SVC Retreat (04 Aug 07)

An Extract from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Identify an SVC Volunteer:

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A typical student would have done the following on 04 Aug 07:

1. Memorise the definition of Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion
2. Watch The Simpson’s with his/her girlfriend(s)/boyfriend(s)
3. Camp at Marina Bay to catch a glimpse of the NDP rehearsal fireworks
4. ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…………….zzz………

A SVC volunteer would have done the following on 04 Aug 07:

1. Try his/her best to attend the SVC Retreat
2. Con Convince a friend to attend the SVC Retreat
3. Tell the whole world that there’s a SVC Retreat
4. ......then do what a typical student would have done

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To all who managed to squeeze the SVC Retreat in between your hectic schedule, let me give you my sincere salute. It was, after all, a Saturday – the most precious day of the week! (Well, at least to me, it is…) With the examination period just around the corner, it was tremendously heartening to see quite a few JC2 students turning up.

Honestly, I had expected Siew Mui to be upset with the terrible attendance, but our president totally surprised me when she said, “I’m very happy that so many of you are here.” With fewer than 30 participants present, my laughter could hardly be contained. Nonetheless, the amusement which I had felt slowly transformed into a tinge of melancholy when she mentioned that in the past, they couldn’t even muster enough volunteers to hold a retreat. Abruptly, I recalled the turnout for the previous retreat held at Vick’s kampong, and discovered that she’s right indeed. The “terrible” attendance, it seems, wasn’t that terrible at all.

In fact, keeping the group small has its advantages. I fully enjoyed the cosiness of the session, where everyone got the chance to become acquainted with everyone else. I didn’t know, for instance, that Yihui and Daniel like to play volleyball. Neither did I realise that Hong Ming is horny. Oh wait; actually I do. Whoops! =X I’m not the type who enjoys going to big parties and being surrounded by crowds of half-naked strangers, so such a setting is definitely more welcoming for someone like myself. Everyone in attendance was also able to actively contribute to our collective brainstorming and interactive presentations unreservedly. Even though the group was small, there was an observably endless stream of great ideas. Our Publicity Sub-Committee, in particular, managed to gather some valuable suggestions which can be incorporated into our brochures and video! Thanks to all who chipped in =)

All in all, it was undoubtedly a fruitful get-together for SVC volunteers. For those who couldn’t make it for the retreat, we look forward to your participation in the next! Please don’t feel intimidated by terms like “retreats” or “AGM”; they are not as boring as they sound. I guarantee (+ warranty + chop + signature) that you can find a few familiar faces at each meeting, since there has been a desirable mix of new birds, old birds and returning birds so far.

You're never alone in your volunteering journey.

See you soon! =)

Marco

"Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless."