Oh my, oh my, what is the date today? Oh that’s right! January 31st and now while it may be the last day of January, the last day of the first month of 2011, it is also the last date to apply for ACTIVATE 2011! What a way to start off the year and your week by making sure that you fill out the application form for this amazing, life-changing experience.
You truly will have no cause to regret the time it takes to fill out the application. Even if you are not accepted as a delegate this year, filling out the application can help you explore yourself and your own motivations.
I invite you to fill out this application and do your best; the whole volunteer team would love to have you join us on this journey. I feel as though that is all I need to say to you at this time. I will have much more to say, that I can promise, but for now, this blog is simply eating into your time that you could be using to fill out the ACTIVATE 2011 application!
So…if you are still here, I haven’t gotten my point across! GO FILL IT OUT NOW! Take a step forward on your path of life and have an adventure.
Happy writing.
PS It’s due by 11 PM Eastern Standard Time today! Not 11 PM anywhere, people in Pacific Standard Time that is only 8 PM so don’t leave it too late!!
The delegate application can be found online at http://www.motivatecanada.ca/en/page-87-activate-2011-application.
Emily Rowell
ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team Leader
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
My Adventure at ACTIVATE
Veuillez défiler vers le bas pour la version française
My adventure at ACTIVATE was not at all planned. It was almost by accident that I went there. When I received the email that described ACTIVATE I was already on another great adventure – I was doing an exchange in Quebec for three months, far from my family and friends. The email was sent to me by a lady that I met during another leadership conference in British Columbia. I was interested, so the next time that I spoke to my parents, I asked them if I could fill-in the form. They told me to try, but I filled it in without too much hope because ACTIVATE was for people aged 16 to 22 and I had just turned 16.
When I received the email telling me that I had been accepted it was a great shock. It was in this way that my adventure began. It was a little difficult to do it all – the permission forms and everything – because my parents were at the other end of the country and had to also sign because I was a minor.
May 5 to 10 was a real experience. I was the baby of the conference but it never mattered. I was part of the group and that was all, there was no different treatment because I was younger than they were. ACTIVATE really inspired me to try everything that is possible. Even if you don’t have a big project, you can still change the world with little projects. I was not able to choose only one project but the tools that ACTIVATE gave me help me every day to organize little events and to have an impact how and where I can.
The big project that I proposed at the conference was to be a coach for the 8th grade rugby team in my school this year. So I will do it, but while I wait for the rugby season to start, I play at the club with the boys to see what their level of interest is. Also, I participate everywhere in my school. I think that ACTIVATE left a lot of hope in my heart for our world because I had the opportunity to meet other youth like me who had the enthusiasm and energy to do everything that they can for the world.
ACTIVATE showed me that there is a life after school so it’s okay if I miss a little school to participate in conferences and activities that interest me and I can catch up easily if I work hard.
Emily Rowell
Volunteer Team Leader
My adventure at ACTIVATE was not at all planned. It was almost by accident that I went there. When I received the email that described ACTIVATE I was already on another great adventure – I was doing an exchange in Quebec for three months, far from my family and friends. The email was sent to me by a lady that I met during another leadership conference in British Columbia. I was interested, so the next time that I spoke to my parents, I asked them if I could fill-in the form. They told me to try, but I filled it in without too much hope because ACTIVATE was for people aged 16 to 22 and I had just turned 16.
When I received the email telling me that I had been accepted it was a great shock. It was in this way that my adventure began. It was a little difficult to do it all – the permission forms and everything – because my parents were at the other end of the country and had to also sign because I was a minor.
May 5 to 10 was a real experience. I was the baby of the conference but it never mattered. I was part of the group and that was all, there was no different treatment because I was younger than they were. ACTIVATE really inspired me to try everything that is possible. Even if you don’t have a big project, you can still change the world with little projects. I was not able to choose only one project but the tools that ACTIVATE gave me help me every day to organize little events and to have an impact how and where I can.
The big project that I proposed at the conference was to be a coach for the 8th grade rugby team in my school this year. So I will do it, but while I wait for the rugby season to start, I play at the club with the boys to see what their level of interest is. Also, I participate everywhere in my school. I think that ACTIVATE left a lot of hope in my heart for our world because I had the opportunity to meet other youth like me who had the enthusiasm and energy to do everything that they can for the world.
