of finding the right words for what I wanted to say.
As I carried on with mine, the room slowly filled up with people with just the same idea. There was one big difference - whenever I had been there during the week people were chatting, listening to music and so there was a bit of a buzz in the room. Now it was quiet and almost serious and people were concentrating on their writing for exactly the same reasons as I had been concentrating on mine.
I wrote too many times that I wished I had got to know some participants better and I expect that this will be biggest regret from the week.
In the games room it was then time for the certificate and gift presentations - probably one of the most emotional experiences that I have been a part of in my time in YFC. The combination of sharing the experiences of the week, realising that it was something special and knowing that it was almost over was almost overwhelming.
The prep team did a fantastic job of highlighting the strenghts and contributions of the members of their groups and you could see their connection as people went around hugging members of the prep team and I was touched to be included in those hugs even though I didnt really deserve them - especially when someone ran across the room because they had missed me out!
After a little while I crept quietly away - I said some goodbyes to people who were flying out and I did miss a couple though
That was a much much longer job than I thought - just the prep team took nearly three quarters of an hour, not because of struggling to find nice things to say but because of finding the right words for what I wanted to say.
As I carried on with mine, the room slowly filled up with people with just the same idea. There was one big difference - whenever I had been there during the week people were chatting, listening to music and so there was a bit of a buzz in the room. Now it was quiet and almost serious and people were concentrating on their writing for exactly the same reasons as I had been concentrating on mine.
I wrote too many times that I wished I had got to know some participants better and I expect that this will be biggest regret from the week.
In the games room it was then time for the certificate and gift presentations - probably one of the most emotional experiences that I have been a part of in my time in YFC. The combination of sharing the experiences of the week, realising that it was something special and knowing that it was almost over was almost overwhelming.
The prep team did a fantastic job of highlighting the strenghts and contributions of the members of their groups and you could see their connection as people went around hugging members of the prep team and I was touched to be included in those hugs even though I didnt really deserve them - especially when someone ran across the room because they had missed me out!
After a little while I crept quietly away - I said some goodbyes to people who were flying out and I did miss a couple though
Friday, 18 October 2013
Friday morning - at the sharp end
Ueli's plan for the business plan task today worked really well - I spent the morning moving from group to group listening to ideas and asking questions that I thought would help. The range of ideas is amazing and a lot of thought was going to in to the ideas and to what was going on to the flipcharts for the presentations.
I'm missing all the presentations because I'm back in work this afternoon - I'm sure they will all be great and I hoped I helped a bit.
I'm going back for a little while this evening which is when the goodbyes will start - that will be sad.
I'm missing all the presentations because I'm back in work this afternoon - I'm sure they will all be great and I hoped I helped a bit.
I'm going back for a little while this evening which is when the goodbyes will start - that will be sad.
Thursday - a quick visit is both good and bad
I popped over to the seminar after work on Thursday evening - the Worcestershire entertainments were great (much better than what I had come up with) and Matt was brilliant at leading it. The box game was still going strong when I left - I could the shouting from inside the car as I left the main building!
I should have booked the week off work - I've got to know everyone a bit but I think its different coming in and going away from the group than being in the middle of it every day - that sounds like a complaint but its only against myself. This week is all about participants and I think they are having a great week which is what we all wanted and hoped for
I should have booked the week off work - I've got to know everyone a bit but I think its different coming in and going away from the group than being in the middle of it every day - that sounds like a complaint but its only against myself. This week is all about participants and I think they are having a great week which is what we all wanted and hoped for
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Anybody miss me?
Work (yesterday in Chester and today and tomorrow afternoon here in Hereford) means that I will be missing out on most of the rest of the seminar.
I am coping by reading the blogs at lunchtime to find out what I am missing.
I am coping by reading the blogs at lunchtime to find out what I am missing.
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Plan Z
A quick blog as I am supposed to be working.
It sounds like the visits to businesses went really well but it must have been a long day. My job today was to run the evening for Herefordshire YFC members. I had a good plan at 9pm on Monday which was in a mess by 5pm Tuesday!
Two people fell ill, somebody else that was running part of the session couldn't make it and I had a tweet as I arrived at Malvern asking if I had a plan B!
Fortunately it all worked out - I thought of something I could have done better but not until early this morning.
The piglet game was really funny and went much better then we had planned - someone wanted me to buy a piglet for them and I will have to find out who it was on Thursday.
Today I am teaching accountants how to produce financial information that can go in business plans and I am in Chester which is two hours away from Hereford by train - it is a lot different to Monday's sessions!
It sounds like the visits to businesses went really well but it must have been a long day. My job today was to run the evening for Herefordshire YFC members. I had a good plan at 9pm on Monday which was in a mess by 5pm Tuesday!
Two people fell ill, somebody else that was running part of the session couldn't make it and I had a tweet as I arrived at Malvern asking if I had a plan B!
Fortunately it all worked out - I thought of something I could have done better but not until early this morning.
The piglet game was really funny and went much better then we had planned - someone wanted me to buy a piglet for them and I will have to find out who it was on Thursday.
Today I am teaching accountants how to produce financial information that can go in business plans and I am in Chester which is two hours away from Hereford by train - it is a lot different to Monday's sessions!
