JCI Presenter in Lithuania

I spent this weekend in Lithuania as a guest of JCI at their National conference. I where invited there by Jean Gongapsevas, the JCI VP of Communication.

Friday was spent at JCI Presenter, the training that teaches public speaking and presenting skills to JCI members. I was the head trainer, and the two Assistant trainers where Jean Gongapsevas, and Marju Raadik-Kantsik from JCI Estonia.

The training went by very well thanks to the great assistant trainers. It may sound like being an assistant trainer is just about running around and making sure me, the Head Trainer has everything I need. But as a matter of fact, it is not. The Assistant trainers are the real trainers, those who conduct the training itself. As a head trainer, my job is simply to make sure everything is delivered in accordance with the JCI rules.

Being assistant trainer is a tremendously stressful situation. Not only are you responsible for making sure the participants are learning and have a great time, you are constantly being evaluated and judged by a head trainer - someone you may not even know before the training.

I remember when I was Assistant Trainer myself, I sometimes felt very bad after a training - specifically when I felt the head trainer did not give me the feedback I deserved. It could take a while to actually digest the message I got, and to understand what it was all about. At those times, I realised that some head trainers did a much better job mentoring me after the actuall training, while others just turned their backs and went on with whatever they where doing.

I thank my two assistant trainers Jean and Marju for spending their time to improve the skills of the participants, and to put up with my strictness! I hope you will be training with me again soon!