InterNations Global Awards: Consul Winners

Our Groups feature is a service for our Albatross Members, who are invited to come together and share their hobbies and interests with other members of their InterNations Community. We currently have over 5,000 Consuls across the globe, working tirelessly to host regular activities in their groups, and giving members the chance to meet and mingle over their shared passion — be it a craving for canoeing, a desire for dancing, a hunger for handcrafting, or a lust for lunching, InterNations has a group for even the most niche of pursuits!

With approximately 5,000 activities taking place each month in our InterNations Communities around the world, our Consuls are the busy bees working behind the scenes, organizing, planning, and hosting these activities to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that their group members are left with big smiles on their faces. As you know, it isn’t much fun to tango on your own, and our Consuls work hard to make sure that we can always find new friends to share our hobbies with, wherever we might be in the world.

Our vibrant offline life is made possible by this dedicated group of volunteers who are committed to cultivating and growing each local community. The InterNations Global Awards were created in 2017 to honor our Ambassadors and Consuls worldwide for their outstanding achievements in event and activity planning and implementation in their respective communities. The Global Awards recognize the efforts of our most outstanding volunteers who were selected based on the skills and attributes we look for when recruiting for these roles.

InterNations turned ten in 2017, and the following ten categories were chosen to commemorate this special year. Now, we can finally announce the winners of each category

2017’s Global Awards Consul Categories

• The Changemakers Consul Award
• Best Locations
• Innovation Awards
• Teamwork Circle of Excellence
• Community of One
• Best Host
• Breakout Consul
• Members’ Choice Award
• Communication Awards
• International Host Award

In December, InterNations HQ in Munich nominated the top candidates out of over 950 Ambassadors and 5,000 Consuls hosting a wide variety of activities and events in our 390 communities around the world. We narrowed the field to about five nominees per category before the 2017 Global Awards Jury deliberated in order to determine the winner and the honorable mention for each category. Click on the links above to see the “best of the best” of 2017’s Consuls and read an interview with the winners of each category. For an overview of our equally impressive Ambassadors, refer to our article on the winners of the Ambassador categories.

Congratulations to the 2017 winners and honorable mentions, as well as to all of our hard-working Consuls who make the InterNations experience come to life!

For volunteers who continue to make a difference in their community and remain dedicated to their initiative.

 

2017 Winners: Dallas Changemakers Group, USA (Sanjeeb Samanta, Elisa Lizarralde, Ernesto Marcano, and Jenya Teplitskaya)

2017 Honorable Mention: Temenuga Bakalska in Munich, Germany

 

Why They Won

We are really proud of our InterNations Changemakers Consuls, who continue to donate their time and skills to people in need around the globe. When determining the 2017 winner for Changemakers Consul, we specifically looked for Consuls who go above and beyond, connecting with local NGOs and pooling the talent of members in their community to make their home community a better place. We narrowed the winner down to not one Consul, but rather an entire Consul Team, who work together to make a difference in Dallas.

One of our Jury Members says, “The Dallas Changemakers Team seems to always go above the call of duty to ensure members are informed of various initiatives in their community. Usually posting an average of five unique activities a month, this team truly supports those in need and helps to make the world a better place. We selected our Dallas Changemakers Team, since this group remains an example for InterNations members all around the globe. They are extremely active with local NGO’s and show how a team should operate. They always remain positive about how to get active. We have to say, their energy is contagious!”

What motivated you to become Changemakers’ Consuls?

Being responsible for bringing together such a cultural mix of individuals of different nationalities who have so much heart and want to help others is the single biggest reason we are Consuls. Secondly, to give back to the community that has embraced all of us as members when we arrived in our second, third, and fourth home base. Our members have compassion and sincerely want to help, and this differentiates them from many other groups. Most of our members have directly seen, and in some cases experienced, very real human hardships and this motivates our members more than the average person to step forward and want to help.

 

What do you do at your activities to get members excited about your initiative and make it a memorable experience?

One of the main reasons we are successful is the way the Dallas Changemakers Consuls work as a team. While different Consuls take the lead on different activities, we collaborate and discuss all activities. As a team, we’re able to keep a much wider pulse of our members and what their needs are, periodically reviewing what their main motivation is  to select the appropriate activities, but also ensuring that activities are organized and taking care of all possible details to make them as flawless as possible. We are clear in our communication and in setting expectations, we are always at the activity venue early to welcome our members, we focus on getting to know our members, and we establish very strong relationships with our partner organizations. All of our activities are with organizations that benefit communities in our metroplex. Many of our activities are directly providing services to those in need, such as an employment workshop for refugees, and utilizing professional expertise among our members. Our members have come to trust in the quality of activities provided and the Consul’s commitment.

