[GCDP] Padang, Day 35 to Day 38 (Global Lead Summit 2014)

Day 35

After almost a week of preparations for the faci team and months of preparation for the Congress Committee, the day has finally arrived. Global Lead Summit 2014 in Padang, Indonesia.

        

Papa gave Alaa and I a lift to the Gabenor's office but it was actually the Gabenor's house which was just across the road. Once we got there, we mingle the delegates who were in the hall. Met the Malaysian delegates who were there and it was nice to see my fellow Malaysians after being in Padang for almost a month. Not long after, the opening ceremony begins with speeches from Nikos, CCP of GLS, Heru, LCP of AIESEC UNAND and the guest of honour, Mr Syafruddin Aissten II, a representative of the West Sumatra Province government and it was followed by the traditional dance.

After that, it was the introduction of the CC team for GLS and followed by the press conference. It is my first time being in a press conference where the local media ask questions about the conference, AIESEC and wanting to know the facilitating team more. Spoke in both English and Bahasa during the press conference and it was fun talking to the media.

Answering questions from the local media

Online article of GLS

Once the press conference was over, it was time to head to the hotel to start preparation for the beginning of GLS.

The faci team and agenda sisters ready to rock GLS!

Lunch has passed by and a final dry run, it was time for the conference to start. The delegates enter the hall and the faci team was introduced to the plenary. We did a performance to kick start GLS.

Started with expectation settings and followed by the first 3 sessions of the day: Leadership Journey, The Power of Influence and Leadership Styles.

After that, we had a gala dinner and Padang cultural night where we witness more traditional performances by the performers in Padang such as Tarian Piring (Plate Dance).

Malaysians at GLS - faci and delegates

Once the dinner was over, the delegates were thrown a challenge which they need to solve over the duration of the conference. After that, post mortem to discuss what was good and what could be improved for day 2. For me, I felt I could have done better and got the feedback and support required to make day 2 better. End of Day 1 of GLS.

Day 36

Day 2 of GLS 2014. We started the day with some roll calls and punishment before the first session on day 2, the World Youth Leadership Panel with our guest panelist.

 

After the panel, we had Self Assessment Block, followed by Personal Branding and Mastering Public Speaking. Met up with Kana and Louis in the morning whom I have not met since being involved in the conference. After dinner, we had Leadpreneur and to transition from Leadpreneur session to Global Top Leaders team discussion, Dea and I did a random sketch and end up doing a selfie with everyone in the hall. Probably my biggest wefie to date.

My biggest wefie to date with the GLS facis, delegates and CC

After that, we prepared for the mask party and team performance. The CC team, facis and the Management Team of AIESEC UNAND perform for the delegates. It was also the time to interact and bond with the CC team, faci team and delegates.

Doing Subha Hone Na De with the Faci Team

Ended the night with some karaoke and photo sessions. Got to meet up with some of my fellow interns, Ji Eun, Ahmad and Anil who was leaving the next day.

In terms of faci performance, it went from bad to worse and again needed some pep talk to ensure it ends with a bang on the final day. Day 2 of GLS over.

Day 37

Final day of GLS. Started with the morning plenary, more dance, roll calls and punishment. We had the company presentation on Leadership Empowerment and followed by 2 back to back sessions: Leadership to Society and Secret Behind Team Management. Did so much better than the previous 2 days and it was all down to practice, self confidence and being myself.

Build the Tallest Tower

After lunch, it was time for the Amazing Race. The delegates ran to stations located outside the hotel to take challenges and collect clues to win the race. Had a selfie with all the groups after completing their challenge.

With the yellow team at the sculling booth.

After we are done with Amazing Race, it was time for Global Village where everyone wore their traditional costume and set up booths promoting their country. Wore a Malaysian football jersey (wanted to be different) and sang Tanggal 31 with Ace, Fatin and Guma since Malaysia's Independence Day (31 August) was not too far away.

After that, every country and province from all over Indonesia took to the stage and perform.

Malaysia and Egypt

GLS in their national attire

After Global Village, it was time for Bring Back Home to recap what the delegates have learn through out the conference and make a pledge on what they will do after the conference. After that, it was the Closing Plenary to wrap up the conference follwed by picture time and appreciating the people around.

Final round of post mortem and appreciation all around to the faci team and CC team. Job well done to everyone!

