Wednesday, November 29, 2006

EnterCEE Visit

Most of you have already heard about the EnterCEE Program: it was created in CEE region to create a network of AIESEC entities and stakeholders around entrepreneurship to ensure high quality AIESEC XPs for our members.

One of the most important initiatives within the program was LC Visits by the so-called E-Drive Team, people supporting the implementation of this program on local level. And our LC became one of the 6 LCs selected for the E-Drive Team's LC Visit, which finished yesterday.


Cecilia Karl, originally from AIESEC in Munich, Germany, now working for NEXT in Turkey came to Kiev to help our team of Activating Entrepreneurs to set up the team and processes within it during the 2,5 day visit.

You just need to look at those faces, emotions and just at the sparkling eyes of OC members to understand: yep, it was a success. During that short time they had an opportunity to understand, what it feels to lead and be led, who they are in their team, what types of personalities they are, and even try to realize a small, yet challenging project (just imagine, to create a coverage that won’t let raw eggs break when thrown from the 1st floor in the streetJ)

It was also a time when all team members learned the basics of team management, planned their work, and got deeper insight into their functional areas.

But still, the most important thing, was the opportunity to stay together with the team for 2,5 days, working, having fun, sharing. I guess, this would be very helpful for them in their future work and motivation.

And we also had a very important guest on that meeting: our dear alumnus, Dima Melnik, decided to join the team on one of its days to challenge it with questions, thus adding value to the whole process.

I believe, it was one the best opportunities our LC could take from this program and I’m really excited about us getting it. Hope there will be much more in future!

 
Posted by Olga Kuznetsova at 1:35 PM  | 0 comments

Sunday, November 26, 2006

LCP experience. Coaching projects
After more longer pause then always I am coming back and continue my sharing...
I am sure that most of you don't know what does it mean to be in EB or to be LCP. Actually we event have this kind of initiative in our plans - to show people work and life in EB and motivate to apply for the next term. But be sure that everything what you is told is true and only some minor things are missing. But there always those small things which sometimes make our life not as good as we would like and only those small things actually are giving us that unforgettable experience we all want to have.
So, today I would like to share with you one of the biggest part of my role - coaching OCPs of projects. Now I am working only with 4 of them and I do feel how difficult it is. To tell the truth to be coach is almost as to be OCP, because you think about project, you anticipate its future, you think how to improve your team performance, you track the plan and always review it. The only thing which is missing is working with a team (but actually I have my own one - EB).
Today I had 4 hours meeting with newly elected OCP - Sasha Belichenko. We were preparing for tomorrow's OC meeting. We prepared agenda for tomorrow and though over each part of it. We thought about next tasks for each team member. We thought about roles&responsibilities and how we can match personal goals and project's need for human resources. We make overview of those 3 priorities we are working currently in the project. We did a lot of stuff and as always left meeting completely mentally and phisically exhausted.
Tomorrow will be his 3rd day of OCP, tomorrow will be his first OC meeting run by him, tomorrow he will make a lot of mistakes and tomorrow he will ask his team to be with him and help him learn. I will be there too. I will also help him in his learning by providing feedback and advises. This is only the beginning on his path on this position and I wish him good luck.
And all of us too.
 
Posted by Виталий Дрозд at 12:24 AM  | 0 comments

Thursday, November 23, 2006

ACCESS: How it was
ACCESS
Hello!

Finally, I'm back home from ACCESS. Only 2 weeks have passed, but it feels as the last time I was with my LC was long time ago:)

This conference was one of the most intensive and challenging experiences I've ever had in AIESEC.

