How to Maintain a Strong Bridge Club by salman bari

Report on How to Maintain a Strong BC Prepared For:

Prepared By:

Salman Bari

Interviewed By: Salman Bari Karuna Shrestha Date:

13/10/09

Occasion:

21st Asian Pacific Childen’s Convention

Table of Contents

Contents:

Pages:

Overview

Interview Minutes, Problems & Suggestions

4-17

Brief Opinion of BCs on How to maintain a strong BC

18-34

Key Findings from BC Checklists

35-41

My Recommended Suggestions

42-45

Overview On the 20th APCC 2008, the executive members, Peace Ambassadors from 22 countries and regions decided to establish “BRIDGE CLUB International Organization (BCIO)” with an aim to further accelerate the set up of BCs in currently non-BC countries and regions and enhance the building of networks between existing BCs. BCIO is committed To improve and vitalize Bridge projects and bring together the capacities of each BC to produce concrete results toward fostering real global citizens. And also strengthen the BC Network with the use of love, hope and congenial understanding in order to maintain a strong BC. That’s why this year on the occasion of 21 st APCC; BCIO has invited me as a Head Office Member to work on “How to maintain a Strong BC”. I believe that BCIO has adopted a timely and effective scheme for their long term future proceedings. Because operating BCIO with global perspective, the idea and suggestion of multinational BC leaders will help to run BCIO more effectively and expeditiously. Before the convention, all the Peace Ambassadors from different countries sent the checklists to BCIO. And during 21 st APCC, I and Karuna had interviewed all the established and non- established BCs. We had worked a lot on that and discussed about the prospects, problems, expectations of BC and the possible solutions. Though the 21st APCC was cancelled in middle due to H1N1 infection but still the PA Program has ended successfully with lots of outcome. Our prime objective was positively motivating the fresh PAs. Because they were much more mature than JAs and it was the high time to act according to the aims and objectives of APCC, BCIO and Bridge Club. According to my perception, “Group Dialogue” was very much crucial in that time and we had emphasized on that. Also “Person to Person Interview” was there so that everyone could participate and experience the already launched BC formation. It helped us a lot to know their current BC circumstance and position. We had noted down these and developed a “Suggestion Package” by which we need to work for long time. I believe, the solution of the problem should be sustainable and effectual so that we can make something fruitful. A success doesn’t come in short time. Abundant effort, diligence, sacrifice and commitment make something credible and flourishing. Here in this report, we have covered all the BC opinions on maintaining a strong BC. All of them have given some tremendous idea on that. Also some of the BC (e.g. BC Thailand,

Mongolia etc.) have shared their problem with LO to BCIO and asks for solution. As a BCIO HO Member, we tried our level best to bring some good positive outcomes.

Salman Bari HO Member, BCIO

Interview Minutes, Problems & Suggestions We have taken interview of all the Peace Ambassadors from different countries at the Marine House. I was suppose to work on established BCs. But due to H1n1 infection, Colby couldn’t join and take the non-establish BC interviews. So we covered it on behalf of him. It was a tough thing to do but we enjoyed it a lot.

Name of the country : Thailand

Name of the PA Name of the Bridge Club Name of the President Date of establishment Number of members Active members Other members Website Previous Activities Ongoing activities Current condition Problem with LO

: : : : : : : : : : : :

Moke Promma Bridge Club Thailand Wannatnat Boonyanatanakonnkit October 2006 200 50 No No Established Fun Library Halted Halted Yes

Detailed description of the problem • Bridge Club Thailand has problem

with the liaison officer “Arunee” (E-mail: saothai@hotmail.com). She is not cooperating BC Thailand. Also BC Thailand didn’t get any kind of information about APCC from the LO. • BC Thailand recommended one BC member for JA nomination to the LO. But the LO didn’t hear their voice. • BC Thailand doesn’t get any logistic support from their LO.

After interviewing Thailand Chaperon, we found that she doesn’t know anything about the problem.

Possible solution  According to my opinion, BC Thailand should start their BC Activities as soon as possible no matter what kind of problem they are facing with LO.  Firstly, they should sit with LO for a meeting and discuss their problems and misunderstandings so that they can come out with solutions.  Secondly, for any kind of help, query and cooperation, BC Thailand should directly ask to APCC, BCIO for assistance. For Junior Ambassador Selection, LO has the complete right to select them. BC should not interfere on it. BC can only recommend Peace Ambassador for PA selection.  Finally, APCC can only suggest or request LO to change the Liaison Officer but can’t force them to change it.

What BCIO & APCC can do?  BCIO & APCC can publish a formal strict complete guideline for Liaison Offices so that they can understand the importance of Bridge Club, APCC and BCIO. It should includes the followings, • What is APCC? • What are the aims and objectives of APCC? • What is BCIO? • What are the aims and objectives of BCIO? • What is Bridge Club and what is the importance of Bridge Club to APCC? • What is Liaison Office and what are the activities of LO? • What is the importance of Bridge Club to Liaison Office? • Responsibilities of Liaison Officer. • Junior Ambassador Selection Guideline. • Peace Ambassador Selection Guideline.

