On the 19th and 20th of February, under the leadership of SFCCA President Chua Thian Poh, a total of 38 participants, including 8 Directors, 23 Executive Committee members (including Chairman, Vice-Chairman), and 7 secretariat employees attended a two-day, one-night camp at the Bintan Lagoon Resort on Bintan Island,.

This is the second time that a retreat has been organised by the Association, with the first retreat held in 2007. The focus of this event is to review the Association’s vision and values, reset a direction for its future, and develop strategies accordingly.

Before the start of the retreat, President Chua said in his speech that, “a year’s plan starts with the spring”, and the 13th Council and Executive Committee started brainstorming ideas on new goals and strategies for the future development of the Federation right after the Chinese New Year. He hoped that while looking back at the achievements of the Association over the past 25 years, everyone would also actively analyse the current challenges faced by the Federation and clan associations, explore strategies to unite members and bring its members keep up with the times, seek motivation to bring in new members, and draw up plans to attract new immigrants to participate in the activities.

Lastly, President Chua reiterated the importance of the retreat and urged everyone present to make full use of the time in the retreat. He encouraged everyone to relax, speak freely, think from various perspectives and actively voice out their opinions, to reach a consensus. The Federation will then collate the feasible short to long term suggestions, hand them over to the Executive Committee for SFCCA to chart a new direction and establish a new landscape.

The Future of SFCCA

In the icebreaker game, each group drew a comparison between the past and future Federation in their minds. From dragon boats to aircraft carriers, from solid trees to lush branches with multiple pathways; and in paintings of unfinished houses to high-rise buildings, everyone brainstormed ideas and reflected their expectations for the Federation.

What will the Federation look like in five years from now? In fact, the participants expressed their hopes and expectations of the Association through vivid pictures, and integrated them into a unified plan, comprising the following three points:

  • A highly talented and closely connected Federation
  • Is the leading organisation of the Chinese community recognised by the society and the government
  • Is an important enabler of social harmony and cohesion

Finalising the new Mission, Vision and Strategies for SFCCA

After much interaction, brainstorming, discussions, and deliberations, a new set of Mission and Vision for the Association was agreed upon.

Mission: Leading SFCCA to promote Chinese culture and values

Vision: Build a strong network of SFCCA, Promote social harmony and cohesion, and Become leading organisation of the Chinese community

Apart from that, three strategies were consolidated based on the new Mission and Vision:

  • Changing the Federation’s image and establishing a stronger brand name to attract new members and participants.
  • Strengthening cooperation with government agencies by working with them to promote traditional Chinese values such as organising events that promote social harmony and cohesion.
  • Assisting the growth of members by enriching SFCCA’s activities; enhancing the image of the Association.

Through the definition of the mission, vision and the launch of the implementation plans, the Federation will, under new leadership, start to complement and integrate effectively at all levels, leading the upgrading and development of over 200 clan associations.

On the 19th and 20th of February, under the leadership of SFCCA President Chua Thian Poh, a total of 38 participants, including 8 Directors, 23 Executive Committee members (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and members), and 7 secretariat employees attended a two-day, one-night camp at the Bintan Lagoon Resort on Bintan Island,.

This is the second time that a retreat has been organised by the Association, with the first retreat held in 2007. The focus of this event is to review the Association’s vision and values, reset a direction for its future, and develop strategies accordingly.

Before the start of the retreat, President Chua said in his speech that, “a year’s plan starts with the spring,” and the 13th Council and Executive Committee started brainstorming ideas on new goals and strategies for the future development of the Federation right after the Chinese New Year. He hoped that while looking back at the achievements of the Association over the past 25 years, everyone would also actively analyse the current challenges faced by the Federation and clan associations, explore strategies to unite members and bring its members keep up with the times, seek motivation to bring in new members, and draw up plans to attract new immigrants to participate in the activities.

Lastly, President Chua reiterated the importance of the retreat and urged everyone present to make full use of the time in the retreat. He encouraged everyone to relax, speak freely, think from various perspectives and actively voice out their opinions, to reach a consensus. The Federation will then collate the feasible short to long term suggestions, hand them over to the Executive Committee for SFCCA to chart a new direction and establish a new landscape.

The Future of SFCCA

In the icebreaker game, each group drew a comparison between the past and future Federation in their minds. From dragon boats to aircraft carriers, from solid trees to lush branches with multiple pathways; and in paintings of unfinished houses to high-rise buildings, everyone brainstormed ideas and reflected their expectations for the Federation.

What will the Federation look like in five years from now? In fact, the participants expressed their hopes and expectations of the Association through vivid pictures, and integrated them into a unified plan, comprising the following three points:

  • A highly talented and closely connected Federation
  • Is the leading organisation of the Chinese community recognised by the society and the government
  • Is an important enabler of social harmony and cohesion

Finalising the new Mission, Vision and Strategies for SFCCA

After much interaction, brainstorming, discussions, and deliberations, a new set of Mission and Vision for the Association was agreed upon.

Mission: Leading SFCCA to promote Chinese culture and values

Vision: Build a strong network of SFCCA, Promote social harmony and cohesion, and Become leading organisation of the Chinese community

Apart from that, three strategies were consolidated based on the new Mission and Vision:

  • Changing the Federation’s image and establishing a stronger brand name to attract new members and participants.
  • Strengthening cooperation with government agencies by working with them to promote traditional Chinese values such as organising events that promote social harmony and cohesion.
  • Assisting the growth of members by enriching SFCCA’s activities; enhancing the image of the Association.

Through the definition of the mission, vision and the launch of the implementation plans, the Federation will, under new leadership, start to complement and integrate effectively at all levels, leading the upgrading and development of over 200 clan associations.