ACTIVATE showed me that there is a life after school so it’s okay if I miss a little school to participate in conferences and activities that interest me and I can catch up easily if I work hard.
Emily Rowell
Volunteer Team Leader
Mon aventure à ACTIVEZ
Mon aventure à ACTIVEZ n’était pas du tout planifiée. C’était presque par accident que j’y suis allée. Quand j’ai reçu le courriel qui me décrivait ACTIVEZ j’étais déjà dans une grande aventure – je faisais un échange au Québec pendant trois mois, loin de ma famille et de mes amies. Le courriel m’a été envoyé par une dame que j’ai rencontrée pendant une autre conférence de leadership en Colombie-Britannique. Je m’y suis intéressé et la prochaine fois que j’ai parlé à mes parents, je leur ai demandé si je pouvais remplir le formulaire. Ils m’ont dit d’essayer, mais je l’ai rempli sans trop d’espoir parce qu’ACTIVEZ était pour les personnes âgées de 16 à 22 ans et j’avais 16 ans depuis très peu de temps.
Quand j’ai reçu le courriel qui me disait que j’avais été accepté ça a été un grand choc. C’est de cette manière que mon aventure a commencé. C’était un peu difficile de tout faire – les papiers de permission et tout – parce que mes parents étaient à l’autre bout du pays et devaient signer aussi parce que j’étais une mineure.
La semaine du 5 mai au 10 mai a été une vraie expérience. J’étais le bébé de la conférence mais on ne l’aurait jamais su. Je faisais partie du groupe et c’était tout, il n’y avait pas de traitement différent parce que j’étais plus jeune qu’eux. ACTIVEZ m’a vraiment inspiré à essayer tout ce qui est possible. Même si on n’a pas de grand projet, on peut toujours changer le monde avec des petits projets. Je n’ai pas pu choisir seulement un projet mais les outils qu’ACTIVEZ m’a donné m’aident chaque jour à organiser des petits évènements et de faire un impact comme et où je peux.
Le grand projet que j’ai proposé à la conférence a été d’être entraineur pour l’équipe de rugby des huitième années à mon école cette année. Alors je vais le faire, mais pendant que j’attends la saison de rugby, je joue au club avec les garçons pour voir quel est le niveau d’intérêt. De plus, je participe partout dans mon école et je crois qu’ACTIVEZ a laissé beaucoup d’espoir dans mon cœur pour notre monde parce que j’ai eu l’occasion de rencontrer des jeunes comme moi qui avaient l’enthousiasme et l’énergie de faire tout ce qu’on peut pour le monde.
ACTIVEZ m’a montré qu’il y a de la vie après l’école alors ça va si je manque un peu d’école pour participer a des conférences et des excursions qui m’intéressent et je peux rattraper facilement si je m’applique.
Emily Rowell
Chef de l’équipe de bénévoles
Quand j’ai reçu le courriel qui me disait que j’avais été accepté ça a été un grand choc. C’est de cette manière que mon aventure a commencé. C’était un peu difficile de tout faire – les papiers de permission et tout – parce que mes parents étaient à l’autre bout du pays et devaient signer aussi parce que j’étais une mineure.
La semaine du 5 mai au 10 mai a été une vraie expérience. J’étais le bébé de la conférence mais on ne l’aurait jamais su. Je faisais partie du groupe et c’était tout, il n’y avait pas de traitement différent parce que j’étais plus jeune qu’eux. ACTIVEZ m’a vraiment inspiré à essayer tout ce qui est possible. Même si on n’a pas de grand projet, on peut toujours changer le monde avec des petits projets. Je n’ai pas pu choisir seulement un projet mais les outils qu’ACTIVEZ m’a donné m’aident chaque jour à organiser des petits évènements et de faire un impact comme et où je peux.
