From the Chairman's Desk
Hi Everybody,
Forgive my ramblings in my first message to you as chairman as my computer was playing tricks on me. I had printed the wrong file, an earlier version as my thoughts went astray on the various activities that could be done to improve the Branch's activities and services. I shall again emphasize on the Branch's mission and the strategies to achieve them if members have no objections.
Establishing area interest groups in the main towns is one way of encouraging new members and sustaining members interest in the society. Perak is a unique state in that there is a sizeable number of educated businessmen and professionals who can provide the leadership to articulate their local needs and concerns about the natural environment in their respective areas and help the branch committee to organise branch nature trips. I feel that Teluk Intan, Taiping and Lumut-Sitiawan can support such activities. Those who are interested please communicate your plans to me.
To enhance the Branch's image and quality of the activities I am also happy to announce that a special interest group on Marine Life is being initiated by Mr. Stewart Forbes (see p. 2). I feel that the branch's image would be further enhanced if we can source some funds to acquire better state-of-the-art presentation and communication equipment. At present we have to depend on the charity of a few dedicated members to give talks and slide shows using their equipment and slides which they would not part with (I don't blame them). Hence we cannot use them for branch activities and to give talks/slide shows to members, schools and other organisations. Do members want this insipid condition to continue after more than 25 years? We have come a long way and soon we will enter the 21st century. I hope members and the committee will agree with my proposal so that we can plan some activities which will generate much-needed funds solely for this purpose (henceforth referred to as the Perak MNS "Amenities Fund"). If this long-term project takes off, I hope to get the fullest support of our loyal members who will be requested to volunteer their time and energy (and cash if you have enough to spare!) to see to its eventual success. All donations to the MNS are tax exempt. Financial controls would be set up by our Treasurer and Honorary Auditor to maintain transparency.
I am very happy to note the spirit of volunteerism is not lost among our members as evidenced by the numbers turning up to help clean the Kledang Hill trails. I would like to specially thank Lee Yuat Wah (for the meticulous planning and organisation which led to its success) and to all the teachers, school children, members, other volunteers and sponsors of the anti-litter signs and T-shirts � Syabas and Thank you!
Some members have taken the opportunity of using modern-day electronics to e-mail me their views on various aspects of the branch's activities. Thanks for all your suggestions and views which I will publish for all to share. E-mail is definitely a boon as "snail-mail" is often lost in transit (many members complained that they did not receive their newsletters and Naturalist). So keep on writing and keep them coming.
Yours Truly In Harmony With Nature,
Cheaw Hon Ming
10 October 1997
MNS Perak Branch Committee Wishes
All Hindu Members a Happy Deepavali
All Christian Members A Merry Christmas
And All Members a Happy New Year for 1998