Here, I guess, we need your feedback? In my mind, a SHC activity is organised by SHCian, for SHCians only. Not for children or friends. Strictly for SHC members only. In this way, when members attend the activity, he/she would not see children, friends or other members of the public.
As an Event Organiser, the EO is free to decide if he/she opens the activity to friends, children or public. However, the EO cannot give the impression that this is a SHC activity.
I open this topic for discussion until end of July 2008.
Terence Seah
Terence,
The word ‘EO’ is always a headache when I update the SHC calendar. So I finally had this conclusion to differentiate them by using ‘coordinator’ and ‘EO’
To me, EO can only be used for solely SHC event and only SHC registered members are allowed to attend.
As for those activities, whereby other ppls from the public are also attending, the word ‘Coordinator’ will be used instead of EO.
Any other comments, pls feel free to let me know.
Terence, I am glad you have opened up this topic for discussion.
Activities like monthly meeting, talentime, annual DnD, or any activities which have a limited no. of attendees should be restricted to SHC members.
We could allow members to bring their children/spouse to some of the activites like cycling, walking, concerts and talks, etc. This is a good time for family bonding and also a chance for member’s family to get to know each other’s family too. Their children may become friends too. Some children may be curious this SilverhairsClub that their parents are in and getting to see and participate will help them understand why their parents have become so active and joyful.
This is my personal opinion but decision lies with Founder, EO and “Co-ordinator” of event.
All activities should be organised by members for members.
One of the reasons I don’t attend my company’s D & D is bec staff will bring uncles, aunties, friends etc etc.:-)) Spouses for company’s D&D is fine.
However, being rigid and ramrod straight is no fun.
Probably if the group in an activity is small, members could bring non-member(s) in but the member shld seek approval or inform the rest of the members in that grup.
Disclaimer: my 5 cents bit..decision lies with Founder :-))
Hi Oi Cheng,
In principle, I agree with your comments. I also prefer the decision, on whether to open to friends or children, be left to the Co-ordinator or EO. My only request is that if an activity is classified as a SHC activity, it should only be open to SHC members only; and that those attending know the other participants are members only.
Let me share with you and everybody a thinking behind the SilverHairsClub. I am a firm believer that a club can only be successful if it has a clear theme or objective. In our case, i believe SHC should be known for its membership; where everybody is over 45. The club’s objective is to provide a platform for SilverHairs to meet new and more friends. This explains why I feel strongly that a SHC activity should be open only to SHC members. Maybe I am a stick-in-the-mud; but I would not join a similar club, if the participants range from 7 to 70. I enjoy sharing time together on activities with similar age groups.
Different age groups have different needs and viewpoints. I am not anti-religion; neither am I anti-sex. I think there are enough websites or clubs that can cater to religious, racial discussions. Plenty more, if one is looking for sex clubs. Imagine coming to a gathering, and someone gives you a brochure; and start selling his product or services. Imagine someone arguing why one MLM is better than another.
Despite all I have said above, SHCians are free to organise their own activities, and invite other members, their children and friends. But, please do not call the activity a SHC event.
I open this topic, with a view of hearing your views. If many of you feel otherwise, we can make some finetunings.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence,
My view is that we could have different categories of participation:
1) Members only
2) Members and spouse
3) Members and family
4) Members and all guests
This may look complicated but it serves a purpose depending
on type of activities. Example:
1) E-Learning and computers – only for members as this is
where upgrading for us is of paramount importance
2) D n D should allow members and spouse as this involves
a lot of couples dancing.
3) Family oriented activities like eco-farm visit or some
outings to theme parks where children can enjoy.
4) Some mass activities like Line Dancing for NDP where
anybody can take part.
This may require some effort to work out as there’s some
gray areas like monthly walks, cyclings and BBQ/potlucks
where they can fall into more than 1 different category.
Since the response to many activities have been overwhelming,
my suggestion would be priority be given to members within
a certain cut-off date, and to other categories if there’s
still vacancies.
I welcome other differing views.
james tan
Fully agree with Terence, Dolly, Oi Cheng and JuneLim.
In short :
———
1) SHC Events / Activities – Lead and managed by EO (a SHC member) for SHC members only.
2) Other Sub-Events / Activities – Organised by Co-ordinator (a SHC member) for SHC members and non-members.
I don’t think its a few cents’ worth. If its worth so little, I won’t post it.
James, having attended both SHC D&D for last year and this, I am not against couples coming to D&D provided that both of them must be a SHC registered members, e.g Ron & Alice, Robert & Kristy. if most of them come to D&D with their own partners whom is not a members then I am sure there are plenty outside SHC whereby we can attend also. Coupled the fact that there will be little or no interaction with others as one will felt obligated to make sure that their partners is at ease especially so if the other party is less sociable thus it is a case of 1 to 1 instead of 1 group communciation.
This is my personal opionion related to SHC D&D.
Hi Dolly,
Thank you for your comment.
The example I give on pt (2) is merely an example, not to be
mistaken as must do.
Since SHC m’ship is only meant for age 45 and above, what
happen if 1 spouse is 45 and the other 35. Quite a common
scenerio right? The younger one would not be eligible for
SHC m’ship, obviously.
