BY TEH ENG HOCK
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Every Chinese New Year, we are reminded of the deep-rooted traditions that bind us together. This special time of year is not only an opportunity to usher in new beginnings, but also a moment to honour and show our respect for our elders, who have paved the way for us.
Our elders hold a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and life experiences that have shaped our community and culture. Their guidance and sacrifices have helped build the foundations upon which we stand today.
This cannot be more true in Subang Jaya, where senior citizens form the backbone of community service. Many community leaders have chosen to selflessly serve in their golden years, tirelessly dedicated their time and effort to community service and putting to good use their experience and expertise in the corporate world and civil service.
While we thank them for their relentless commitment to bringing life to the Subang Jaya communities, perhaps we should also ponder on the whereabouts of our youths and middle-aged demographics. Where are they in the equation when it comes to being an active part of the community?
Observers have commented that there is a lack of participation amongst working adults in community events, and even fewer in leadership positions of Rukun Tetangga and Resident Associations. While this is true to a certain extent, it’s probably amplified by optics.
Working adults comprise 45% of the committee of Rukun Tetangga SS17, with the rest being pensioners, so it’s a decent balance, isn’t it? And to expand further, we are attempting to kickstart our Voluntary Patrol Scheme as part of our crime prevention initiative, and 64.5% of volunteers who registered their interest are working adults. Is the SS17 community the norm or an anomaly? I wouldn’t know.
It is perhaps true that working adults are time poor. Definitely, a couple with young children find it tough juggling work, preparing wholesome balanced meals, tutoring their children’s homework or shuttling them to tuition classes. For the bachelors – and I am guessing based on my own experience from years ago – they would be either working overtime, socialising or dating.
With a clear vision, and through proper planning, we can mitigate the “time poor” factor and encourage more participation from these young under-60s without burdening them. At the end of the day, we are all volunteers serving from the bottom of our hearts.
Advanced planning and clear objectives allow us to schedule our initiatives weeks or even months in advance. We are able to anticipate the strength of our volunteers and size of the turnout, and pivot accordingly.
Most important of all, our volunteers are able to serve at their convenience. And at their pleasure. This allows for sustainability of our core volunteer group and prevents burnout. Not necessarily from too much work, but being burnt out from giving. Human nature is such that some sections of society have a sense of entitlement. They expect volunteers to be at their beck and call. And when this doesn’t happen, the volunteers get criticised and naturally feel demoralised. Did they offer their time and effort just to be scolded?
So, when they serve at their pleasure, they don’t feel grudgingly about the “abuse”. They may still feel underappreciated, but it is easier to let it slide knowing that they didn’t give up their vacation, time with their grandchildren, lunch with former classmates, skipped their child’s Sports Day and so on.
Our community thrives on the dedication and heart of all its members, young and old alike. By understanding each other’s challenges and working together, we can ensure a vibrant and engaged Subang Jaya. Let’s continue to foster a spirit of volunteerism, where every contribution, no matter how small, is valued and appreciated. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected community.
*The writer is an active member of civil society, currently serving as SS17 Rukun Tetangga chairman and MPP Zone 1 committee member, and formerly SK Subang Jaya PIBG committee member.
