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Coffeeshop Chit Chat - More new citizens/PRs joined GlassLoot!!</TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=msgtable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="96%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msg vAlign=top><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgbfr1 width="1%"> </TD><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead vAlign=top><TD class=msgF width="1%" noWrap align=right>From: </TD><TD class=msgFname width="68%" noWrap>kojakbt_89 <NOBR></NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate width="30%" noWrap align=right>Jul-11 7:10 pm </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT height=20 width="1%" noWrap align=right>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname width="68%" noWrap>ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> (1 of 5) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft rowSpan=4 width="1%"> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>35956.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt>Jul 12, 2010
More new citizens, PRs in grassroots work
It's one way to integrate into society; they also help others settle in
<!-- by line -->By Melissa Kok
http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_552316.html?sunwMethod=GET
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-- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
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NEW citizens and permanent residents (PRs) are getting involved in grassroots work as a way to integrate into society and connect with Singaporeans.
So it is no wonder the number of new immigrants who take part and organise grassroots activities has grown in the past year.
Having gone through the process of adjusting to life here, new immigrants can play a useful role in the community in welcoming newcomers and helping them settle in, said the People's Association (PA).
Out of the total number of grassroots leaders in Singapore, about 1,400 are PRs, up from 1,000 a year ago. Another 4,625 of them are new citizens. Collectively, they represent 20per cent of the 24,118 grassroots leaders in Singapore.
The PA said one of the main reasons for the rise in number is that new citizens often bring along members of their own community to join the activities.
'Through such sharing, newcomers, including PRs, feel encouraged to also contribute as grassroots leaders,' a PA spokesman said.
Some of the activities that these grassroots leaders organise include block parties, festival celebrations at community clubs, and orientation tours in the neighbourhoods of newcomers. Others, who serve as Integration and Naturalisation Champions (INCs), visit the homes of newly minted PRs and citizens in their neighbourhoods, to invite them to upcoming events and activities.
Madam Zhang Min, who moved here from China in 2000 and has been a PR for nine years, is among those active in grassroots work. The 38-year-old, who is an INC leader in the Canberra Zone 1 ward in Sembawang, said that being a foreigner herself, she can relate to new immigrants and help them.
'I know the difficulties they face as newcomers, dealing with the loneliness and new culture.'
Mr Adrian Rennie Pereira, 45, who came here from India, joined the Woodlands grassroots organisation 11 years ago. 'When I moved to Woodlands, it was a new estate and I didn't know anyone. So I joined the RC to meet more Singaporeans and make new friends. I also wanted to give back to the community,' said Mr Pereira, who became a citizen in 1992.
Only PRs and Singapore citizens can sign up as grassroots leaders. Often, many of them start out by volunteering with the residents' committees (RCs), doing administrative work and helping out with events.
But there is a cap of 15per cent for PRs who can serve per grassroots organisation. The reason, PA said, is 'to maintain a good balance between Singaporeans and PRs in grassroots work'.
But the PA spokesman added: 'If there is a need to appoint more PRs in a grassroots organisation, we will evaluate it on its merit.'
Mr Pereira, who now sits on the Indian Activities Executive Committee (IAEC) in Admiral Garden Community Club in Woodlands, said he knew of PRs who wanted to join the IAEC, but were turned down because of the quota.
He said: 'They can still be involved by joining other groups within the residents' committee, like being in charge of the reading club or karaoke club. There'll always be something for them to do.'
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More new citizens, PRs in grassroots work
It's one way to integrate into society; they also help others settle in
<!-- by line -->By Melissa Kok
http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_552316.html?sunwMethod=GET
<!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar -->
<!-- story content : start -->
NEW citizens and permanent residents (PRs) are getting involved in grassroots work as a way to integrate into society and connect with Singaporeans.
So it is no wonder the number of new immigrants who take part and organise grassroots activities has grown in the past year.
Having gone through the process of adjusting to life here, new immigrants can play a useful role in the community in welcoming newcomers and helping them settle in, said the People's Association (PA).
Out of the total number of grassroots leaders in Singapore, about 1,400 are PRs, up from 1,000 a year ago. Another 4,625 of them are new citizens. Collectively, they represent 20per cent of the 24,118 grassroots leaders in Singapore.
The PA said one of the main reasons for the rise in number is that new citizens often bring along members of their own community to join the activities.
'Through such sharing, newcomers, including PRs, feel encouraged to also contribute as grassroots leaders,' a PA spokesman said.
Some of the activities that these grassroots leaders organise include block parties, festival celebrations at community clubs, and orientation tours in the neighbourhoods of newcomers. Others, who serve as Integration and Naturalisation Champions (INCs), visit the homes of newly minted PRs and citizens in their neighbourhoods, to invite them to upcoming events and activities.
Madam Zhang Min, who moved here from China in 2000 and has been a PR for nine years, is among those active in grassroots work. The 38-year-old, who is an INC leader in the Canberra Zone 1 ward in Sembawang, said that being a foreigner herself, she can relate to new immigrants and help them.
'I know the difficulties they face as newcomers, dealing with the loneliness and new culture.'
Mr Adrian Rennie Pereira, 45, who came here from India, joined the Woodlands grassroots organisation 11 years ago. 'When I moved to Woodlands, it was a new estate and I didn't know anyone. So I joined the RC to meet more Singaporeans and make new friends. I also wanted to give back to the community,' said Mr Pereira, who became a citizen in 1992.
Only PRs and Singapore citizens can sign up as grassroots leaders. Often, many of them start out by volunteering with the residents' committees (RCs), doing administrative work and helping out with events.
But there is a cap of 15per cent for PRs who can serve per grassroots organisation. The reason, PA said, is 'to maintain a good balance between Singaporeans and PRs in grassroots work'.
But the PA spokesman added: 'If there is a need to appoint more PRs in a grassroots organisation, we will evaluate it on its merit.'
Mr Pereira, who now sits on the Indian Activities Executive Committee (IAEC) in Admiral Garden Community Club in Woodlands, said he knew of PRs who wanted to join the IAEC, but were turned down because of the quota.
He said: 'They can still be involved by joining other groups within the residents' committee, like being in charge of the reading club or karaoke club. There'll always be something for them to do.'
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