chairing ignite 2010

When I got an email from Skit about chairing IGNTIE 2010, I wasn't sure whether I would want to do it. Reason for NOT chairing would be due to my work commitments. But then again, when I thought about the reasons of why I should chair - there are so much more! And in the end, as the title of states it clearly - I chaired IGNITE 2010.

It was good to have AIESECers picking you up from the airport. I was shocked by the amazing feat that they pulled off - carrying my huge luggage on a bike! Then spent the whole afternoon with getting to know AIESEC Vietnam a little better, and somehow we got into the topic of Belbin team roles, DiSC and psychological type. Was sharing what I've learned with Thu Ha, Sokmean & Van Anh - and they wanted to know more than the basic type debrief; and so I shared what little I know about cognitive dynamics & archetypes. They wanted more; but I guess I need to read up more and validate my understanding with my coach to ensure that I'm sharing the right stuffs :) Skit was excited with the curry puffs I brought for him. And thanks to Marcello for the awesome Italian pasta for supper(I even got the recipe from him as well). Initially I got a bit worried whether I would fit in and do a great job chairing as I've left AIESEC for quite sometime, but it seems that my worries are unfounded.

During the faci pre meeting, I felt something familiar - in the sense of living abroad with AIESEC. It felt so much like when I was an MC in Hong Kong. I could just relate to it so much, and it was nice to the Vietnam MCs welcoming me into their home. I enjoyed the afternoon running TtT sessions for the MCs - it just feels great that I'm contributing in my own way to their development.

The next 2 days were the National Planning Conference which I chaired as well. It was also during this time that I prepared for IGNITE 2010. There was so much to get done! I had so many ideas, but just so little time to get it done. But nevertheless, nailed it down one by one.

And then it was IGNITE! There were quite a lot of hiccups to the logistics for opening plenary. But honestly, we made the best of what we had in the short amount of time! Opening plenary was a blastz if I do say myself. The delegates were excited and energetic even after a whole day at DLD in formal attire. It was the latest opening plenary that I've even ran & attended - we started at about 9pm and ended about 11pm :)

My key learning as a chair
1. Always come prepared with loads of fun stuffs. Get an international to help you out with energizers. A techie with superb multimedia presentations & videos. Research on internet would definitely help you get started with some ideas
2. I need to lighten up! I know that I'm a control freak when I'm put in-charge. And that it something I need to learn to do better - developing my Extraverted Thinking as it's my inferior function
3. I still need LOADS of practice to be a SUPER CHAIR. It's totally a different skill set & experience compared to being a facilitator.


Challenges that I faced as a chair
1. Honestly, it was a really tough job to keep time! Seriously! Maybe cause I had to be so much more "Judging" than I usually am. But we managed to catch up in the end :)
2. Connecting with the delegates - it was not easy at all. I'm not sure whether it was the language barrier or the age gap :P But anyhow, I managed to connect with handful of delegates :)
3. As the OC team was a young bunch, I had to also somewhat oversee how things are run during the conference. I'm glad that they're open to ideas, and working together with me in dealing with many of the logistical issues :)


Most memorable memories of IGNITE 2010
1. Closing plenary - it was just a perfect closure to the conference with the songs and candle lights; and of course people crying :P
2. Every time when Cao gets played with - her teammates literally plays with her as if she's a toy :P (Btw all these happened behind the scenes, mostly in the faci room)
3. Watching AristoCats with Marcello when waiting for the delegates to arrive for Opening Plenary


Finally, thanks to the facilitators and delegates for such a memorable and enjoyable experience chairing IGNITE 2010 as an AIESEC alumnus!