GYUMRI RSC’19 | 1st-timers

Welcome

Every little thing you do starts with a first step, emotion, thought. The idea that clungs into your head and seeks to find the attention of yours like a stranger in the middle of the desert that is desperate to find the desired oasis.

Whenever that very first thing is collapsing into action — the consequence is inevitable — an experience mixed with memory packed into the box and hidden in the depth of your brain.

EYP is like an old jazz song. It has everything. A special beat — that makes you want more sessions to participate in. Bases — that counts your heartbeat every single time you go out of your comfort zone. A piano — the atmosphere it creates. Saxophone — the people you will meet only in EYP, the ones that make every session unique and exclusive.

EYP; three letters — one experience. Thousand of thoughts and memories. And it all starts from one step — a choice. The choice to try different roles and gain new skills.

Gyumri Regional Selection Conference of EYP Armenia — was an incredible platform for people to test their knowledge, try something different and simply create a beautiful beginning of the chapter in their youth — called EYP.

I was lucky enough to witness dozens of youngsters doing something for the very first time.

First-time delegate, chair, organiser, president… and there is me, the first time journo.

During the session, I’ve talked with 1st timers, and outlined the main things that I would love to share: their feelings, expectations, fears and suggestions for the future 1st timers.

Delegates

Everything during the session is creating around the delegates, so they will feel comfortable enough to work and solve the issues that Europe is facing nowadays.

When I first received an email I was very happy because it was my first time to participate in the conference of such kind. It is very important to take part in it, as you’ve got a lot of things to learn.

Elita

I’ve definitely become much more confident with myself…especially after ALEILE!

Hasmik

It was my first time going that far from my home, and it definitely succeeded in all of my expectations! Now, in the middle of the GA, I see the clear goal, to participate more and more and to experience these emotions as much as I can.

Tamara

I was afraid of the level of my English. That I wouldn’t be able to shape my opinion right, and people wouldn’t understand me.

Narine

For the future 1st time delegates I would suggest being more friendly and open-minded as we are learning from our mistakes, Just don’t be afraid to show your emotions

Lala

Chairpersons

Behind every committee, there are chairs that guide them all the way through the journey and make every single opinion count. They shape the team and create favourable conditions for every participant.

As this was my first time chairing, I had many fears before the session. First of all, I did not know how my delegates will be and how they will participate in discussions during the committee work. I was thinking about my delegates, and whether they will work as a team or not, and what kind of leader I will be for them.

But now, I can say for sure that being a chair is one of the best positions in EYP sessions. Not only I have helped my delegates, but also I have learnt a lot from them. I feel very satisfied now.

Anushik

First-time chairs, stay confident! It feels great to be a chair

Ruben

Being a chair is cool, you still have that delegate spirit, with discussions and GA “feels” but you can mentor your committee, some kind of control the equal participation of every delegate and make every idea count.

Elen

My Biggest fear was ever showing my delegates that I have them. I was afraid that I’ll get too nervous to be able to continue the TB or the CW, thus failing the whole process.

I encourage everyone to apply for this position as it is a great continuation for your EYP Career. It’s an amazing way to test your skills and see how much you’ve grown, and it’s amazing when you work with the new generation of EYPers and helping them to grow too.

Mher

I would suggest first-time chairs to not be afraid of failure and to be ready to step out of their comfort zone whenever necessary. As a chair I tried to be friends with my delegates rather than being an authority for them. Even once I had a private talk with a shy delegate which transformed her into a very active one, as a result, she was chosen as the best delegate.

Lilit

President

The heart of the session. The one — that melting fear of the delegates with the right words and simple suggestions.

I’d like the session to be remembered as a place with a very open and welcoming atmosphere, where everyone is open to growth and fun.

For future presidents, I would suggest a simple truth — plan everything and don’t be worried because everything is going to be just fine.

Davit

Organisers

Behind every event, there are magicians that create this fairytale for someone else. Heroes that always running somewhere for something and someone.

Besides the predictable organising skills I gained, I made new friends. Now it may sound very cliche, but I truly am thankful to Gyumri RSC for the given opportunity to fill my life with new bright youngsters.

Karen

The biggest fear was the risk of failing. Though I love trying new things, this was not only the first experience as an organiser but also as an official. So I was kind of stressed. But, all worries went away, when we all met. I will advise not to be afraid of failures or rejections, apply despite everything. And don’t be sad if they don’t pass, just remember there are more other, maybe even better options!

Mary

Head Organisers

The Control panel of everything during the session. The creators of the vision. They are privileged to choose the right people to be in the right place and make magic happen.

I would highly recommend first-time head organizers to listen to each other more, despite all the stressful situations and misunderstandings. When you are working in a team with absolutely different working attics it is the best thing you can do.- just listen to each other and find the compromise.

Nareh

Editorial Assistant

The right-hand man of the editor.

When you are a journalist — you have a project, you deliver it. As a journo you need to be creative and eventually be a part of the team. But when you’re editorial assistant: you still have the part of the creativity and involvement in projects, but in addition, you’ve got some management tasks to accomplish. Hence, the most important thing in the work of EA is mentoring of journalists. Showing them better way of doing things, support their ideas and simply help them to improve their skills more.

Levon

Jury

The invisible mentors. People who notice talent and choose the best ones.

I would like to recommend future juries to be more confident. It is not a hard job to do, of course, it is responsible, especially seeing how the delegates developing throughout the session. The way they’re acting, trying to participate — it is making your experience even more valuable. The communication between the jury and delegate it is probably the most silent one because you don’t really have a chance to communicate with them directly, you are having one-way contact, by observing them you’re staying invisible.

Anna

Thank you

The very first time in EYP or in a different role you’d like to try can be a nervous thing to do. From the perspective of the first time journo I was scared of failure and going out of comfort zone, but here I am, writing these words to you, my dear EYPer. Being a journo is cool, I must say. You are a part of every team. You are welcomed by everyone and even the craziest idea is heard and compressed into the reality of the session.

Before I will shut my voice in your brain, I would like to say one last thing

Your heart is beating fast, you don’t know what exactly awaits you around the corner. The sweet anticipation is killing you and you can feel the tingling in your chest echoing all the way through your brain.

Yes, I thought that this feeling of the first time will hunt me during the whole period of the session just as I thought that I will live happily ever after with my calf’s teeth when I was younger. But time flies and right after you will do the first step to meeting all of those amazing yet unknown to you EYPers all around Europe you will feel the warm embrace that will cuddle you with warmness and heat, it will strike you right in your heart.

The new experience will add a flavour to your routine, will make a few days memorable.

So, open your embraces to the 1st time opportunities! Apply, get rejected, apply again… and then finally, open the door of the new EYP chapter and step there without a fear failure.

I will close the memory of the Gyumri Regional Selection Conference, and leave you here, waiting for the next opportunity to come. Don’t miss it.