Background Story 1
From ICVWiki
The following is a recollection of the events during the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Authors: Josef Ulrich & Diego Beamonte
Contents |
Saturday, 7th of May
On the first day, several volunteers gathered on the floor /-1/ at 10am to prepare bags for the participants. While listening to salsa music, the volunteers were instructed on how to put bags together with various materials (programs, agenda, invitations, business card, instructions, etc.) for the participants. The task was to prepare approximately 2500 bags. Reasonably enough, towards the end of the packaging, we started running out of materials and out of energy. Nonetheless, one final effort from the volunteers and the coordinators was enough to a successfully ending to the morning. After a couple of hour of tedious, yet necessary work, we managed to finish the packages before the lunch break. After lunch, the information section started. I was really amazed at how many volunteers showed up and how many volunteers were willing to dedicate their time and energy into this conference. After general information, people were given a tour to get familiar with the building, the rooms to be used during the conference, and the premises. We finished at around 5pm wondering what this conference would bring to all of us. There was a sense of expectancy in the air, as for many of the volunteers this would be their first experience “behind the scenes”.
Sunday, 8th of May
I started the day interviewing two participants about their motivations and why they are here. Here is what I found:
Diwen Mueller, originally from China, holds a US passport and has been living in Geneva for one year. After some time staying at home with her kids, she decided to do something different, so she signed up for several volunteering organizations. Seeking some time for herself, Diwen signed up for ICVolunteers, given that she prefers to dedicate her time to others, as well as meet friends, while in the mean time, make contacts and look for a job. On the overall briefing, she liked the positive attitude. As things to improve or to make volunteers more calm in the wild stress of the first day, she proposed it would be great if people knew who they are reporting to in advance. One way to solve this issue would be to "upload a photo of contact person you are communicating with in an email or website" she suggested. She would be interested in cooperating with ICV in the future and, if possible, to do an internship with ICV.
Julie Beausoleil, from Canada, has been living in Geneva for one year doing research on disasters while searching for a job. Volunteering is a good way for her to be active, find out about potential jobs in Geneva - both in private and government sector - and potentially to get to know new friends. She is interested in disaster events, so this conference is very relevant and thought provoking for her. She is willing to do anything that needs to be done, and she likes the ICV experience.
Registration started on Sunday. We were given instructions, and immediately the first conference participates showed up. It was quite hectic in the beginning as some printers did not work, we did not know exactly how to deal with people who come to pick up cards for multiple delegates, or how to deal with those who already had UN IDs, president and ambassadors levels, security bodyguards batches, etc. Stress resistance was important in those first few batches of printings to learn how to do it fast, although thankfully, people waiting in line were, in most cases, patient.
Monday, 9th of May
As the conference delegates and participants strolled through the positive and informative atmosphere that surrounded the CICG, a specific room in the lower floor of the building was crowded with willing volunteers and an intense desire for coffee. The first stressful moment of the day was the need for extra volunteers in the registration booth, which once again was swarmed by hordes of delegates who had arrived even before the doors had opened. Reporters were informed about the use of the Wiki, and how to turn in their reports, while other volunteers were trained in registration and room supervising procedures.Early morning quickly shifted into noon, and by that time the volunteers were used to the comings and goings of the conference. At around noon, those who were able to catch a break went out for lunch, while others enviously waited their turn.
Once everyone had satisfied their hunger, the command room was once again full of vitality. Thankfully the rest of the day ran smooth, especially for the reporters, who didn't have any assigned sessions and were able to prepare for the next day. Some very motivated volunteers helped set up an interview room next to the command room of ICV, and were even able to secure one of the official conference banners to use as background for the interviews! The room supervisors were busy for most of the afternoon ensuring that all the delegates attending the sessions were well informed and at the right place. In addition they placed and collected the name plates as well as gathering any existing documents from the presentations so that the ISDR and ICV's reporter team were well equipped.
The main and final event of the afternoon was the rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony that would occur on Tuesday, and the preparation of the room. Given that H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations would give the opening speech, everything needed to be picture perfect, and our volunteers worked extremely hard to ensure that.
Thank you to everyone that made today such a successful, and enjoyable day!
Tuesday, 10th of May (Official Opening Day)
As the opening day of the conference, Tuesday was to be the busiest day. Volunteers were required to be here a bit earlier than usual, and they replied excellently, as some of them arrived even before the doors opened! Coordination was excellent, as the day before had prepared everyone for their duties. However, as the day wore on, and tensions rose, due to the appearance of important dignitaries, a few bumps appeared in the road ahead, however, thanks to the well oiled machine that was the volunteer team, we managed to drive through them without any major consequences. Ultimately, personal initiative and great overall motivation, and professional attitude were key to fill out every post needed, and the team got right back on track. After the first sessions came to an end, the reporters marched back to the room, timely occupying the few computers available in the room. Most of the reporters managed to deal with the pressure of finishing reports before attending their next session, but it was undeniably hard for most of them, despite their skill and invaluable effort.
Josef Ulrich, ulrich1010@yahoo.com
Diego Beamonte, diego.beamonte@icvolunteers.org