Day 38

Done with the conference. What's next? GLS Post Tour!

Took a bus to the beach before taking a boat ride to Pagang and Sikuai Island.

Pagang Island

Did some snorkeling and banana boat on Pagang and Sikuai respectively though both resulted in having scratches during snorkeling and almost drifting to sea after falling off the banana boat. The trip had to end earlier as one of the delegates step on a sea urchin. It was a long tiring day and after reaching back the mainland, we got back to the hotel and change to more comfortable clothes.

Had our GLS faci team dinner (missing our chair, Gatot) and just talk and take pictures. After that, it was time to head to separate ways, probably the sad part after the conference has ends (the start of post conference syndrome).

Dinner after GLS Post Tour

After dinner, it was time to head home to rest and back with my host family. It was a crazy past 2 weeks from preparing the conference to having the conference and ending it with a post tour. My first conference outside of Malaysia as a facilitator which I will remember for a long time.

[AIESEC] Local Train the Trainers TU

Hey readers!

Hope you are having a great weekend. After a long week and having completed my final assignment of the semester, it's time for another post.

AIESEC Malaysia organised Local Train the Trainers (LTtT) from 12 - 14 October in Taylor's University. LTtT is a conference held for AIESECers in the Team Leader Program (TLP) to equipped them with the necessary skills to be facilitators. Throughout the 3 days, delegates learn the skills needed to be facilitators such as designing presentation slides, mood management and crowd management, delivery methods as well as applying what they have learn into simulation and mock sessions.

LTtT is also a prerequisite to qualify for National Train the Trainers, where facilitators specialised in one of the 'Success Essentials' under LEAD and learn how to chair a conference.

For this LTtT, it had a Michael Jackson theme to it as it is a theme that everyone can relate to. After all, Michael Jackson is a legend, he stands out from other entertainers and has signature moves. In the context of LTtT, a facilitator should be remember in a positive way: good presentation style, awesome slide designs and able to create an impact that the delegates would remember the facilitator for a long time.

LTtT TU - History: Past, Present and Future

Here's a recap of LTtT TU:
Day 1

• Set expectation settings for LTtT
• Learn the differences between a facilitator and a trainer
• Design & plan a session

Day 1: Session Outline
This group did a session outline about Oppa Gangnam Style!

Day 2

• Team building activities which are related to the four different Success Essentials
• Different learning styles and techniques such as nominal group techniques and step method
• How to design presentation slides
• Mood management - how to react to different moods in a session
• Movie session (watch recordings of ourselves in action)

Day 2: Daniel (left) and Elwin conducting a session on mood management.

Day 3

• Crowd management - how to deal with different people
• Feedback session - how to give feedback and actually giving feedback to people
• Conduct a mock session and receive feedback on the sessions conducted

Feedback session

We still manage to have fun in between sessions like this one and doing square dances.

Playing the Ninja Game

Randy, the chair of LTtT TU, played a video at the end of LTtT titled 'What Matters To You/Me?'. So, what really matters to you? Think about it.

Last but not least, LTtT would not have been a success if it was not for the awesome facilitators that have equipped the delegates with the necessary skills.

Thank you facis! =D

Doing the MJ Pose.
Facis (L-R): Alex, Amy, Daniel, Geraldine, the chair; Randy and Elwin

For Malaysian AIESECers who have yet to attend and are interested to go for LTtT, there will be more coming soon and stay tune for updates in the Malaysian AIESECers Facebook group.

Till then, enjoy the weekend! =)

[AIESEC] Local Leadership Development Seminar

Hey readers.

It's a new month and time for a new post. This time it's about another conference. It is called the Local Leadership Development Seminar. This conference is held for the new members who have recently join AIESEC and for them to learn more about AIESEC and to bond with their fellow newbies as well as the senior members and EBs for 3 days and 2 nights. Recently, my fellow AIESECers just returned from Gohtong Jaya, where the first LLDS of term 2012/2013 was held and based on the pictures and sharing during the AIESEC Gathering on Tuesday, they sure had lots of fun and gain lots of knowledge. That of course, reminded me of my first and only LLDS to date.

This LLDS was held from the 25th - 27th May 2012 at Barre I.J. Centre in Cameron Highlands. We left Taylor's around 12pm and on our way to Cameron Highlands, we stop at an R&R centre. At that time, the bus broke down and we had to wait for an extra bus to send us to the location.

