Dear fellow SilverHairsClub members,
I like to share a thought with you at this time of the year. It’s the usual
time of the year, when we have the feeling that the year is short, and that we
may not have done some meaningful for ourselves. Before we realise it,
2013 is here.
Many of us are busy, even though we are over 45. Some of us are working to make a
living. This includes me. Or we may be busy catching up with
friends for coffee or mahjong. Still, among us, many are busy nannying
our grandchildren. While others are karaoke’ing the afternoon out or
dancing the nights away. For some, it’s charity and social work or
trading online. I wonder how many among us are active with other
activities eg watching Korean or Taiwanese movies every day.
We have friends, and some of us do not need to think of making more friends.
Obviously, we don’t want to make friends whom we will regret meeting.
It’s always nice to have some close friends, whom we can share our interests
and ideas. Friends whom we can chat during lonely moments; maybe not now
but in later years.
For the last 7 years, SHC activities have been centred around "providing a
platform for Silver Hairs to make new and more friends". This has
worked well for some members, and we would continue to focus on this objective.
It’s also time to revisit our efforts. It’s time for non-active members to contribute
actively to the Club. Have you shared your interests and activities with
Club members? Have you organised any card games, handicrafts, going
downtown or travel and shopping trips to Johor Bauru with fellow member?
What about mah-jong sessions? Computer knowledge sharing, cooking
sessions, going classes together and visit exhibitions. Ever organised a
mini-potluck?
Have you ever offered a hand with Club administration and committee work? We
have always been looking for volunteers, have you raised your hands? Many
members have organised at least one activity for SHC, but unfortunately many
have not.
Perhaps, this is the time of the year, for you to think of making a contribution to
SilverHairsClub. Introduce yourself to the Club, and you will be
surprised what it means to be an active member of SilverHairsClub.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Terence Seah
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
This thread is really funny…..
Since they are non-active members….
Dun you think it’s too much asking them to do what you mentioned / listed????
Perhaps ….. the first step should be JUST for them to “login” and type ONE single meaningful word on this thread ….. and nothing more than this as a 1st step to be an ACTIVE Member!!!!!
LOL times 10000000000000
Hi Ivan #1,
You are trying to be funny with my Post, eh? Although, when I think about it, hmm it is true. Yes, the first step is login and type one meaningful word.
I guess what all of us are trying to do is to encourage the non-active members to show themselves.
Terence Seah
Boss,
Honestly, if the non-active members of SHC were to do just that….(and I don’t think it’s an insane request too. It’s about blxxdly time that they start giving something back to YOU – Terence Seah!! For making all this possible for them!!)
If they can just do that. This thread will be the MOST POSTED and will be the LONGEST THREAD ever in the history of SHC….
So, Boss, you can only do so much lah!!
I hear all kinds of reasons (or rather lame excuses) given for being “non-active” …. don’t think typing ONE meaningful word is too much to ask of them – rite??
Perhaps you should organise an event stating that:
– door-to-door (fully air-conditioned) transportation will be provided FOC for even individual pick-up, no matter where they stayed or are and at whatever time.
– plus free (eat all you want) meals … can tar-bao too hor!
– plus free goodie bags at door.
– plus free live entertainments, games, music etc
– plus Lucky Draws of attractive prices like $$$$$$$ at the event etc..
LOL!!! I am beginning to sound like a political candidate on a campaign trail in a General Election. LOL!!!
So, better stop here before the Fairy Godmother gets really pissed off with me!! But they know what I said is true … because most times the TRUTH hurts!!
I totally agree with Blue Sapphire Gin Man Ivan on his take on just how much one can do for whatever the frig, in this case, a virtual club with reel activities.
Where you are coming from, Terence is understandable but hey, you do know members are here for lots of different agenda (theirs), so focus on members who are active and wanna do some nice shiat for this club.
i think there are lots of readers out there but no one wants to write – for fear of being corrected/disclosing some hidden secrets/whatever shiat that may seem do label them as schizo or psycho.. I posted to invite badminton enthusiasts because of my own interest. i’m glad it blossomed. i think it is read by the regulars and we sms each other instead of posting on the web. We also share private jokes during the game and as the group meets quite regularly, it gets comfortable. (So the posting may soon stop.) It takes Yoon Chin time/effort/.. to book and then sms to remind everyone, yet no one would post to thank her. We prefer to affirm her “job” during the games. Kind words and compliments are often difficult to write or compose (and risked being corrected publicly). It is usually the regulars who’d write after the event. Maybe we could suggest that those who participated in any organised event/activity to write a word (after that event) or they would be the organiser the next time/barred until they do so..:)
Hi Terence!
