Was it a dream?

During the World YMCA World Council last week there were elections to the positions of Officers and other members of the Executive Committee of the World YMCA.  I was one of two candidates for President.

In the couple of days leading up to the election I was asked to informally speak to two Area meetings and one national meeting in addition to countless chats with people whom I met whilst walking around the site, in the restaurant and anywhere else, about what I proposed to do if elected.  What quickly became apparent was that my hands-on knowledge of young people's issues gained from my long association with YMCA Derbyshire enabled me to readily recognise the issues of young people from other parts of the world.  Most issues were similar, no matter where we live.  However I did ask that - if elected - people would help me to better understand their own local realities.

The elections were held behind closed doors on the Wednesday evening.  To my delight I did gain a good majority and within a few moments was propelled from being another delegate at the World Council to the next World YMCA President.  That evening was almost surreal in that so many kind people wanted to shake my hand then have their photographs taken with me. The love and goodwill was almost overwhelming.

Two days later, I was required to give the "New President's Acceptance Speech".  I had a one-hour time slot allocated for it but to everyone's relief I spoke for less.  A standing ovation onto the stage plus a second one at the end was another rather emotional moment for me.  Perhaps the second one was to congratulate me for finishing early?

Now the work begins with my fellow Officers and Executive Committee members to help in any way we can to bring the agreed strategy "OUR WAY" to life. The assistance and prayers of YMCAs around the world will I am sure enable the world of the YMCA to grow and be stronger with us all focusing on Youth Empowerment.
 
Back home now after long travels, but happy to be back.  I managed to pack into my case the many gifts I was kindly given including a special scarf from the YMCA in Bavaria and coffee beans from Ghana; I was relieved the case arrived back in England with me. When I reached home and began unpacking my case, I was surprised to see that the security in Denver airport had decided to open it and examine the contents! Perhaps their X-Rays had highlighted the special type of hat given to me by my friends from India?  Look out for FaceBook selfies by uniformed US border guards wearing a purple turban with gold edging!

"The WORLD is YMCA!"

 (Feel the force of EMPOWERMENT!)

It's UNREAL...To all who have blogged and captured their journey and the moments of this 18th YMCA World Council, I thank you! Sharing this experience with you and once again belonging to something which has continued to enrich the lives of many young people since 1844. 

I can't imagine my life being without the YMCA, and you'll hopefully understand throughout this blog and feel the IMPACT it's had! 

(A place that blew my mind and also met my expectations and more - YMCA Of The Rockies)

This has been the 18th YMCA World Council in Estes Park, Colorado. This only happens every 4 years and it's the engine to what the World YMCA is all about regarding strategy, elections and communication to all movements worldwide. (Task; for all who read this, how many times have I said "World" throughout this blog?)

This is all a part of "CHANGE"! and that's where I come in, amongst the other hundred! Change Agents across the globe being the frontline of the future...

(The coming together of the largest youth movement - YMCA will forever #Stand4Youth)

You may remember, I came into Colorado without a suitcase from my first post, which in the end.....ARRIVED!!!! (With damage, but my Hairdryer was intact and my hair products too, so essentials and priorities sorted) 

(Anericans, I do love your country but I hate how you treated my bag)

BUT most importantly I did come with two other young people from our outstanding YMCA Campus in England who were Jayson Ware & Wesley Hulme... 

Which Jayson celebrated his 25th birthday here and couldn't get enough of the place and the people. He engaged with so many and all had the greatest gratitude towards him. I'm sure he would choose to live amongst the mountains, but I know he'll be coming back to England with so much to share and help develop other young people through his experience here at the World Council.

(Jayson Ware will be another EMPOWERING body amongst our local YMCA Campus) 

(Wesley Receiving the "Global Link blog of the week" tremendous achievement which he never thought would be possible, a massive congratulations - Thanks to Ken Montgomery and Peter Jefferey YMCA England for handing over the award)

Wesley Hulme has just been remarkable and found his fortay within a week, and been such an empowerment to myself and others who have read into his journey so far. He has inspired individuals with his writing and made such an impact by telling us about his experience...I can't congratulate him enough, but his transformation within a week is just beautiful to be a part of.

(Alicia Crawford from YMCA Australia who was in my group facilitating the group sessions. I couldn't ask for a better companion, which we led the group called "The Empowering Elephants" to great work) 

So let me give you an insight to how this all came about;

We as Change Agents over the past 2 year programme had to come to a benchmark and deliver a final assessment. This was to facilitate groups within the world council consisting of Chief Executives and leaders to give them understanding, about who we are and about what we've learnt from the "Change Model" and also present the OUR WAY Strategy fron 2014-18.

Our group 4, The Empowering Elephants delivered such great work and communication was well to comparisons with other groups. As English is not everyone's first language, it was so impressive to see everyone working as hard as each other! 

(Delivering alongside Alicia and creating some good ideas for our presentation.)

There was a question about vision of YMCA which we had to start thinking about, which was very difficult to some but creative to others. We explored the idea of having a newspaper read and about how we can present this through a group piece, which was highly sucessful andenlighting to other groups. This wads one task out of the many, yet it was one of the highlights.

 (Some Great Wall scribing their from Kent, from YMCA USA)

(The spectacular and super Candace Murray from The YMCA of Greater Charlotte, who was our lead motivator and burst of beautiful smiles - Also in the photos are Pierre (Top Photo) and Hans, Oreme, Jorgen and The other superstar of our group and Change Agent - Geomara from Ecuador)

The awesomeness of Candace throughout the world council has been real special, the perfect facilitator to keep us on track and express great praise when we were delivering. So I know from myself, Alicia and Geomara that we will all like to thank her for her contributions.