 

What are you most proud of when it comes to your group and the difference you are making in the world?

We are most proud of the strong community we are building with our members and partner organizations, and of having engaged a constantly growing group of members who steadily participate in activities, and have since also interacted directly with the organizations. We are witnessing a double effect that our activities produce where both the InterNations community and the organization we support leave in a much better place than when we arrived. Love and care multiply! Also, regarding the Consul Team culture, we are like a family and have been since the beginning. Our members engage in each activity with their hearts, and are always available when we need them. Our choices of community partners have turned out to be pretty amazing and have taught us so much.

 

Congratulations to the Dallas Changemakers Group, 2017’s winner for Changemakers Consul, as well as our honorable mention, Temenuga Bakalska in Munich, for all of your altruistic efforts in 2017! Thank you for making the world a better place!

 

About the Winners:

Sanjeeb Samanta has been a Consul for the Dallas Changemakers Group since February 2014. Originally from Ipoh, Malaysia, he has been living in Plano, Texas for more than 25 years. He has a real passion of bringing expats together and always tries to think of new ways to motivate members to make a difference in their community.

Ernesto Marcano was appointed back in September 2016 and is also Consul of the Dallas Science & Technology Group. He certainly has an international mindset and likes meeting people from all around the world!

Eliza Lizarralde was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and took on the Consul role in October 2016. She has a real interest in local initiatives alongside organizing activities with her Co-Consuls in the group.

Jenya Teplitskaya became Consul back in December 2016. Originally from Ukraine, she enjoys getting involved and spreading the word to InterNations members on how to make a change in their community. 

For the Consul who consistently chooses superb locations, going above and beyond for exciting and top-class activities!

 

2017 Winner: Omar Wani in Khobar (Eastern Prov.), Saudi Arabia

2017 Honorable Mention: Helena Pham in Hanoi, Vietnam

 

Why They Won

When determining 2017’s choice for Best Locations, the Global Awards Jury considered Consuls who consistently think outside of the box, hosting their activities in new and exciting places, and injecting a sense of fun and adventure into their location choices.

One of our jury members says, “Since taking on the role as Consul of the Meeting & Adventure Group in 2014, Omar has made it possible for so many members to experience places surrounding Khobar that they wouldn’t normally be able to see. Picking great locations by the sea or on top of sand dunes in the desert, Omar takes exploring to the next level. He has also given the opportunity for members to see Khobar from the sky, organizing paragliding as a top location for his activities!”

How do you go about finding unique locations to organize your activities?

Well I must admit that searching and exploring new places has always been my passion. I strongly believe that there are ample places to explore wherever you go and most of the times even we aren’t aware of our local surroundings as most of the people usually ignore the places around them and try to look for newer options. The best way to find unique and interesting places is to connect with locals as much as you can and besides there is lot of information available on the internet to explore. I always keep an open mind when it comes to exploring something new. I noticed that even some simple activities like visiting a camel farm and feeding camels brings joy and happiness to the people.

 

What is important to look for when choosing your locations? Do you have any ‘’top tips’’ to share with other Consuls?

In choosing locations for dining and social gatherings, I always rely on the quality of the service of the food and friendliness of the staff. However, I am an outdoor person and always keen on exploring the best possible options. The key to choosing locations is to be creative and think outside the box. I remember one time I participated in a cultural festival and saw many activities happening in one place, that was a time when I took note of them and decided to include them in my bucket for future activities. It started with paragliding in the middle of the desert with a breathtaking view of the oasis around. The activity was appreciated by all members and it motivated me to take initiatives and always come up with new and different ideas. This activity remains one of our regular activities due to its popularity and adventurous nature.

 

Can you give us an example of a “highlight activity” you have hosted during your time as Consul?

Every activity I host is a learning experience as I encounter people from all over the world with different nationalities, backgrounds, etc. There have been many proud moments which I would like to cherish here with all of you. One of the best moments was organizing a Christmas party, which I had no clue about as I was brought up in a Muslim background, and besides, options for entertainment and celebration are limited in Saudi Arabia. The party was attended by members of InterNations irrespective of their background, and bringing people together to celebrate under one roof was a life changing and wonderful moment personally to me.

I remember another proud moment which was to organize a Ramadan Dinner as suggested by InterNations HQ. In the beginning, I wasn’t convinced with the idea as most of the members of InterNations are mainly foreigners in comparison to locals. I finalized the venue and decided to go ahead with it. To my surprise, I saw a huge number of people showing a great interest in joining dinner and talking about cultures, festivals and diversity in the kingdom.