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Always room for improvement
Yesterday was the day for me to run my two sessions at the seminar.
They have been on my mind a lot since the international prep team meeting and I have written and rewritten a lot. I decided right at the end to go with the presentation and pictures - it caught me a bit by surprise to be asked for a copy of the presentation at the end of the sessions.
Simon and Georgina from NatWest were brilliant and they were very impressed with the participants and how they engaged with them and the topic.
Jesper was great too - always helping out and checking I was OK.
Was I happy with it? Well I was quite tired afterwards, which normally means it has gone OK - but there are a couple of things that could have been better and the part with the gold and silver coins was probably the one regret that I had.
I hope everyone got something out of it anyway.
I now have to worry about the Herefordshire members coming to the seminar tonight - someone who was important to that plan has dropped out so I've got some work to do!
They have been on my mind a lot since the international prep team meeting and I have written and rewritten a lot. I decided right at the end to go with the presentation and pictures - it caught me a bit by surprise to be asked for a copy of the presentation at the end of the sessions.
Simon and Georgina from NatWest were brilliant and they were very impressed with the participants and how they engaged with them and the topic.
Jesper was great too - always helping out and checking I was OK.
Was I happy with it? Well I was quite tired afterwards, which normally means it has gone OK - but there are a couple of things that could have been better and the part with the gold and silver coins was probably the one regret that I had.
I hope everyone got something out of it anyway.
I now have to worry about the Herefordshire members coming to the seminar tonight - someone who was important to that plan has dropped out so I've got some work to do!
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Nerves are good right?
Not able to be at the seminar all day today, but it was great to sit through the country presentations this morning - what a range, YouTube (especially the not recommended in Estonia), hand drawing on the white board, one complete video made from scratch!
The fears and expectations was good too - everyone was very honest.
I missed the team building games in the afternoon - I was invited to represent Young Farmers at a service at Hereford Cathedral but I got back for the start of the International Buffet - I didn't dare stay though because I had to drive home and it would be far too easy to try some of what was on offer!
Tomorrow is my two sessions on business planning - I'm getting more and more nervous about them as time goes on. I'm tinkering with the powerpoint now (on the other computer) and its probably time to stop before I mess it up!
The fears and expectations was good too - everyone was very honest.
I missed the team building games in the afternoon - I was invited to represent Young Farmers at a service at Hereford Cathedral but I got back for the start of the International Buffet - I didn't dare stay though because I had to drive home and it would be far too easy to try some of what was on offer!
Tomorrow is my two sessions on business planning - I'm getting more and more nervous about them as time goes on. I'm tinkering with the powerpoint now (on the other computer) and its probably time to stop before I mess it up!
Saturday, 12 October 2013
Arghhhhh!
Today was supposed to be a simple and straightforward day - collect some bottles of water, copy some stuff onto USB sticks and generally help out as the participants arrived. So far so good until the participants arrived and started working on their blogs and thats when the problems started with participants not being able to connect to the internet - which is a bit of a problem when you want to write a blog!
Everyone was very patient and understanding and hopefully we have bodged up something that will work so that people can get online if they need to this evening and hopefully it will be working OK in the morning too.
The seminar is much more real today - having never been to a seminar or the Rally the number of people that would be around was just a number on a spreadsheet and now most of them are here!
I perhaps should have stayed over tonight for the icebreaker games, but I'm worried about my sessions on Monday and although I haven't done as much work on them tonight as I would want, I've been doing a lot of thinking about it. Hopefully there will be some time tomorrow to work on it even though I will be away for the afternoon - I'm hoping to at least see the start of the international buffet!
Everyone was very patient and understanding and hopefully we have bodged up something that will work so that people can get online if they need to this evening and hopefully it will be working OK in the morning too.
The seminar is much more real today - having never been to a seminar or the Rally the number of people that would be around was just a number on a spreadsheet and now most of them are here!
I perhaps should have stayed over tonight for the icebreaker games, but I'm worried about my sessions on Monday and although I haven't done as much work on them tonight as I would want, I've been doing a lot of thinking about it. Hopefully there will be some time tomorrow to work on it even though I will be away for the afternoon - I'm hoping to at least see the start of the international buffet!
Friday, 11 October 2013
Friday - doing what I can
My blog for the Autumn Seminar will be a bit different from some of the others - I've been lucky enough to be on the prep team from more or less the start with work and other things I have only been able to do things now and again.
Today has been one of those days, but I did collect the polo shirts and tinkered a bit with the wifi for the prep team that are on site. They had obviously been working hard all day and I felt bad for getting there late and then going home again.
I'm looking forward to the seminar - so much work has been put into it and it is great to see the enthusiasm on facebook from the delegates - and I will meet some of them tomorrow.
But for now sleep - it's going to be long week!
Today has been one of those days, but I did collect the polo shirts and tinkered a bit with the wifi for the prep team that are on site. They had obviously been working hard all day and I felt bad for getting there late and then going home again.
I'm looking forward to the seminar - so much work has been put into it and it is great to see the enthusiasm on facebook from the delegates - and I will meet some of them tomorrow.
But for now sleep - it's going to be long week!
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