my chairmancy .... kerusi !!!

Well, it's almost time for CSS's AGM(next week, July the 3rd). This means it is time to 'shoo' out the old committee and say 'hello' to the new ones. This also means that Gregory, the Kerusi, will be leaving CSS(and UCSI) for Kuala Terengganu. Before he leaves, cssucsi.blogspot.com sat down(in front of the computer) with him to discuss his tenure as President. Below is Part 1 of the fairly long chat...


1. Tell us about the beginning, how did you join CSS and how were you made the 1st President of CSS.

Well it was unexpected. I thought a CSS did not exist and i actually told Ivan there was none when he asked me. Then one day Ivan came up to me pula and said there was one and yup we were both excited.We went to one of the members house one night and realized it was a first gathering hahahaha. Both of us thought the group existed ages a go.. Ms June was leading the group and told us that contact has been made with Lifeline Ministry of SFX so we are hooked to themlah. Dunno how i got the first task to organize the following weeks' gatherings' activity and it was about Angels.


So as usual, I went back and got into business but unfortunately something came up and i did not attend that gathering but I passed my work and it was carried out together with a short movie screening and sharing too by the rest. After that about 6 gatherings or so were held and i attended only 1.Then came the exam and holiday season and no gatherings were held. To be honest i did not bother also because i myself was busy with medicine.


Then came a night where when i was walking back from UCSI to the condo i got a call from an unknown number. Uhmm who could it be?? I asked myself. Bah should be one of my classmates. Rupa rupanya it was Ms June. Ah maybe an invitation to join the next gathering. Tengok tengok 'Hey Greg can you take over this group!' she asked me. !!!! I declined and gave reasons for it and asked her too WHY ME??. (She only met me twice during those gatherings - so how can one know me??).


She said i was the first to pop up in her mind when thinking this. (?!?!??!) Ms June was sick and could not run the show. I told her i will think first.Hahaha - As i was thinking whether i can take over or not I was already planning how to set up CSS university level and join CMO. While contemplating on this issue i realized myself in ASAYO office asking how to set up a CSS when i was passing by Masjid Jamek one day, while on the way back to my kampung. Then I gathered some counterparts and then had a short meeting with Ms Jennifer from CMO in UCSI. The ball hence started rolling.


Forms to set up a society in UCSI were filled and complied too. Some research was done and we got to know that there are many Catholics around and we estimated bout 100. Ivan was a good fisherman and with his findings we decided to have an AGM. Well the turn out was poor and we realized our publicity was not strong enough so for the next 2 week we worked hard in publicity and the next AGM we saw 30 people turned out for it. Wohooo. And walla I became the first president. (I was still in contemplating mode haha).


Before all these events Fr. Valentine told Ivan and I that he wanted to see a CSS in UCSI. Hehe i did not feel wanting to take the initiative set up one also at that time. Guess his prayers were answered.Well God works in wonders and I was a Jonah here hahaha, finally stoped contemplating and said to myself "Woi!! You are the Pressie here and it is for a reason and a CSS is here also for a reason so get into business!!!". YOUR will be done. Without anymore hesitation i jumped into the building of the CSS here together with my new committee.


2. In the early part of CSS gathering, what were the obstacles that you faced as the President? Have these obstacles been resolved as you leave?

Well the first obstacles was getting everyone organized and 'into' CSS and that has been resolved and going well till now. Then it was finding a proper time to maximize the number of members and excos to attend each gathering. Won at times but till know it has not 100% resolved. UCSI timetables are not standardized and at every moment some one will either be having their exams, holidays or what so ever in uni. The number of attendance was fluctuating from as low as 4 to as high as 25 (normal gatherings excluding mass).


Next is people themselves who are difficult. Always give false hope and information hampering the EXCO's to do their job. Efficiency, responsibility, sincerity, sacrifice is quiet lacking as well as the will to explore and learn and to grow and mature in the faith. We are trying to change this through many ways but you know we only can bring the horse to the river but for it to drink is left up to the horse.


The other, is excuses, unreasonable ones....haish... . Well we cant force but we are still with our doors open and inside it there is much to gain which I feel bad as it is not reaching the members. The chances for a system itself not to work is about 30% the rest is human - 70%.


