Interesting Developments in Student Council

May 15th, 2009  |  Published in Blog  |  1 Comment

This is an internal e-mail circulating amoung Student Council members of Taylors University College. As usual, I’m the devil’s advocate. Read the story below and see how it goes!

Aaron Eu Jin aaronejgoh@live.ca

Hey guys, well after reading the report on the part talking about helping the needy and all, i would have to strongly agree with ronson on helping the less fortunate in our college itself.

on having long term objectives regarding the same matter, i guess another cheap and possible way to meet achieve that objective is by sponsoring a child program which is supported by World Vision. its only rm50 per month and this amount of money will enable the child that you sponsor clothes,daily needs, and also education. so i guess if the council would really want to have a long term objective, this would be a good way.

think about it this way. council has got 26 members, and if each member gives rm2 per month, its already rm52. and rm2 per month x 12 is only rm24 per year. is it really that hard to give rm24 per year per person compared to the amount of money we spend else where? well, i honestly must say that if you need a long term goal, think of this alternative. trust me, its really not hard when you think of how much you can help those kids with just rm50 a month. even i myself am sponsoring 2 child. 

http://www.worldvision.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=42
(click on the link above to know more about it)

think about it =)

regards,
Aaron

..

Hi all,

Regarding Aaron / Mr. Ronson’s idea, i see 2 problems.

1. No ones will admit they’re poor.
2. We are not *THAT* rich. Minus 1 or 2 people possibly more lah…

1. College students have huge ego. Poor people have huge ego. One
time, we went to feed the poor people in KL. Wah, once they found out
we giving free food, they took out their HANDPHONE and call all their
“poor” friends. That, we don’t have a problem. But then, when we give
rice, vege, meat for them.. they selectively chose the meat and wasted
the vege and rice.

People are not appreciative. I think the most appreciative people are
the hardcore poor, not the “poor” people who can afford handphone,
computer and a Taylors education.

2. Even if the council is rich, I don’t think we want to fork out
cash. See how hard it is to get people to contribute to… say, a
trip, or t-shirt? We have it, but we rather spend it on Pool, and
TGIF.

I propose some solutions to the problems:

1. Instead of openly humiliating “poor Taylors students”, we make our
contributions more subtle. How about a simple free buffet for 20
people in main campus. First come first served. Council members wear
white / simple plain tshirt and jeans. Create a mood that, hey, we’re
just like you.

Another thing is lucky draw / slogan contest. Make random people fill
in form, just name, handphone no., programme, year and what they like
about taylors. give them stuff like what students need most – rm 10
handphone prepaid reloads, carrefour / KFC vouchers. If they use
postpaid, then they don’t need these :P

2. Donations to charity must be from the heart. No point forcing all
council members to contribute rm 24/year, no matter how “just” the
cause is. I think we should give freely, and not be pressured. If
you’re convicted to give RM 100, then go ahead. Make it anonymous, and
we’ll set up some fund for the Council.

Yes, I agree there are Taylor’s students who need help. We just gotta
device a method / plan that is subtle, yet non-intrusive and
non-degrading lah. Slogan writing contest is the way to go.
Furthermore, we get their particulars :)

Regards,
Pippo

==
first of all, wearing white or plain t-shirts and just jeans dont make people “poor”. i could be wearing la Coste t-shirt and a zara jeans and does that make me poor? hell no im sure!! instead the total opposite! and helping the poor dont mean that we are humiliating them, it just shows that we care for them and there by their sides.

well, that’s up to those who we have the intention to help then to appreciate and cherish the contribution and our intentions to help. if they accept it then good for them and it makes both parties (us and them) happy. but if they want to be selective, its their loss. they dont reap the greatest benefit from our contributions but at least we have done our part and set our ethics, goals and objectives right.

why would you think we should give out prepaid cards and stuff like that to random people in college. think of it this way, yes probably people wont admit they’re poor but why are they able to study in taylors? answer: because they know they are not fortunate enough to be FAMA sponsored like most of us (Father and Mother Association xD ) thus they work extra hard and go the extra mile to get scholarships and thats why they are here. if they can buy a phone, im sure they can support their usage cost. so why bother giving out like that. in that case, keep the money for our own better use!