Some couples I know in SHC even has 19 yrs age gap.
So, the point is how to cater to people who are ineligible to be members, yet wish to take part in our activities?
I believe that’s crux of Terence’s mini-dilemna after
SHC has attained such a large members’ base.
I’ve seen several comments that events can be organised
under EO (for members) and Co-O (for members n guests).
What i’m suggesting is to break down further with different
category of non-memberships so that the members can know
which type of non-members (spouse, kids, others) they can bring.
Nothing in conflict on what has been suggested so far.
james
I believe I understand Terrence’s point when he put this up for discussion. It is long overdue. Indeed there are plenty to talk about. But lets be focused, or the objective of this discussion will not be met.
Firstly, I think we should divide this topic into 2 main concerns.
1. SHC members and non-members
2. SHC members and their spouse/children/other family members/friends
The next things we ask ourselves are
1 Do we allow a non-member to join at the point of registration/payment? If a member pays or buys several tickets for his non-member friends, what shall we do?
2 Do we allow a non-member to join at the activity venue itself (gatecrash)? If we don’t how do we stop him?
3. Do we allow family members (of SHCians) to join?
And if we don’t, how do we ensure all members abide by the rule?
Unless we have a very effective way (by-laws) to enforce our restrictions, it is a tough job for the coordinator to exercise his/her authority. There can be many unpleasant incidents arising out of this. Technically, we should prove that we are SHC members upon enquiry at any event venue. Right now we are not able to do it so we are not in a position to restrict anybody, assuming a “clown” chooses to barge in.
Terence
I fully agree with you that SHC event/activity is for members only (otherwise it will be a free for all club). If my friend is interest in joining the event, I would encourage them to register as a member before joining the events. It is definitely not easy for the people who are organising it in the background. Gatecrasher is always unwelcome anywhere.
Being new and reading quietly in the background the communication exchanges on the post, I empathize with you for the “headaches” that you have encountered. I must say that you have managed it very well with the pioneer members (believe this is through relationship building) and being able to put your foot down when needed.
Have fun, enjoy ourselves and be happy.
Best Regards
Helen
Daniel Chan @#9 – re your last paragraph :
One way – is by registration in this SHC website. Because, only SHC members who have the password can log-in to register.
Other than Terence’s Head Post< i hvnt the time to read the other views but will say for myself that we all must hv read the eligibility criteria b4 we sign up. And by signing up, we subscribe to amd embrace it’s principal objective which is for 45 and plus to interact.
So be it and it must be so.
No quarrel if 2 over 45s of different gender interact so deeply that after 10 mths, they hv a botak kead too young to follow daddy & mummy to the Club that got them meet.
If it’s desired that sometimes are suitable – in fact necessary – that friends, families participate, let it be organised outside of SHC thru pte emails, sms and whatnot.
Nite nite, rushing off fr office for my bed liao…………..
Hi Lily, thanks for trying to answer. My last para is a result of the three questions above it. Do you have answers to them?
Hi all,
Just came back and was surprised to see so many negative comments of what is an SHC activity ?
As there are so much “UNHAPPINESS” over the SHC issue of bringing children along ,I will edit my post that it is NOW meant EXCLUSIVELY for Registered SHC members only for the farm visit.
I respect the decision of our founder,Terence for voicing out his feelings,
I am v. sorry if I had upset so many of you. Thanks for your feedback.
It was GOOD of all of you to voice out your opinions that to keep silent to allow the event to proceed.
Since the cowboy and the yarnsmaid do get to meet once a year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, perhaps SHC cd officially plan for a Family Day when family members will see for themselves and first hand what the Club is…….and what their dirty old men do there, to spare the kids months into years of worries for their parents.
The point raised that it’s nice for the folks at home to know what is luring their pa and ma away from home and dressing in tight purple suede pants is valid.
An idea of a family day? Tim, Oi Cheng, ChristinaCL, you there? And, to other SHCians who did not speak up but who had felt a SHC family day would be meaningful and a great bonding activity between ourselves and our families, I would say “Let’s keep this subject and idea open. You never know, someone will pick the idea up and organise a Family Day”.
Our guideline is SHC events are strictly for members only.
Terence Seah
Dear TerenceS… no wonder ears itchy so you were calling ahmmm Here it goes…as 1 of the EOs for Monthly Walks:
#2 I shared Oi Cheng’s view. I was in such a situ for 1 of the walks…a new member has no one to take care of her 10-year old boy, you should recall that incident, right Terence. Well, the self-confessed ‘stick-in-the-mud’ :D will not budge; though he emphasized with the situ. I was very upset then.
I hear him(TS)& share his views; SHC events strictly for members only: with such, it is easier for EOs to manage.
Just to share: I am in a dilemma. My grandson’s parents just learnt that both have to go on a business trip for approx 10days, from 7Jul. Sundays are my “baby-sit” day & the only day I get to play with him.
But Saturday, 12JUL both sets of grandparents are not available! Truly I was scratching my head for a couple of days as what to do! I will be leading the walk on 12Jul (as I had recce&planned the route); Shall I bring him + maid along? :D
Well, last night, I might have a “standby” solution! Thankfully!