Would You Miss The BB If It No Longer Existed?

Wow... I realized I have blogged more today than I have in a long, long time - must be the many things running through my mind recently.

Speaking of which, one of the things running through my mind has been this question:

Would we really, REALLY miss the BB if it no longer existed?

This question becomes more and more pertinent as we navigate how the Youth Act 2007 affects us (though I'm pretty sure we'll "survive"... somehow).

But then, the follow-up question really hit me:

If yes, then why aren't we doing something about it?

I can't tell you how disappointed I feel that, for all our b!tc#ing about the Youth Act and how the "old guard" is still trying desperately to "cling on to power" - there are so few of us who are willing to do our part - to offer solutions and not just state problems.

A recent state EGM saw yet more individuals "forced" into responsibilities they wouldn't take up on their own accord.

I'm reminded of a Captain who was literally in tears, begging not to be made the State Commissioner.

Honestly, I truly sympathise... I do. I've got a family, a kid, a home and household, a challenging job, a fledgling business, church responsibilities, etc.

Sigh... I don't know. I really do wonder.

I make no secret of the fact that one of the MAJOR reasons why I still serve actively in the BB is because I have "no answer" to do otherwise, especially in light of the example led by my current Captain - father of three growing children, owner of a growing business, co-owner of another business with his wife, church member, and all sorts of former State and National responsibilities. He has served in the BB for more than 20 years as an Officer, not counting his years as a Boy.

I know I'm not him. I'm not even called to be him - but really, if you really had any integrity of your own, could you look straight into his eyes and say, "Gosh, I need a break"?

As he says, "Serving in BB is, ultimately, a choice we make. Where there's a will, there's a way."

Great Stuff From CD's Blog

CD is formerly(?) from 1st Penang Company and an acquaintance I just "bumped" into online... and I'm certainly glad for it! He's got some thought-provoking insights about life in the BB, which I hope you will be blessed reading:

• What Have I Learnt???
• BB, Drill and I
• Is NCO Needed in BB??
• BB, GB & Girls' Wing
• Sixteen Years Of Distorted Gender Equality

Happy Birthday to my friend Po Ling!

Dear Po Ling,

Thank you for your partnership in the Boys' Brigade ministry. Many happy returns as you celebrate your birthday today!

What I Did This Saturday

Sometimes I wonder why people say "BB is boring."

Just for this weekend:

I organized the KL State Basic NCO (Leader's) Training School.

I taught "Squad Management" and "Understanding Discipline" to the trainees.

I continued organizing the annual 1st KL Company Camp (on 4th-8th Dec 2008).

I tried planning Officers/personnel porfolios for 2009.

I got elected as State Council Chairman for KL.

Gosh. I really need to cut back on this eventful life.

Please pray for me... I'm feeling overwhelmed.

Proposed BB Youth/Briged Putera Belia Constitution

I received this via email: the proposed BB Youth Constitution (click here to download). 

I think some of the most interesting (and, in my humble opinion, quite alarming) proposals include: 

ARTICLE 4: OBJECTIVES

The Object of The BRIGED PUTERA BELIA shall be the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among Members and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect, and all that tends towards a true Christian Character.

The object of The BRIGED PUTERA BELIA shall be pursued by the development of the upmost potential of members in a holistic manner; socially, physically, intellectually and spiritually and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect, and all that tends towards a true noble Character.

Like whoever commented on the document, I also strongly object with the wording of the second paragraph because it completely removes the Christiaan identity of the BB’s activities. It also defeats the original intent of Sir William Alexander Smith in starting the BB and hence, makes us no different with other youth organizations like The Boy Scouts.

I also wonder about this: 

ARTICLE 5: MEMBERSHIP

5.1 Membership shall be by invitation alone to any suitably qualified Malaysian 

who are above the age of 15 years and below the age of (40) such persons being proposed and seconded by the Brigade Executive of the Boys’ Brigade Malaysia the BRIGED PUTERA BELIA Secretary who shall present the application to the Board for consideration and approval. The Board reserves the right to reject any application without assigning any reasons thereto. The decision of the Board on matters of membership shall be final.

Seems to me that all this is just about how the current leaders can keep being the current leaders? The new members of BB Youth still require endorsement from BBM before they are allowed to join. And "The decision of the Board on matters of membership shall be final". 

Also: 

5.3 University students or College-University students shall not be accepted as the members of the BRIGED PUTERA BELIA except with prior written consent from the Vice-Chancellor of the University or College-University concerned.

What will this mean for our older Members - typically our higher ranking Members (SSGTs, SGTs, Primers, WOs, etc.)? They need to get approval from their university/college authorities before continuing their membership in BB? 