 

Congratulations to Omar, 2017’s winner for the Best Locations, as well as our honorable mention, Helena Pham! We look forward to seeing what exciting locations you come up with for your activities in 2018!

 

About the Winner:

Omar Wani has been the Consul of the Khobar (Eastern Prov.) Meeting & Adventure Group since January 2014. Originally from Kashmir, Omer has been living in Saudi Arabia for over six years. He has a passion for exploring new places and adores the inquisitiveness of local culture. He loves to meet new members in Saudi Arabia and shows them the adventurous and brighter side of life in unique locations.

Presented to a Consul who consistently presents highly innovative ideas, providing unique themes and/or locations to the members.

 

2017 Winner: Chris Elby in Tehran, Iran

2017 Honorable Mention: Peter Nagy in Perth, Australia

 

Why They Won

When making their selection, the Global Awards Jury considered Consuls who think “outside the box” when designing and implementing their activities. The strongest nominees for this award focused on unique locations around the city or themed activities that continually surprised their members. One of our jury members says it best:

“Organizing monthly activities that are attractive to members is a tough thing to ask, especially in Tehran, Iran. Every month, Chris chooses a topic for the activity, related to the city, a special celebration, or the changing of the seasons. Not only that, but she comes up with catchy titles every month to entice the members of Tehran. For example, Chris took her group members on an Easter egg hunt through the city with her activity “Eggs Will Roll”. Chris is always looking for different activities that relate to the group to ensure no activity is the same for the members. No matter what challenges Chris faces in the planning of her activities, she never fails to bring innovation to her role as Consul.”

What is an example of one of your most innovative ideas or successful activities?

Every month for a year, that I have been a Consul, I have organized an activity for the InterNations Albatross Members, namely:

“’Tis The Season”(Christmas shopping)

“Thor” (a challenge at an arcade)

“Spring Has Sprung” (strolling through a flower market)

“Eggs Will Roll” (Easter egg hunt)

“Chill Chasing” (Cafe hopping in winter), just to name a few.

 

How do you overcome the challenges in coming up with fresh ideas for your group members? What motivates you in general to stay active?

I’m a firm believer in overcoming obstacles, like in the metro getting smacked in the eye by a lady with a “bigger than life” elbow, right before you are to meet members for your activity, or arriving at your activity just to find the equipment is “temporarily out of order”, or scheduling local talent who has financial difficulties and must sell her pottery wheel just hours before your activity, or turkeys that are meant to be “heard and not seen” for a Thanksgiving event, or members canceling one by one , or rain, or snow, or “dangerous smog warnings”! These are life’s little quirks that cause me to bring to mind a couple of famous sayings: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”, and “I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference”!

Staying motivated and “keeping my word” is in my very nature. I applied to be a Consul with InterNations and to organize an activity “at least once a month”, therefore, I will do this. Integrity is very important to me and is a driving force which motivates me. I also like planning, coming up with new ideas, and creating. I’m at my very best when my creative juices are bubbling.

 

Do you have any tips for Consuls on how to entice members to sign up?

Some tips I could offer to other Consuls, to get their members to sign up, is send a greeting to members when they join the group (meaning, “roll out the welcome mat, keeping your finger on the pulse of your group”), ask members what kind of activities they are interested in, what activity schedules work for most members, and to take into consideration the environment in which the Consul lives. When they are not in their own culture it’s important to be flexible and adaptable.

For instance, making note of upcoming holidays, keeping informed about activities that local people may be involved in, checking out local craftsmen/craftswomen who may be exhibiting their work at museums or special locations, etc., will give Consuls tons of ideas for their activities. “Going off the grid” (while observing local laws, of course), and “thinking outside the box” will open the mind to all kinds of possibilities for an activity.

Keeping a theme in mind, when planning an activity, is a good way to make organizing easier. By having a theme in mind, any activity can be organized, even the one I titled “It’s Your Birthday, Leo”, which called upon all members having had or having a birthday, to post pictures of their birthday in the event photo section, if they wished to do so.

That August, many InterNations members, friends, and relatives had their own schedules, were out of town, in other countries, ill or just out of touch. So, not to be daunted, I went to shopping areas, took pictures (to be posted on the activity page), circled around, popped into my favorite cafe, ordered a delicious piece of cake, stuck a candle in it, had a frothy blue drink, and enjoyed every bite and sip, as if the room was buzzing full of InterNations members, with conversation and laughter!

In addition, thinking up snappy titles to the event can also help in attracting members to an activity.

Well, there you have it! I can say that we are really only limited by our own imagination!

