Sunday 12 January 2014



Hi Frah here from the GLYN conference!!!   
  
So, wrapping up another great conference, I got to see old friends, I got to make some new friends, and learned a lot in the process. 

We have talked and discussed the  future of GLYN today, how and where we will go from here, therefore if we strengthen our commitment and dedication we can achieve our goals.  
This  group Is one of a kind, it has a lot of potential and I will look forward to seeing how it will develop in the years to come.        

  In conclusion I would like to thank the planing team Rachel, keran, Dan and Tom you guys done a great job well done !!!

Yes...The 2nd GLYN Conference has FINALLY Happened!!


Hi All, it's Keran here.

Wow, after all that planning and preparations the 2nd GLYN Conference has finally happened here in Darlington. We had a small group who have been amazing in really getting involved with sharing their stories, ideas, knowledge and experiences over this weekend. We had some interesting workshops where we not only got to know and learn more about each other, but looked at the different aspects of GLYN and how we could moved it forward to fulfil it's potential.

It's been really good to be part of the GLYN Planning Team, as it's been good to put my skills into use. I think we pulled off a really good conference if I must say so myself. So thanks Rachel, Tom and Dan...I think you guys are ace!!

From this conference I feel we have a clearer focus and vision on where and how we see GLYN developing in the future. I can't wait for you all to here about the plans and get on board as GLYN seriously has a lot of potential. Well that's it from me for now but keep tuned as we will keep you all updated with the next steps of GLYN.

Also for everyone that attended this weekend just want to say THANK YOU for making it an amazing weekend!! :)

Keran Takhar from the City of Bradford YMCA!!

     
Hi everyone, Danny Clarke here from Tees Valley YMCA. I am currently at the GLYN conference in darlington.

My favourite session over the weekend was the future of glyn because it was nice to hear other opinions and ideas.

I feel reenergised and I have new found enthusiasm for the project.

Even though only a small group of us have atteneded the conference there has still been alot of good input and it has been good to hear everyones hopes, dreams and aspirations for the group within the wider movement and where we want to be in the future.

Thanks for reading
Danny Clarke
Tees Valley YMCA

Engagement can only happen through the good use of Communication.

Good Evening everyone,

Tom here from Worcestershire YMCA sat in bed after a busy day at the GLYN Conference here in Sunny Darlington!
After lunch today we had the lovely Keran lead a session on Communication and Engagement.
We looked at what these both meant to us and looked at the wide range of ways that we can communicate in today's world and how through this Communication we can achieve engagement. As a group we came together and discussed what engagement is and some very interesting answers entailed! Following on from this we took part in an interactive activity together and spoke about bad examples of Communication we have experienced and looking at ways these can be improved which once again would lead us to be able to engage with one another in a better way.
After dinner the small yet diverse group of young people came together for the last session of the day.
This last session was a great way to end the second day of a conference that has surprised us all in terms of action, impact and participation during the conference as we looked at 5 questions that Keran had prepared for us which looked at the Communication and Engagement of GLYN at current and how we can look at changing and improving this as we as a group move into the future.
I will let the next participant to blog let you know what was discussed as it links in very well with the Future of GLYN session I am facilitating in the morning.
One thing has stood out for me this seminar, although we are a small group this weekend it has been brilliant to see everyone here being involved, engaged and most of all communicating well with each other as we look at GLYN and everything in between.

The Future looks GLYN, the future looks within. 

Saturday 11 January 2014

Something New

You may be aware that our Global Link Blog passed the 50,000 pageviews over Christmas. This weekend as mentioned in an earlier post a number of us have gathered in Darlington England, to begin to map out the future for our network.

In order to add something new to the blog you will have seen we have been adding some video clips to the blog as a new way for GLYN members to communicate though a different medium. We hope the varity adds interest to the blog experience.

Toms end of first Saturday am Session


Introduction to first GLYN Session Saturday 11th January 2014

International work is just a jolly, isn't it?

Hi Everyone, Rachel here at the GLYN conference.

We have just had the morning session delivered by the great, Tom Smallman. I have to say he did a fantastic job with lots of facilitated self reflection on skills and talents within a small, but amazing group of people! I realize, as Tom is talking, that although we are a small team, we are diverse and all have very different skills and talents but if we work together as a team, these compliment each other. We are all amazing as individuals, but if we come together as a group, could we be unstoppable? 

Its been a couple of months getting to this stage with lots of work planning and preparing for it! Tom delivered in true style! It is worth all that hard work to watch as everyone gets involved and is working hard to make sure this is a success. Let's hope the remaining of the conference is to as high a standard that Tom has set this morning! 

Stay tuned for more...

Friday 10 January 2014

Hi everyone,  Alex here.

I am currently sat in a hotel room in Darlington taking time out from the first night of the GLYN conference to write this blog for you all.

Today is the first day of a jam packed weekend of reflection and learning about who we are and how we got here, as well as potentially being the start of some key movements and decisions about the future of the GLYN group.

The main purpose of today was purly getting to know each other and starting the conversations about how we got where we are and how we think and hope GLYN can move forward in the future.

I am very much looking forward to getting to know the rest of people here over the next couple of days, finding out their stories and their dreams for the future. I also hope we manage to pull together a plan for the future of the group, something that will give us an achievable goal for us all to get our teeth into and make happen!

This is only a short blog and the rest of the group will keep you all updated throughout the weekend. Here's to hoping it's a most productive one...I think it will be!

Alex Taylor
Barnsley YMCA

P.S I just want to give a massive shout out to Tom, Rachel, Keran and Danny for making this weekend happen.

Second Global Link Youth Network Conference

Just home after spending the last four hours in the wonderful company of a small select group of young YMCA leaders from across England. Some great stories about experiences shared over this past few years. The topic for the weekend is to explore how their experience can be relevant to who they are and explore learning and experience oportunities for the future.