Wednesday 18 August 2010

Meanwhile, in the camp

Meanwhile, before packing the office for moving to Stockholm, we had the Active summercamp in Fredrikstad, Norway. As everyone was there, I'm not going to write a long introduction, but describing what the volunteers did (and what I liked doing):

Our preparations began before the event, in Örebro, thinking out performances, making costumes by Janika, taking stuff etc. On the spot, we started by compiling the anti-tobacco boardgame boxes. First days there was the Active Congress and we assisted with coffee breaks and technical stuff.


Hope that the outcome of the Congress was successful. It was interesting to listen and watch, but on some point - when it was discussed what we are going to eat next time - I made a calculation, if there is a congress every two years, then there are 5 congresses in 10 years. The congress lasted about three days. So it means total of 15 days in 10 years. And if, say, half of it is spent on minor details and technicalities, is it really 7 days in 10 years to discuss the important issues by all the people who fly there and back 5 times? Hope I'm wrong :)

Just to clear it up, it wasn't all about the food, that was just one small episode what made me thinking. And the girl who brought it up, she shouldn't give up, but maybe she can realize it not as an "inner circle"-thing about our own private eating habits but as a public project about animal rights what Active can support. In my opinion, if it's good, why not.




Besides the congress we had the Board performance, directed by Sanja, and our Office performance, what we were scared of... but managed to complete. At least it was very funny to do for us :P Also there was the All Rights project meeting for 2 days, and meanwhile Janika was busy with different tasks, making the video + waking for 7:30 to assist the team with the breakfast arrangements. In the end we had the Active shop and carrying the tables.




On the downside, by the end of the camp, I have an impression that other people's work is not always valued.

For example, if we had set up our outlets, someone dropped random stuff for their performance on the table on our shop items. Without saying anything. And as we were standing on the chairs and hanging up sign for Active shop, behind us the beamer was started and directed to us with presentation for some next performance. Without saying anything. As we were invisible, only people's own goal mattered. There were more examples.

Seem as small things, cultural difference maybe, but for me these are examples of egoistic behaviour, even if people themselves doesn't notice it. So from my point of view, Active people are doing well on alcohol issues but the peace and friendship parts can be improved.




Anyway, the camp itself was good, and thanks to the organisers because it's never easy to make something of this size to happen and satisfy all the tastes and needs of people of such different backgrounds.

Generally, it was good to see all the people, people who you have just talked over the internet, people you have heard of, old and new friends. Hope to be on the next camps in Latvia and Iceland. And then I'll have more time to meet the people and not so tired :)

Alari

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