 

Congratulations to Chris Elby in Tehran, 2017’s winners of the Innovation Award, as well as our honorable mention, Peter Nagy in Perth, for impressing all of us with your incredibly unique activities and themes!

 

About the winner:  

Chris Elby has been a Consul of the Tehran Expats Group since October 2016. Born in Ireland, Chris studied and lived in America and now resides in Tehran. Chris takes time out from her handcraft business to crochet little gifts for the attendees of the events she organizes.

Awarded to a Consul team that exhibits outstanding teamwork and collaboration.

 

2017 Winner: Bogotá Volleyball Group (Ed Herzog, Karol Dominguez Contreras, and Gabriela Perez)

2017 Honorable Mention: Singapore Philosophy Friends Group (Olga B., Yousuf Aguria, and Carl Anderson)

 

Why They Won

Many of our InterNations Activities are led by a team of Consuls, not just one individual. Some of our teams work together on all of their activities, whereas others take it in turns to host activities in their group. In 2017, we searched our 390 communities for teams who are committed to collaboration — either organizing activities as a single unit or very fluidly as individuals within the greater team. The teams who were nominated work together and inspire one another to support the InterNations mission and their local community. These teams combined individual skills to strengthen their unit while working towards a common goal. They make key decisions as a single unit, collaborate and brainstorm new ideas, and make sure every voice on the team is heard. This year’s winner was our Bogotá Volleyball Group.

“For more than a year now, Ed, Gabriela and Karol have formed an amazing Consul team, dedicated to offering members the best volleyball experience in Bogotá! Friends at heart, they truly embody the InterNations spirit and have regularly hosted fun and diverse activities such as beach volleyball games, followed by well-deserved barbecues or a 60’s themed tournament where participants were invited to dress up. Thanks to their exceptional teamwork and enthusiasm, their group quickly became one of the most popular ones in Bogotá.”

What is your current team setup, and how do you collaborate together each month?

On the one hand, running a weekly volleyball activity seems easy — we play every Saturday at the same time and at the same court. Beyond deciding who is going to post the weekly event, what is there to do? Actually, quite a bit!

Almost every week, we have to discuss some important issues and come to a decision. Here are some of the issues that we routinely have to address:

• sportsmanship and safety — how to communicate with members about issues related to safety and sportsmanship, when needed
• purchasing equipment — which type of equipment to purchase and how to pay for it with member dues (e.g., volleyball net, volleyball, sand for the court)
• dues/fees — how much to charge for attendance and when to collect dues
• social activities — which activities to have and when (e.g., birthday celebrations, barbecues, etc.)
• maintenance of the court and court access — how to ensure that the court is kept in good condition and that we have access to it at our scheduled event time
• training — putting together training sessions for members at a basic level who want to improve their skill set
• guests -— how to handle situations in which someone brings a guest to one of our activities

 

When there is an important decision to be made, we generally talk among ourselves until we reach a conclusion that all three of us are comfortable with.

In terms of implementing our decisions, Ed takes the lead in communicating with the park staff and the group members. Karol takes the lead in organizing social activities such as picnics, birthday parties, and barbecues. Gaby serves as the primary liaison to another group that uses the volleyball court in order to coordinate any issues with them. Of course, all of these roles are fluid and ultimately all three of us do everything!

 

Do you have a piece of advice for our other Consul Teams who organize and host activities together each month?

Have a shared vision or purpose for the group! One of the reasons our team works so well together is that we have a shared vision for what the volleyball group should be about. We want people to have a sense of community. We want everyone to feel welcome at our events, regardless of their level of volleyball skills. And most importantly, we want everyone to have fun! Having that shared vision, makes it easier for us to come to a consensus on decisions because we know what the ultimate purpose of our group is.

 

In your opinion, what is the key ingredient for being a good team player?

We believe that the key ingredient to being a good team player is the willingness to help out whenever needed. All three of us are busy with work, family, and other activities. Knowing that we can count on each other for support is one reason that our events run smoothly and our group is so popular.

 

Congratulations to the Bogotá Volleyball Group for being 2017’s Teamwork Circle of Excellence, as well as our honorable mention, the Singapore Philosophy Friends Group. We applaud your collaborative spirit and look to you as shining examples of what it means to be a team!

 

About the winners: 

Ed Herzog, originally from the US, has been Consul of the Bogotá Volleyball Group since April 2016. Gabriela Perez, originally from Venezuela, and Karol Dominguez Contreras, from Columbia, joined the Team in February 2017.

For the Consul who is the ideal host, and truly embodies the spirit of “nobody stands alone.”