why is it that we would spend our money and pool and foos or food rather than a trip, etc? how much does it cost to get those simple entertainment and pleasure opposed to going on a trip? think about it..its the money matter. well, whether or not we want to fork out is a different matter. but the main point here is that what is the basis and reason we would want to contribute? we do not need to fork out anything because the student council has got its own funds to support itself; its only the matter of how we use it..

here’s another point you should look at. no one is forcing anyone to give rm24 a year! its just a suggestion and a way if you want to look at things at a simpler way. no one’s gonna stab you or murder you if you dont want to give. its totally your choice. and mind me, im not convicted to give! i chose to give because i believe that there is better worth of that amount of money. and i dont mind if you want to call me big headed or whatsoever, im giving already 100 permonth not per year yeah?! if you think that your money is so precious to you and its not worth what you’re doing, its fine coz again this is for CHARITY purpose…not FORCE-rity..and to the others who are reading this and thinks the same way as me or vice versa, this is just a personal opinion. you might or might not agree with me but heck the world’s unfair so just live with it. you don’t always get things your way..

GOOD NIGHT =)

===

hi aaron,

i sense some hostility. no, i’m not attacking your ideas. i’m just offering ways we could make it better. i would like to refute your arguments, but frankly speaking, its not worth my time.

i just wanna make clear that i do not intend to insult your cause. I am all for charitable organisations and causes. if i have offended you, please accept my apology.

we’re just trying to work together. we got to be more open to ideas, thats all.

using words like “hell no” and “keep the money”, “no one is forcing” “i don’t mind if..” “stab or murder”, suggestions that i do not support “charitable causes”, “the world is unfair, live with it” “you don’t get things your way”

All these accusations doesn’t help your cause at all.

its like i’m a christian (yes i am) but i take drugs and look for hookers at the same time teach them about my religion. it doesn’t make sense if you contribute, yet your character do not reflect the charitable nature of your cause.

in my opinion, there are better and more gentle ways to convey a message, especially over e-mail.

again, I apologise if the suggestions were deemed offensive. good luck in your causes.

peace.

sincerely,
Philip

====

Hi All,

 

It is always good to know that you guys are passionate about charitable work e.g. blessing a poorer community.

 

Please brainstorm for a project. It may not be necessary super mega huge but a simple one. It’s good that many of you have a lot of ideas. However, please choose one that is intentional, feasible and you guys have the capacity to do it.

 

I would like to caution all that communication among each other is very important and please do not make any assumption. Having contradicting ideas and opinions are normal and I hope that no matter how small an idea is, please treat it with respect. It is through the little little ideas we have that we can do great things.

 

Regards,

Ronson

— DISCLAIMER — This email, including any attachments, is confidential and is solely intended for the addressee(s). Access to this e-mail by anyone else is unauthorised. Its contents may be legally privileged and if you are not the intended recipient of this email, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this email in error, please contact the sender immediately by return email or telephone and delete/destroy the message. We do not accept liability for any corruption, delay, interception or unauthorised amendment of the e-mail or their consequences.

==
 hey hey philip,
dont get all sarcastic okay.
i didnt see anything wrong with the way aaron wrote his mail.
i dont feel the HOSTILITY which you were talking about.
i think you’re abit sensitive. :/
it’s like, whenever ppl disagree with you, you tend to get pushy and all uptight about it.
you dont have to act this way.
we’re all in the council together.
aaron was just merely suggesting.
what he said was true, if those ppl want to prioritise their dignity over accepting the fact that they are in need of help, then, it’s just too bad for them.
we’re not going to force them either.
and for your information, the way he talks/dresses/acts does not prove how ‘charitable’ he is.
perhaps, learn the fact that you cannot judge the book by it’s cover.
you said there are more gentle and better ways of conveying the mail, would you say you were doing the same as your advise?
in my opinion, just chill out, and discuss about it.
do remember that this isnt a formal mail ya.
you dont need those ‘yours truly’ and stuff.
that explains the terms we’re using which seems offensive to you.
it’s just some online discussion among friends, okay.
chilling philip.
chilling.
 
