UniFEM #2

We submitted our proposal and it was turned down, after discussing the matter with Selma, we figured that our proposal was good, but there were a lot of areas that we needed to work on like the planning and engagement with the people we are going to invite over as well as the planning for such a short time frame. Even though I am disappointed that our event isn't pulling through, I think that this came at a pretty good juncture. At Term 3, where all the assessments and tests are coming in, I don't think we would have a lot of time to plan and organize a proper event. We would be too messy, running around and getting things done we wouldn't be able to work on a good event for everyone. Additionally, I also think our event would not pull through with the amount and quality of our manpower. Because I think at this point in time, people are more concerned with their studies than with CAS itself.

Mr Yai suggested that we start on small scale events, like setting up an information booth during lunch to educate SOTA about the issues of Sex-Trafficking and Violence against Women. I think that the small-scale information booth would be better than jumping into a big scale event when we don't know so much about event planning. I think that this is another area that I can work on, learning how to engage people and how to plan proper public events that will engage people. This would be a good springboard to build our foundation of public event planning first, before we plan a large scale event for 2014.

I think that this is a good wake-up call for us to be more mindful in our planning and be a lot more aware of the time-periods where we set events. Because what dates that we set aside on paper may not be implemented in a real-life scenario.

Also, I am very concerned that I do not know much about the Human-Trafficking situation in countries like Semarang, Indonesia and surprisingly even in Singapore. It surprises me that there are situations like this even in Singapore, but this makes me think of the Sex-Slave situation in Sweden too. I should probably read up more about such issues because this relates to me a lot as a female who, thankfully, has never had to confront these things first-hand in my life. Perhaps that this could be a situation or issue that I could further develop when I graduate.

UniFEM #1

We just had our first meetings with the whole planning team and Ms Mrinalini and Erny from UNIFem. Being a leader, even as a vice, I think that my previous leading experiences has refined me into being a more organized and motivated person. Personally I find myself more organized in outlining proposals and keeping the team organized.

Sometimes I feel as though I'm the main person keeping the team on-track with deadlines and delegations. I acknowledge that Selma is our main leader, but I do know that she is not very organized and sometimes a little erratic at times. That is probably why we work quite well together, I balance out Selma's disorganization with my slightly better organization. This too, shows that I have grown a lot since I first took on leadership roles in OSL, when I was very disorganized and had to rely more on experienced leaders like Yin Ying or Jia Wen.

Now with Selma I realise that she deals more with getting our contacts and brainstorming while I get her ideas organized and put those plans into action. It's funny how I've grown perhaps to become a little more organized to better suit the task I'm assigned to. This process may not be a very huge event, but this has shown that I am growing to take on better responsibilities as a person and even as a leader.

Although I am very enthusiastic about our project, I can't help feel as though we may not have enough time to plan for the event. If I do the math and count the number of weeks we have to plan and set up this event. We have less than 3 weeks to get the whole event with location, booths, people and overall logistics settled by National Day. With our very short run-way I think the whole event may not come together even with our planning. I am having my doubts but I will try to stay committed as a leader to this event.