I ended my internship here in Singapore last Friday. While it's definitely been a crazy and intense summer with a boss who wasn't the easiest to work with, I've gained so much and really learned from this experience in so many ways.
I've loved spending time here in Singapore. It's truly a very unique place. It's this tiny island in SE Asia blossoming with new enterprises but also maintaining a level of stability that you don't see very often in this region.
I've met some great people here - people who I know will end up making a difference in the world. Thanks for taking the time to meet with me!
So this is Catherine signing off - thanks again for reading my summer blog!!
Take care and much love :)
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Other Attractions
Sentosa:
National Volunteer and Philanthropy Center:
.JPG)
Highest Summit in Singapore:
Cat on the Beach: Soo cute!
East Coast Beach:
National Volunteer and Philanthropy Center:
.JPG)
Highest Summit in Singapore:
Cat on the Beach: Soo cute!
East Coast Beach:
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Jurong Bird Park
I went to the Jurong Bird Park yesterday during Singapore National Day - so much fun. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Feeding the birds:
Watching the bird show:
Just enjoying the birds:
This one appears to be giving me the finger haha:
This one seems to like me, so all is good :)
Feeding the birds:
Watching the bird show:
Just enjoying the birds:
This one appears to be giving me the finger haha:
This one seems to like me, so all is good :)
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Room to Read Extravaganza
If you've never read John Wood's Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, you need to go to a bookstore right this minute, buy the book, and read it.
It is a truly inspiring story of a person who had a dream and brick by brick turned that dream into a reality.
Background: John Wood is the Founder and CEO of Room to Read, a non-profit organization that builds libraries and schools in the developing world. To date, RtR has constructed 765 schools, built over 7,040 libraries, published 327 new local language children's books representing over 2.8 million books, and sponsored 7000 long-term girls' scholarships.
Media News for Room to Read: http://www.roomtoread.org/media/index.html
John Wood's biography (He's AMAZING): http://www.leavingmicrosoftbook.com/downloads/John%20J.%20Wood%20Speaker%20Bio.pdf
AND LAST NIGHT, I met and spoke to John at the Room to Read Singapore Launch Party. Words cannot even begin to describe his charisma and energy. His passion for the cause is infectious, and I was very moved at the same time by his humbleness. The most amazing piece of news from the Launch Party is that they raised over $1 MILLION Singdollars in a mere couple of hours!
John and me!
John speaking:
The after party:
It is a truly inspiring story of a person who had a dream and brick by brick turned that dream into a reality.
Background: John Wood is the Founder and CEO of Room to Read, a non-profit organization that builds libraries and schools in the developing world. To date, RtR has constructed 765 schools, built over 7,040 libraries, published 327 new local language children's books representing over 2.8 million books, and sponsored 7000 long-term girls' scholarships.
Media News for Room to Read: http://www.roomtoread.org/media/index.html
John Wood's biography (He's AMAZING): http://www.leavingmicrosoftbook.com/downloads/John%20J.%20Wood%20Speaker%20Bio.pdf
AND LAST NIGHT, I met and spoke to John at the Room to Read Singapore Launch Party. Words cannot even begin to describe his charisma and energy. His passion for the cause is infectious, and I was very moved at the same time by his humbleness. The most amazing piece of news from the Launch Party is that they raised over $1 MILLION Singdollars in a mere couple of hours!
John and me!
John speaking:
The after party:
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sustainable Urban Farms
This past Sunday, I helped out with an interesting social enterprise here in Singapore called Ground Up Initiative. As a little background -
GUI’s Mission is [From GUI’s website: http://www.groundupinitiative.org/story.html]
1. To foster connection between Man and Earth through sustainable activities.
2. To grow a flourishing community that drives local and global humanitarian, social and environmental initiatives.
3. To nurture members and groom leaders.
One of their initiatives is to create sustainable urban farms in the middle of bustling metropolises. One particular urban farm is currently located in a quaint little park called Bottle Tree Park. This project started in April 2009 and attracts around 15-20 volunteers each week. The goal of this project is to create a bio intensive farm in order to provide enough vegetables and produce for the community volunteers and the needy.
I helped out by creating this trellis:
Here I am in front of the greenhouse:
GUI’s Mission is [From GUI’s website: http://www.groundupinitiative.org/story.html]
1. To foster connection between Man and Earth through sustainable activities.
2. To grow a flourishing community that drives local and global humanitarian, social and environmental initiatives.
3. To nurture members and groom leaders.
One of their initiatives is to create sustainable urban farms in the middle of bustling metropolises. One particular urban farm is currently located in a quaint little park called Bottle Tree Park. This project started in April 2009 and attracts around 15-20 volunteers each week. The goal of this project is to create a bio intensive farm in order to provide enough vegetables and produce for the community volunteers and the needy.
I helped out by creating this trellis:
Here I am in front of the greenhouse:
The Importance of Governance
Last Friday, I attended a talk on Charity Governance. It was very insightful and interesting. Whether you’re talking about the private sector or the public sector, governance is an issue that is absolutely critical to the success of an organization.
Why is Governance Important?
In the public sector, good governance is incredibly important, because a charitable organization is often entrusted with other people’s hard earned money. Donors expect that the organization will keep and use the funds in an efficient and effective manner. Accountability and transparency are essential when maintaining trustworthy relationships with stakeholders. Good governance is a primary way to showcase an organization’s level of accountability and transparency.
What is an Issue with Governance?
Maintaining good governance practices requires money and resources. While large organizations with a substantial amount of funding have the capacity for larger administration costs, smaller charities often do not. The dilemma that then arises is whether that organization should focus their limited funding on good governance or using that money toward its charitable programs. While the answer is murky and not clear cut, the bottom line is that good governance has been shown to improve the effectiveness of organizations and is extremely important for maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders.
Why is Governance Important?
In the public sector, good governance is incredibly important, because a charitable organization is often entrusted with other people’s hard earned money. Donors expect that the organization will keep and use the funds in an efficient and effective manner. Accountability and transparency are essential when maintaining trustworthy relationships with stakeholders. Good governance is a primary way to showcase an organization’s level of accountability and transparency.
What is an Issue with Governance?
Maintaining good governance practices requires money and resources. While large organizations with a substantial amount of funding have the capacity for larger administration costs, smaller charities often do not. The dilemma that then arises is whether that organization should focus their limited funding on good governance or using that money toward its charitable programs. While the answer is murky and not clear cut, the bottom line is that good governance has been shown to improve the effectiveness of organizations and is extremely important for maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders.
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