Sharing Day, Programmes, Volunteers, Trainees and Aging Issues

Today was sharing day lo.. well since some of u guys cldn make it, jus lemme share some pointers then.sharing day revolved around 4 topics, volunteer issues, programmes, trainee and aging issues.On volunteer issues, hosted by our RO chairman Charles, we discussed about what draws people to volunteer at MINDS MYG, and likewise the reverse, what dissuades them to come volunteer with us. Factors discussed include the guidance offered to 'newbies' during their first few trips down to the project, debrief sessions after project every week (which is apparently present everywhere else except amk, we simply dun have the habit :P well maybe cos we're the only one open on sunday), and also how other projects might try methods like allocating charismatic trainees to new volunteers during their first visit so that they can have an easier first time.

On programmes, which was hosted by Theng Ngee from RO, he led the groups to discuss about possible programmes and collaborations with external bodies like Special Olympics (Special Os) and Very Special Arts (VSA), feedback on ACID and more. i heard something interesting contributed by TH chairman Ken, who asked if we are planning programmes to suit our wants or because the trainees need it, in other words, planning has to be a fine balance of wants vs needs. there's definitely more, jus that i cant recall all now after a day's work, and my not being there during the conclusion.. haha, maybe ct,yuying, xizhen or my bro can fill in the blanks lo.

On trainee issues, hosted by Hua Chin, we shared about what we cld do when trainees get lost in public or stuff and also things we cld do to prevent such stuff from happening too. this is a thorny topic basically, cos it's hard to prevent normal ppl from getting lost when travelling alone, much less our trainees. Most projects do have some kinda tags like we do lor, that's probably about as much as we can do on our parts when we take them out though. some ideas suggested were to inform whatever transport operator whenever we're going to places like interchanges or along the mrt lo. i gotta admit this issue quite hard to come up with fresh ideas.. any ideas to share?

And finally on the issue of aging which was hosted by Hua Fang from EP, we concluded that aging isnt an issue or case, it's actually a process that's constantly ongoing. Various groups shared different opinions on this issue, and what i feel are interesting points are suggestions of a new project with both volunteers and trainees constituting of elderly, which is an example of peer partnership, ie two elderly are likely to mix better than an elderly and a sec sch kid, and also outsourcing of programme planning to other organisations that are involved in the eldercare sector like TOUCH community and so on. There were also queries on workshops on eldercare.

well, this is abt all i can recall for now, i believe there are many blanks that i've missed out during the conclusion session, but personally i found it quite ear opening too. hope u guys who went today enjoyed the interactive session, and maybe more will go next year :P

xh