Le grand projet que j’ai proposé à la conférence a été d’être entraineur pour l’équipe de rugby des huitième années à mon école cette année. Alors je vais le faire, mais pendant que j’attends la saison de rugby, je joue au club avec les garçons pour voir quel est le niveau d’intérêt. De plus, je participe partout dans mon école et je crois qu’ACTIVEZ a laissé beaucoup d’espoir dans mon cœur pour notre monde parce que j’ai eu l’occasion de rencontrer des jeunes comme moi qui avaient l’enthousiasme et l’énergie de faire tout ce qu’on peut pour le monde.
ACTIVEZ m’a montré qu’il y a de la vie après l’école alors ça va si je manque un peu d’école pour participer a des conférences et des excursions qui m’intéressent et je peux rattraper facilement si je m’applique.
Emily Rowell
Chef de l’équipe de bénévoles
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Fundraising to attend ACTIVATE
Hello again!
Imagine: you are sitting in Prescott Hall at Carleton University. Seated around you are 49 other youth from across Canada, and everyone is enraptured by a speaker at the front of the room. You have met wonderful new people, learned more about yourself and your abilities, and are chock-full of ideas about ACTIVATING your community. Over the week, your enthusiasm has grown and you are practically itching to change the world. The excitement and energy are practically tangible in the room.
The ACTIVATE forum.
Sounds perfect for you, right?
And then the price tag shock: $500.
If this is a barrier for you, fear not, it was for me too, until I was funded! To provide a little background, I lived in the foster care system for four years prior to the summer of 2009. That August, I decided that I had enough, and I moved into a little apartment on my own. Although I was given some monetary support from the Ministry of Children and Families, I constantly worked to make ends meet – life is expensive! I wanted nothing more than to go to the ACTIVATE forum, but it seemed nearly impossible to afford. To be honest, I considered not bothering to apply.
Can you relate?
The topic of the day: fundraising for ACTIVATE.
I was fortunate to have volunteered with the Rotary Club in my town of Sooke, BC before I decided to apply to ACTIVATE. This wonderful and spirited group of people became familiar faces and I have enjoyed every moment I have spent in their company. When I was speaking to one of the members of my local Rotary about ACTIVATE and my difficulty affording the fee, to my surprise he offered to ask if the club can cover it!
Long story short, I was funded to attend ACTIVATE, and I ended as a volunteer the next year too! There are a couple lessons here: (1) it never hurts to help out around your community because it often helps you out in the future and (2) it IS possible to attend ACTIVATE even if you can’t afford the fee.
As I said, I was funded through the Rotary Club of Sooke, British Columbia. Find your club here: www.rotary.org. Other ACTIVATORS have contacted their local sports teams (professional and local), their Student Council or Student Federation, family members (the ACTIVATE forum for your birthday? Why not!), Leadership classes, even school administration like the Principal or Guidance Counsellor.
Sogo Active is another avenue: https://secure.sogoactive.com/ssldocs/common/aboutSogo.jsf
To conclude: do not let money be the barrier that keeps you from attending ACTIVATE. This forum will change your life, and is worth going the extra mile to fundraise for. If you need any help or guidance in this area, feel welcome to contact the dynamic volunteer team at activatevolunteers@gmail.com. You may need to provide a platform or information relating to ACTIVATE in order to apply for funding – we are happy to help you construct this. Keep us in the loop with what you are doing, even if you don’t need your help, and we can provide encouragement!
Happy Fundraising!
Allison
Allison Burton
ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team Member
Imagine: you are sitting in Prescott Hall at Carleton University. Seated around you are 49 other youth from across Canada, and everyone is enraptured by a speaker at the front of the room. You have met wonderful new people, learned more about yourself and your abilities, and are chock-full of ideas about ACTIVATING your community. Over the week, your enthusiasm has grown and you are practically itching to change the world. The excitement and energy are practically tangible in the room.
The ACTIVATE forum.
Sounds perfect for you, right?
And then the price tag shock: $500.
If this is a barrier for you, fear not, it was for me too, until I was funded! To provide a little background, I lived in the foster care system for four years prior to the summer of 2009. That August, I decided that I had enough, and I moved into a little apartment on my own. Although I was given some monetary support from the Ministry of Children and Families, I constantly worked to make ends meet – life is expensive! I wanted nothing more than to go to the ACTIVATE forum, but it seemed nearly impossible to afford. To be honest, I considered not bothering to apply.
Can you relate?