==

hi val,
 
thanks for your e-mail.
 
yes, i agree its all about perception. from the way i see it, aaron was quite pissed. so i was just trying to apologise if I offended lah. now you accuse me of being soft. and we merry go round once again.
 
i think to half of the members, they could sense the frustration on aaron’s part of my first reply. i re-read my two e-mails and i still can’t seem to find any fault, or in any way that “disses” anyone any organisation anywhere. once again, please accept my apology for offending anyone.
 
[quote]
dont get all sarcastic okay.
[/quote]
 
right off the bat, you diss me. its like, “hey hey random stranger, FUCK YOU! *wink*”
 
i don’t really mind your comments lah. but yes, i value your opinion about me.
 
i don’t mean to get all preachy. however, if we as the Student Council intend to represent the student body, how can we be chilling all the time. yes, there are times we can fool around. but there are times where serious matters are being discussed. like in aarons case, he wanna help taylors poor students and do charitable works. yes, its fine. you fail to see my point. i’m merely suggesting ways to implement his ideas. i’m not calling people names, or insulting someone’s cause. no, i’m not.
 
[quote]

if those ppl want to prioritise their dignity over accepting the fact that they are in need of help, then, it’s just too bad for them.

[/quote]
 
You aim is to help, yet you are neglecting the fact that people don’t want your help in a public manner.
 
My solution: Doing things subtly, organising contests and free food.
 
Now why am I suddenly the bad guy?
 
[quote]

it’s like, whenever ppl disagree with you, you tend to get pushy and all uptight about it.
you dont have to act this way.

[/quote]
 
You know Val, they say it takes one to know another. How did your idea of having people write notes for lecturers go? My micro-blogging / twitter idea was stupid and impractical, wasn’t it?
 
yes, i fight for what i think is right. that’s what leaders are made of, not by calling votes and going with the majority. yes you can call for vote, but you must be able to be man enough to go against what your team wants, if necessary.
 
influential and famous leaders have to take drastic actions that contradict popular vote. just ask bush, or obama, or badawi.
 
i guess people with strong personality will get their ideas through. business people, the westerners (american, canadian, brits and aussies) in general will always want their idea go through. Us asians will just be their workers following instructions cuz our ideas keep getting shot down.
 
no offense to anyone, but look at the Exco. All are business students. How big is the Business faculty in relation to the whole Taylors Subang? there. you got your reason why participation within the council is so weak, and in shatters.
 
There is no power sharing. There is no accountability. And the red tape is fucking rediculous.
 
[quote]

and for your information, the way he talks/dresses/acts does not prove how ‘charitable’ he is.
perhaps, learn the fact that you cannot judge the book by it’s cover.

[/quote]
 
You hit reply before you know what’s going on.
 
I was suggesting that instead coming in our Ferrari and SLRs wearing gucci and armani, we could maybe wear something plain and simple. Read up on Psychology and you will know why. This, we do during the free food handout / charitable event we are having.
 
On a normal occation, I would not reply to any council e-mails. We’re becoming just like NATO.
 
I can understand why aaron might be abit pissed. The timestamp reads May 15, 2009 2:42 AM. One rule of e-mail is that you would not send e-mail in the middle of the night, cuz it affects judgment. Now, i’m not judging anyone, but its something worth thinking about.
 
tell you what, how about val, aaron .. we go for teh tarik on me =) talk in person, then everything will be cleared. correct? :) then we all can continue productively in peace and harmony. the internet fucks up our communication.
 
with love and respect,
pippo
 
p/s on a worst case scenario, you can call for an emergency meeting to vote & remove this “annoyance”. i’ll get my programme director to send a replacement and then your council can run effectively?

====

the end.

damn, i’m getting too overanalytical now. hope they accept my teh-tarik request =)

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Responses

  1. Pippo says:

    May 15th, 2009 at 8:53 pm (#)

    The twentieth (20th) comment on this post receives a KFC Dinner plate worth (RM 10). Spam will be discounted ;)