The bus broke down

While waiting for a new bus to send us to the venue, that R&R centre was where the bonding started. We got to know each other better during that time and it was a blessing in disguise. Played lots of games to ease the boredom as well as getting to know the new members and teach them some AIESEC culture.

Bonding with AIESECers, new and old

About an hour or two later, the bus finally arrive and off we go to Cameron Highlands. The bonding continue in the bus as well as pictures being taken for memories.

Posing on the bus with Kay

 About 5pm plus, we finally arrive at our destination: Barre I.J. Centre, Cameron Highlands.

The place where we stayed for 3 days and 2 nights

The moment we arrive in Cameron Highlands, I got out of the bus and scream out loud somewhere along the lines of "I FINALLY MADE IT TO MY FIRST LLDS!!!". I was that excited and relieved that after being in AIESEC for more than 2 years, I finally made it and was looking forward to the next 3 days in LLDS.

We were greeted by the awesome OC Team and they provide us with the keys to the dorms. After settling down, we proceed to the plenary hall where the EBs and facis were there to greet all the delegates. What more to kickstart LLDS with a number of square dances led by yours truly. After that, it was followed by the introduction of the OCs, Facis and the chair of LLDS, Imran a.k.a. My Name Is Imran, and EB Team - Current and Elect.

OC Team (L-R): Kristy, Masuma, Keli and the OCP, Ramadhan

The Facis (L-R): The Chair, Imran and the facis, Ravi and Carmen

The current EBs (L-R): Raymond, Wei Lim, Amy, Wan Sin, Alex and Carmen

The EB elects (L-R) Hoe Yen, Zee, Lee Min, Elleen, Elwin and Carmen

Carmen introducing herself as one of the facis

We had an ice breaking session to know the delegates, facis and OCs better. Once we had completed the ice breaking session, it was time for dinner.

Ice breaking session with Zhen Hao

Doing the 'dinner chant'

Picture time after dinner

Throughout the 3 days, the junior and senior delegates learn topics related to leadership, AIESEC, soft skills and world issues. The EBs current and elect had feedback sessions and department planning in their own respective departments.

I was involved in the LC simulation, which provides a delegate a chance to operate their own local committee and understand how each department works in AIESEC.

Working hard to prepare LC Simulation with Gabriel and Ravi

In charge of the Finance and Administration booth.

After that, the delegates had to come out with their own projects in which they go out to approach random strangers to raise awareness about the project they have created. It was fun to see the ideas they have came out with and the approach they use to create an impact to the community. Some groups did about HIV/AIDS while another did about environmental awareness. All in all, it was great to see these delegates make an impact to society despite being in AIESEC from a few weeks to a few months.

With Team Shabuya

A conference is not complete without roll calls and square dance. =D

Square Dance Time! - Lips Like Sugar

Poto teaching us a roll call

In LLDS and like all other conferences, we had sugar cubes, which are messages meant to inspire and motivate people to do well in AIESEC and in life.

Sugar cube envelopes of the facis, EB, EB elect and OCs.

We had something call the guardian angel where each person is assigned a guardian angel which they provide gifts and other forms of blessings to provide them with motivation and inspiration.

Gifts from my guardian angel. =D <3

After 3 days and 2 nights of fun and learning, it was time to head home. Everyone had an awesome time at LLDS and they use it as a springboard to progress in their AIESEC journey be it the new members or the current ones.

Group photo <3

Taylor's even did a write up on LLDS in their internal magazine. How cool is that?

A write up on LLDS in the second issue of Taylor's Student Experience Magazine

I certainly enjoyed my LLDS. How about you? This is one of the many opportunities that can be obtained in AIESEC, conferences where you get inspired by others and others are inspired by you.

That's it from me. Till then, have a nice day. =)

[Photo credits to Joey, Wan Yu, Kay, Neil, GG and Winnie]

[AIESEC] First AIESEC Conference

After a long hiatus, I am back blogging again. Well, there is this National Recruitment Blog Campaign organised by AIESEC Malaysia and the theme is 'My First...'. It got me thinking what are the firsts that I have done throughout the 3 years that I have been in AIESEC and one that really stood out in my AIESEC journey is my first AIESEC conference. In the AIESEC network, there are 470 conferences held annually and the thing about conferences is that it is the place where a person can find the inspiration to do well in AIESEC and in life. I was inspired by people in conferences and I managed to inspire people as well.