The topic of the day: fundraising for ACTIVATE.
I was fortunate to have volunteered with the Rotary Club in my town of Sooke, BC before I decided to apply to ACTIVATE. This wonderful and spirited group of people became familiar faces and I have enjoyed every moment I have spent in their company. When I was speaking to one of the members of my local Rotary about ACTIVATE and my difficulty affording the fee, to my surprise he offered to ask if the club can cover it!
Long story short, I was funded to attend ACTIVATE, and I ended as a volunteer the next year too! There are a couple lessons here: (1) it never hurts to help out around your community because it often helps you out in the future and (2) it IS possible to attend ACTIVATE even if you can’t afford the fee.
As I said, I was funded through the Rotary Club of Sooke, British Columbia. Find your club here: www.rotary.org. Other ACTIVATORS have contacted their local sports teams (professional and local), their Student Council or Student Federation, family members (the ACTIVATE forum for your birthday? Why not!), Leadership classes, even school administration like the Principal or Guidance Counsellor.
Sogo Active is another avenue: https://secure.sogoactive.com/ssldocs/common/aboutSogo.jsf
To conclude: do not let money be the barrier that keeps you from attending ACTIVATE. This forum will change your life, and is worth going the extra mile to fundraise for. If you need any help or guidance in this area, feel welcome to contact the dynamic volunteer team at activatevolunteers@gmail.com. You may need to provide a platform or information relating to ACTIVATE in order to apply for funding – we are happy to help you construct this. Keep us in the loop with what you are doing, even if you don’t need your help, and we can provide encouragement!
Happy Fundraising!
Allison
Allison Burton
ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team Member
Monday, January 24, 2011
My Favourite Things!
After the orientation weekend with the fantastic volunteer team of the ACTIVATE 2011 Forum, I thought I would reflect on my favourite thing(s) about each of my co-volunteers!
Emily Rowell (co-team leader): Emily is a caring and loving individual who gets the greatest enjoyment from seeing others succeed! When she commits to someone or something, she works tirelessly to see it through or help until the very end. An incredible mama-bear!
Adam Furlong (co-team leader): Adam is also an extremely caring individual who is passionate about working with youth. He is always willing to help, and is an amazing supporter of youth across the country! His belief in the young people in Canada is contagious and wonderful!
Ashley Fullarton: Ashley is always ready to get stuff done, and fill a need when it presents itself. Her enthusiasm is infectious! Her warm smile always spreads across the room, and she is always there to listen!
Maggie Kirkwood: One word – ENERGY! This young lady is enthusiastic about everything! Not only does she play every sport under the sun, but Maggie is also passionate about including others and always, always, always having FUN! She brings a ray of sunshine to the team!
Colton Hogg: Colton is incredible; he is extremely passionate and hard-working to get youth active around him. His adventurous and caring personality draws others out of their shell around him, and provides a comfortable environment for everyone.
Dylan Tobin (Tobes): Tobes is the behind-the-scenes, get ‘er-done kind of guy. When he shares his thoughts, they are insightful and knowledgeable. If something needs to be done, Dylan is always there to help, and he makes everything fun.
Kyle McLellan: The best thing about Kyle is that he shares my love and passion for Nike shoes. Seriously, amazing. Oh, and he’s super energetic, positive, and HILARIOUS! It is so nice to have someone on the team who can laugh at a tense situation and make everyone feel better. Kyle also brings a creative and experience mind to the table, and his ideas are invaluable!
And your ACTIVATE staff:
Danielle Vienneau: Danielle is organized, and VERY caring. She is incredible at interacting with other people; making sure each individual feels welcome and comfortable in a variety of situations.
Lauren Larocque: Lauren is incredible at inspiring youth. Her energetic and positive attitude is tangible the moment she walks into the room. She makes it look easy when facilitating and teaching youth by leading them comfortably to a place of creativity and productiveness.
