August Monthly Gathering : Venue/Cost???

Dear Members,

August is around the corner soon and so is the monthly gathering but I am still unable to proceed due to the following constraints:

  1.  No EO yet : Any volunteers?
  2. Venue : Cant find any suitable venues, eventhough there were 2 proposals for consideration which I am not too keen to pursue.  Sembawang Park which we can incorporate monthly gathering coupled with cycling event at 1 go and another cafe around the China Sq Central.  Any other venues some members may want to help to propose, pls let me know
  3. Cost : Both venues’ cost of food are on the high side, ie for Cafe (China Sq), 1 drink and quarter pie will cost ard $10/pax.  Negotiation by member to get them to reduce abit was not successful as they claimed higher operating cost and lean profit.  As for Sembawang Park, was told that it will be around $25 – $30/pax much depending on the total headcount as well as the foods that we wanted.  I am hoping to look at less than $10 – Any lobang for this – Pls share with us also.

The July monthly gathering at Sengkang Riverside Park was actually very nice whereby the ambience n the food are of reasonable price.  However, sad to say that we got complaints from the Cafe operator that we did not comply with their rules there.

I personally like to hold the monthly gathering at the Bra Cafe mainly cos it is nice & cosy place for fellowship which Pioneer and New members can communicate each other much easier.  Self introduction of the new members can also be easily heard by each and everyone in the cafe itself.  But the only setback is that, Bra Cafe is unable to accommodate more than 40paxs.  

Hence, in the event that I am unable to get another new venue for the monthly gathering, I will have the monthly gathering at Bra Cafe with only max headcount of 40paxs.

So, let’s hear from all members concerned.  Al your comments are valuable to us….

Cheers… Dolly 

Author: Dolly Lim

ACTIVE 2005 / UPDATED - 31.03.2021_SF

31 thoughts on “August Monthly Gathering : Venue/Cost???”

  1. Hi Dolly

    Just curious as to what the complaints were from the Cafe operator at Sengkang Riverside Park? Perhaps bringing outside food/drinks or not buying from them?

    What a pity if the ambience is good and the food price is reasonable but they are not happy with us.

    I like the fact that you post ‘No outside food/drinks’ for monthly gatherings at the Bra. Sad having to remind members but it’s stated so it’s very clear. Not that the Bra wants business per se during gathering; I see it as a venue for it if no other places are found.

    Though I have never attended any monthly gathering, I can understand the headaches and the effort EOs put in to plan, check out the place/price/ambience using their private time in order to do their bit for the club.

    It is difficult as it is to find volunteers to organize these monthly gatherings so when someone does take the trouble to do so the least attendees can do is to comply with the rules of the operators wherever they may be.

    p/s I’d understand if it’s ‘inconvenient’ to tell.

  2. Hi Dolly,

    How many pax are you looking at per lunch or tea for the monthly August gathering?

    I have this ‘tea-house’ vegetarian restaurant in Chinatown which is opened to only private gatherings at $18/pax lunch for up to 80pax.
    Is that expensive?

    I can hold a fashion show here..say around 28 Aug if I have enough models by 2nd wk of August. Hope more members will come forward to help put up this show as ‘Entertainment Show for August’.

    pearl.

  3. Dear Dolly

    Its a pity that the cafe operator was unhappy with our group. Although its not very convenient for people who dont drive, its a very nice venue. Spacious with good ambience. The food was good too – reasonably priced. I enjoyed my mee rebus very much.

    I enjoy Bra Cafe too – the pies and coffee :)

    Cheers
    Carly

  4. Hi Geraldine,
    U had guessed correctly liao.. Very clever of u… rite lor, everytx, I nid 2 emphasize n the minute the EO forget, chiam liao lor…

    Hi Pearl,
    I supposed that 4 lunch at $18/pax is reasonable, however, most mthly gathering kick off around 4pm onwards till 8 or 9pm. Acutally, I wuld prefer a mthly gathering to be held during weekday i/o weekend as usually Sundays are normally reserved for family bonding for most members. However, if u r willing 2b EO for this, u hv d final say lor, so, game bo?

    Thanks Carly 4 d usual support regardless of wherever the venues are…

    Cheers.. Dolly

  5. Dear Dolly

    Thats what buddies are for right? Will try to attend any function organised and if I cant, there is usually a valid reason behind it.