 

2017 Winner: William L. Chew III  in Brussels, Belgium

2017 Honorable Mention: Samuel Kakish in Amman, Jordan

 

Why They Won

One of the biggest qualities we look for when choosing Consuls is their ability to be a great host to our members! This category was a difficult one to judge, as our Consuls are natural hosts, and go to great efforts to welcome members at their activities. When making their selection for this year’s Best Host, the Global Awards Jury considered Consuls who take it to the next level when hosting their activities.

The strongest nominees for this award strive to be present and approachable during their activities, and really make other members feel at home in their group. They take an active role in responding to member questions in person, online, and on the group wall, while also sending updates to keep members notified about any changes to the activity. As detailed by one of 2017’s jury members:

“William is a great host because he is always keen to accommodate attendees’ wishes and expectations. He once contacted us during the summer months: group members had asked him to take a break because many would be gone on vacation and they did not want to miss his next lecture. This shows how much members love and appreciate his activities and how committed William is to meet the needs of group members. We agreed that he would do something different during summer to keep the group engaged and pick up his lectures again when everyone was back from vacation. His activities always get five-star ratings, and members always praise the quality of his activities.”

Why do you think we chose you as 2017’s Best Host?

If I were to reduce my answer to four key elements, I’d say: because of my consistent organization, interesting content, personal enthusiasm, and good interaction. I took over the Dutch Speaking Group in July, 2016, followed by the American Group in September, and founded my own Highlights of History Group in November of the same year. Since then I’ve organized some 50 activities. Consistent and regular scheduling on a day and time that works for most, depending on the nature of the activity, are key.

I guess my content is appealing, because when I took over and/or founded my own group I decided to play on my strengths from 30 years of teaching. Thus: provide a structured meeting with high-quality content and passionate delivery. Since I love languages, and I love history, bringing my enthusiasm to my groups is a cinch, and I can tell it is infectious by the members’ reactions. Since we are a group, finally, and not a “one-man show,” interaction is important, so I make sure to not only stay in contact online, on the InterNations platform, but also to create a real group feeling of belonging in the group itself, by reaching out to each and every individual. That interaction also comes into play when I alternate the usual activities with others like watching a movie (preceded by commentary and followed by discussion), or having a picnic in the park with a sing-a-long (when I bring my guitar), or inviting group members to a public lecture I am giving for another organization, e.g. the historical Napoleonic society. I must be doing something right, since most of my activities are often fully booked on the day I post them!

 

How do you juggle planning in advance, organizing a location, and remain upbeat and friendly about hosting your members? Do you ask for other Consuls to help out?

In the beginning, I adopted the last location used by the group I took over, then decided whether I wanted to stay with it or look around for alternatives. I also, indeed, took suggestions from other Consuls from other groups (I have no co-Consuls, myself), and sharing with them has certainly been helpful. I have also been very fortunate in that one of my fellow Consuls is kind enough to let me meet my group at her home, when the activity is a lecture, discussion, Q&A, or movie, which provides a cozy and quiet atmosphere, and guests contribute snacks and drinks for all. In the end, I have several regular, and several alternate venues which I use from time to time. Staying upbeat and friendly is never a problem, because I love what I’m doing. I’m a people-person and also see my work as an InterNations Consul in the context of “paying-back” to society, because I’ve been fortunate in life and want to share the joy of my passions, like I did for so many years to several generations of university students. Only now, I don’t have to grade any more papers! Yay!

 

You truly embody the InterNations motto “Nobody stands alone”! Do you have any advice for other Consuls hoping to strengthen their presence at activities?

Presence, personality, and passion. For me those are the “three P’s” and they are closely linked. Whatever you do in your activity, do it with passion and enthusiasm. Play on the strengths of your personality! We at InterNations have such a huge variety and reservoir of talent and each of us have strengths and passions to contribute to our InterNations family. Let them show! Bring the energy level up in your group, make your presence felt by leadership skills showing you can innovate with new and exciting ideas in your group, little games, topics, discussions — you name it. I guarantee that your group will thank you and you will bond!

 

Congratulations to William, 2017’s winner for Best Host, as well as our honorable mention in Amman, Samuel Kakish, for embodying the spirit of this role and being wonderful hosts for our members!

 

About the winner:

William L. Chew III was born in Germany and joined InterNations back in 2011, so he has seen the community grow and thrive from the early days. He began his journey as Consul by organizing language activities, but soon also wanted to share his passion for history and American culture with group members. As a recently retired professor of history in Brussels, he loves to pass on his knowledge and engage in stimulating discussions at his activities.

Awarded to a new Consul who has performed extremely well in 2017, diving straight into the role and taking it on with genuine enthusiasm and drive.

