Our previous newsletter might had raised few eyebrows. Now we thought to include a link to an Wikipedia article that explains this newsletters origins and creation process.
Echoes
Riga LTC 7-9. May
Tarmo Saluste
It was a wonder how I got signed up for this event in the first place. The network commissioner Anita overheard that I was doing a PR training in Tallinn LTC and was invited to Riga LTC to do the same training. So my passion of training got me to agree on this. I arrived in the Friday evening and was picked up by AEGEE Riga president Aelita who also kindly accommodated in her home. So I already got this idea that trainers are treated with respect witch is good.
In the following morning I got to see how AEGEE Riga special chocolate cake was being secretly made by the president. By lunch we went to the hut where the LTC was to happen, and set up the place. Already my presence there made Aija and Aelita use double amount of thumbtacks to fix the AEGEE Riga flag to the wall, witch was amusing to watch. Later when people arrived the trainings began and lasted until the evening. Peculiar was that they had no lunches or dinners planned, only snacks. This is not humane but in a way it was speeding up the training and people did not lose their focus.
In the evening there was party with sauna, artificial pond, swing and dance floor. It started with Latvians starting watching the hockey game witch they are so proud of as they have their own team playing. The company was great as we stayed up until 7 p.m. For me this kind of thing was first time when I woke up in the morning and realising the room was full of Latvian’s having energetic discussion. As it was first time when I was in a company where I was the only Estonian. I think Aija stayed up all night sitting in front of the flag and I believe she was guarding it.
Next time when you see an opportunity to meet Latvians then do. They are funny, energetic and make great friends and they already love Estonia.
AEGEE-Tallinn attended Child Welfare day
Kaisa Järvpõld
On 1st of July at Liberty Square there was a event. Represented was many different organizations, including us. As AEGEE is around Europe, then we thought to introduce children of different European countries. It was done trough games and trivia game, where children had to guess from the short description witch country is it about. Descriptions were interesting and offered exiting facts. Also we had an European contour map, where they could mark in the right spots with a pin country names and flags. Popular was weaving friend’s ribbon in the countries colours. The ambient was positive and there was a feeling that we could do this kind of events more often. Prizes were Dumle lollipop and we shared some AEGEE stickers.
From AEGEE-Tallinn there were participating Kersti, Merjaliis, Evely, Anni, Kaisa, Sirly and Farišta.
Big thanks again for all the organizers 
YOUrope Needs You 2 indeed!
Farištamo Leis
YOUrope Needs YOU 2 is a project dedicated to empower High School students. Being inspired by the idea, we decided to use the chance to enlighten Estonian youth about the opportunities they have after graduating highschool.
As a pilot test we chose two schools from smalltowns in Estonia: Rapla Vesiroosi Gymnasium, where workshop was held by Farištamo and Anni; Türi Gymnasium guided by Liina and Eveli.
In the beginning of our workshops we tried to break the ice by asking the students some questions like what they know about workshops, what they are waiting for, their fears, and how are they willing to contribute to make it fruitful for all of us.
For the game we had prepared the descriptions of five countries. Everybody got one piece of one country. The players would then talk to each other to find out who were from the same country. The goal of this game was the teambuilding in general as well as to form five teams. It seemed to make fuzz around the room.
The next task was a small discussion in groups about what items they would take along if they were to travel to the country they had the description of. We wanted them to value ideas such as open-mindedness, friendliness, tolerance etc.
Meanwhile we had a presentation of YNY2, AEGEE, BEST, YFU, IESEC, Work and Travel, Dream! Foundation, and Baltic Council for International.
As a conclusion and also for the end of the workshop the participants were asked to pick three values they would bring with them to Europe – they should agree that friendliness, tolerance, warmth, caring etc are very important, as well as as passport and money, too.
I am sure students enjoyed this workshop a lot. At least they had some fun and some new information about opportunities they have in the future. They also saw a little bit of outside world and something new coming to their environment.
LTC rocked Haapsalu!
Anni Korts-Laur
From 15th to 16th of May Haapsalu was invaded with a bunch of youngsters from Tallinn, Tartu, Ogre and Helsinki with a wish to have great time meanwhile gaining knowledge about AEGEE!
First day, the programme was divided into two: beginners and advanced. Fresh members got the basic lesson of AEGEE by Kairi Püss and workshop about public relations guided by Tarmo Saluste.
Meanwhile more AEGEE-experienced had lessons about project management and human resources by our beautiful duo, Katrin Tomson and Pascal Kuyten.
Before dinner, and long-waited free time, AEGEE-Tallinn members had a special workshop about finance management.
When the night fell, all the participants were buzzing in and around Haapsalus hip coffee called Ehte. One of our members Tarmo Kull was jamming the records and everybody got relaxed and participants got to know each other better.
Special thanks to Ogre girls for spicing up the whole event and bringing their famous “antennae bucket” that is known as a shelter for delicious sangria provided by Ogre girls. We could steal it for sweet revenge. In the last day we saw splendid dance routine by the Latvia girls that we demanded for returning the bucket!