    I have been an EO before and I know a lot of hard work goes into organising it and support from members is always very much appreciated.

    Cheers
    Carly

  6. Hi Dolly

    Thanks for your prompt reply.

    Also thanks for your compliment but seriously, it’s just common sense. FnB operators need to turn their tables. They simply can’t afford to have occupied tables not buying. Some eateries have minimum spending per person/table.

    Let’s hope future gatherings make the operators happy and want us back again and again.

  7. Hi Dolly

    Howdy ? I have not been active in SHC for a long while due to other commitments, but hope to attend the Aug one. The last gathering I attended was at Han’s Cafe Great Eastern. What happened ? why not continue use this place rather than keep changing ? Han’s is large enough to accommodate us , has all the food to cater to different needs, convenient. If we continue to use them, we can perhaps nego for a good deal on a monthly basis ?

  8. Hi Dolly, Geraldine, Caroline

    Sorry for the late response.

    The cafe operator’s only gripe was that beer and liquor was brought in and consumed at the cafe which was not licensed to sell such beverage. She was concerned that not only will it be problematic for the cafe but also for the parent company.

    So, a note to all SHC members, pls make a ‘note to self’ – do not bring your own beer and liquor to nice places like Riverside cafe.

    The cafe operator did invite us back again. She cheerfully asked me, “When are you all coming again?” :-)

    Yatsing

  10. Hi Yatsing

    Yes, thanks for your clarification.

    Good to know this. Will make my way there one of these days sans alcohol.

    Hope to catch up with you.

  11. Hi Dolly,

    I have another cafe at Marine Parade CC serving pasta, soup, salad, gelato n ice-tea for $12 including a fashion show. It will be on 23 August 5.30pm to 9.30pm. If everybody is agreeable with it, I will be EO.

    pearl.

  12. whew whew stady pom pi pi ah pearl wong jie …

    wah u ve chin jway ( many ) cafe hor….

    good lah…2 see now we ve sin ( new ) member can EO for de puay gek ( aug ) monthly gathering liao…

    i ..think CM & de club fairly godmother ..will not say puay sai ( cannot ) ..just xxxx my fingers lor….i cannot be so kaypoh lei..arboh kena whack left nrite hor….

    on de makan hor..bo nasi 1…huh !! pasta can fill me mei ?
    hahahaha ..no offence hor..bo never mind 1..can makan @ west den cheong ki east ..if time kam kam will come from bt panjang with ah d…… like dat aa sai bo har ? ( can or not )

    sam huat huat huat

  14. Good Morning Ah Huat Ah,

    Thanks to your talk 3 talk 4 so early in the morning –
    you are sometimes naughty but most times very frank & sincere, my kind of fren, so no need sob sob hor. If you need rice, I can special order for you to jia pah pah cos you are also in the East, hee.

    pearl.

  15. Hi Dolly,

    Instead of the fashion show for the 23 Aug gathering, SHC members can learn to make gelato for that evening at 4pm onwards. Just let me know how many interested to learn so she can prepare the portions. The whole place can have up to 60pax.

    pearl.

  16. Hi Pearl, Dolly,

    Pearl’s suggestions of having a fashion show and learning how to make gelato are fantastic ideas. And I am sure Pearl can create these events into great activities for SilverHairsClub members.

    However, I have to emphasize that the monthly gathering must focus on social networking among SilverHairs, and giving the opportunity for members to interact within the few hours of the meeting. Use the monthly gathering to meet new friends and for others to catch up with one another.

    For the fashion show and making gelato, Prearl, please take these activites as separate EO events, for SilverHairsClub members who are interested in the activities. Keep the monthly gathering objective focused on social meet up.

    Pearl, I look forward to seeing the vibrant side of you as an EO. As long as the activity does not touch the club’s taboos, you are free to organise any activity. No permission needed from me or the Club manager.

    Terence Seah

  17. Terence’s posting is being moderated.

    2 of my previous comments too were under moderation.

    The Ghost Month is less than 48 hours away. It’s scary.

    Seriously, I dont like the color yellow. Not for me at least.

