Photography provides HSS the following:

• An effective way to encourage people to join our events, but assuring them it is well organised
• A means to teach new Exco and volunteers what happens on the actual day
• Better publicity because social media algorithms favor visuals rather than text

Good photography is an essential addition to break up grey walls of text.

Photography on site is also crucial because while an event can be written up after its over, photography can only be done on the actual day itself. A moment once over, is gone forever.

At our events:

• There are newcomers at each event.
• The events venues change from time to time.
• The Humanist Society Exco and volunteers have no uniforms.

Under such circumstances, it can be challenging for a newcomer to locate the HSS event and locate the HSS person-in-charge.

It is good to have banners, lanyards, table signs to help people identify where the HSS event / venue is.

It makes HSS more visible and appear more professional.

The HSS pamplets are also useful when explaining HSS in a nutshell. A newcomer who is not attended by any Exco, can read the pamplet and learn about HSS in a nutshell.

Social media has proven to be the best way to reach out to the non-religious demographic so far.

The non-religious do not have a specific place of gathering, unlike religious individuals who have a physical place of worship.

Reaching out on social media is the most effective way to approach potential attendees of Humanist Society events.

Unfortunately, social media platforms have a relatively short life and some do not last more than 5-10 years. In addition, people have preference for different social platforms.

Because there is no catch-all social media channel, the Humanist Society needs to have a diverse range of options to reach out to people.

If one channel fails, at least we have a few others to back us up.

Some might also ask, what is the point of a website?

A website can do the following things:

• Websites are less dynamic and thus better for documenting information.
• Website URLs rank higher on Search Engine search results
• Website are less liable to spam attacks (on comments section) and thus it needs less monitoring
• Website allows us to restructure the UI/UX of the site to our own preference.

We use registration forms because it allows us to monitor the level of RSVPs we are getting.

• If turnout is going to be low, perhaps publicity is ineffective. Exco may choose to spend on advertising the event.
• If RSVPs are strong and hitting venue capacity limit, Exco may need to close the registration.
• At the end of the day, the event will be wasted if people have not even heard about the event.

Furthermore, registration form is a private way for people to RSVP for an event.

• If they RSVP on social media, the social media channel will prompt their friends (and potentially family members) that someone they know is joining the Humanist event.
• For some of our members, they are privately non-religious and have not informed their family.
• People might also avoid an event that has very few RSVPs, bringing the RSVPs down even further.

From time to time, people have been calling on the Humanist Society to scale up, and do more.

Exco cannot do everything. Furthermore, our internal channels will be flooded with messages from multiple projects.

Thus, once Exco gives the go-ahead for an event, the nitty gritty details should be decided in a seperate Working Group, made up of selected Exco but also other volunteers.

A seperate Working Group makes decisions easier to track.

Working level decisions can also be made at the WG level, instead of seeking Exco’s permission again.

If Exco is to maintain control over the Society it is responsible for, it needs to demonstrate effective leadership.

Volunteers needs to have confidence that the Exco is listening carefully and making decisions on time.

For this reason, it is important for Excos to reach consensus clearly, and quickly.

Individual Exco does not always have the time to reply, and clear rules are needed to decide what does the default “silence” means.

For this reason, Exco decides accordingly to General Rules 4.5 and the strategic direction.

These guidelines ensure that Exco is always making a decision at the end of the day, and not leaving things in limbo.

The Exco is overall in charge of the Society’s day-to-day activities, in accordance to the Humanist Society Constitution.

If people wish to organise an event under Humanist Society’s good name, tapping on its monetary resources and digital reach, then the Exco needs to approve the event.

For fairness and transparency, the Exco should be contacted as a whole, so that all Exco can provide input. All ideas should be given a fair hearing, and not shot down due to individual bias.

Individuals should avoid:

• Messaging one Exco alone, and making all the decisions just between two people. This causes confusion when unilateral decisions are taken.
• Message the “highest authority”, eg the President, just to get things approved faster.
• Give up hope just because one Exco rejected the idea in a private chat. The idea needs to be reviewed fairly by an entire group.

Exco collectively runs the Society, and each Exco has a responsibility to hear and vote on event proposals.

At the end of the day, the event has to take place. Otherwise, it is all empty talk on paper.

When proposing an event to Exco, we need details to make it work.

The proposal of the idea should take the initiative to suggest a venue.

If a budget is required, it is best to let Exco know, so that we can decide whether it is within the Society’s financial means.

In addition, details (venue, time, date, fees) needs to be confirmed before we publicize the event to collect RSVPs.

Once publicized, the event details should not be changed. Otherwise, it will cause confusion on the ground, causing people to turn up at the wrong place, wrong time.

The society was honored to be invited to and I had the privilege of attending the Exemplary Interfaith Award presentation ceremony on 29 July 2023, organized by the Muslim non-profit organization, Jamiyah Singapore. It was an event that not only celebrated the harmonious coexistence of different faiths but also highlighted the significant contributions of individuals and organizations dedicated to fostering interfaith understanding and cooperation in Singapore.

One of the standout moments of the event was when Darren Mak, the moderator (an excellent one by the way) of the panel of speakers, while on the topic of growing irreligiousity in developed economies such as Singapore, gave a shoutout to the Humanist Society Singapore. (Darren Mak is a Chinese Muslim convert and runs great content at Plan B)

After the panel session, I had the pleasure of catching up with Faheema, the founder of Hash.peace, and fellow committee members. Hash.peace is a remarkable organization that works tirelessly to bridge the gap between different faith communities, fostering understanding, and promoting harmony.

The most anticipated part of the evening was, of course, the presentation of the Exemplary Interfaith Awards. The Guest of Honor was none other than the then Presidential candidate, and now President, Mr Tharman. It was a moment of pride and celebration as we learned about the exceptional individuals and organizations making a difference in the interfaith landscape of Singapore. Among the award winners were representatives from various faith communities, all of whom have worked tirelessly to promote interfaith understanding and cooperation. Their dedication to fostering dialogue, peace, and harmony in Singapore is truly commendable.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/interfaith-harmony-is-a-concerted-practice-in-singapore-and-part-of-national-identity-tharman

The event was a powerful reminder of the significance of interfaith dialogue and cooperation in our increasingly diverse society. It showcased the importance of recognizing and celebrating the efforts of those who work tirelessly to bridge gaps, build bridges, and foster understanding among different faiths and worldviews. These individuals and organizations serve as beacons of hope and inspiration for a harmonious, inclusive, and accepting society.

As a member of the Humanist Society Singapore, it was heartwarming to witness the enthusiasm and commitment of the attendees, award recipients, and organizers, all united in their dedication to interfaith harmony. We left the Sands Expo and Convention Centre with a renewed sense of purpose and a strengthened commitment to our mission of promoting humanism and secularism in Singapore.

In conclusion, the 2023 Exemplary Interfaith Award presentation ceremony organized by Jamiyah Singapore was a resounding success. It brought together people of different faiths and worldviews, highlighting the common ground we share and the positive impact we can make when we collaborate. As we move forward, we look forward to further strengthening our ties with the interfaith community, working hand in hand to build a more inclusive and harmonious Singapore.