Our Journey of Purpose
Annual Strategic Planning Meeting in Review
Promising developments are on the horizon! On 7 June 25, our Asia-Pacific Regional Director Fr Joseph Hampson SJ, our Board, leadership and executive teams, together with our volunteers gathered for JRS Singapore’s strategic planning meeting. The day was used to reflect on our commitments and to chart our next steps towards a bigger goal.
Opening the session, our Chair, Caroline Seow, gave an overview of our recent achievements — in our programmes, fundraising, and recruitment of talented and energetic new volunteers. Fr Joseph then led a reflection on how we are called by the Lord to serve refugees and the marginalized.
Following this, each sub-committee recapped the work done and challenges faced from last year. The team that recently visited the indigenous communities in the Philippines gave us a brief overview of their visit and their plans to develop programmes to support vulnerable communities affected by the climate crisis and are at risk of forced displacement.
There was honest sharing about our strengths, what worked, where we could have done better, future opportunities and how the changing political situation has had an impact on refugees.
After engaging discussions and active brain-storming, here are some of the initiatives we shortlisted for further consideration
- Create a Youth Wing sub-committee
- Form a Care for Creation sub-committee
- Create more opportunities for face-to-face interaction with refugee communities
- Strengthen our faith development
- Boost the bonds of friendship with more fellowship and activities
Wrapping up, the Board and leadership team will regroup to keep the momentum going. Caroline closed the session expressing her delight in seeing new volunteers, the enthusiasm, the commitment and the sharing of ideas of every participant. We certainly look forward to rolling out and realizing our goals in the near future!
Note: Special thanks to Adrian Toh, who very professionally facilitated a lively and effective Strategic Planning meeting. Adrian is a new Board member of JRS Singapore