Tomorrow is the start day of the CHOICE Asian Conference, the event many of us have been working so hard for for more than a year. We are praying that things will run smoothly without any glitch, but people, being who they are, and organising such a massive event, there will sure be hiccups here and there and displeasure.
Personally, I am still clearing up last minute issues, like the advance minutes for the country reports and new learnings. I have yet to buy the files for the event, which I am going to do so today. I have no idea how everything is to be run as well, and hope for the best and go with the flow tomorrow onwards.
Hence, somehow it does not surprise me when I receive an email that there may not be enough food for everyone, and delegates should eat first. So in the event there is not enough food, we (the volunteers) would have to go and get our own food.
It is no issue. Of course the delegates have to be fed first. The priority should be given to the delegates, it is the least we can do to show our hospitality as the host country and organiser. Yet there are some who felt unhappy about the poor planning and non-anticipation.
No doubt it was not thorough planning. However, on such a massive event, lots of logistics are needed. Sometimes it may not be because we do not want to cater for the exact numbers, but then we could have booked and there were changes at the last minute. For instance, already some countries have dropped out and some countries have added people. We probably can never get the exact numbers until the day itself.
In this case, where food and lodgings are concerned, just how much is enough? We have to cater enough for the delegates, but at the same time not too many in order not to incur extra costs and waste the space. But in doing so, the local volunteers who took the time to go and help out, may be compromised, like not having a place to stay, having to travel here and there, or not having enough food.
Yes, one can always try to anticipate and cater for more, but what if the final figure is less than what we catered? Would that not be a waste, especially since budget and space is a main concern? So when things like that happen, the best solution is to ensure the delegates are comfortable and meet their needs first. We as local volunteers just have to go with the flow, even though we may be inconvenienced.
After all, this is for God, and this is an event which many of us have been preparing months in advance for. Everyone who comes here is for the same cause. The last thing which anyone would like to see is an escalating trivial matter, that causes bad blood amongst everyone under the umbrella.
So to me, what is a little inconvenience as compared to the big picture - the delegates having a good time, refreshing their faith (okay, this may be too much to ask), bringing back an unforgettable and memorable stay, and the new friends which we can make. This, I think, is much more important than anything else.
Personally, I am still clearing up last minute issues, like the advance minutes for the country reports and new learnings. I have yet to buy the files for the event, which I am going to do so today. I have no idea how everything is to be run as well, and hope for the best and go with the flow tomorrow onwards.
Hence, somehow it does not surprise me when I receive an email that there may not be enough food for everyone, and delegates should eat first. So in the event there is not enough food, we (the volunteers) would have to go and get our own food.
It is no issue. Of course the delegates have to be fed first. The priority should be given to the delegates, it is the least we can do to show our hospitality as the host country and organiser. Yet there are some who felt unhappy about the poor planning and non-anticipation.
No doubt it was not thorough planning. However, on such a massive event, lots of logistics are needed. Sometimes it may not be because we do not want to cater for the exact numbers, but then we could have booked and there were changes at the last minute. For instance, already some countries have dropped out and some countries have added people. We probably can never get the exact numbers until the day itself.
In this case, where food and lodgings are concerned, just how much is enough? We have to cater enough for the delegates, but at the same time not too many in order not to incur extra costs and waste the space. But in doing so, the local volunteers who took the time to go and help out, may be compromised, like not having a place to stay, having to travel here and there, or not having enough food.
Yes, one can always try to anticipate and cater for more, but what if the final figure is less than what we catered? Would that not be a waste, especially since budget and space is a main concern? So when things like that happen, the best solution is to ensure the delegates are comfortable and meet their needs first. We as local volunteers just have to go with the flow, even though we may be inconvenienced.
After all, this is for God, and this is an event which many of us have been preparing months in advance for. Everyone who comes here is for the same cause. The last thing which anyone would like to see is an escalating trivial matter, that causes bad blood amongst everyone under the umbrella.
So to me, what is a little inconvenience as compared to the big picture - the delegates having a good time, refreshing their faith (okay, this may be too much to ask), bringing back an unforgettable and memorable stay, and the new friends which we can make. This, I think, is much more important than anything else.
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