Volunteer Experiences
Meet-the-People Session Volunteer
What I Did.
As a volunteer with the Youth Governance Programme of Pasir Ris East Community Club, I engaged with the public every Wednesday to address their daily concerns. Part of my job involved preparing case letters that detailed the various matters affecting the community, which were then sent to the appropriate government agencies for action. I also reached out to the MP so faster response to key issues in the community can be made more effective through correspondence.
During my experience, I faced a lot of challenges, especially language issues. Some residents spoke languages in which were foreign to me, making it challenging to understand their issues fully. To properly address these issues, I enlisted help from my teammates. I worked in partnership with one of my colleagues who could speak the dialect or language of the residents when I was unable to do so.
What I Learned.
This experience changed me a lot on understanding civic responsibility and the power of engagement. My problem-solving communication advocacy skills improved significantly. The good feedback we received from the residents made us realize that we were playing an important role in communication. My involvement in this project was impactful not only to the community but also contributed greatly to my personal and professional growth.
Goals for Continued Learning.
In the future, I will enhance my communication and make sure that all community voices reach the authorities. I plan to carry out more inclusive communication ways, for example, multilingual resources, and community workshops to have better connection with residents. Through this reflection, I have developed a greater appreciation of community work and will look for further opportunities to support others to raise their voices.
Organisation
Pasir Ris East Community Club – Youth Governance Programme.
Year
04-2023 – 04-2023
Front of House Volunteer
What I Did.
As a Front of House Volunteer, I took part in the production of Kwa Geok Choo: Singapore and the Story of Mrs Lee Kuan Yew. I received an email for this opportunity, followed by a detailed volunteer training that walked us through the content of the production. I warmly welcomed visitors and ushered them in and also facilitated photo-taking in my role as a Front of House Volunteer.
I was happy to give information about the show and related materials to guests so that they understand the show better. I also helped sell script books and programme booklets, which benefited the theatre as well as the theatregoers.
What I Learned.
I learnt how to deal with customers while coordinating an event and selling the items. Through my interactions with various audiences, I have developed my communication skills and learnt to relate better to different people. I discovered how necessary it is to be engaging and open; through practicing with other volunteers, my confidence in interacting with the public developed.
Having to complete many tasks at once in a fast-paced working environment improved my organizational skills and taught me how to prioritize my tasks. Furthermore, giving back to the arts community helped me appreciate the impact of culture and the arts on society; I realised how my contributions helped create a welcoming environment for all present.
Goals for Continued Learning.
I would like to develop my customer service, event coordination, and salesmanship skills further through additional volunteer opportunities in the arts and culture sector. I intend to attend a few workshops about communicating effectively and engaging audiences along with sales techniques. In addition, I want to take on leadership roles in future events to improve my organization skills and help train new volunteers.
Organisation
Toy Factory Productions Ltd
Year
07-2022 – 07-2022