So as you can see, the Volunteer Team and its fearless leaders are a wonderful group of people who are working hard to bring you ACTIVATE 2011. Apply and you can meet us! Oh, and you can learn stuff, meet some other youth, visit Ottawa……AND HAVE THE BEST FREAKIN’TIME OF YOUR LIFE.
xoxo
Allison
Allison Burton
ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team Member
If you want to attend ACTIVATE 2011 (and meet the incredible people mentioned above!) APPLY BY JANUARY 31, 2011! Applications can be found at http://www.motivatecanada.ca/en/page-87-activate-2011-application
Emily Rowell (co-team leader): Emily is a caring and loving individual who gets the greatest enjoyment from seeing others succeed! When she commits to someone or something, she works tirelessly to see it through or help until the very end. An incredible mama-bear!
Adam Furlong (co-team leader): Adam is also an extremely caring individual who is passionate about working with youth. He is always willing to help, and is an amazing supporter of youth across the country! His belief in the young people in Canada is contagious and wonderful!
Ashley Fullarton: Ashley is always ready to get stuff done, and fill a need when it presents itself. Her enthusiasm is infectious! Her warm smile always spreads across the room, and she is always there to listen!
Maggie Kirkwood: One word – ENERGY! This young lady is enthusiastic about everything! Not only does she play every sport under the sun, but Maggie is also passionate about including others and always, always, always having FUN! She brings a ray of sunshine to the team!
Colton Hogg: Colton is incredible; he is extremely passionate and hard-working to get youth active around him. His adventurous and caring personality draws others out of their shell around him, and provides a comfortable environment for everyone.
Dylan Tobin (Tobes): Tobes is the behind-the-scenes, get ‘er-done kind of guy. When he shares his thoughts, they are insightful and knowledgeable. If something needs to be done, Dylan is always there to help, and he makes everything fun.
Kyle McLellan: The best thing about Kyle is that he shares my love and passion for Nike shoes. Seriously, amazing. Oh, and he’s super energetic, positive, and HILARIOUS! It is so nice to have someone on the team who can laugh at a tense situation and make everyone feel better. Kyle also brings a creative and experience mind to the table, and his ideas are invaluable!
And your ACTIVATE staff:
Danielle Vienneau: Danielle is organized, and VERY caring. She is incredible at interacting with other people; making sure each individual feels welcome and comfortable in a variety of situations.
Lauren Larocque: Lauren is incredible at inspiring youth. Her energetic and positive attitude is tangible the moment she walks into the room. She makes it look easy when facilitating and teaching youth by leading them comfortably to a place of creativity and productiveness.
So as you can see, the Volunteer Team and its fearless leaders are a wonderful group of people who are working hard to bring you ACTIVATE 2011. Apply and you can meet us! Oh, and you can learn stuff, meet some other youth, visit Ottawa……AND HAVE THE BEST FREAKIN’TIME OF YOUR LIFE.
xoxo
Allison
Allison Burton
ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team Member
If you want to attend ACTIVATE 2011 (and meet the incredible people mentioned above!) APPLY BY JANUARY 31, 2011! Applications can be found at http://www.motivatecanada.ca/en/page-87-activate-2011-application
Final Week!
Hey there all you extreme thinkers. I know many of you have read about ACTIVATE and thought long and hard about applying. You may have even called Lauren for further information to try and figure out what exactly you might be getting yourself into. Well the time for that is almost up! No more over thinking, just do it! This is now the homestretch: the time to open your word document and let your fingers fly! The application is due in exactly one week- January 31!
Now, if you are anything like me, you like to leave the big projects such as essays for the weekend and to be honest, applying for ACTIVATE is a big project. But it is so worth it! If you are like that, well it is your lucky day because you do have one more weekend to schedule in the application. Find a time slot in your busy life (or extreme gaming) to fill out the application this coming weekend. 11 PM Eastern Standard Time is the official cut off time for ACTIVATE 2011 on January 31st, what a way that would be to end of this first month of 2011: applying for something as cool and life-changing as ACTIVATE. I don’t want any excuses, this is something you should do, find the time, fill it out and wait to see the difference it could make.
For those who aren’t sure, do it anyway. For those who don’t think they have the time, make the time. And for those who believe they know it all already, believe me, you will learn something new, make a new connection or simply expand your horizons.
**11 PM Eastern Standard Time=12:30 AM in Newfoundland/Labrador=12 AM in the Atlantic Time Zone =10 PM in Central =9 PM in Mountain Time & = 9 PM Pacific Standard Time
TO APPLY, PLEASE VISIT http://www.motivatecanada.ca/en/page-87-activate-2011-application.