I have met some lovely people in past SHC events I attended and while it took me a long time to warm up to those who are naturally friendly, I can say I have made some friends.
By nature I am an introvert and often judged as being ‘aloof’. However, once a person can click with me, I can be madness personified. Usually the siao and easy-going types are my cup of tea. I also prefer people who are humble, unpretentious, forgiving and independent. If any of you reading this falls into the above categories, confirm we can be friends! I value friends and I have an inner circle of friends who I know for decades.
Good friends are hard to come by and it takes time to nurture friendships. Somehow the effort must be two-way lor. There’s no need to meet friends every day/week or month but a sms message, an email or a post in Facebook is good enough to sustain the friendship.
I have some SHC members as friends in my Facebook account and with some we trade articles/photos or even jokes. I have gotten to know the lifestyles of these members and learn about their talents/skills.
My apologies for being long-winded but then older folks like me tend to go round and round……:p
Cheers
Ros
We have recently had good response to our call for non-active members to participate. From the response, these members have indicated that they are willing to organise activities and share their interests with other members.
However, these members want the club to organise the activities for them eg getting members to participate, find the place and provide all the support services. Unfortunately, all of them do not want to take the lead to put up an announcement. Some want the club to commit to a number before they would start the activity.
Another interesting feedback is “Tell me what your members want to do” and we can organise the activity for you.
Interesting. Do you have any suggestions how to handle this feedback?
Terence Seah
OMG! I think they need a change in mindset FIRST! LOL!!!
Inez has brought up a very good point about members not wanting to write for fear of being corrected.
If I may add, sometimes being ridiculed, attacked for no apparent reason other than to show their so-called power to hurt and humiliate. Sad, really.
It’s good that the badminton group has blossomed and frenship formed. Nice.
Hi Ros
With trembling hand, I went thru your list of criteria to be your fren. Think I passed!! Do I? Stress again.
At our age, being long-winded is a given. I tend to go round and round, too, and then some. Kakakakaa. So……
Huh, Terence, members actually are willing to organize yet the club has to do all the ground work?? Wha??
Why do I have the sneaky feeling that you put up this bullshit yourself? No? My apologies.
Back to your how to handle this feedback regarding ‘Tell me what your members want to do’.
Okay. We want an Orgy Nite. Take that! Now, go and organize.
Hi there,
I don’t know much about English or grammar. Yet, I am unafraid to write. Anybody who is kind enough to point out my mistakes is welcome with gratitude. At least I can learn my mistakes and refrain from re-committing them. It is true the more we write the better we become at fluency which is anytime better than being seen as jerky in expression like an under-maintained car engine sputtering during startup..
On #10 GT’s take, being longwinded on a “brakes failutre” scenario has its advantage as a good time filler. At least the conversation keeps chugging along, capturing attention of our listeners. Better still if it is laced with ticklish but not obscene, taboo humour for the sake of mutual respectability. Mind you, it is way easier to crack a dirty joke anytime, anywhere than a clean one.
If not for the typical longwindedness in us, the SHCian elderly, we all could be sitting armsfolded around a large round table staring at one another, not muttering a word.
Passers-by might innocently assume that we are mute.
Blessings,
Actually, my #12 writeup was in response to #5 Inez Lim’s take on the scarcity of SHC writers. It is true to the core that a writer reveals his inner self, mental makeup or soul through his writing which, for this very reason, dissuade a lot of others from coming forward and “opening up” themselves with the submission of their writeups.
There is nothing to be afraid of if you are sincere over what you write subject to avoiding sensitive issues like wilfully running down somebody whom you dislike in your writing through insinuations.
Blessings,
Hi Geraldine Ting #11,
Sorry for my being intrusive at this point in time, may I know how come you find it necessary to base yourself in Hong Kong? Are you actually a Hong Konger or a Singaporean overlooking your business interests over in Hong Kong. I don’t know whether Terence Seah will be jumping mad for my asking you such an undiplomatic question. At times it is okay to ask questions that even seem downright stupid to satisfy individual curiosity.