Starting from the country. As you might have already read in my previous posts, AIESEC in Finland was one of the pioneering countries in our network back in 1948. And it's also the most northen country:) (yep, there is an LC, AIESEC Oulu, which is situated northermost in the whole AIESEC world). It was something very unusual for me to see alumni who were in AIESEC , say, 25 years ago :) Yes, we are all very young in Ukraine, young as people, young as country. The country is also different in AIESEC culture. Their LCs are much smaller than ours, but comparing to country's size - it's not that little (the whole population of Finland is about the population of Kiev, without suburbs:)) And it is also different from us in members. Since there are lots of other student organisations and the general atmosphere in the country is not selective, they do not select members and allow everyone who wishes to work in AIESEC. Socialising effect is very important here and most of the interns, SNs and re-integrates are actively involve into AIESEC because of those social bonds it creates. And many other dfferences, ... Guess, it would take me lots of time to write everything and still, I don't know them enough:)

Conferences here are also different from what we are accustomed to in Ukraine. Just magine, OCs cook for delegates here (because of extremely high salaries for personnel), but they only rent venue, provide logistics and food. All the rest is done by facis starting from set-ups, moving-ins, to greeting externals, to delivering sessions. And there is a very lovely tradition: all LCs have their mascots whom they bring on all conferences and shout and perform roll-calls with them. And, there is another wonderful tradition to steal mascots and spread rumours about them around Finland:) And... omitting all detective series, I'll just want to congratulate AIESEC in Kiev with a new lovely mascot. You'll see him on LCM:)

ACCESSACCESS is an annual conference for all members of AIESEC in Finland (newbies, oldies, EBs, SNs, interns, re-integrates). There was a very diverse selection of delegates from, virtually, all parts of the world, the same as the faci team :)

Agenda was aimed to develop the 4 change agent's charactristics. It started with a meeting with alumni on the first day - our real life change agents, and moved on to sessions by externals (guess what, there were 19 externals running 5 parallel sessions during one day:)) and ending with AIESEC University on the last day which was devoted to AIESEC Subsystems and Finnishe National Focus Areas.

Well, hat was a short description of the conference and my experience. It challenged my worldview and my AIESEC approach. It was wonderful. It was unforgettable. I wish you'll have something like this or even better one day:)

Cheers!

 
Posted by Olga Kuznetsova at 1:53 PM  | 0 comments

Monday, November 20, 2006

Just don't know what to say
Every conference is special one. All of you know it...
When I was going to this New Horizons there was no anticipation, drive... I just wanted to do my work and go back. In this mood whole conference went...
Only the last night changed a lot of stuff in my head. Of course, I can't tell you about that stuff something specific. The main thing is that you are making decisions and when suddenly something is happening and you are thinking about changing that decision. Now I have a lot of stuff in my head about AIESEC, university, family, personaly life... future. And I think that during this week a lot of stuff will change and at one side I am really happy because change is something which makes your life more interesting and at the same time I am afraid of that other world which is lying behind.
I thank you AIESEC for this butterfly who will change my life.
 
Posted by Виталий Дрозд at 11:44 PM  | 0 comments
Sugarcube
As some of you my have noticed I've not given sugarcubes to anyone from LC 
Kyiv this day :) .
That's because each of you (or of us :) )deserves a sugarcube. that's why I've decided to write a sugarcube using such nice tool as blog, where whole LC can read it :) We, AIESEC in Kyiv are soooo nice and sooo sexy, that all AIESEC in Ukraine feels it. We are simply the best. Without of a doubt, every person of LC is such a beautiful flower in our bouquet, that Together Everyone_of_us will_Achieve More. Just happy to be a part of our beautiful team... Thank you guys, love u all.

GIVE ME A KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
GIVE ME A YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
GIVE ME AN IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
GIVE ME AN VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

WHAT DOES IT STAND FOR?

KYIVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
 
Posted by Anton Chornyy at 12:52 AM  | 0 comments

Thursday, November 16, 2006

ACCESS, Day 2: Faci Pre-meeting
Hello!

So, today we actually had the first day of our real faci-premeeting.

I guess it feels different being on an international conference as a delegate and a faci. I've never experienced being an international delegate, but being an international faci has already become something VERY EXCITING for me. Guys, go for it if you have an opportunity!

