Regular visitors to my blogs would not have failed to notice
that I had not been updating my blogsites for sometime, something which is very unusual... knowing unk Dicko.
Well, I thought I had better explain otherwise some may conclude that the
Wise Old Owl had flown away and may never come back! Haha. Nothing of that sort has happened. I am still
very much grounded in Singapore.
What really has happened is this.
Sometime in April ,about 2 months ago, I received a call from the MOE who is the Co-organiser together with the SSC for the Games. They needed my help and assistance to assume a key role...that of recruiting, managing and training hundreds of student and teacher volunteers for the games Village which is based at Swissotel. They specifically needed someone who has long years of experience and who has held key positions in the organisational aspects as well as the day to day running of big championships, events, games etc.
Somehow my name cropped up among the key higher ups.
The work would be fulltime and I needed to start almost immediately. Accepting it meant that I had to cancel my already paid tour to Hokkaido, Japan with D2...incurring a potential loss.
Nevertheless, for the sake of our country since Singapore is playing host and unk Dicko definitely has more than the necessary experience, knowhow, ideas, ability to work with large group of people and especially energise and motivate them to give off their best efforts...I humbly accepted the invitation to serve. Since the 20th of April 2009, I have been undertaking my assigned tasks fully.
I have attended more meetings, briefings, presentations and table top exercise over the last month and half...than in the previous 6 years in total! It has proven to be one huge, BIG Challenge. Have I managed it well so far? We shall see.
Here are some photos of the Briefing and Training half day session which was held on Mon June 8 09 at the Stamford Ballroom, swissotel. It was attended by more than 400 student and teacher volunteers for the Games Village.
The top picture showed the Village Mayor Mrs Lim Thian Loke, giving her welcome speech. Then it was my turn to brief the assembled body...and conduct the generic training.
The volunteers come from different schools and organisations, as well as HQ staff. We had the various sub-com heads conduct the job-specific training
on site.
The Games will kick off with the Soccer preliminaries on June 20. About 43 countries are participating with more than 1500 athletes and a few hundred officials. More than 300 media reporters and photographers from all over the world will be covering the event "LIVE".
I have never been more busy lately. Now you can understand why I have not been able to update my blogs recently.
But not to worry, there will be much to share later.
This role requires a lot of planning, thinking and good networking and the most important H R skills...plus the ability to see ahead ( at least 2 steps).
Much integration and cross-cooperation is also needed by one and all in such a huge mega event.
I am doing my part so hope visitors to my blogs will understand.
Sr Minister of State Ms Grace Fu was the Guest of Honour at the ceremony.