Next day morning,filled with many bright memories from last night, and the last day went by in a rush – last workshop from the duo about communication and NFE methods and conclusion time with goodbyes. This local training course will be remembered.
“Yeah, I admit.. I have one weakness, the thing is.. when I have an opportunity to make some spontaneous decision, it´s quite hard to resist one. And so I was checking my e-mail´s one night, about 2A.M., when I saw the LTC invitation. At first it seemed like some regular training course. But something got my interest, so… why not, If I´m already a rookie, then it´s a nice chance to get a clue what´s it all about. 2 days later, I took a bus ride to Haapsalu, which I nearly missed (last minute person, as I am:D). So began my first AEGEE event. Those 2 days in Haapsalu surprised me positively; participants were so cheerfully wicked (in a good way). Lessons were fun + the trainer’s selection was great, they did awesome. I also liked that many of the lessons took place outside. The only bad thing about the event was probably, that it ended too quickly. Later on, after a bus ride back home (accompanied by RHCP), I got another positive surprise… Xabi had sent me a sweetly wicked mail, announcing they would love to have me in their The Ultimate Survivors SU. Yay!!! Now that’s what i call a great weekend)”
-Annika Luure
Last but not least, I’llgive you the result of a little experiment I had during the 2 days. As one of the organizers was driven by “Käi Jala’s” campaign of healthy lifestyle by counting the steps you make. Our kind sponsors “Käi Jala” lent me one of their step counters. And in one and a half days, I made over 20 000 steps.
Step counter attracted many considerate eyes and some now also use it. In fact one member had been using it for some months.
Big thanks to “Käi Jala”!
News
Summer University “Guide to a better life”
Welcome to Tallinn
From 9th of July, Summer University rollercoaster arrived to Tallinn!
Get an overview of what’s done so far.
Our blog: betterlifesu.tumblr.com
Twitter: twitter.com/betterlifetsu
We have a twin!
Tarmo Saluste
In coming November, it is AEGEE-Groningen time to organize exchange with AEGEE-Tallinn in Groningen. Next year between September 2011 and April 2012 AEGEE-Tallinn will organize exchange with them in Tallinn.
It started when in year 2008 AEGEE-Groningen had planned a youth exchange with a partner that had to cancel their plan. They found contacts with AEGEE-Tallinn board and invited them for an exchange. At that time The AEGEE-Europe board came up with a concept of having Twin locals. Just like there are twin cities Twin Antenna project is to encourage AEGEE locals to form a mutual partnership for collaboration to work together, on one or various projects, for at least 18 months.
For return AEGEE-Tallinn had organized an exchange for AEGEE-Groningen in Tallinn. There formed a more solid idea to make a twin antennae contract between us two.
On 18th April 2010, at the AGORA-Leiden, finally there was an official contract signing with Network Director of AEGEE-Europe, Speaker of Network Commission, President of AEGEE-Groningen, European Affairs Director of AEGEE-Groningen and President of AEGEE-Tallinn. It was witnessed by everyone present on the AGORA. To make it memorable, AEGEE-Groningen had made shirts and every member of AEGEE-Tallinn and AEGEE-Groningen were wearing it and was standing in front of the whole plenary while the contract was being signed. The shirt was purple witch is a colour you get when you mix blue that was colour of AEGEE-Tallinn and red witch is the colour of AEGEE-Groningen. It had also printed on a custom logo for that specific twin antenna.
The contract foresees both antennae’s to organize exchanges and knowledge transfer periods regularly, have at least three board meetings per year, Skype meetings and document/PR-material exchange. Also we both have to promote each other’s international events to boost the publicity of those.
Upcoming Events
Sport game event for Baltics & Sankt-Peterburg
Riga is inviting us to spend time being active and playing beachgames. Event will be attended by colorful bunch of antennaes: Vilnius, Riga, Ogre, Tallinn, Tartu and Sankt-Peterburg.
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Date: 13-15th August
Location: Latvia, Riga
Fee: ~20 €
More infomation will be sent to you soon!
Please, let us know of your intrest: anni@aegee-tallinn.ee
Don’t miss this great opportunity to dive into AEGEE-Spirit and keeping contact with your neighbor!
June & July Birthdays
04.06 Farištamo Leis 11.07 Liisa Sõmersalu
05.06 Mariann Näär 13.07 Helena Ploovits
06.06 Aleksandr Barkar 14.07 Tarmo Kull
08.06 Kristel Rebane 23.07 Erik Põlluveer
15.06 Anna Filimonova 24.07 Antti Trumann
16.06 Griselda Rosenberg 28.07 Peter Luschen
27.06 Piret Prass 30.07 Meeli Kask
Happy Birthday to all of you!
Have nice summer and don’t melt!
Yours, Anni and Tarmo, from the moons post office.
