Looking to volunteer

[JR8]

That was interesting. I looked at the SGC site and in their news round-ups saw two articles, one re: an Aussie (it seems) who is the editor of a field shooting magazine who visited as a guest. The other an American who runs a military training company who organised a course. Was the latter the one with the office here, if so you could try and hook up with him and see what his thoughts are? I was very surprised to see a ‘tactical shotgun’ course taking place here in SG, but that said most SGn males are military reservists.

Also, have a look on the SGC site, and as if you were a walk-in customer see what their ID requirements are. I remember first time I wanted to go (several years ago), IIRC if you were a foreigner, they wanted your ID details several days in advance. Either ways it might give you come insight. Just visiting them for a days recreational shooting might yield insight or spark fruitful discussion.

Swim-coaching. Could be a channel. Might have some joy with an International School. You could start by discussing it with the Singapore American International School www.sais.edu.sg Or you might contact the American Club www.amclub.org.sg/ They’re pretty big into volunteering and so on, the ‘board’ are all American and all volunteers. Plus they have a small pool. Dunno, but they’ll understand your situation so probably worth giving that apple tree a shake.

The PM function is enabled after 5 posts. I’m partial to an occasional Montecristo myself. Keep contributing to the forum and you might get an invite to the next forum meet-up. One of the Moderators is US Mil-Spec (hehehe)...

p.s. Before you're out and planning on lighting up a cigar, make absolutely sure it's ok to do so. Recently I was out for the evening, sitting outside a bar downtown, and lit up a rather special Cuban. As some people on adjacent tables were smoking cigarettes, I just assumed it was ok. Only for a waitress to approach me five minutes later and say I couldn't smoke on the premises, and that included out front; something of a $WTF moment.

[PNGMK]

Good luck.

[the lynx]

I can give one input - only PRs and citizens are allowed to give swimming lessons to members of public on official basis, whether paid or voluntary. I guess 'teaching a friend' would be within grey area.

International schools (often) have foreign staff as swimming coaches. Like what JR8 said, you can drop them an e-mail.

[Ian Fitzgerald]

Thanks Lynx. I love how teaching a friend to swim is a 'grey area' here in Singapore.

Thanks for all the suggestions though, I'll give them a try and keep looking.

[the lynx]

I just realized what my main complaint/difficulty is. Anyone who's ever dealt with bad customer service (think comcast) knows the experience of being told something isn't possible when it full well is and what is really happening is the customer service agent doesn't want to do anything. I feel like everytime I reach out I'm talking to Consuela from Family guy. "Nooooo, noooo, noooo, no can."

If you're talking about customer service in Singapore, welcome to Singapore. Survival tip: Set low expectation, arm yourself with information beforehand, and stay firm yet polite

[ecureilx]

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

Did you really say that ??

When in Rome .. doesn't apply to you I guess

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.

You will be barking up the wrong tree, minus any form of residency/pass

As I said, you should work on getting a Long term pass or Dependent pass, for you to do something useful

Unfortunately, Singapore is like that, as minus strict laws, this country will be swamped by people from neighbouring countries who will do all kinds of part-time work while on Social visa and the natives are gonna drown

Maybe in your part of the world you will say that's fair and square, and equal opportunity etc, but not in Asia, especially not in Singapore

PS, you may have got your PM by now, as you have clocked sufficient posts ..

[Ian Fitzgerald]

I don't understand your message, ecureilx.

Also, appreciate that you're trying to help, but telling me that I can't do anything isn't actually helping.

I guess most people just do the usual expat stuff, drinking, dragon boating, hashing, and social clubs.

[ecureilx]

I don't understand your message, ecureilx.

Also, appreciate that you're trying to help, but telling me that I can't do anything isn't actually helping.

I guess most people just do the usual expat stuff, drinking, dragon boating, hashing, and social clubs.

to rephrase it, you can't do much legally on a tourist visa, is what I told earlier and rephrased it.

that's the way things are here in SG Inc.

seriously why not give a try getting a long term pass / dependent pass under your gf ? if she does qualify to get one for you ..