"The first impression always counts, and me sounding like a Chipmunk on Skype will I'm sure, be always in Caring Candaces memory!"

I also need to tell you about Geomara!

(It's just that friendliness we have through YMCA World Love)

(Geomara delivering her Icebreakers to the group)

Geomara had a slight difficulty when it came to the English language BUT...She still took a powerful and energetic role by supplying the fun into the group, via the Icebreakers called Tinga Tinga TANGO and another Earth & Water! 

As I could translate a small amount of Spanish, we had a good discussion about what she wanted to get from the World Council, and how the YMCA Of Ecuador is doing. She wanted to get connected better with YMCAs and I believe she founded this throughout her time in Colorado. We shall stay in touch as Change Agents and Friends of YMCA. 

(A gift from Candace who wrote my Name with my rhyming adjective) 

This ball is super indestructible...It's from the One World Futbol Project so please check these out and buy if you are that jealous of mine....http://www.oneworldfutbol.com/

And...

Candace even took her time to write each of us a postcard out from Charlotte, Florida.

(A special postcard which I'll cherish also a top that she gave me, that is a part of the PeacePassers community....check out the website to find out more: https://m.facebook.com/peacepassers?refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpeacepassers&_rdr )

Oh Did I mention, I got to witness our own O.B.E Peter Posner being crowned President of YMCA World Alliance...Such a honour to be a part of that special moment and also hear the cheers of the youth. 

(Peter Posner also photobombs are SELFIES)

(Now it's official with his first talk and these bright boards letting us know!)

At first myself and Jack from Black Country Ymca, England got put in a all girls room, yes we held our nerves for one night and then had to move rooms...

That then led me into one of My best International friendships with Luisk, Eduardo and William from YMCA Columbia. So we shared rooms for the rest of the week and had plenty of fun! 

(I told him that rapping without a top looks silly)

(Oh, Eduardo got caught sleeping out with Ralph Raises, out YMCA mascot.) 

 (I'm not sure if I've done something wrong here, or if William has hurt his face!)

We had such a sharp precised programme for the World Council, yet we had so many options to play and just enjoy ourselves around the Rockies...So we did just that also and experienced HorseBack Riding!!!

(Playing some Mini-Golf, which I somehow won that game)

(Should of seen their faces after as I won that also...England 2 Columbia 0)

(This was just a walk into Estes Town, no winners really here other than Estes itself!)

(Ralph Raises taking in the deep walk and thoughts of the beautiful surroundings) 

(That Naaaaay SELFIE though) 

(Love YMCA)

(This is where we stayed...All Change Agents alongside each other, Empowering through sleep also!)

The journey of Estes park of YMCA Rockies soon comes to a close but I have a few more images for you to see first...yet as of the 7th July I'll be traveling back to England, reflecting and more than likely going through my phone and reminding myself what I got up too. Another awesome thing is we got to see a celebration of the 4th of July....

(The horse poo didn't stop it from continuing as they are the land of the brave!)

It was exciting to see all the Americans and YMCA International movements celebrating this day together...!

Oh and what was even more exciting on that day was the Change Agents performance, this was a media, dance, theatricle piece which was interactive and informative about YMCA at a global perspective...

(How bold and beautiful are we!) 

(Squshing up on stage with all sorts of bright clothing) 

(This was a part of the interactive performance where we had to tie it on to create a net)

We also celebrated the fact that we as Change Agents completed the programme...

(Congratulations to This class, more to come in the future of YMCA!)

(Coming from England 4 change agents who are Rachel, Kim, Jack and myself. Super representations from England!)

Oh and some other great news whilst I was out in Colorado, was that my daughter graduated from Nursery which was real sweet. It was a good week for the Barkway family) 

(Congratulations Skyla - School next)

I need to point out another young leader/Change Agent...I have mentioned him already but for what he deserves is more acknowledgement, as he has to deliver a speech that would earn the World Ymca a nice but of money to hopefully secure another cohort of Change Agents, which would be marvellous! So well done Jack for earning the YMCA over £100,000! 

(Jack and Ralph taking a backy of me) 

(I also had a chance to do some announcing over the stage, which was still a confident boost)

I was also sponsoring the NEW YMCA England logo on T-Shirt! So it's the first time it's been abroad...

 

So, after all that went on at the World Council....I saw so much within myself and saw other people acheive a hell of a lot! The English delegation did us proud and had an immense impact to all nations that attended.

Thanks to the YMCA of the Rockies for providing us with all food and Accomadtion it was just amazing, loved it all...

(Getting some great food from the servings we had choice over)

Once again it was an overwhelmingly beautiful place and moments I could wish to live again...

(United States flag and Colorado just below, with the epic views behind)

(Just absolutely stunning venues and backdrop of Estes Park!! All coming out after a the ceremony) 

(The time for that dark humble photo)

I'm going leave you with all and many SELFIES with the awesome guys who was representing their countries...

It was a great success and passion through each invidual just shone! 

Thanks to Romulo and the World Alliance for putting this alll together/orgainising! I can't wait to see the next cohort of Change Agents and Ymca World gathering, I'm sure it'll be greater impact, more Beautiful transformations and more open space for young people to blossom freely and invest in themselves whilst YMCA does the rest....

See you next time 2018!!! (Hopefully)