Also: 

5.5 There shall be two types of membership :-

5.5.1 Ordinary Members -  Open to all irrespective of sex, race, colour, creed, nationality, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability so long as the individual is able to participate in the programme.  There shall be no limit to the total number of this category of membership.

5.5.2 Honorary Member – The President of the Brigade Executive of the Boys’ Brigade Malaysia shall sit ex-officio as an Honorary Member. The Board may recommend from time to time and confer this type of membership upon any person whom the Board thinks fit and proper to become an Honorary member. There is no limit on the total number of Honorary members at any one time. Such members shall normally be resident in Malaysia. Honorary members are exempted from paying any subscription and they enjoy the same rights as ordinary members except the right to vote and the right to hold executive posts in the Committee.

I agree with the comment that this subjects the BB to the "problem"of accepting Muslims into the movement, since it is against Malaysian law to convert Muslims. This concern might have been addressed by article 4.  Also, homosexuality (by use of words “sexual orientation" in the article) should not be accepted as it does not abide by biblical teachings. 

However, the Honorary Member part seems dodgy - as it seems like yet another way for "people who can't let go" to "not let go". I'm not saying that this is true of certain people now, but I worry about this if we really do have some person who just "doesn't want to let go" (for the lack of a better example, Samy Vellu and MIC). 

Forgive my "slowness" but I think the Constitution makes it sound like the BB Youth are a completely separate and independent organization. This leaves me with 2 questions: 

1. What is the relationship with BB Malaysia then? Is there any? Will BBM even exist anymore? 
   
2. If independent, then I think there are many little "backdoors" for the current BBM leaders to continue their influence. Not a problem to me, but I think it really seems insincere - when we should be championing the younger generation to lead, we keep finding ways for the "older generation" to stay and continue leading. 
   

FYI, when you check the Properties of this document, it was prepared by Mr. Michael Chong, 1st Batu Pahat. 

Personally, I am left to wonder... BBM had THREE years to prepare for change, yet we spent that time looking for ways to conduct "business as usual". Now that we have no choice, will we end up making hasty decisions which might later prove to be unwise? 

I look at the proposed Constitution and I get a little worried. 

God help us, please. 

And please be there for the EGM - aware and alert. The destiny of the Boys' Brigade depends on it. 

The implications of the Youth Act 2007 on Boys' Brigade

"AKTA 668 - Akta Pertubuhan Belia dan Pembangunan Belia 2007" (or The Youth Act 2007) was enacted on July 26, 2007. This means that, as of 26 July 2007, The Youth Act 2007 is a law of Malaysia.

What is this about?
Some major points to note about The Youth Act 2007:

• The law defines “youth” as those between the ages of 15 to 40
• A Youth Organization is considered as:

1. any organisation that has the name 'Youth' or something which means 'Youth',
2. its members are between the ages of 15 to 40,
3. has an objective of conducting youth activities

• All Office Bearers (EXCOs/Leaders/Top “Official Positions”) of youth organisations and its branches must be members of the organization, and hence must be between the ages of 15 to 40.
• All current YOUTH ORGANISATIONS registered under the Registrar of Societies (ROS), like Boys’ Brigade Malaysia, will be required to register under the Registrar of Youth (ROY). The Registrar of Societies (ROS) will no longer register nor recognise any youth organizations.

Why should you be concerned?
Some facts that you need to consider carefully that will have an impact on the BB:

• Our members are from the ages of 6 (pre-junior) to above 40 years old (Officers, Captains, State Commissioners, BBM EXCO).
• What will happen to our members aged 14 and below? How about those above 40 years old? Will they still be our Members?
• For those above 40 (like the majority of our EXCO), if they still want to contribute to the Boys’ Brigade, how can they?
• Do we have enough willing Officers under 40 years old to take up state and national responsibilities?
• How about those BB Companies without any officers 40 and below?
• If BB is not registered under the ROY and no longer recognized by the ROS, can we still exist? Will we be recognised by the government? Can we go into schools?

What can you do?
Fellow BB members, the implications are serious and needs your serious thoughts and relevant action.

1. Please pray that God will be in control of this situation.
2. Pray that God will grant all attending the EGM (State and National) wisdom and courage to do what’s right for BBM’s future
3. Attend – or ensure that your company is represented at – the EGM
4. Spread the news of this far and wide so that all BB Members and Officers are fully aware of the situation and are playing their part in taking action
5. For Officers aged 20s and 30s, they need to come forward to take up office in the local company, state and national level.

For more information, please contact BBM HQ