I do vividly remember seeing you once when you smilelingly came over to me, stretching out your hand for a handshake & introducing yourself at one SHC gathering. No kidding, then as now, there is an uncommon, attractive, star-power quality inside you. You are certainly a crowd pleaser and your characteristic jaw-dropping joviality, works its way endearingly like magic – like a Snow White without the 7 ugly dwarfs – into the hearts and minds of those around you in any given social setting.
Blessings,
Hi Terence #7
I think those responses you received were from ‘professionals’ looking for avenues to earn income. We should ignore them if we have no use for their paid services.
I believe that silence is golden. More often than not, the tongue is woman’s ( and mans’) worst enemy. Talk when necessary.
There are those who just want to talk about anything under the sun, some do it out of boredom, some for some seconds of fame. Of course, some talk with the hope to encourage other to speak.
I take is that members will log in and view what’s happening. That is the most important step. And when there is an issue that prompt a reaction, he/she will speak up. We should not be too concerned about those who stand by the side and watch the show.
BTW, Terry’s #12. I believe that one should not pass comment on any SHC’s member when one not know each other well. Even, if they are buddies, I would think having a chit-chat over a cup of coffee would achieve much more.
#10 Geraldine,
Harlo my dear! Certainly you are my friend despite the distance of our respective abode making it nigh impossible for us to have yum char regularly. It is nice to know that you’ll avail yourself to bring me to interesting eateries when I next visit Hong Kong. :)
Cheers
Ros – OC
Hi Terry #13
Thank you for your kind words!
The answers to your questions before Terence jumps up and down for using his post (not because of undiplomatic questions, heehee)are:
I am a Singaporean, in HK for 100 years due to my promise to my ex to remain here in order for him to see the girls (no happily ever after shiat for me, alas…..).
It’s a matter of time in which I will move back to my beloved country, which means you will see, uh-oh, more of me. Kekekekee.
Normally I would not talk about this as it is very private but I understand your curiosity, nothing stupid about it and I find it harmless to share.
Take care,
Mwah, Ros O-C!!
Hi all,
Well, “Some people are leaders…and some are followers.” Don’t forget there are always shy people around (especially in our era). I’m one for sure.
Not everyone likes to to be a leader, many are in fact fantastic organiser behind the scene. One word from the leader and the rest are in fact taken care of by them. That’s why we have directors and secretaries and the saying which always make me proud of the sacrifices of wives are “Behind every successful man, there is A Woman!”
So again calling all the shy ladies out there, come and join our chat on ladies skype and learn more about how SHC can make your life more vibrant!
Hope to hear your shy voices soon.
DT
Hi Dorit #20, James #16, Rosalind, Ivan, Terry, Geraldine and fellow members,
Thank you to members who have contributed to this topic.
No doubt, some of us are leaders and organisers, while others are happy to participate. Not sure about the success man and the woman behind him. It is true we have leaders in the club, and we can clearly see that they are active, outspoken and love to bring SilverHairs together.
James #16 believes that Silence is Golden, and that we should not be overly worried about the silent ones. Many people enter the Club every day. They know what goes on; but prefer to be silent about most things.
SilverHairsClub started with the objective that Seniors over 45 get together to meet new and more friends. Sharing interests and activities are imortant reasons why SilverHairs come together. We had structured ourselves without a management committee or even a manager.
Instead, SilverHairsClub vibrance revolves around the membership. We had assumed that if every member organises one activity during the term of the membership, then we have enough activities to go around for years to come. Unfortunately, this is not the case. So, the assumption was wrong.
A number of members play their part. They include Dan Huang who comes up with many different gatherings. We have also the never-say-die members like ChristinaC, Douglas, CharlesW and Lily who have consistently organised walks and cycling. Others play a role in energising the membership eg Lily, Geraldine, Yew Kwong, Ivan, Inez, SusanC, Frisna, Norlinda and many more. Without fail, we have JassmineT and King Seng who make it a point to initiate the monthly flea mart and ensuring that pictures are quickly upload on the website for members to view.
But, the reality is it is difficult to sustain these energy. These leaders do not have a nuclear power station behind them. These leaders want to give other members a chance to organise one activity. It is a tough job to be an Event Organiser or even an Event Coordinator. Yet we have also a number of members who will not hesitate to shoot down an idea. Such attitude and remarks are a dampener to these leaders, and even to other members who are waiting to raise their hands.
One of the excuses I have heard is “Let’s give other a chance”. Of course, the most familiar excuses are “I am very busy and maybe another time”.
