From the RNC - First impressions, Sunday evening. Hilda Moeller

This seminar promises to be an intense, exciting, fun- filled work week, put together by the Washington Center. At the orientation, we became aware of the extraordinary amount of work and attention to detail that goes into putting it all together. Very soon, I noticed how smoothly everything was running. From handling our baggage, so that we could be free to roam outside of the hotel while the rooms were ready, to the well organized and delicious Italian dinner, to the orientation itself and the meeting afterwards with our group leaders; all seemed to flow well. The obvious purpose of this seminar is educational, but the Washington Center is making sure that we have fun while learning. At the same time we are motivated to bring out the best in ourselves.

We were told that there will not be much sleep, and I believe them. Today I started the day at 4:15 am to catch a 6:00 AM flight. Right now is 10:00 PM and before I can think of rest, I need to do reading that we will use at 8:00 tomorrow morning. We will have study, field work, and of course, the convention itself next week. We were warned that we can sleep when we get back home. I don’t doubt that to be exaggeration, but expect it indicates long days and short nights.

So far my first impressions are of friendliness, efficiency, motivation, excitement, and fun. I can't wait till tomorrow when we get into the thick of the action.

Left: Orientation. Right, Frank Carni II who won the first prize in the ice-breaker game.