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Grassroots with passion
TGC THROUGHTHE
EYES OF A GEN Y Abel Tan, a TGC member, serves in Aljunied GRC, Hougang Zone 4 RC and also in the Management Committee of the Institute of Company Accountants. At work he is a certified accountant running his own accounting practice.
What Club facilities do you use now, and what facilities would you like to see in the future? Abel: The Health Centre. In future, I hope to see facilities such as a pub, BBQ pits, a western restaurant and reciprocal affiliations or tie-ups with other clubs or organisations. Do you think the Club is attractive to young grassroots leaders? Why? A: Not at the moment. Even the Health Centre which is the main draw for the young, does not have enough gym equipment. All the other outlets such as F&B are also open to the public, so a membership offers us no real advantage. How can the Club further meet the needs of young grassroots leaders? A: Have programmes catering to an active and mainstream crowd. I think a good example is the SPANS Clubhouse by HomeTeamNS who has tailored its programmes to meet the needs of young members; they have attracted many new members. How can young grassroots leaders be more involved in the grassroots movement? A: Many young grassroots leaders may not be aware of the different activities, hence the low participation rate. I feel that courses at NACLI is valuable for young grassroots leaders like me to pick up knowledge of the different areas of grassroots movement. It is also a platform for us to learn from the experience of senior and experienced grassroots leaders. Since the NACLI campus is not easy to get to, we should consider holding some of the courses within TGC premises for member convenience and better participation. If properly negotiated, it can even mean extra rental income for TGC.
Tips for young grassroots leaders who are juggling work, family and grassroots involvement? A: Having a worklife balance is a real challenge for many young grassroots leaders who are still in the midst of building their career. In my opinion, it is important for each of us to set realistic targets and commitment according to our own circumstances. If not, many of us might just lose heart and the will to volunteer and give up in serving in the grassroots. Secondly, it is important for young grassroots leaders to begin involvement in areas of interest close to their heart, so choose carefully from the range of grassroots activities and areas. Thirdly, if things at work or in our families become too overwhelming, it is always helpful to speak up, seek advice and assistance from our peers or Grassroots Adviser. If there is a need, by all means take a short break to sort out personal matters before returning to serve; this would be better than letting our problems affect peer relationships or service quality. But be sure to return, grassroots need you!
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