Luckily today, I have some free time, and so I have some time to reflect on the club’s future. For those who have been with us for some time, please encourage other members to organise an activity for fellow members. You can even team up with another member to co-organise an activity.
For the many members who have organised activities for the benefit of other members, thank you very much. And, participating members have always expressed their thanks and appreciation. Sometimes, we, members, are surprised at how well many of these activities have been organised, and the degree of work and thinking that have gone on behind the activity.
It’s about time non-active members play their part to organise at least one activity for fellow SilverHairsClub members. It would also be a good start, if you make an offer to assist the Event Organisers. How about organising a pot-luck? How about putting your hand up to help in the Stars-in-Concert? How about inviting other members to join you for a tea session or going for a show together at the Esplanda?
Terence Seah
Dear Terence
this is not the 1st post you ask members to participate, contribute, organise at least 1 event etc. you even asked several of us to be mentor to ‘new & shy’ members as well as putting up list of names of 12 E.O for 2012. but none of them seem to work to your expectation.
i can sense your frustration especially regarding the future of your baby (no new baby sitter in line yet) hence the following suggestion:
TO HAVE A ‘CLUB HOUSE’ for SHC where members can come anytime to mingle, make new friends as well as play games, learn things/teach things etc.
rent a place say around S$3000/month and let the members split the cost (if there’s 1000 members then $3/mo/ea) new member pays joining fee that cover 1 year share.
you may rent it under SHE and have the elderly care giver svc, sewing svc etc $$$ making business under 1 roof.
with a ‘concrete’ place, i’m sure we can do many things. perhaps get govt grand too in helping silverhairs to pass their time in meaningful and fun way and then…(to be continued)
#22 Frisna,
What a brilliant idea, Frisna! Indeed, having a fixed location whereby members can plan and organize all kinds of activities including meet-ups is purrrrrrrrfect! However, the rental market in Singapore is horrendous and collecting payment from members on a monthly basis is no laughing matter even if the amount is just $3.
P.S. – I am sure Terence is aware that there are sub-groups
organizing activities (regulars who liase via emails)
and also small groups who do get-together on a fairly
regular basis.
Cheers
Ros
To pay for a physical location through commercial rental is not feasible. $3000 does not get you a reasonable big space not forgetting the operating costs.
However there may be a way to get physical location free or at a very lower rate provided Terence want to restructure SHC into a charity organisation and appoint a board of trustees to take over. With charity status funding from governmental or charity foundations will be more forthcoming.
I understand there is a scheme whereby developers are allowed to build extra space beyond the permitted GFA (gross floor area) if they lease a certain percentage of their space to charity organisation free of charge or at a very low rental.
Of course before SHC is eligible for such a scheme, it will need to re-position itself as a charity organisation and restructure how she communicate with its members. Maybe the current wordpress blog may not achieve its needs. WordPress blog is created for owner of sites to blare their thoughts and ideas and not suitable for interactive community.
Of course SHC may consider to piggy-back on community centre/club for a physical location if she can convince PA that she is helping them to achieve their mission.
Hi Frisna, Steven and fellow members,
Thank you for your ideas and suggestion. These can form the basis oof a new revitalised SHC. Let’s hear from other members too.
In Sep, I spent less than 5 days in Singapore, Oct 4, Nov 4 and dec likely 1 day. Due to my travel, I am not able to contribute much to SHC. Some events, I even failed to turn up. Next year, my situation is not likely to get better. As you know, I like a handover. In whatever form, I am not sure.
What I can suggest is for you and other members or groups to get together, develop your ideas, gartner enough support from members, and if the majority accepts your proposal, I will accept and go along the line of your group. Be it a charity, a new club house, renting a space, be part of a cc group, seek funding, have a new website, I will have no objection. The current taboos will stay. You seek your own funding.
However, you must lead. Do not leave it to me. My position above is clear. You get majority support, and your group can go ahead. All ideas must be clear, transparent and stated on this forum so that members can read your group’s direction.
I have already set a date for end June 2013 for a group to take over and run SilverHairsClub. I hope Frisna and Steven have set the pace for a new SHC. Your are welcome. Please do not write to me. Instead, present your ideas to the general membership.
Terence Seah
Frisna #25,
My view is that while you have the good intention of having a place which we can identify a OUR club, it may be difficult to implement. The great thing about SHC is that it is island wide club. So, our first hurdle would be where to site the “clubhouse”- which we may never take off.