[sundaymorningstaple]

Unless you are here on a LTVP or better, that's all you are going to be able to do. I'm wondering if you are on a standard SVP (90 days tourist visa) or LTVP/DP. If you are on an SVP, you are out of luck AND you will also run foul of ICA eventually if you try to duck out of the country and come back in just to get a new 90 SVP. You might get away with it 2x but after that, you could be required to stay out of the country for a while, e.g., six months or more as they know the average visit here only takes 3 to 4 days, so they start to wonder if a) you are basically living here or b) working here illegally. So you particulars get flagged and then the questions start. I've been here over 30 years and have seen it all and participated in some (the first 11 years I was here).

[Ian Fitzgerald]

Again, I appreciate all the visa advice, I really do, but that's not what I started this thread for. I'm not trying to earn money, and there's nothing illegal about doing productive free things on my current visa. I feel like everyone is missing the point.

I'm looking for ways to be involved in the community and put my time to good use. If you don't have any suggestions, you're probably just telling me things I already know, which again, I appreciate the attempt but it's not actually beneficial.

Some things I've looked into as examples:
-helping with the BSA troops here
-consulting for the NDU
-firearms clinics
-volunteering at the zoo
-volunteering to walk dogs
-The American Club and the American Association of Singapore (as well as a host of other social clubs which are all fee based)

[bgd]

Again, I appreciate all the visa advice, I really do, but that's not what I started this thread for. I'm not trying to earn money, and there's nothing illegal about doing productive free things on my current visa. I feel like everyone is missing the point.

I'm looking for ways to be involved in the community and put my time to good use. If you don't have any suggestions, you're probably just telling me things I already know, which again, I appreciate the attempt but it's not actually beneficial.

Some things I've looked into as examples:
-helping with the BSA troops here
-consulting for the NDU
-firearms clinics
-volunteering at the zoo
-volunteering to walk dogs
-The American Club and the American Association of Singapore (as well as a host of other social clubs which are all fee based)

The point being made is that by being here on a SVP your options are limited. A LTVP may open more doors.

I don't have any suggestions that will help other than perhaps looking into clubs. I tend to keep occupied by cycling or riding motorbikes. Both solitary pursuits by choice but I see enough groups around to know that I could ride with company if I desired.

[Addadude]

Again, I appreciate all the visa advice, I really do, but that's not what I started this thread for. I'm not trying to earn money, and there's nothing illegal about doing productive free things on my current visa. I feel like everyone is missing the point.

Ian, I'm afraid that you are the one missing the point.

What everyone has been trying to tell you is that yes, it is illegal for a SVP holder to offer the services you've listed.

The principle is that every one of those services could be done as paid employment. To the 'authorities', this could mean that a) you are taking under the counter payment for those services and breaking the conditions of the SVP or b) you are potentially depriving a resident (citizen or PR holder) of a job.

Nobody here is making up these rules to annoy you. We are simply telling you the way it is.

[the lynx]

Oops, I must have missed the part where OP is on SVP. I honestly assumed he was on LTVP or DP.

Anyway voluntary work should be OK. If you want to know which charity is hurting for a hand, here is one for you: http://www.thekindexchange.com/

Having said that, it is up to the charity whether they care if the volunteer is on SVP or not.

[Ian Fitzgerald]

So your mother comes into town on a social visit and makes you dinner. The Singaporean authorities then deport her for depriving a maid of work?

If I sit in a park and play chess with people, is that depriving a chess coach of work?

I understand the point about under the table work. I'm not asking where I can get a job. Everyone who is telling me I can't participate in things on a social pass is missing the point.

How's this, does anyone want to go for a run? How's that? Simple and innocuous enough? Am I allowed to run with someone web denizens?

[Ian Fitzgerald]

Ahh YES!!, thank you lynx. Finally a positive and beneficial piece of advice.

I swear, 'No can, no can' should be the national motto.