Sunday, 20 August 2017 - MULC Tropicana : Tzu Chi Recycling Event

On Sunday 20/08/2017, Tropicana subgroup organized its first event of Semester 2, 2017, i.e. Tzu Chi Recycling Event. The objective of this event was to raise awareness on the importance of recycling and its impact on the environment. This event was held at Chinese Taipei School in Shah Alam.

Early in the morning at 7am, MULC members started to gather in the foyer of Monash University Malaysia. We started to introduce ourselves to each other, while a light breakfast was distributed. Half an hour later, the Organizing Chairperson (OC) gave a briefing about this event and we depart from Monash University Malaysia. We first headed to Tzu Chi's office in USJ Taipan for a briefing session. At 8am, Tzu Chi's volunteers gave us an introduction to allow us to understand the purpose of recycling. We even had a fun mini game session where we were assigned to Vintage and Modern groups respectively to carry out a role play. The game improved our knowledge on the difference in generations as well as the changes and its impact on the environment. After the game, we bid farewell to the friendly Tzu Chi volunteers.

At 9.30am, we started our journey headed towards the recycling point at Chinese Taipei School. The journey took approximately 30 minutes. At 10am, we reached our destination and were greeted by another group of Tzu Chi volunteers. They separated us into small groups to help in different stations of the recycling point. Some of us carry out sorting processes, while others perform carry-and-weigh tasks. With great cooperation and swift actions, we managed to lend a helping hand to the Tzu Chi volunteers at the recycling point to complete the recycling tasks by the expected time. After the packing and cleaning up of the recycling point, we had a brief sharing session where each of us share our thoughts on this event. They even offered us fruits as a sign of appreciation for our help. It was then followed by a group photo session with the Tzu Chi volunteers. At 11.30am, the recycling event was officially ended.

As the scheduled end time of this event was at 2pm, we had ample time to head for lunch. We planned to fill our stomachs with fusion food at Mohd Chan Restaurant. Despite being lunch hour, the restaurant wasn't open for business. As a result, we came up with another idea and went to Old Town White Coffee at Kota Kemuning to have our well deserved lunch instead. After a taste of local delicacies, we hit the road once again to head back to campus. At 1.30pm, we safely arrived at Monash University Malaysia. This meaningful event was then concluded.

To summarize, as I was taught to perform the 5Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle) since young, this event was no surprise to me as it had already been a habit. However, this event had improve my bonding and communication with other MULC members as I was able to share my experiences in protecting the environment with them. It is particularly important for all of us to take good care of the environment because it is our duty and responsibility as a part of the environment. Nevertheless, it was indeed a valuable experience for each of us as we learned important lessons in protecting mother nature.

Saturday, 12 August 2017 - Monash University Leo Club Orientation, Initiation & Installation 2017

Orientation, Initiation & Installation (OII) is an annual event held by Monash University Leo Club (MULC). This event has 3 main objectives : to orientate MULC members and allow them to gain a better understanding on the club's background, to initiate new MULC members as an official Leo member, to install the new Board of Directors of MULC for the fiscal year of 2017-2018. A Continuous Leo Development (CLD) assessment is also held alongside OII as part of the orientation.

On the Saturday of Week 4, Semester 2, 2017 on 12/08/2017, this event was carried out in Seminar Room 6103, Monash University Malaysia, Sunway Campus. At 8.30am, registration of participants began. MULC members started to enter the seminar room awaiting the start of the event. At 9am, the event officially commenced. First of all, a speech was given by the District Chairperson for Leos Region 6 to welcome the MULC members. It was then followed by a CLD orientation conducted by a CLD Speaker Lion. Shortly after the CLD briefing, at 10.30am, an assessment was conducted. The assessment mainly focuses on the background of Lions and Leos. The assessment was ended approximately an hour later. At noon, the event entered an intermission as it was time for lunch. The lunch was supplied by an organization named The Picha Project. It was a Burmese meal prepared by Ganu, a mother of 3 who came from Chin state, Myanmar.

An hour of lunch break ended at 1pm and the we proceeded with the remaining agendas of the event. The President of MULC adjourned the meeting at 1.10pm. Next, the Organizing Chairperson (OC) delivered a short welcoming speech and address. It was then followed by the speech and address by the Immediate Past President of MULC. Shortly after that, several ceremonies were carried out : stepping down of Board of Directors 2016-2017, initiation of new members by Leo Advisor, installation of Board of Directors 2017-2018 by Lion Club President, presentation of certificates of appreciation, speech of acceptance by MULC President, speech by Leo Advisor and Lion Club President, presentation of souvenirs. The event ran smoothly and it was concluded at 2pm.

After attending OII, I had a much better understanding on the background of the club. Furthermore, after being initiated as the official member of Leo, I pledge of myself for the betterment of my community and my country. I will try my best to participate in events organized by MULC in order to lend a helping hand to those in need. Last but not least, I hope to turn over a new leaf through volunteering activities. Not to be forgotten, I would like to thank my friend from primary school for inspiring and encouraging me to become a member of Leo.