 

2017 Winner: Victoria B. G. in Bern, Switzerland

2017 Honorable Mention: Brenda Chinyama in Lusaka, Zambia

 

Why They Won

In 2017, we welcomed many new Consuls to start new roles in their respective communities. This year was filled with motivation and lots of success, so this was a particularly difficult category for our jury to determine. We looked for individuals who were newer to the role but show great initiative and potential as a leader in their community.

One jury member makes the case for Victoria’s win:

“Since Victoria founded the Bern Music Group in 2017, she has hosted a remarkable 43 activities in a mere six months. When speaking with Victoria for the first time, we could sense her enthusiasm and passion for music, and we weren’t wrong. She has surpassed all expectations and gone above and beyond to provide such varied and exciting activities for her group which already has exceeded 200 members. She is a credit to the community and a joy to work with. This is further backed up by the frequent, lovely feedback she receives for each activity from her group members.”

What motivated you to apply for and take on the role of Consul this past year?

Initially, I joined InterNations because of my need to connect with expats in Central America during volunteer work in Panama. My motivation for taking on the role of Consul for the “Bern Music Group” was not only to share my passion of music with members of the Bern Community, but also to introduce them to special music venues in Bern and the surrounding area, and to make newcomers  feel welcome in the Bern Community.

 

What do you think was the key to your success in your first year?

Many people are stressed by one thing or another — their job, the new environment, their private life, etc. I am fortunate to have the ability to motivate people to unwind and enjoy the moment. Although I’m an expat, I know Bern and its special music bars and chill-out places well. I always check out new venues to make sure members will feel comfortable and taken care of. It is not always possible to please everyone, but I give my best.

I believe the key to my success is my passion for music in special places, my research and preparation before inviting members to an event, my interest in the wellbeing of others, and my ability to make newcomers to our group activity feel welcome. I always try to introduce newcomers to the other members of the group, and also invite expats who are alone at a venue to join us.

 

Do you have a particular highlight or a special memory from one of your activities that you would like to share?

Looking back on the 36 activities I organized in 2017, I believe the “Hootenanny” Scottish Party! — Whisky Tasting, Food & Live Music at the Pickwick Pub in Bern was a special experience for me and the Bern Music Group.

Expats and Swiss had the opportunity to taste Haggis and some of Scotland’s finest malt whisky for 5.00 CHF. Two of the greatest artists on the Scottish folk music scene performed in Scottish tartans and had us clapping our hands and stomping our feet to traditional Scottish music. Several expats and a group of Swiss lawyers, who were drawn to our InterNations Group reservation card, joined us to celebrate. It was a bombastic evening, and I felt like I was in Scotland.

 

Congratulations to Victoria in Bern, 2017’s Breakout Consul, as well as our honorable mention, Brenda Chinyama in Lusaka, for jumping into the role and making a difference in your community right from the start!

 

About the Winner:

Victoria B. G., from London, U.K is the founding member of the Bern Music Group. She set the group up in August 2017 and has hosted a wide and frequent range of activities since then.

For a Consul that consistently receives high ratings from our new feedback feature, as well as lots of positive feedback and comments from our members.

 

2017 Winner: Cristina C. in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2017 Honorable Mention: Ella Lu in Zurich, Switzerland

 

Why They Won

The Members’ Choice Award reflects the Consuls’ strong connection to our members and how they meet a wide variety of unique expectations and needs based on their particular group and their community as a whole. We looked through activity photos to find smiling faces of members enjoying activities, and used the new feedback feature, choosing Consuls with consistently high ratings and positive feedback from members.

This year’s winner was Cristina, who is the Consul of not one, but eight groups in the Dubai InterNations Community! One of our jury members describes her win best:

“Cristina lives and breathes for her members’ happiness and making them feel welcome in their new home away from home in Dubai. On a monthly basis, Cristina hosts birthday dinners in her DinnerNations Group for those who are away from their loved ones, but still want to celebrate their milestone with the group members. Cristina not only hosts dinners, but also workshops, professional networking, swimming and boating activities, coffee get-togethers and women-only activities. You name it, Cristina has hosted it! Cristina makes every member feel special and included in her activities and relies on member feedback to make her activities better and better. InterNations is very lucky to have a Consul like Cristina who puts the members’ needs first!”

 To read more about what makes Christine our Members’ Choice Award Winner, check out some of the feedback that Christine has received from members of her groups:

“Your activities are always well organized, what is promised is kept, there are no bad surprises, information provided is accurate, information is given in time, you are a reliable and honest hostess. Also, the care and love from the hostess is setting the positive community feeling and helping participants to connect. You are an active hostess and PERSONALLY get involved in the well-being of others, and talk to everyone. You are maybe the only friend to some expats here!’ — Christina S.

