Happy New Year 2009 !

Finally it's the end of 2008 and tomorrow it will be 2009. It's been one great year for me. I gained many new experiences and knowledge. I know I still have not yet completed a few of my stories which are still pending. I apologize for making you wait. Anyway I promise to be more hardworking next year!

I am here to share my experience and speak out my mind. I hope that the experience I share with others will help them in making their division better. You don't need to follow everything I say and I won't force you to follow my ideas. Everyone looks issues and problems differently. But always look at things positively. Don't be afraid to voice out and ask for changes. But when you ask for changes, propose some new ideas. "Constructive Criticism" that's what I look forward for.

Take care and wish you a Blessed New Year 2009. Hope all your dreams come true. It's not late! You have been given another New Year to start the Year 2009. It's the cycle of life. Start listing down your dreams. I am sure you can do it.

As I always say "Time To Change!". Don't be afraid to change. Change to improve our beloved organization.

Good Luck and God Bless

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

st.john freak

PMR Results - Article from the Star NewsPaper

Wednesday December 31, 2008

First-aid contest is next for Ipoh school’s top students

IPOH: While many PMR pupils may be out celebrating their straight As, a handful of students here are still hard at work preparing for the First Aid and Home Nursing competition.

The SMJK (C) Ave Maria Convent students who scored either eight or seven As were Siew Wei Teng, Liew Chai Yan, Wong Wan Ning, Wong Sook Han, Ngui Jia Qi, Chan Xiao Wen, Tan Chiang Tieng and Ng Jia Min.

All wrapped up: Pupils of SJKM(C) Ave Maria Convent in Ipoh, who scored straight As for their PMR exams, training hard for the First Aid and Home Nursing Competition in May.

Teacher Penny Tan, who was beaming with pride at the high achievers, said the students were members of the school’s St John Ambulance.

Although the students stayed back for the training, they did not miss the chance of toasting to their success with a bottle of sparkling apple juice.

Courtesy of The Star Newspaper

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/31/nation/2919993&sec=nation

PMR Results

Dear members ,

I wish to take this opportunity to Congratulate all of you regardless of what ever your results in your PMR Exams. I know some of you did very well. Not only making your parents and teachers proud but also us the St. John Ambulance Family. I am happy to see members who were active in St. John Ambulance, participating and contributing in all the activities and yet getting good results.

You have proved others who use PMR as an excuse and not being active. This proves that if you are smart in dividing your time between studies and St. John Ambulance, there is nothing stopping you from achieving what you want! I believe St. John Ambulance has also played it's part in making you a successful person.

As for the members who failed to achieve their goal, don't GIVE UP ! It's not late. You can still improve and do better. Take this as a challenge and do better in your next battle - SPM.

Take care and God Bless!

100 Years Celebration Review - Dengue Outbreak

Before I blog about this review, can members who are reading please confirm how many of you were down or suspected of having dengue? I mean members who attended the rehearsal and stayed in PULAPOL.

I can confirm a few in Perak. One of them a member from SMI. Most of the casualties were Male members. Anybody else?

Please e-mail me at nixev@hotmail.com or leave a comment. Your name and Division.

Thanks

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays !
Drive safe and all the best! God Bless.

DAY 4 - ICC 2008

13.12.2008 (Saturday)
I was counting the days and hoping this camp will end faster!

As I walked to the Parade Square to see the members exercising, I saw a figure standing on the hill. Anyway I just ignored that person and walked pass him.

Then latter he came over and confronted me! Asked who am I etc. Anyway now I think he will remember me forever. He told me that I slapped myself in front of the other accompanying officers from the foreign countries during the first meeting held on the first day. Meaning make our country "shame" for not supporting the idea of Night Duty for the participants. He also told me "I am HARD Headed". That fact he got It right. I am HARD HEADED! I think even my SC is aware of this. If I cannot accept a good answer or solution I will strive/search for it! Members welfare is my priority and nothing else! I will get what I want not for myself but for my subordinates. If you feel unhappy with my attitude you can inform/report it to my SC.

He also accused a senior officer from another state a trouble maker. So what! You are the one who asked us, is there any problem. When we tell you the problem, listenlah! Don't get angry. Have a meeting in the Camp Canteen, ask yourself is the venue suitable or not?? Sure members will make noise cause they are happy and hungry. And when you cannot control your temper, you shout at the members "Members Shut Up !!!!!" Who slapped his own face? You or me ? In front of all the local and foreign accompanying officers. On top of that organize a BEER session ! No enough money to provide good food for the campers but got budget to open a officers lounge serve BEER! Where got Cadet Camp serve BEER to accompanying officers? Is this the right example! We were called for a briefing for the Opening Ceremony on the First Night after the meeting in the Canteen. After the briefing they want to start BEER Session! I am proud to say that Malaysian Accompanying Officers just walked out from that BEER Session at the officers lounge and never set their foot again there!