On the bright side, we should appreciate that there are actual numerous pseudo- ( or quasi) clubhouses enjoyed by SHCians. For example, Ah Nee has built a bastion at the Kovan CC, the Westerlies, under Dan & Pat Oei has Singapore Poly and the badminton kakis has Gombak stadium-cum-coffee shop-cum- Home Team Chubhouse. The cycling group has its “cyber-club”- through this forum, sms, emails, whatapps etc, they could engage each other in activities which bring them together. Terence’s skype brought many people together.
We should give more encouragement to these great people who help make these happen. The greatest support we can give is to participate in these activities.
Terence #25,
You are getting angsty about handing over :-p
Everyone in SHC understand that you may not be able to attend every activity organized. There may be some “grumbling” about your absence, but these ae signs that people remember and miss you :-)
If the past year, in your apparent absence, SHC has continued to thrive. Old members fade as they form their own independent support groups, and new membere subscribe to bring more variety and vibrancy to the Club.
Looking through the year past, we can see that you have strong group of faithful lieutenants, with convictions to bring joy to the many members who lack the charisma or mean to enact activities on their own.
Your contribution need not be “physical” in nature, but to provide stability, generate ideas, and play umpire to the club. As it is, no one sees that urgency ot “oust” you. :-)
I agree with James’ comments above. Just know that there are some activities are quite consistent (eg badminton on Thursday at Bt Gombak 10.00 to 12.00). When you are on home ground – S’pore – just sms/email/whatapp/skype/whatever and you can round up your lieutenants for coffee/lunch/updates. Your work/travelling everywhere and family will definitely take up a lot of time, but with technology so easily available, your physical presence is not an issue.
How come you keep wanting to “hand-over”??
Oops.. unless it is so personal ??
Hi Terence,
In response to your call for SHC members to participate more
actively, may I share my thoughts on a couple of issues. BTW, I am a fairly new member, having just joined earlier this year. What motiviated me to attend the first meeting was the fact that the 1st Westerly Meeting was held at IMM, a very convenient location for me. Subsequently, I have attended other Westerly get-togethers at the Singapore Polytechnic Guild House, which is also easily accessible for me.
This brings to mind James Koh’s comments (#26) as to where would you locate an SHC Club House? With regard to the funding of Clubhouse through members’ contributions, I think the whole scenario will change as soon as money is involved. For a start, I think we will need to register SHC with the Registry of Society and comply with their red-tapes. At the minimum, I think we need an accountant to keep track of members’ contributions and an auditor to ensure that the money collected are spent in the right places. Of course, members could volunteer for these positions, but someone need to keep an eye on compliance.
The wonderful thing about current SHC is that there is no financial commitment among members. We pay for the activities we partipate in as we go along – we have a choice! This differentiates us from the other clubs like
Raffles Town Club or Changi Beach Club, where members have to pay a joining fee and a monthly subscription irrespective of whether you use the facility or not.
As I understand it, the objective of SHC is to provide a platform for people above 45 yrs to meet and make new friends. To this end, I believe SHC has met its objective.
As some members have pointed out, there are many sub-groups where members communicate through email instead of using the blog. Ha ha, sounds like they are doing things behind the big boss’s back! (just joking)
As for your call for each SHC member to organise at least one activity during their life-time, it might be an unrealistic expectation. As Dorit mentioned (#20) above,
in every organisation there are always leaders and followers. Perhaps a more realistic expectation would be for every SHC member to participate in at least one activity each year. Frankly, if they have the time and have interest in any activity, I am sure they will come forward. If they don’t, it is their lost.
I hope sharing these thoughts have ‘qualify’ me as a more participative member.
Hi James, Inez, Barbara,
I think there is no doubt that many members do prefer to have SilverHairsClub as what it is today. The dedicated EOs are the ones who keep the Club alive. Many members contribute to making the club vibrant with their feedback and suggestions. However, many also choose to remain quiet.
From time to time, we do have members who feel a lot can be done. I have to sight, for example, Steven Ng. He has a lot of ideas but unfortunately, members do not support his ideas. So, I am giving him as well as other members a chance to speak up, and get support from the majority of members to implement a change. There is no point growling over a change issue, if one does not get support from other members.
Barbara hit well on the note that once money is involved, the entire scenario changes. Start collecting a dollar a member, and the membership will vanish. Dolly used to tell me that that’s the end of SHC if we start collecting money.