From early in the morning we have been going through the confernce, its content and all other important things. It was some kind of a challenge my worldview day for me:) : the ways we approach everything here, starting from OCs and their responsibilities and finishing with AIESEC - all differ depending on your AIESEC country, GN. There are differences in how we perceive morning and evening plenaries, roll-calls, everything. There are even diffenerces in how we approach AIESEC XPs and any global initiatives. Just imagine, a team of 12 people representing 11 different countries and 4 GNs :)

We've just finished our OC/FACIs meeting. BTW, some facts about the venue. In Finland, prices for venues are very high, so every time they organise a conference they rent an elementary school almost for free for some weekend (there are almost no conferences that last longer than 1 weekend). And all delegates sleep in sleeping bags.

And as usual, I'm the youngest here:) among facis. Some of them still don't believe I'm 18. Yep, it's so funny to be in a team with all members at least 4 years your senior and several - the whole 10:)

Anyway, I need to go now.
Already missing you

Olya
 
Posted by Olga Kuznetsova at 5:48 PM  | 0 comments

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

ACCESS 2006:)
Hello!

Guess what? I'm in Finnish MC Office now :) Yep, I've finally reached the place.

My journey started on Monday: I went to St Petersburg by train. There cool guys from LC SPUEF and an alumna hosted me. Then I took a bus to Helsinki and finaly arrived here.

So, a little bit about the event I'm here for and about AIESEC in Finland, in general. AIESEC in Finland is a VERY OLD AIESEC country: they were among those 7 countries that founded our great organisation. Today, they have 11 LCs and about 250 members (just after recruitment). I'll write more when I learn more :)

MC here comrises 4 people: MCP and 3 MC directors. They work in MC ffice and live in MC flat (2 different places:) They got their office in 1995 after IC in finland and Sweden (actually, at that time it was CC's office - maybe it's a good idea for Ukrainian MC to initiative a bid for IC ;)

I've been here for about 3 hourse, so cannot share much so far, but here is a poem I've found in MC office that I definitely want you to know.

Here it is:

It's up to you!

One song can spark a moment
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest
One bird can herald spring

One smile begins a friendship
One handclasp lifts a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer gloom

One step must start each journey
One word must start each prayer
One hope will raise our spirits
One touch can show your care

One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know what's true
One life can make the difference
You see, it's up to you!
Cheers!
Olya

 
Posted by Olga Kuznetsova at 5:47 PM  | 2 comments

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Kyiv post Career Day.
Yes, it have happened... The brave team of AIESEC people, with list of tasks to find out in "enemy event" have come back with great results:

1. We have defined +/- of exibition.
2. 35 from 50 Proposals of our Career Day were distributed among companies.
3. We have got "TRINOG" in present from JTI - BIG thanks to Lidia-Nadiych Petrenko.
4. "BeeLine" was a sponsor of delivering "TRINOG" to Nastia's home. BIG thanks to Melnik Olga :)
5. We have got at about 30 business cards of HR-managers.
6. Now, we know for sure, that we can make our dear CareerDay 2007 one of the most AMAZING exibitions in the WHOLE Ukraine!

So, the goals of our "Career-drive team" in this "war-campaign" :=) are achieved and we have GREAT results!

I wish all of us LUCK in our future "special tasks". I LOVE ALL OF YOU, GUYS!!!
 
Posted by Slavik at 1:09 AM  | 0 comments

Friday, November 03, 2006

How we visited "Karitas"
Dear readers!

I wish to share one of the best opportunities AIESEC gave me: an opportunity to help needy children and spend time with them.

To tell the truth, I had never thought before that I can spend so much time with children (who were, BTW, not too well upbrought, and that made them even more precious) and enjoy that.

One month ago, when we were deciding which team would do what during the probation period, and it turned out that my team was to prepare a mini-social project, I just hoped my team would be wise and creative to make that real. Coz I had never had such an experience before, and my only memories about the disadvantaged came from my early childhood or, to be precise, a miserable orphanage near my house.

Anyway, when girls came to our meeting and suggested different versions of that mini-social project I became delighted with their ideas: something very warm and cosy enlightened them :)

When we later decided to go to "Karitas" and spend time with children there, devote our attention and help the personnel working there; I couldn't imagne it would be so wonderful;)

Thnx to our entrepreneurial teams:) and their investments we bought pencils, markers, and other colourful things to draw and make different handmade presents.