  18. Hahaha…so its the Ghost Month for August…no wonder so quiet…again,
    i’m new, mm zai si EO this monthly gathering…so…is anyone coming har??

    Terence,

    ‘Learning of making gelato’ is an activity for the night’s fun only.
    It is proposed by the cafe’s owner when I asked her what else can we do.
    I thought its a nice activity for members to interact in another way. Gelato can be a new talking piece or socialising for those who participates as they will be talking while making the gelato. Some might not have much to talk about and this activity enables them to have something to do if they feel awkward doing nothing, especially the new members.

    My fashion show is not necessary but just a thought, again…to entertain members for the night. The other fashion show activity that I posted is an on-going activity by itself like my drama group. That will have nothing to do with any EO’s events. Hope thats all clear to everyone.

    If you’d rather they mingle & talk, well and good for me cos it saves me a lot of hassel looking for clothes and rehearsing the models for the show.,
    not to mention 23 Aug is very near.

    So, do confirm if the venue is ok for August’s gathering or I wont hold that date with this cafe as she has quite a lot of bookings for such events.

    Hear from all of you asap.

    pearl.

  19. Dont worry Tim. If the moderation queue last more than one day, it just means that I have no access to the internet, travelling or the fairy god mother is just confused or sleeping.

    Terence Seah

  20. Hi Alicia,
    Welcome back hor… Hans is definitely a very convenient venue for gathering. However, much feedback is that members were usually scattered around as this plc is too big. As a result, some new members felt being left out – probably 2 shy 2 mingle with others. Difficult to have new members’ intro as it can vry tiring trying to gather everyone around n cant reli listen clearly also.. But I will still prefer to keep this option open due to its conveniences. Hence, I hope that u will still attending any mthly regardless of where they are being held.. ai sai bo? Cheers.. Dolly

  21. Hi Pearl,
    Perhaps, you can start a post on mthly gathering solely on interacting among members so that members can starts their registration lor.. ai sai bei har?

    Cheers.. Dolly

  22. Hi Dolly

    I have a suggestion for our monthly gathering in August.
    Shall we try Union Square at Amara Shopping Centre at the 5th level. Drinks and food are reasonable. Terence has been to Union Square and it is walking distance from Tj Pagar MRT station.

    Cheers … Mega

  23. ah tao yen ( director ) pearl jie wei….# 14

    hahahaha..kam sia kam sia for yr good thought hor..on jia pah pah hor… halo tao yen ..me no from east 1 hor..me ang mo pai 1 lei..from de west lah….

    si mei ..i am sinseh mei ..no lei tcm siong 1 lei….hahahahahanyway thks 4 de compliment ya….take care tao yen ACTION scene 1 take 4 roll 5 cut liao lah….sioow liao lah…hahhahahha
    sam huat huat huat

  24. Dolly Dolly…

    I support Mega’s suggestion. Union Square at Amara Shopping Centre is an ideal place for the monthly gathering. Pleasant ambience, Food & Beverages are at reasonable price. Also it’s very very convenience, Tanjong Pagar MRT station is just a stone throw away…

    I heard months ago, Amara Shopping Centre was under renovation, not sure if it has completed. You may want to consider this place for future gathering…

    Ah Nee :)

  25. Hallo Ah Huat Ah,

    Today is our 2nd drama rehearsal, you must come so I can “Action…
    Scene 1 take 4 roll 5, and…CUT”!! Then everybody ? ? ?, happy happy hor.

    Be There!!
    pearl.

  27. Hi PearlW #26,

    Although I have not had the chance to meet you, I have to say you have created quite an excitement among SHC members with your vibrance and enthusiam.

    I will have to catch up with you sometime soon, before the end of this month. Please keep updating us on your drama group and rehearsal.

    Terence Seah

  29. Mega/ANee,
    Amara still under renov leh.. My fren told me dat wen I met 4 lunch last Wed so I m not sure if Union Sq affected bo? So still there har? :) Cheers.. Dolly

  30. Hi Dolly,

    After much thoughts, I better concentrate on my drama performance for the 10 Sept as being EO for August’s gathering will take a lot of my time.

    Since there are venues like Union Sq, Sengkang and the Bra Cafe,
    lets leave it as that. Surely anyone of these will be perfect for the night.

    pearl.

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