“With you, no one feels lonely and alone. And you actively look for new venues in Dubai.” — Dahlia H

 “Your hosting skills are amazing! You have a way of making people warmly welcomed and this is done naturally, the person feels that you are actually happy to have them there at your activity. Take it from me, I’m a shy person and don’t open up easily but with you, I have let my guard down and I feel like I have known you for a long time!’ — Aline F.

“I am convinced that other members would share the same opinions as me that during your activities we all feel that we matter. The attention to detail in your pre-planning and then execution of the activity leaves us all feeling that this is a really special activity and we are all part of it. Members know that any activity hosted by you will be an enjoyable occasion which epitomizes the very spirit of InterNations. Your commitment to making everyone feel welcome comes across with your special ‘infectious’ enthusiasm. Throughout any activity you continue to make sure that everyone is getting the maximum enjoyment and benefit from the occasion. I am honestly amazed that you commit yourself to organizing so many activities in the same exemplary manner. It’s truly inspiring.” — Richard O

“At your activities, you act as if we come together at your house, not a venue. So you check how we feel, try to introduce all to each other, try to get us to mingle not only for friendship but also networking for business opportunities. Moreover, the venues you chose are almost always interesting and worth to see.” — Gulzar Z

 

Congratulations to Cristina Caringal for being 2017’s winner for the Members’ Choice Awards, as well as our honorable mention in Zurich, Ella Lu. The greatest compliment you can get is appreciative and happy members!

 

About the winner:

Originally from the Philippines, Cristina Caringal has been an InterNations member since August 2013 and is currently a Consul for eight groups in Dubai. Cristina works for a Strategy Consulting Industry and imparts her venue expertise by providing great and unique activities for the community as InterNations Consul. Cristina is very passionate about Learning Cultures and has connected many professionals through her business networking. She spends her free time sharpening her skills on Cuban dancing, billiards, and jet skiing.

Given to a Consul who regularly and effectively communicates with their group members, has an online presence, and promotes reliable and transparent communication together with InterNations HQ.

 

2017 Winner: Francesca Pastorelli in the Hague, Netherlands

2017 Honorable Mention: Hosanna Soler in Madrid, Spain

 

Why They Won

For this category, the Global Awards Jury considered Consuls who went above and beyond in the communication realm. We looked for Consuls who maintain an active presence among the community and assist members with queries, concerns, and general questions on the wall of their group. Those nominated also have a great relationship with their managers at HQ, keeping in close contact with feedback about their group and insights into their local community. One of 2017’s jury members makes the case for Francesca’s win:

“Francesca has definitely played an important role in shaping The Hague Community. With her “Speak Italian Group”, she has created a small Italy in the community she’s now living in. You may wonder, how did she manage to achieve all of this? Since the group was first opened, Francesca immediately posted her first activity, engaged with members by replying to their wall comments, welcomed new group members, and always uploads photos. As a Community Manager, the best part of communicating with Francesca is that, even if communicating in writing, you can feel her positive attitude and energy coming through, and you know that whatever she does, she always does it with a smile.”

Describe your relationship with your HQ contact on the Groups Team.

Being a Consul for the Speak Italian Group is a great opportunity! I try to organize a variety of activities to make them attractive for different kinds of people. I think my curiosity for different things helps me to find a range of activities and be creative.

I try to keep in close contact with the Community Management Groups Team, because I like to receive feedback about my activities.

 

How do you maintain an online presence both on and off the InterNations platform?

I think it is important to be in contact with the people who are part of the group, so that I can find out what they like and what they want from the group. It is pretty normal that people come and go in the group, this is the life of an expat. I recommend that we all enjoy this beautiful journey!

 

Congratulations to Francesca from The Hague, 2017’s winner for the Communication Award, as well as our honorable mention, Hosanna Soler from Madrid, for taking the lead on communication in all aspects of your role!

 

About the Winner:

Originally from Italy, Francesca Pastorelli moved to the Netherlands five years ago, but this didn’t stop her from bringing a bit of Italy to The Hague! In 2016, Francesca opened the Speak Italian Group, a group that has grown tremendously due to the wonderful activities that Francesca regularly organizes for her members.   

 

For a Consul who is especially well-traveled, getting involved in other communities when they are abroad, crossing borders and connecting global minds!

