Looking to volunteer

[Ian Fitzgerald]

Hi all, I'm 'trailing talent' in Singapore on a tourist visa. No working for me, but a lot of free time. If anyone is looking for a workout partner or a dog sitter or anything. I don't want money, I just need something to do. I'm super laid back, so no worries.

[JR8]

Maybe we should start a 'trailer-guys' club or something. Hang out drink beer, smoke fine Cubans, and plan recreational 'guy stuff'.... hehehe... there is a shooting club out west, and I have friends that run a great dive centre just up the coast in beautiful Tioman/Malaysia. All I need are friends than run a brewery... that would be full-house.

But yes I know, how desperately boring it can be, with no real challenge in the day. It is very similar to taking early retirement 'back home', you have to constantly and actively work to build a new alternative structure. From that, a reason to get up each days comes. From that reason comes identity and self-esteem too. It's a far deeper issue than it might initially seem to be...

[ecureilx]

shooting instructor? RO ? lol, but not much shooting happens here ...

why not look up the US embassy?

from what I know, other than consular staff they have loads of people doing stuff which needs your kind of clearance ..

[Ian Fitzgerald]

well nevermind then

[ecureilx]

You must know something about the Embassy I don't. As far as I know there aren't any positions open besides consular services.

if you say so, so be it

I have done some work long ago, and there is a large non consular operation there

from public information ..

http://singapore.usembassy.gov/offices_department.html



I dunno what to say

if you expected the rifle club to come running, you didn't di your homework I guess, Gun ownership is strictly controlled and no way they would roll out a red carpet for someone on social visit pass ..

as for volunteering, I guess same applies

engaging anybody who is on SVP is a grey area, and organisations vary of problems may avoid contemplating even thinking about it.

and you were asked fees ?

kidding right?

volunteer organizations don't ask fees, and I been volunteering for a long time in SG, for different organizations.: and it is incredible you were asked to pay.

Unless they mistook you for a 'beneficiary' / member, in which case fees are applicable

I believe your communication got lost somewhere

JR8, Mr Seal is on SVP. not much he can do I guess. Or will anybody want to put themselves in any questionable situation

Ian Fitzgerald: on the other hand, countries like Philippines, and Thailand will welcome you with open arms, for any gun club, shooting club and all ..

[JR8]

Oops I'd missed the 'SVP' bit, I'd imagined he was on an LTVP or DP.

So, @Ian, yes the average visitor on an SVP stays just 2.5 days. Couple that with how guns here, outside the military, are highly taboo but for a very small handful of people. And those people are likely doing Olympic level trap/skeet rather than combat house clearance.

Locals probably wouldn't even want volunteering from a person on an SVP as they probably imagine it's complicated if not illegal. Tie it all together and you can see how it has difficulty flying.

The laws are strict here, and people really fear getting it wrong. That'll be one reason you're having no luck. Many other places they'd be like 'to hell with any rules, we'll face any consequences later', and just get on and do it.

[Ian Fitzgerald]

I understand all that. Or I thought I did, but it has been eye opening to see the level here in Singapore. Reminds me of something they used to say about Soviet era Russia, "If it's not mandatory, it's forbidden."

And again, I'm not trying to rock the boat or break any rules. I've done community work all over the world and there are always local nuances and ordinances to follow, but for instance with the SGC, I got the impression that if I had come to them as a licensed business and offered to cut them in on the profits of a course they would have been very interested, i.e. the 'tactical shotgun' course they hosted last year.

That's just one example though. This is the least proactive place I have ever been.

[ecureilx]

That's just one example though. This is the least proactive place I have ever been.

unfortunately for your trade, I guess so

get a dependent's pass or long term pass if you are keen to do something ...

else SG Inc is not your cup of tea I guess!!!

[JR8]

I got the impression that if I had come to them as a licensed business and offered to cut them in on the profits of a course they would have been very interested.

The flipside, that you're experiencing: If you haven't got the visa status they'll have nil interest.

[GSM8]

As ecureilx and JR8 have pointed out, the issue, without debating its merits/demerits, is that civilian ownership of guns is strictly illegal in Singapore. Whereas in the states, you can buy ammo at Walmart, in Singapore unauthorized possession of a single round can land one in jail for a while. The tactical shotgun course you were referring to, instructors were probably Singapore Armed Forces personnel, not foreigners (leave alone on SVP)

Contrary to an invocation of Soviet era sayings, the fact is that laws are usually strictly followed in Singapore, not very dissimilar to the US.

Try volunteering in a middle school here though, they will probably welcome you with open arms (although I can't vouch for it first hand).

Not saying any of this is the way it should be (or shouldn't) its just the way I've found things to be in my few months in Singapore (and some of the others on this board have been here a few decades).

[ecureilx]

unauthorized possession of a single round can land one in jail for a while.

correction ... the punishment for possession of live round or an unloaded gun is death

and even police officers aren't allowed to fire warning rounds unless they can justify it.

atleast one army guy was in the death row a while ago, for spiriting out a SAR 21, minus any rounds ...

[Ian Fitzgerald]

I understand the severity of the gun laws. That's not the issue. The courses I've seen advertised on the SGC website were run by foreigners, so the statement about SAF is off the mark as well.

Clearly the visa issue is a part of it, but it feels more like good old fashion class-ism and xenophobia.

This thread is definitely getting away from it's intent though, which wasn't to complain about social issues, but to find something worthwhile to do.

The middle school idea is something I hadn't thought of. Are there middle school swim teams in Sing? I don't have much interest in tutoring tweens and teens, but assistant coaching is something I've done before.

[JR8]

I understand the severity of the gun laws. That's not the issue. The courses I've seen advertised on the SGC website were run by foreigners, so the statement about SAF is off the mark as well.

Define foreigner. Just about everyone in SG is one.

This tree will not bend to your wind and fury. So you need to evolve and adapt. I'd have thought your apparent profession would have equipped you in spades to be doing this already.

[Ian Fitzgerald]

I'm on this thread to bend. I haven't just taken my ball and gone home because none of the other kids want to play.

[Ian Fitzgerald]

Oh, sorry, in the context of the SGC courses. It looks like they were both Americans. One was run by a tact llc. out of virginia with an office here and the other was a special guest who might have been in town on a Visit pass.