This are example of leaders we have in our organization. Who use fear as their tool to shut up people. And I can say it's very BAD for our Organization! Is that what we have become after 100 years. Top people can praise him and put him high and recognize him. They can write articles and praises. Pin awards and medals. End of the day it's simple . You want me to respect you "BE RESPECTFUL, TO BE RESPECTED!" This words was not thought to me by great people. But from members in a school division!

I will be forced to respect you when you are in uniform but once you are not wearing it, you are just another person on the street. Don't think that you have a higher rank than me that I will be afraid!

Things/excuses this person told me:
Don't tell me you are running a camp at a lost! So you want to make money out of this camp?
Don't tell me you have to fork your own money? If you think RM 160.00 is not enough charge more! Or find sponsors. Nobody put a gun to your head and force you to organize!
Don't tell me this camp site can only accommodate 500 people! Then why take in almost 1000 people?
Don't tell me you got experience! Because I to have organized a ICC before!

Anyway back to our ICC Daily Story! (Sorry it's short will upload photos latter)
After that when I reached the canteen for breakfast I realized, a different atmosphere. Members were having breakfast according to their groups and not according to their states. Then I struck my mind, who cares of the success of the program or the food. Fellowship should make our hearts warm and make us forget all those issues. And true enough that was what I saw it in the members.

I just told myself nobody is going to ruin my day!

That morning my group went for the Rafting Session and in the afternoon we went for jungle trekking. That night we had the Local Cultural Night Performance by the State.

To be continued.... (for photos visit www.sjamperak.org)

DAY 3 - ICC 2008

12.12.2008 (Friday)
Thank GOD there were no signs of mosquito's. I am not sure of the other members or their camp site. Please do tell me !

Breakfast - I really cant remember! I think it was bread and baked beans with pieces of sausages sliced like chips served cold!

Anyway the schedule put up on the walls was not followed as we had some problems with yesterdays program due to rain.

I forgot to tell you about my Jungle Trekking experience (2nd Day). We waited for almost 1/2 an hour to get into the jungle. I was annoyed withe the organizers for not stopping the activities when it rained and during lightning+thunder. Although the Fire & Rescue Dept. proposed to the organizers to stop, but they still carried on.

The biggest joke was all 5 groups had to go together. In my group I had 30 members and if all other teams had the same just do a little math and see the number 30 X 5 = 150 members ! But only 3 teams went meanwhile 1 team pulled out as it was already 5.30 pm.

Normally it is advisable not to trek after 5 pm especially on a rainy day. Most members were not prepared with equipments such as rain coat, torchlight, gloves , proper shoes etc. Some even wore short pants! This trek was very slippery and most of the plants had sharp thorns. The path was narrow and if you slip and fall into the ravine you will end up dead stabbed to death by wild bamboo trees.

Luckily our guides were experienced people from the National Service and Civil Defense.

By the time we were out from the trekking it was 7.30 pm!

Back to the 3rd Story. The accompanying officers had a discussion and specifically told the organizers to stop the activities if it rained heavily.

My group started out by learning a martial art called "Wing Chun". Some form of Martial Arts. The instructor told us that Bruce Lee learned this martial arts. The instructor had a hard time to get the members attention! The truth was they did not enjoy it. I was glad it ended early.

After lunch, my group did the Flying Fox. Good co-ordination between the Civil Defense officers and our accompanying officers from Orange Group managed to get all our 5 groups to complete the Flying Fox activity.

That night we continued with the group presentation. While the groups were having their presentation accompanying officers from Perak, Pahang, WP KL, Penang, Terengganu & Sabah had some discussion on the days activity.

Members still complained about the food, tents getting flooded, etc.

to be continued.....

DAY 2 - ICC 2008

The night before we had a accompanying officers meeting with the camp committee. I am not going to talk what transpired in that meeting. At the end of my blog on ICC 2008 I will blog about it !

Day 2 - Thursday 11 December 2008

My dorm was occupied by officers and members from Sri Lanka, Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong. Malaysia officers were from Penang, WP Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Sabah, Terengganu.

Breakfast - 2 hard boil eggs and 1 sausage & coffee + milo (only God knows whats was in that drink!)

We rushed to the Parade Square for the Opening Ceremony Rehersal. Plenty of valuable time was wasted for waiting!




I could see some of the members were tired and bored. They had to wait for the rehearsal. When I asked the Sergeant Major why the delay. The rehearsal had to be put on hold because the PA System was not ready. I then proposed to him to use the "Hailer". He told me they have to wait for the PA. Anyway after a few of the other State Accompanying Officers joined me to point out that we are running out of time to change into our uniforms he agreed.