SilverHairsClub started on the premise that there are many places in Singapore where we can hold events. Some of us are members of country clubs, there are plenty of eateries and there are plenty of open spaces. Christina Chan must have seen them all. We have no formal management committee, only a strong group of members who wants to see other SilverHairs come together. Take Dan Huang, Lily, Douglas; they have been EOs for years. What I am trying to say is if every member organises one activity during the life of his/her membership, we have enough to go for years to cone.
SilverHairsClub has no financial committments, no treasurer or accountant. We don’t have a physical club. But there are a number of members who feel we should have one. If a group of members feel we should have a place, get the necessary support from other members and give it a go. I do hope Frisna can take us through this idea and project.
I am not giving up SilverHairsClub; it’s just I don’t have the time. A change can be good; why deprive the club of a change. Inez, a handover can be a surprise.
Something which Barbara has raised is interesting. I did not look at the issue from this angle. Yes, many do join SilverHairsClub acitivities to make friends. They collect email addresses and tel numbers, then they leave the club and form their own sub-groups. New members feel that these subgroups have become exclusive. They do not organise any activity for the club. I guess that’s what SilverHairsClub is for. But I do hope they will organise one activity for the general membership.
I am still targetting mid 2013 to hand-over SilverHairsClub to a group that has a vision for the next 5 years.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence
I am really concerned by your remark that you are “targetting mid-2013 to handover SilverHairsClub to a group that has a vision for the next 5 years”. I hope this is not a sympton of the “7 year itch – I understand the club is now 7 years old.
Personally, I think SHC is very unique and doing great as a platform for people to make new friends. Understably, we have members who are creative and energetic and may have other preferences. Instead of changing the character of SHC, the alternative is to look at forming a new club and retain SHC as a virtual club. That way, current members have a choice to either stay with SHC or become a member of both.
I salute you for your vision in conceiving such a beautiful
“baby” like SHC. The ‘baby’ is now 7 years old and does not need close monitoring. You can let go, but we still need the ‘father’ to give direction and guidance. I hope you will change your mind and stay with SHC a bit longer, for the benefits of newer members like myself.
Yes, Terence, I still maintained my statement – once $$$ involved, members no more.. Even though these days, hardly active in many events due to many many reasons… but still prefer the same old SHC style.
If u reli managed 2 find a group of dedicated members to hand over this baby.. I will salute them and wish them many success as I noe that it wont b a easy task managing this.
But in the event, you r still searching after mid 2013, then, I support Barbara’s suggestion..
Cheers.. Dolly
Thank you Dolly for your feedback. SHC operates on the concept of a free lifetime membership, and it will continue to adopt this direction.
To sustain the level of activity, we hope that each member will organise one activity or event for fellow members during her/his membership term.
Terence Seah
Dear Terence,
As one of the founders of SHC and the ‘Lone Ranger’ that has been leading this virtual club, I have this to say.
Without YOU around, moderating and posting new topics, this club will eventually wither and mati. Not immediately but gradually. The new leader will have his/her own followers but those who already know who to contact to participate in various activities (walks, cycling, bowling, dancing, etc) will do so and not bother to log into SHC website. This is what happens when the ‘head’ steps down…the strings will start to unravel…..
At the very least, stay put, Terence. Never mind if we don’t get to see you for months but at the very least we know you are aware of what’s happening in SHC. You have been very fair and firm and no one dares to challenge you simply because you’re one of the founders.
The same cannot be said of another person taking over. Rules and regulations set by you will be disregarded I’m afraid…:(
Cheers
Ros
#23 Ros: glad u r agree with a ‘concrete’ building. for payment it’ll be done quarterly or bi-annually. as for the location will try to find a ‘central’ location if possible
#24 PK: yes, $3000/m can make it we might even be able to rent a cheaper place if location is not a problem. but yes, status of the club is a problem to hv a ‘club house’ with lots of activities. so ur suggestion to register as an organisation is good (charitywise, SHC has done it thru sam huat + others)
#26 james: location shouldn’t be a problem if the members have GREAT desire to be there (remember there’re several regulars travelling fr east to west just to play badminton?)
indeed we’ve many permanent locations as u mentioned but it’s just not a place we can call HOME..
#25 Terence: i’ve joined many individual groups spiralled fr SHC. yes they’re still members in name but if they’re happy to have found their niche and and just lay back and relax, you’ll have lots of inactive members forum writing and EOs wise and the club might not last beyond your range.
