Team V Campaign 1 - Week 3 (I think. I've lost count)

So, if you haven't read about it already, the first campaign for Team V 2013/14 and in my area, Richmond and Darlington, it seems to be going well. Over the last few days, I have managed to get an article on the front page of the UK's biggest student newspaper, The Student Journals, and I have had the offer to run my workshop at a local scouts group, funnily enough from my cleaner. Anyway, I might as well take advantage of it. This is especially true, given that my old school seem to be passing on the responsibility of helping me organise a workshop to whoever they can think of next.

My stunt, apart from being delayed, is still just an idea. I have a meeting to plan and discuss it on the 11th November, however, it doesn't give me much time to carry out my stunt and even less time to finish the campaign. My fingers are crossed though. Despite these set backs, getting pledges is going well and that's something that you can help me with. If you would like to take part, please get a piece of paper and write "I will...". Then, why not pledge to do something to reduce your environmental impact or carbon footprint. At the end of the pledge, include #teamvgo and if you want, #GreenV. Take a picture of yourself with the pledge and send it to robert.mooney@vinspired.com . I have about six so far.

Asside from the actual campaign, I had a day of Team V stuff yesterday and like to, along with Team V Cambridge who I was talking to yesterday, I would like to give a lot of #teamvlove to mum for making me do it yesterday. I got a lot done and I would have done it at some point but it was probably best I did it yesterday. As much as I haven't got as much done as I hoped, it seems that I'm not too behind, compared to others. On the other hand, I still need one more volunteer and i need to hold a meeting. Lots to do.

Finally, to finish on my funny story of the week (which I'm still confused about), I have had a volunteer apply for my local team, however, when I look up the postcode, it says that the volunteer lives right at the other end of the country, in Newham in London. Weird. Anyway, I am waiting for a reply on that one. Let's hope that next week, I will have made more progress. #TeamV-Out

Residential 1 and Week 1 - it's going quite well

So, residential one was great but very tiring. Aside from that, there were some great moments with 130+ great people that I will never forget. Despite this, getting back to my community was a good thing because it allowed me to recruit and start planning and use the training from the weekend. I'm still recruiting but have almost finished my project plan, including the risk assessment and budget. I have to cover an area across two counties, both Richmond (North Yorkshire) and Darlington (County Durham). Keeping that in mind, I'm doing my stunt in Darlington and aiming to do my workshop in Richmond. 

This may sound boring to people who aren't part of Team V but the week didn't pass without funny moments. When researching local schools, I found one where the headmasters surname was Jolley and later in the week, I meant to phone a Youth Network Co-ordinator but ended up getting through the governments press office. One number was wrong (thanks for that Stephanie). 

I have had some success in approaching Tutors for volunteers but I still don't have 3 core volunteers signed up. Maybe next week will help. Email sometimes helps in recruitment but not when your V email is rejected by EVERY SINGLE college email address, it gets annoying. Word of mouth works well though. 

I hope to actually start on campaigning and get a few more volunteers next week. Overall, it's a start and I don't think many people have got 2 volunteers recruited in a few minutes. I will sign off now and by this time next week, I should be equipt for the first campaign.

Residential 1 - Almost there!

So... It's now 14 hours until the first training residential for Team V. Asside from the party and movie night, I'm looking forward to finding out what the first campaign is and also seeing everyone again. The training is also a good thing and I can't wait to take the campaign, whatever it turns out to be, back to my community and start campaigning. I've had previous campaigning experience through youth council but that was mostly on a local level. This, on the other hand, is going to add to previous experience and give me a taste of what it's like to run a propper campaign. It also gives me more experience in youth voice which I have already had through youth council.
 Apart from the obvious benefits to myself, CV wise, the residential and campaigns themselves will allow me to meet 130 great people who probably applied for similar reasons I did. It then allows me to improve skills such as organisation and that's something I'm really going to need if I am to juggle my current volunteering, college, writing and Team V.

 Despite all that, I can't think what we have to bring a tetra pack and old t-shirt for. Just another one of the many surprises that lie waiting for us in Loughborough. I did try doing a vlog instead, however, my camera filing system went a bit berserk. Maybe I can get it sorted once I get back. I'm really looking forward to missing a day of college for a trip away (just joking but I am looking forward to the first residential). See you in Loughborough for a great weekend and lots of volunteering hours to add to the 160 odd I already have. Not boasting but it is a good thing.