After changing into our uniforms, we wasted more precious time to wait for the VIP! A member from WPKL fainted/black-out and had a terrible fall direct on his face. I was told by his accompanying officer that he had a crack on his face (on his cheek bone) and abrasion. He looked fine when I met him a day after the incident. I pray the member will get well soon!
The worst part was after waiting for 2 hours the members had to wait under the hot sun again to listen to speeches. Yes ! I know this is part of a ceremony but come on this is a Cadet Camp. When you talk like a politician do you think members listen ?? Time to change ! Cut all the crap, formality and make it short & simple. The same old stories of success which is considered old story to me. Even the foreign participants fainted. Is this an example to be taught to our young members. Poor time management!

Lunch : Hard Boiled Eggs and can't remember what I ate!

After lunch it was Game time. It rained so we started late. The Orange Village (Groups) did the Obstacle Course. The Obstacle Course really tested team work of each team. It also tested the members will-power.

One of the Participant from Perak
Participant from SJA Hong Kong
High Wall Climbing (Team Work)

Tarzan & Jane


Small Wall Climbing


Monkey Pole

Jungle Trekking

Through out the activities Officers from the National Service, Civil Defense (JPAM) and Fire & Rescue Dept. were there to monitor our members safety!

Dinner : Hard Boiled Egg and Fried Rice

So basically each of us had 4 eggs in a day. Normal advised consumption is 2 eggs for a whole week! Anyway I was told that all meals menu has been studied and approved by experts etc.

That night due to rain we had our presentations for the groups in the canteen!

For more photos visit www.sjamperak.org

To be continued ....

DAY 1 - ICC 2008

Many people are asking “How was the ICC?”

Hmmm! What can I say? You want to hear the good part or the bad part?

International Cadet Camp 2008 or better known as International St. John Ambulance Cadet Camp also in the past known as Commonwealth Cadet Camp (SJAM Perak in 2000 as the host changed the name of the camp as ICC).

Anyway, the camp was from the 10 to the 16 December 2008. The first thing I heard was there were less than 5 countries attending this camp. The countries were New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore and Zambia. That really not only disappoints me but also the members. Back in 2000 we had 11 countries/states taking part (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, India, United Kingdom (Wales & England – 12 participants each), Tanzania, Nigeria & Kenya.

Perak State registered 70 participants and 2 accompanying officers. One member was absent so in the end there was only 71 participants.

I was excited as a day before the camp I called the Secretariat and they agreed that Officers also can camp! In the beginning I was told that we officers will be provided with dorm style accommodation. Anyway I thought it will be good as I can camp with the members and share some experience.

We left Ipoh at 6.45 am stopped for breakfast at Tapah R & R and reached our destination at 9.45 am. Our camp site was called Temasya Rimba Templer, Templer Park. It is a National Service Training Camp. As our bas drove in, I saw the flying fox tower, obstacle course – military style course and a lake. I said to myself venue is superb and I was sure members were really going to have a nice time.

The Green View

The Lake

The Flying Fox Tower

As we unloaded our bags and equipments, I noticed some members were pitching their tents. When registered, this was the first heartbreaking info I got – Female members don’t need to pitch tents and they will have to sleep at the dormitory. I was disappointed! The members did many preparations, purchasing the right equipments and spent a lot of money. I remember members calling and smsing me asking about things they should buy. etc. It's really going to break their heart : (

The Female Members Dorm (courtesy of SJAM AMC members)

Reasons given were also unacceptable. The organisers were worried of the safety of the female members. They were worried if the boys and girls camped near to each other, they will do “hanky panky” things.

Excuse me! You doubt your own members! Grow up! This reason is unacceptable! I know my members and I trust them! What is the use of the accompanying officer? We are here to ensure our members behave.

The next shocking thing, tents were required to be pitched up close to each other like sardines. I was furious, where got people camp so close to each other tents. At a glimpse it looked like a refugee camp somewhere in a worn torn nation. I insisted that we will pitch our tents 2 – 4 feet apart to dig drains and for safety reasons. The other thing was the tents were placed at the obstacle course and at an open field where the members were exposed to lightning. The tents and members were also not safe if a fire started. It was a nightmare. The organisers also set conditions that each tent must house 4 members which I was not aware of or was told.

Anyway after helping the boys to pitch the tents, I immediately made the boys dig drains around their tents. I also asked members from the other states to do the same. But some just ignored. I noticed some tents the members brought along were not suitable as they had small covers (fly sheet) that would not be enough to stop the rain and protect themselves.

Male members Camp Site (on the 5th Day)

That afternoon it rained heavily! We had about 10 tents only two were flooded because of poor drainage. Latter other members from other states who ignored our advice started to dig drains as their tents were flooded. We had to make the drains deeper and channel the flood water to the obstacle course.

We were divided into 5 colour groups (Red, Orange, Purple, Yellow, Green). And each colour group had another 5 small groups. My group was Orange 1 with almost 30 members. After the rain the groups were required to make their Group Flag, Name their Group, Create a Group Cheer, Performance and group moto.

As it is the first day, I didnt want to make a fuss. I have organised camps and I know it's not easy for the organisers. Normally first day there are things we overlook. Told the members not to complain but accept what ever it is as this is a camp.

To be continued....