June 2013 is not far away. taking Dolly, Barbara, Inez and others’ comments lets do the first step soon – a survey to see whether members agree:
1. to have a ‘club house’ (regardless of pay or no pay)
2. to share the cost (how much willingly)
I think you and May Woo can initiate and collate the survey. as for questionnaire i will supply you (with explanation of the MANY benefits of having a club house) once the idea is accepted.
I MUST clarify though, I can’t lead on a permanent basis due to the limited free time i’ve by holding 2 jobs. i can only help from time to time (writing a long post is already a chore for me so pls understand if my response always come late or not coming at all….)
Hi, all:
I guess I am what one will caller a ‘lurker’ in online forums. I stay silently in the background. I log in to catch up with news of goings on, but rarely participate in the discussions, and way much less in the activities.
For benefit of the newer members, let me relate a bit about myself: I joined SHC in 2005 or thereabouts. I was fairly active in the beginning. I had some health concerns then, which cumulated in a debilitating stroke in early 2009. That stroke – which was the third stroke I had – left me paralysed on the left side (which happens to be my dominant side) of my body and wheelchair bound. I was dependent on my wife and others for my simplest needs, for several months.
I have recovered substatially since then. I am back on my feet (although gimpy), my mental faculties remain intact (much of it, anyway – I think!) and I am still going for therapy to regain adequate funtional use of my left hand.
My lack of mobility is the main reason for my non-participation in SHC activities. A possible secondary reason can perhaps be attributed to inhibition brought about by my significantly reduced physical abilities, impairment, and appearence. I am, in many ways, more fortunate than others in having the support of my family, close friends (including some made through SHC),unrelated international forum groups and social media.
Which brings me to a possible meaningful activity that SHC can explore:
Have we ever made a survey to find out the number of members who are disabled, and how SHC can reach out to them? SHC is a social group whose members are most exposed to the ravages of time. We need to prepare for a support group which we may need ourselves in time.
People who suddenly find themselves physically, mentally or medically impaired tend to go through the vicious cycle of denial, (etc), despondency and chronic inhibition. SHC can play in a huge part in helping them – and ultimately ouselves – in facing their/our unexpected changes in life with a positive mindset.
Ron Koh
Hi Ron,
Just a quick impromptu reply/comments to your post and it’s not meant to be offensive… just being me and frank about it.
It’s people like you that SHC had been shouting out so loud (that it’s deafening)… to engage and be “active” members??
Do you know that by simply logging in or chatting/posting online or via sms or whatever system that some SHCian wants to or thinking of setting-up, we know that you are at least alive and kicking??
And if you can login, this means you can remember your PW – that means at least Dementia is not setting-in or at least not sunk in ….. LOL!!!
There are just too many folks who isolated themselves, so called preferring to keep to themselves or remain happily silence reading this forum ….. how the hell are we to know whether they are sick! bed-ridden? or need helps or just someone to bloody talked too????
If one day, the BOSS decides to throw in the towel on SHC – having enough is ENOUGH…… who do you think is the bigger looser? Hey! Think about it…..
Ya ya ya ….. there are people borned to lead, vocal etc etc …. but that’s NOT the point! Sh** Men!! We are all just trying our freaking best to actually help all these NON-ACTIVE folks to get out from between the chair and the freaking monitor …. to do something with whatever number freaking breathe left in them.
OK OK OK I hear you, Boss! Me not say any more…..before you will start slapping me…LOL!!!
Have a great weekend ahead, everyone!
Hi RonaldK #36, and fellow members,
It’s very nice to hear from you. For those who know Ronald Koh, he is a patient fisherman, a top origamist in Singapore and in our region, and a strong supporter of SilverHairsClub as a club for seniors. Unfortunately, he suffered a stroke and this has made him less mobile. I only knew about this when he was hospitalised.
What I wish to say is anyone of us can be struck with a stroke, and this will render us helpless and immobile. I encourage SilverHairsClub members to know more friends and get to know one another better. Some friends we can share, live nearby and can go out together while we are still kicking.
We have monthly gatherings, various healthy sports, mahjong and eating, potlucks, eldersitter programs, all focused on being meaningful when we are hit with a surprise.
Do stay with your niche. But do try to bring the entire club together. One day, we will find our new found friends and SilverHairsClub a source of support and help.
Again, I stress play your part, be known and don’t be shy.
Terence Seah