BRIEFING

Think by now, some or most of us would have heard about the Progress Package that the Government will be giving out to Singaporeans on May 1 2006. As the steps toward signing up and obtaining the cash benefits from this package can be quite complicated, my Centre organised a short briefing for our clients tonight to inform them about this Package, and to clarify certain issues that might be confusing for them.

The briefing was a rather last minute thing that we decided to have, because we were concerned that some of our clients might miss out on the help given if they did not know where, when and how to sign up. So all my colleagues and I started contacting our clients through the phone last Friday to invite them down tonight, and were still trying to inform them yesterday. Even today, a few clients called up to say they would be coming down. One of my colleagues also sent letters out to those families who do not have phones. And Joanna kindly helped to collate the names of all the people who were confirmed coming and also assisted with registration and attendance tonight.

As we had a sizeable number of Malay and Chinese clients, we organised a bilingual briefing. Hazel took charge of the English briefing, and for the first time in my life I gave a 1/2 hr - 45min briefing in Mandarin to a group of about 12 people... something that I'd never done before and something that I wouldn't see myself doing under normal circumstances haha... I was actually very nervous beforehand and kept going through in my mind over dinner as to how I was going to present the information to them. But I prayed before the briefing session began and just asked God to give me the boldness and confidence to speak, and to help me along.

I think I started out a bit soft initially but gradually increased in volume. Guess I felt a little lost and scared too with 12 pairs of eyes looking at me. Thank God for Khee Ling, who was there with me as she stayed back too to help out with the briefing. When I wasn't sure how to answer certain queries from the clients, she helped to answer. Thank God also that as I continued to speak, I gained a little bit more confidence and did not feel as jittery as I did in the beginning. Khee Ling was very encouraging too and told me after the session that she felt I had communicated the info quite clearly, and that I could be heard when she stood at the last row where the clients were seated. Though there were a few things that I wanted to mention but forgot to raise during the session, I thank God that again, this has been a good exposure for me.

Preparation for the briefing did take up a bit of time earlier in the day, as I went through line by line the Mandarin version of the pamphlets and leaflets on this topic, compared it with the English version and wrote down the English translation beside certain Chinese characters for terms such as 'IRAS', 'Growth Dividends', 'Workfare Bonus' and 'Opportunity Funds'. I had to make sure that I know what I am saying, that I know the right term for it, and that I understand the procedures and important dates which are crucial for the clients' knowledge. But I am glad that all these helped add on to my personal learning and helped brush up my Mandarin. Think I wouldn't mind doing it again :)