28 June 2006

"RCs need change too?"


This is an article emailed to me by a friend today.

It is written by a guy called Joseph Tay, who is a grassroots activist, with a consulting firm called The Creative Edge.

"The recent furore between grassroots organisations and the Community Development Councils (CDC) over competing activities in the heartlands would not have made the headlines ,if not for Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng's public intervention to settle their roles.

It mattered less than it should to most residents. The truth is, few Singaporeans even know their residents' committees (RCs), much less take part in their activities. (which I think is very true.)

RC activities have become almost mundane (I must agree..it's boring) routines.The same old dumpling, lantern festivals, cultural shows, and innumerable rounds of dinners are pervasive RC activities.


People are bored, I suspect (must be lah). Routinely, RC members have had to round up the same old supporters to attend these functions.

Celebrations during festivities are not the problem. The issue here is the programme. It looks as if someone pulled up last year's programme, dusted it off, and updated the date and presto! It becomes an instant festival.

Grassroots organisations historically serve an important role in fostering racial harmony. Today, that role is even more critical given present-day societal pressures and extremism. To remain relevant, grassroots organisations need an urgent update on how to reach out to their residents and get greater participation.

Grassroot activities are often run by volunteers who are already contributing significantly in efforts, time, and in some cases, money. Official budgets allocated to RCs are invariably small and never enough to do more. Yet it seems wasteful for all that efforts and resources not to be able to reach deeper into the heartlands.

Some housewives and retirees are regular participants of grassroots activities. Most youth and working adults remain disengaged. Some even consider RC activities, such as karaoke, a nuisance! (Yeah, ya..many of us youths do think that way.)


The People's Association (PA) coordinates the activities of all grassroots organisations. It sets guidelines on the types of activities RCs should organise throughout the year.

RCs are then awarded stars for organising them, if you are not aware. Altough not intended, RCs often end up doing the obvious and the easy, to comply with the PA guidelines and earn themselves the required stars.


It is interesting that the PA itself is undergoing a transformation. Credit must be given to its leadership for realising the need to change and taking steps to do so. However, the same ought to be done for grassroots organisations.


It is easier said than done, of course. As the recent competitive tension between the grassroots and the CDCs indicates, sensitivities can be easily upset and good intentions may backfire.


Grassroots leadership is invaluable, not something that the PA would want to undermine. Moreover, volunteers are in short supply. There is no queue of volunteers waiting to contribute.
However, the PA, with greater resources and expertise at its disposal, could churn out a menu of new programmes targeted at the various segments of the population. Ownership should remain with the RCs, which will be free to select programmes appropriate to their needs and will remain responsible for effective implementation.

Although this may seem like a small and almost mundane change, it also requires a change in mindset on the part of all the organisations on the ground.


Roles have to be re-configured and aligned toward the goal of fostering racial harmony through greater participation of all races. The slew of new targeted programmes will also attract more people to join grassroots organisations.


In this respect, the leadership of the MP (Member of Parliament) is critical in balancing the well-intentioned but sometimes conflicting efforts of the many organisations on the ground.


There is no better time than now to re-think how grassroots organisations can do a more effective job of reaching out to the population. It is time to ponder why and what else can be done besides the plethora of the usual cultural events and dinners.


The energy of volunteerism is being consumed by the busy work of ineffective activities. Fresh innovative efforts are needed to energise volunteers and engage the masses.

The MP should start the ball rolling by refusing to grace the same old dinners?"

My views:

Indeed. We definitely need changes in the RC activities. As I've observed, It is always the same group of people organising the same old activities. Very dull and boring! Where is that innovation and creativity? When it comes to organising community activities, I think RCs have failed to note that people are more receptive to taking part in events which are considered "refreshing".

Perhaps our uncles and aunties have run out of new ideas?? I think this is where new younger RC members or volunteers come into the picture. It is now the 21st Century. Speaking about that, I think it is also important for the RCs to be open-minded and being bold enough to accept a fresh influx of suggestions and ideas from the young volunteers.


In addition, due to the fact that very often the RCs are organising the same old actvities meant for the same group of people (abit like the Community clubs), it cannot shed off its boring image. That somehow explains why young people like students and young working adults are turned off whenever they hear the word "RC". In comparison to the outside exposure they have gained these days, they would of course decide that they won't bother or express their interest in taking part in RC activities, let alone volunteering to help out at RC activities.


Why?


Simply because RC activities are perceived as "not cool".
Agree people?

We need to change that man!!! Kekekeke!!!

Alan aka Humourboi

10:40 PM. By: Administrator ( 0 comments)