3. Tell us your best memory of CSS since it's birth almost one year ago.

The whole formation of setting up, carrying out and passing over CSS is an unforgettable memory itself.


Nothing specific in particular. Experiencing every moment to the fullest whether happy or sad are good memories.


4. If you could turn back time, what would you have changed in CSS?
Nothing. I am thankful with my committee members and saw every challenge as God's will and we are to go through it together. No regrets in this point. If it is not due to the past you would not have a future.Wanting to change the past in this mater is like not acknowledging one's mistake and not wanting to learn from it but wanting an easy way out to clear things. Not good.

5. How have each and every CSS committee grown since one year ago?
I feel all of them has learnt something of which you will have to ask them yourselves haha. However I believe they have become more mature by acquiring or brushing up their leadership skills and faith, becoming better. Nevertheless I also feel there are some who have missed out a bit haha. For me I have gained more experience in organization, PR and of course more knowledge of our faith through our gatherings which many have missed haha for not coming.

6. What do you want CSS members to benefit from the CSS gatherings? Are there aims or objectives for each gathering?
ATOMIC has its aims and objectives but basically we want the members to learn more about our faith in a higher level more than what has already been thought in church and the same time to form a circle of friends which will be quality witnesses of Christ in the university. Also to grow in faith together while being students trying to lead a Cristian life hence.

7. What do you think CSS needs the most and why? (money, members etc.)
It needs some sort of dedication and love in doing God's work and wanting to learn to really follow His ways and thus serving the people around. Thats what makes us different from all other societies (non-religious). The people in CSS will have to learn how to sacrifice a little. Jesus sacrificed himself for us, did he not? So why not we make some sacrifice too for the benefit of others. There is nothing to loose but only gains.

8. How did you feel after being thrown into the Angkasa swimming pool after the Easter party? haha - I have been thrown into many pools, many times before so it is not something new. But i was happy and touched and grateful to know that I have good friends around me. It was unexpected because i thought you guys were not into doing these kind of stuff. hahaha

9. As the outgoing president, do you have anything else to say to the new president?
Persevere, don't give up, pray and know that God is always with you. Be sincere in your duty, respect others and listen to your members and accommodate them and be their friend and not their boss. Run CSS as a family not as a corporate body. There will be ups and downs and it is not going to be easy so be strong and value those around you. Be responsible and learn to sacrifice and prioritize. To add - for the members pula - support your president because nowadays organization is no more a one way thing meaning it does not all lies in the hands of the leader. So the ups and downs of CSS lies also in the hands of the members too. Remember that CSS is not a corporate body or not like other societies, it is a family and it belongs to all. The leader is to drive you people safely and correctly to where you want to go collectively. I also feel that though with a small group make it a strong group, in faith and knowledge and friendship. The bulk will later come slowly. Lastly dont panic and stay cool and enjoy what you do

10. It must have been hard typing everything using CORRECT english grammar and so forth. (Haha...payback for all the emails you sent.) Anything to comment or justify to this?
I have no problem in my English - grammar and spelling. I type fast and i have many things to do so i don't check. Pardon me for that haha. For the many mails is because I don't have a computer myself and i do not know when i will get one then, so the moment something pops up my head and i want all to know i send a mail if not i forget too. Also i send many, is to inform all EXCO what is happening so later there would not be any excuse of not knowing what is going on. (Although the result is not 100%) Again this is not one way leadership. Everyone will have to know what others are doing only then it is easier to coordinate certain things while organizing stuff.


Last few words...of the very long chat...

I have enjoyed myself being the president or some would call me the Chair @ Kerusi hahaha (chairman) for the past one year. I have learnt a lot and made many friends within the university and also in other universities and without CSS i would not be able to do so. Without CSS i would not have a soul but might become more of a robot being churned out from the university. The experience gained i am very grateful and happy for, and i know that these experiences will definitely help me in future. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my EXCOs who are all good in their own ways and in their work. Sue, Bridgette, Byron, Ivan, Paul, Rebecca and the rest keep up the good work in the coming term and keep CSS alive.Lastly my sincere apologies if during my tenure as president i have hurt anyone through my actions or words.
Bon Voyage