Rotary and Interact
RJC Interact Club BOD 2006-2007
From L-R: Tan Yi Quan, Nanthini Pillay, Me, Ker Wanling, Desmond Chan, Ochi Harumi, Liao Xiangjun
Today officially concludes my term as the President of the Interact Club- a junior offshoot of the Rotary Club in schools. It has been a very enriching experience at the helm of a voluntary service organization, and I’ve learnt many lessons that I hope to apply if given the opportunity to lead an organization like this club again.
It’s been one year of ups-and-downs; I’ve learnt much about my personal style of leadership, and leadership in general. Admittedly, I end this rather brief term with some regrets; however for each of these regrets I take away with me a best practice that can be applied next time in life. I’ve learnt what it means to be the “face” of an organization, and also learnt how to shoulder the responsibility and expectations that people place on you.
This experience has definitely toughened me up- standing with my head up despite criticism, and pressing on for what I believed was right in spite of opposition. Being the head of a school club has also (in some ways) brought me back to my rightful place as a mere 17-year old- a far cry when compared to the working world where “the boss is always right”. If I am to work in the civil service, or in any organization, this humility is going to be a very important realization to be cognizant of- and one which I should never have lost sight of in the first place.
Just before the ceremony
Had the opportunity to meet the Guest of honour, Terence, who took a scholarship and went to Stanford. He gave a good review of social activism there, and gave a very good speech on the 3 changes he saw in the world that would affect us. The incoming batch did a good job of making do with what they had to put up a good show, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony. The turnout of Rotarians was very good- what I heard was that there was a new drive by the incoming Rotary President to support youth activities, which is good news for the smaller Interact clubs.