I guess you wonder what "Karitas" is. "Karitas" is a charitable foundation for children without parents, poor families and HIV/AIDs, families with many children and pensioneers. People come there and spend time together having classes, playing or just staying for some time. Comparing to other charitable foundations, orphanages and boarding houses, "Karitas" is in normal state, but comparing to normal reality,... well, you would never wish to live in such conditions.

We spent time with about 12 children, some of them became very open and joyful at once, others didn't want to talk and it took much time to make them trust us. They drew, played games, shared their dreams and were so kind and candid, that when a woman came up to us asking if we had an opportunity to find a nurse for a family I was seriuosly thinkng about suggesting myself ;)

That day it was the first time when I wrote a card for St. Nicholas (if iI'm not mistaken he's called this way) and learned about that tradition :)

On our way back, a boy living nearby told us that they had computer courses in summer and he attended them, but in autumn the teacher left and they didn't have classes anymore.

Well, I hope it was only the first time when we visited those children. And I also hope next time there will be more of us;)

Cheers!
Olya
 
Posted by Olga Kuznetsova at 12:11 PM  | 0 comments

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Sunday: eating, communicating, playing quest, selling juice, doing flashmob...
Sunday time
Yeap, I had never spend Sundays in such a way...
My morning started in the train on my way back to Kyiv from Kirovograd. At 9.40 I was on railway station and in 15 minutes already huging with AIESECers on KPI subway station.
I just couldn't miss it and to tell the truth I even didn't have any thoughts about not coming. I just know that it would be one of the weekends you will remember for a long time.
So, we started our morning with going to pizza house to play some game. But unfortunately (or fortunately) pizza was closed at 10.15 a.m. on Sunday and we had to wait till 11.00. After coming inside we prepared for something interesting, Natasha asked us to divide by pairs and sit at separate tables. I was imagining some personal talk :)
But everything was much more simplier. We played a game with matches showing how we communicate and understand each other. The idea of the game is that one person is making some figure of matches and another doesn't see it. And then my only oral communication Sunday gamebetween them second person should build the same figure. If you think it is easy you are wrong. Just sit and try:)
Then we moved to Maidan where quest was supposed to start. I had never run with such a speed in the center of the city with my eyes crazy searching for some angle without head:) And a lot more interesting tasks we had to figure out. Everybody who missed it missed a lot.
It is 3.20 in the morning and I had a thought what I am doing right now here and why I am writing this post without actually any meaning.
To tell the truth I don't know. So, I will finish...
Just want to thank all of you who came and who organized this cool Sunday. One of the best in my life.
 
Posted by Виталий Дрозд at 3:13 AM  | 0 comments
Just another team meeting...
Team meeting Today our team had our usual meeting on Wednesday (it is only 3rd time but it is already usual as if you are working with this guys for few months).
But at the same time it wasn't really usual. I can say that almost whole meeting we were thinking and brainstorming together. First of all we had really important task to do - to prepare our team presentation for Local Committee Meeting. And we had great ideas for ppt, for roll call, for show your leadership. So, don't miss Friday and come and see how creative we are.
Then in agenda we had working on web site structure but we decided to postpone it till Friday because of bad logistics for this kind of work. So, we decided to think for a little bit about the future: how OC will look like, what will be phases of realization, how we will promote our web Just another team meetingsite. Don't think we didn't discuss all those things we just wrote big list of questions which needs to be answered in near future.
We also had 3 guests today. I actually liked more only 2 of them (just because they were girls - Zhenya and Lena). They were so curious how men teams are working that they decided to come to us and see it by their own eyes. Another guests was Dima Dotsenko and I was happy to see him too on this meeting only because of one thing - his motivation to work in the project organizing committee while still working on full time. That's what I call non stop personal and self driven learning - key things AIESEC will give you.
I also asked about people thinking about applying for OCP and was really amazed about number of possible candidates. That's great whey people are entusiastic and ready to challenge themselves. At the same time I want you to understand that the thing is not in position and I hope that all of the candidates who won't be selected will be working in the project with same passion and desire.
That's all for today from my side.
 
Posted by Виталий Дрозд at 2:49 AM  | 0 comments