 

2017 Winner: Monica Dierks in Brussels, Belgium and Beijing, China.

2017 Honorable Mention: Tevfik Binen in Rome, Italy

 

Why They Won

When determining 2017’s choice for International Host, the Global Awards Jury considered Consuls who are involved in multiple InterNations Communities, truly living the InterNations motto of crossing borders and connecting global minds. One of our jury members says, “Monica has been an especially active Consul in two of our InterNations Communities for over a year. She is always coming up with versatile activities in both Brussels and Beijing. We have been quite impressed with how Monica is able to remain active halfway across the world and have such an incredible spirit while connecting with her members!”

Why did you initially volunteer to become a Consul? What was the most appealing aspect about the position and what motivates you to remain active on an international level?

A long time ago, I became an Albatross Member of InterNations but I had never attended any activities. At the end of 2016, and in the midst of a personal crisis, I suddenly found myself living alone in China. I remembered the InterNations philosophy: Nobody Stands Alone! Well, so as not to stay alone at home, I started to go out to events and activities. Every evening, I joined another one and, whenever I could, I mixed and mingled with thousands of new friends who were more or less in the same boat like me. Even when we have our own problems, we can forget them while we have a lot of fun together.

These hours were so helpful to survive my personal crisis and to find a new way of life with new friends. I was so grateful to find the InterNations Community who supported me, that after some months I made the decision to give back. Nobody should stay alone at home. This, and the fact that I was convinced that I’d be the right host, have been the reasons why I first applied to become Consul in Beijing for the 40+ and the Single Group.

We made visits to the Bird Nest, Olympic Parc, had dinner, experienced the nightlife, especially the Friday and Saturday Night Fever Parties in Downtown Beijing lasting from the early evening until the morning light. I could see the delighted faces of my group members, to have new friends. I could see a lot of happy hearts and that’s the reason why I volunteer more and more. In addition to being the Consul of the Single Group, I am the Co-Consul in the DACH, DinnerNations, and Beijing Art and Culture Group, too. I have such a huge network and people always ask when the next activity will be posted. Well, that makes me happy! As I am always on the plane between Beijing and Brussels, I also applied for the Midweek-Mixer Group in European’s Capital. In all of my groups, I can see smiling faces when we are together, when we talk about the world, the globalization, friendships, respect, happiness, peace, love and much more. I want to give back what I have received through InterNations. I want to make people happy wherever I can!

Life is sometimes not easy but we can help each other, learn from each other to create a better and happier world together. That’s what makes me remain active on an international level!

 

What steps do you take to maintain monthly activities in both of your InterNations Communities? 

Well, I’m on the plane from Europe to China and vice versa once or twice a month. I am able to speak French, German, English, and Mandarin fluently. This gives me the opportunity to maintain both communities. I always plan my activities in advance, negotiate special prices, happy hour discounts, or menu packages for my guests with bar and restaurant owners ,. This method works very well. Sometimes my guests receive a glass of champagne, buy one drink and get the second free, or enjoy package prices with discounts of 30–40 % each. People are very attracted by special deals as well as by interesting, elegant, cozy venues. However, the most important part of being a good host is introducing the guests to each other even when somebody is coming late. This makes everyone feel welcome and helps them to make friends with one another. Nobody stands alone in my groups!

   

Do you have a memorable experience you want to share? Seeing as InterNations wishes to cross borders and bridge cultures — you are the epitome of our ideal volunteer!

A special memorable experience is being able to speak Mandarin to the locals in China. People are positively astonished and can hardly believe that a foreigner handles this difficult language so easily. They get bright eyes and immediately our relationship starts to become warm-hearted. I like to connect two different worlds beyond borders but bridging such different cultures is only possible by using the local language. Mandarin opens the doors to communicating with each other, but in order to comprehend the Chinese culture we have to understand the Chinese thinking and the way of life, Chinese festivities, the Chinese lunar calendar, the food, why they eat with chop sticks, why they like to drink Baijiu, how they do business and how they maintain friendships. As an Intercultural Communication Coach and Ambassador with 10 years of experience in China, I have a very good knowledge of this country, the Chinese people, their attitude, customs, and behavior.

 

Congratulations to our International Host 2017 winner, Monica Dierks in Brussels and Beijing, as well as our honorable mention, Tevfik Binen in Rome. We can’t wait to see what exciting activities you have planned for your groups around the globe in 2018!

 

About the winner:

Monica Dierks has been the Consul of the Beijing DACH, DinnerNations, Singles, and Arts & Culture Groups since May 2017. A month later Monica also took on the Brussels Mid-Week Mixer Group as she has spent the last eight years dividing her time between the two cities. She loves meeting people from all walks of life and truly embodies InterNations motto of crossing borders, bridging cultures, and connecting global minds. Her extensive international network and motivation to connect like-minded expats, makes her a perfect fit as Consul.