Sixteen Volunteers came to Tver for three days to help carry out Tver's first International English Conference. From left to right, we are Daniel, Tara, Tanya, Phil, me, Everett, Juana, John, Monica, Pamela, Cara, Rachel, Ocean, Daniel, and Jamie (Tom and Andy are taking the pictures).
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The party began at our place with Andy's Grandma's special meatballs and Ocean's delicious spaghetti sauce (you can see them on the edge of the table). We had doubts about fitting 20 people into our little abode, but after a little wine and a round of "The Yellow Submarine" led by Tom, it felt just like home.
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Jamie and I stayed up until all hours of the morning preparing information packets, arranging for hotel rooms, contacting speakers, submitting reciepts and generally worrying about what wrench would be thrown at us next. Here's Jamie in my institute's office. I'm not in the picture, but I should be pacing near the photocopy machine in the back, waiting for it to break.
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It began with the four us everyday - Jamie, Tom, Andy and me - then grew to 15, 20 and once even 160 people. But here was the heart of the whole conference and meeting beast. Tom's humor, Andy's light-heartedness, Jamie's lists (and fantastic breakfasts) and my whip.
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The Conference was held in the Main Hall of Tver State University. It started at 9:00am with two key speakers, jazz chants, a song and a skit. Only about 100 teachers received a folders packed with poems, teaching information, songs and activities since we expected only 70 people to show up. Instead, 157 found their way to the auditorium on a rainy Friday morning. Even the Moscow Times sent 100 free copies of their newspaper to be distributed to the teachers. Here is Phil and Daniel in the middle of the crowd.
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The Volunteers getting ready for s skit demonstrating 5-minute classroom activities before the conference started.
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My friend Valentina and I - she helped invite teachers from all over the city of Tver.
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Here is Pamela distributing Moscow Times, British Council and American Council Information to the teachers.
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Tom and a Russian Volunteer helping to register the teachers.
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Cara, Ocean and Everett enjoying a moment of silence...
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I may look calm but I was so nervous welcoming the teachers I actually introduced myslef as Jill Donberg ...
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My favorite part was watching the Volunteers lead the teachers in The Yellow Submarine. You can even see Tom (playing the guitar) stamping his foot.
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After celebrating Peace Corps 10th Anniversary in Russia and holding a regional meeting to exchange ideas and advice, it was time to head home. Here is Everett, Juana and Jamie on Tver's walking street making their way to our last lunch together.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL YOUR HELP IN PUTTING ON A GREAT CONFERENCE. WE HAD A GREAT TIME!!
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Andy and Putin getting ready for the conference. Andy's stitching up his coat!
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My counterpart Olga in the middle with her husband and my friend Valentina.
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