Emily Rowell
ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team Leader
Now, if you are anything like me, you like to leave the big projects such as essays for the weekend and to be honest, applying for ACTIVATE is a big project. But it is so worth it! If you are like that, well it is your lucky day because you do have one more weekend to schedule in the application. Find a time slot in your busy life (or extreme gaming) to fill out the application this coming weekend. 11 PM Eastern Standard Time is the official cut off time for ACTIVATE 2011 on January 31st, what a way that would be to end of this first month of 2011: applying for something as cool and life-changing as ACTIVATE. I don’t want any excuses, this is something you should do, find the time, fill it out and wait to see the difference it could make.
For those who aren’t sure, do it anyway. For those who don’t think they have the time, make the time. And for those who believe they know it all already, believe me, you will learn something new, make a new connection or simply expand your horizons.
**11 PM Eastern Standard Time=12:30 AM in Newfoundland/Labrador=12 AM in the Atlantic Time Zone =10 PM in Central =9 PM in Mountain Time & = 9 PM Pacific Standard Time
TO APPLY, PLEASE VISIT http://www.motivatecanada.ca/en/page-87-activate-2011-application.
Emily Rowell
ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team Leader
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Applying to ACTIVATE
While you sit at your computer, reading about ACTIVATE, you may be thinking that there is no way you would ever be abe to get into a National Leadership Forum. But, after all, someone has to be accepted, so why not you? If you don't apply, then it is 100% certain you will not be accepted; however, if you open the door the possibility then who knows that might happen?!
When I applied to ACTIVATE, I was already in the middle of an exchange and on the opposite side of the country from my family. In this rural Quebecois town, I received an e-mail telling me about ACTIVATE and I forwarded it to my parents to find out if I was allowed to apply. Their reply was exactly what I am going to tell you: why not?! What do you have to lose from applying? If you are trying to think of an answer, then you have already found it: nothing! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Wayne Gretzky once said "you miss 100% of the shots that you don't take", so take this shot! Say yes to the chance of a lifetime. Stop reading this blog, open up a Word document and start answering the questions on the ACTIVATE application.
Who knows, you might learn a little something about yourself along the way.
Emily Rowell
ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team Leader
When I applied to ACTIVATE, I was already in the middle of an exchange and on the opposite side of the country from my family. In this rural Quebecois town, I received an e-mail telling me about ACTIVATE and I forwarded it to my parents to find out if I was allowed to apply. Their reply was exactly what I am going to tell you: why not?! What do you have to lose from applying? If you are trying to think of an answer, then you have already found it: nothing! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Wayne Gretzky once said "you miss 100% of the shots that you don't take", so take this shot! Say yes to the chance of a lifetime. Stop reading this blog, open up a Word document and start answering the questions on the ACTIVATE application.
Who knows, you might learn a little something about yourself along the way.
Emily Rowell
ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team Leader
Welcome to the Volunteer Blog!
Hello!
Welcome to the official blog of the ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team! We (the volunteer team) are going to post about our experiences with ACTIVATE, our journey as a volunteer, and other useful and interesting tidbits! Be sure to keep checking back for more info!
At this time, we can introduce you to the team! Find out more about the eight volunteer youth who will be planning this year's forum by clicking here: www.motivatecanada.ca/en/activate2011volunteers.
We have included a short bio of each of the volunteers, as well as a quick and super awesome video of the entire team made by the one and only Dylan Tobin!
Looking forward to seeing you all in May!
Allison Burton
ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team Member
Welcome to the official blog of the ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team! We (the volunteer team) are going to post about our experiences with ACTIVATE, our journey as a volunteer, and other useful and interesting tidbits! Be sure to keep checking back for more info!
At this time, we can introduce you to the team! Find out more about the eight volunteer youth who will be planning this year's forum by clicking here: www.motivatecanada.ca/en/activate2011volunteers.
We have included a short bio of each of the volunteers, as well as a quick and super awesome video of the entire team made by the one and only Dylan Tobin!
Looking forward to seeing you all in May!
Allison Burton
ACTIVATE 2011 Volunteer Team Member
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