PR chances- voluntary work, Joining PA, getting involved

[blessedone]

I read this in the sticky and I was wondering what this really translates into.
I joined the PA but didnt find anything related to voluntary work etc.

can someone pls advise on tangible steps based on their own experience and how joining the PA can help?

thank you in advance

[sundaymorningstaple]

It doesn't help at all, like it did a couple of years ago. It's the same like every thing else here. There are certain ethnic groups who abuse everything they can, in order to get what they want. ICA is wise to those particular ethnic groups who join the PA (e.g. becoming an observer in the RC, for a start, and then shortly after getting their PR, the resign or just stop going to the meetings and assisting in their communities. I know, I've been an RC member for over 5 years now and just in my zone, I've seen at least three join as observers and as soon as they get their PR, say within 3 months, they just disappear, having gotten what they wanted. Therefore the PA complains, ICA listens. Once more that ethnic group screws it up for all those who follow. And yes, in my own zone, they were all from the same ethnic group as well.

Obviously you don't understand what voluntary work actually is, only the fact that you joined just to gain the brownie points to apply for PR?

Having said that, I find that young people who join the RC/PA are also only doing so, not to help others, but to help themselves if they have young children will be vying for places in primary one in a couple of years. Again, they are doing it for what they can gain, an not because they have a charitable heart. Most don't have a charitable bone in their bodies.

[taxico]

...not because they have a charitable heart. Most don't have a charitable bone in their bodies.

may i ask, because my wife has been genuinely interested but hesitant, do you know if a PA/RC/CCC(?) member can actually make a difference in either:

1. the needy/underprivileged's life, or;

2. policy (be it changing an MP's mind about something or perhaps getting PA's support for some cause)?

because if it is simply to spend funds (parties, food, karaoke) before you get allocated less next year, or get free parking, or to promote the party line, or to do whatever the MP/MP's minions say, then i think it's absolutely a waste of time.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Well, it's a bit of a mixed bag and a lot of what you have said is, sadly, spot on. BUT, yes, we do mix with our communities and this tends to help us to identify those people who direly need help, but with typical Asian pride/reticence , won't say or look for "free" help. We always have a couple of people in the RC who are assigned as the point men/women for Comcare and when we feel there is a need for them to get involved we will let them know. The better we mix with the residents, the more they confide in us when they realize we are only trying to help. I don't get involved in ALL the activities and aside from the Chairman and a couple of other (mostly retired) we all have our strong points as to how we can best be of help to the community. It's not required to donate ALL your free time to the RC (although, if you allow it, it CAN consume all your free time). I try to strike a balance as to how much time I can donate.