Into Day 2 of the convention where the actual convention actually started. The structure of the entire meeting is a little confusing if you're not involved in this convention, but basically there are 2 issues : Strengthening Fundamental Education and Developing Affective Education, which branches out to 3 main components for each issue. So for the 6 main components, 6 groups (or rather, Youth Organisations) would have to work on a given component from the 6. Thus, there're 36 groups, tackling 6 main components under 2 key issues.
Today was all about interaction, communication and sharing of experiences and ideas. For almost five-eighth of the day, we were brainstorming in out own Youth Organisations and putting all our ideas each into a word document within 5 hours. Well, for my group, we somehow got to know one another better in terms of a leader, our leadership styles, our experiences, as well as simply our different way of expressions. Those in my team would know about some misunderstanding, however, it was good that we all tried to resolve it. Sadly, due to some stubborn mind-set, all we can say is that we've tried our best already.
Other than that, we had lots of fun sharing lame jokes and nonsensical nonsense. Debating with one another was quite funny because neither party was willing to give in but eventually understood each other's point.
After the 5-hour discussion, it was time for cluster meeting. The 6 Youth Organisations working on the same component got together to share their Action Paper with the other 5 groups while the others could comment on their workplan.
Most participants like myself, didn't understand the need for the meetings to be that formal, having to ensure that: 1. Participants are to show proper respect to the speaker at all times and refrain from talking while the speaker is speaking.
2. Participants are to identify themselves and his/her youth organisation before speaking.
3. Participants are reminded that eating or drinking is not permitted during all meeting proceedings.
4. A formal tone of speech should be adopted during cluster meetings. Proper decorum must be observed at all times.
5. Participants are reminded to be in formal attire at all times.
6. Participants are allowed to pass notes discreetly using the SLC notepads provided when communication between participants is necessary. Participants may request for the facilitators' assistance in passing notes. Participants can also direct queries to the Cluster/Consortium Directors through note passing.
7.Participants are reminded that notes should be of an appropriate formal tone and register. The content of notes should pertain only to the convention proceedings, and should not be phrased in a derogatory or inflammatory manner. E.g. To: Jack (Marvell) From: Jill (Izel) I personally don't agree that under the section "description of solution", clause i, that youths can really influence many people from other generations, such as their family and friends. I would like to propose for the removal of that sentence. Do I have your support?
8.Facilitators are to screen all notes before delivering them. Notes with in appropriate content will be dealt with at the facilitator's discretion.
The tone was super formal, and we had to speak in the 'third person' point of view. So the language used was confusing and irritating because most of us were not used to it. And with regards to the note passing, it's totally impossible to let the facilitator screen through every single note and they weren't even interested in being busy in that job?! So most of us were passing notes all around, some even played 'Hang-man'...lol
Gosh, whenever someone did not follow the rules, the director would ring the bell and say," ________ is not an order", which makes people laugh and he'd ring the bell again and say," Laughing is not an order." But well, the director was quite humorous and ended everything by saying," Clapping is now an order."
I guess I have to tahan (endure) the formality of the meetings for 2 more days. Well, I think I'm quite use to getting up early, taking my Dad's car with my 2 other good pals and travelling all the way from the east to the west on the highway. I like the school's environment, not because it's an all-boys school ( -.-''') but because it's so nicely built with so many facilities and monuments and ponds/rivers? and... there're just too many to state.
Looking forward to tomorrow's programmes, although it's just boring, sleepy cluster and consortium meetings. I think I'll be looking forward to the address by the guest-of-honour as all of us are to be in our most formal attire (blazers and courtshoes), and it's the one and only happening that is different...haha
P.S. Sharmane's Dad carpooled SooHan to Hougang after today's convention. As this sometimes blur (not when she's doing serious stuff) President of our council alighted from the car, she was hit by an on-coming vehicle. How careless! She was then sent to Tan Tock Seng Hospital's A&E.
When I called her, she was still in the hospital. She told me that her leg was purple and couldn't walk. That's sad.
She couldn't go for the orientation of the convention due to her athletics training yesterday, and she will not be able to turn up tomorrow and most probably the day after as well.
Nevertheless, my friend, do take good care of yourself. Safety and health comes first. You already had a sprained ankle before this! Rest well and recover soon alright? I'll go visit you tomorrow after the convention, so don't sleep during that period ya?
10:19 pm;
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know me
littlest of the Pang Family
people call me ChiawMIN or ZhaoMIN
was from Maha Bodhi School