Smile

Disclaimer: everything written are my own personal views. Does not represent the stand of NUS Students’ Science Club.

After one year as an MC, i feel that there are certain things i can share with anyone that wishes to run as a member of the 27th SCMC. This feelings have been moulded along the way till they are the way they are now.

I remember reading Tiong Hoe’s post before i ran for 26th SCMC and i was thinking "Is it really such an IMPORTANT thing? to run for MC?" At that point of time, all that was in my head was to make SOW06 a success and continue with the legacy of SOW05 (which i hope i did). I mentioned to the interview panel that my priorities lies with my friends, not Science Club. If i were to choose between the both, i would not hesitate in going over to my friends. As things turned out, i found many friends in Science Club, and there was no longer any issue. =) So my point here is that everyone please consider properly WHERE your priorities lie? Are you willing to make the sacrifices?

If you believe you are ready, then lemme proceed to shed some light as to what you can expect as an MC member. First and foremost, the non existence of your freetime. i dun mean to say you have TOTALLY no free time, but trust me when i say it will be reduced to a minimal. Unless of course you are not committed in the first place, then you shouldnt be reading till here anyway.

I spent many weekdays, weekends, school holidays, public holidays in school. Countless. and that was to help out in all the other project Science Club organizes. I personally believe, if you wanna be an MC, take the initiative to help out everyone else. Only then can the whole SCMC be united and gain the respect and help from other students. Besides, that is also how you can trust others to help in your own project when the time arises. That is the fundamental idea of "MC before portfolio". Do onto others what you want others to do onto you.

If by now you aren’t frightened off yet, congrats. You have obviously thought through this whole idea of being an MC member. Now to the not-so-nice part (yup that was the nice part above). In a committee of 20+ people, it is idealistic at best to think that no conflicts would occur. OR that you wouldn’t be involved in any of them. I know i’ve jumped straight into a million of them during my term of office. But the important thing is to resolve and close the issue at hand. Letting them drag will only allow grudges to fester and grow, making seemingly minor things turn huge. (i know i’m guilty of that.)

Every conflict is an opportunity to know someone else better. Listen to their views and see for yourself some of the valid points they are bound to have. No one’s idea is perfect. For there are no perfect solutions in this world. Everything is a compromise of a few things coming together. Are you ready to compromise?

Most of you reading this post would have been inspired by one or few of the FOP projects. However, do not be misguided that SCMC is just fun and games and Orientation. that only happens near the end of your term. In between, there’s one long year of hard work, sweat and blood (really). Standing comm directors do many work hidden from the spotlight, and FOP projects can only happen after one year of planning, raising funds, finding sponsors, interviewing seniors etc etc. One very important thing i feel a director needs to have, is a comm you can work together with, and work well with. I was fortunate enough to have my committee, where most of them are dedicated and self motivated. (yup you all are the best committee i have ever worked with) My vice director is my pal of 8++ years and sometimes we dont even need to speak to know what we would do when certain situations arise.

However, it is doesnt happen everyday you have your best friends helping you out for your project. Look around you and start approaching people you believe are on the same wavelength as you. This would greatly help in your time as an MC member. You know you have the support of your comm when you need them.

There were times when i felt ‘why the hell am i doing this?’ When i could be just relaxing and reading a nice book, playing a nice game, enjoying a nice movie. For me, my motivational source was my wish to make SOW06 a success. i held on for so long just to make sure i’ll make my dream happen. What would be your motivational source then??

I sincerely hope those of you reading this post, you can pass it to people you know expressing interest in running for SCMC. just to let them have a little idea. =) Last but not least, i wish to thank some of the people in 26th SCMC for making my time worthwhile. You all know who you are. Many thanks and i hope you people will consider the option of re-running. To lead the new blood onto a better platform so as to serve the student population of Science Faculty.

To my comm, you all are the best. No doubts about it. I dun really care if anyone disagrees with me, because this is about my own feelings. I am really really really glad to have all of you joining me as SOW06 committee. We rocK!