Despite being in AIESEC for 3 years, I have attended only 4 conferences and all these conferences took place in the same term, 2011-2012. These conferences included my first national conference, Malaysia Leadership Development Seminar (MyLDS) though it was only for a day, my first conference organised by my local committee, Taylor's University, which is Local Leadership Development Seminar (LLDS) and the LEAD Conference 2012 which was held on the last day of the term. 

Regional Leadership Development Seminar 2011 at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Regional-Leadership-Development-Seminar-2011/232034146844122

However, there is only 1 conference that has remains close to my heart and that conference was the first ever conference that I have ever attended. That conference is the Regional Leadership Development Seminar (RLDS) which was held from 28-30 October at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) in Semenyih, Selangor. It holds a lot of memories and it was one of the many highlights of a very successful term in AIESEC.

RLDS 2011

RLDS was co-organised between three local committees (LC) in the central region which are UNMC, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Delegates were not just from these 3 LCs but other LCs as well which includes Taylor's University (TU) (there were 14 of us), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) and even a delegate from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). There were approximately 200 over delegates and 13 facilitators in this inaugural conference chaired by Jing Wen, the former former Local Committee President of UKM. 

LC TU Jumpshot

On the first day, was the opening plenary where the chair, the facilitators and the organising committee of the conference were introduce to the delegates present as well as a presentation of what the conference is about. After that, it was the ice breaking session where delegates got to know each other better. Moving on, the delegates were split into two tracks, junior track and senior track. In the senior track, we learn about first impressions and leadership style. Below is a picture of what impression that people had of me. We also formed teams for activities that will held throughout the conference and went on to be one of the 2 senior teams that won the night activity.

People's first impression of me.

During the evening plenary, we had another square dance session and a personal first for me which was leading the plenary square dance. If leading at least 20 people in my LC to a square dance is normal, imagine leading 200 delegates square dancing. It was unbelievable and it still give me the goosebumps every time I think about it. From there on, I led the square dance throughout the conference and it just got everyone dancing as well. This lead me to learn more than 20 different type of square dances and that number is rising. That's a rap for day 1.

Square Dancing to Green Light.

Another Square Dance, Double Vision.

On day 2, we learn about ineffective LC operations and how to improve on it, types of motivation and grooming the perfect leader. After lunch, the seniors were split into two more tracks, the senior members track and the Executive Board track. In the senior member track, we were sharing our AIESEC experience within ourselves and what are our future plans in AIESEC.

During the senior member track.

 The most interesting part of the day was the LC Simulation, where delegates experience and understand  how a LC functions. Each of the presidents were in charge of a country and I was the Local Committee President of China for that few hours. It was chaotic yet exciting as I had to guide and educate my team on what each department does and how does it function. At the same time, I learn more things about the LC and about myself.

LC Simulation with my team

Day 2 ended with a different sharing sessions. I attended the session which was conducted by &samhoud.

End of Day 2

On the final day of the conference, both juniors and seniors combined together for the I & The World session where we discuss about global issues happening around the world. I went to 2 sessions which were Achieve Universal Education and HIV/AIDS. From these sessions, we discuss about the topics that we were given and had to write it on a mahjong paper in which we had to present it in the plenary hall.

Presentation time.

 The last session of the day was back to separate tracks. In the senior track, the Member Committee of AIESEC Malaysia conducted a session on AIESEC 2015 and how we can create an impact to youths via the programmes available in AIESEC.

 At the end of the conference, we write each other sugar cubes, which are messages that motivates each other. Most of my sugar cubes were mainly about how I inspire some of the delegate through dance and I feel touch that I could inspire people just by dancing. We also had a sharing session where delegates were given a chance to go on stage to share their experience. I went on stage and did that which is something I am proud of and was actually overwhelmed by the overall experience at RLDS.

Sharing during the closing plenary.

Took a group photo at the end of the conference and exchange contacts with other delegates. I kept in touch with most if not all of the delegates as I met them at other AIESEC events and conferences.

Group photo at the end of RLDS.
"Today is where your begins"

And that was my first AIESEC conference. This is just one of the many experiences that I have gain in AIESEC.