ALL VOL 2016 BABY!

Once per year, PCUG gets together all of the volunteers in country, regardless of their sector. This is a great time to meet people, to network, and in this case, to get important elections information to all volunteers in country at the same time. The format of this conference is a bit different than the rest of the trainings/conferences/workshops we go to. The first day was the typical mandatory sessions from 8-5 with breaks for morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Even these sessions, though, were a bit different than normal. The morning we talked in depth about the elections, things to watch out for, and things neither PC nor the Embassy are worried about. Then in the afternoon, everyone had agriculture sessions because the conference was largely funded by Feed the Future, an agriculture NGO. Those planning All Vol had asked us a few weeks earlier what sessions we would be interested in involving agriculture, especially the education PCVs, so they were light-hearted, fun, super educational, and interesting.

Days two and three of All Vol were totally different. The night of day one launched the open space part of the conference. Open space sessions can be about anything a PCV thinks would enhance the lives of other PCVs. I went to a friendship bracelet session, a session on the Ugandan Spelling Bee, and even hosted one with a group of fellow PCTs. Throughout PST, a group of us have been holding some kind of a church service, usually on Sundays, calling ourselves Circle Church…because we sit in a circle. We decided we should host Circle Church for everyone during All Vol, and it was a hit! We got to network with fellow Christians and more importantly, worship God together. Open space sessions are definitely my favorite part about All Vol, even including prom, though I can’t forget to mention that the conference closed with a banging 70s themed prom. Some people said it was more fun than their own proms, and for others, it was their first!

Basically, All Vol is the type of conference I live for. I was so glad to meet so many people, learn so much about the important things that interest me like camps, clubs, and friendship bracelets! I wish they would do it again in the fall, although it’s likely not going to happen. Oh well. Until next year!!!