Name of the country : Mongolia

: : : : : : : : : : : :

Sundarya Tumurbaatar Bridge Club Mongolia Ms. Ononjargal Enkhbat 1998 10 5 No No Completed 100,000 smiles project Web development Established but have some complication Yes

Detailed description of the problem • There are some misunderstandings in between BC Mongolia and LO. • The LO selects the Junior Ambassadors from their relative, friends and families. But the selection should be open and fair for all the eligible children. • Also about PA selection, they didn’t get any information about the selection from their LO. • BC Mongolia has some fund problem. They are facing difficulties to arrange activities because of lack of funding.

Possible solution  According to my opinion, BC Mongolia should start their BC Activities as soon as possible no matter what kind of problem they are facing with LO.  Firstly, they should sit with LO for a meeting and discuss their problems and misunderstandings so that they can come out with solutions.  Secondly, for any kind of help, query and cooperation, BC Mongolia should directly ask to APCC, BCIO for assistance. For Junior Ambassador Selection, LO has the complete right to select them. BC should not interfere on it. BC can only recommend Peace Ambassador for PA selection.  For funding problem, they can arrange some fund raising program regularly.  Also members, friends and families of BC Mongolia can contribute for holding activities.  Other overseas BC can also help them to continue their activities.

Name of the country Name of the PA Name of the Bridge Club Name of the President Date of establishment Number of members Active members Other members

: India : Aditya Rathi and Ishmeet Khurana : Bridge Club India : Not Provided : Not Provided : 40 : 40 : No

Website Previous Activities Ongoing activities Current condition Problem with LO

: : : : :

No Get-together; 100,000 smiles project No Established but scattered No

Detailed description of the problem India is a very large country and they have lots of states there. The JAs are selected from different states. The distance between one state to another is very long. That’s why, they can’t take part in regular activities. Also they arrange activities occasionally.

Possible solution  According to my opinion, BC India can select at least one representative from each and every state. They will be responsible for communicating with their state’s JAs. After that, they will start doing activities state wise. The representative will keep in touch with other states’ representative.  At the end of the year, they can arrange one get together or AGM where all the JAs, PAs, Chaperons, BC friends and families will be gathered and evaluate their yearly activities.  For large country, it is not possible for all the time to join in central BC activities. That’s why; they need to decentralize their activities by state wise. Observation Suggestion

Recommendation

: BCIO guidance is needed. : Motivate the former JAs’, friends, families and relatives about the objective of Bridge Club and BCIO and encourage them to participate. : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Name of the country : Vanautu

: : : : : : : : : : : : :

Julie Cathrine Andrews Bridge Club Vanautu Lele 2008 16 16 No No APCC & Bridge Club promotion activities No Everything is OK No BCIO guidance is needed.

Suggestion

Recommendation

Name of the country : Kiribati

Recommendation

: Motivate the former JAs’ about the objective of BC and BCIO. Create some branches of BCVanautu in different islands. Website Development : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

: Mitatteti Mote : Bridge Club Kiribati : Birati Titon ( Acting Chairman) : 3rd September, 2005 : 30 : 30 : No : Under Construction : Stationary donation to disable children : Planning to design website : Everything is OK : No : BCIO guidance is needed. : Motivate the former JAs’, friends, families and relatives about the objective of Bridge Club and BCIO and encourage them to participate. : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Name of the country : Hongkong

: : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Ka Wing Kylie Wong Bridge Club Hongkong Ka Wing Kylie Wong 2002 50 5- 10 No No 100,000 smiles project VOH OK No BCIO guidance is needed. Website Development.

Recommendation

Name of the country : Bhutan

Arrange regular monthly meeting. : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

: Dechen Peldon Dorji : Bridge Club Bhutan : Ngawang Gyeltshen : 1999 : 30 : 5- 10 : No : No : 100,000 smiles project, mission project : Contacting Previous JAs : OK : No : BCIO guidance is needed. : Website Development. : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Name of the country : Srilanka

: Udumane Thejaani Permila : Bridge Club Srilanka : Udumane Thejaani Permila : 1998 : 75 : 25 : No : No : 100,000 smiles project, mission project, get-togethers. : Launching Scholarship program to 14 students from grade 6 to 8. : OK : No : BCIO guidance is needed. : Website Development

Recommendation

Name of the country : Australia

10.

: Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

: Lindsay Alison Mackay : Bridge Club Australia : Erin Maitland : 2001 : 30-50 : 20 : No : www.geocities.com/bridgeclubaustralia : 100,000 smiles project, get-togethers. : Providing Bridge Club Branded Laptops to other BCs. : OK : No : BCIO guidance is needed. : If any executive committee exists, it should be declared to BCML. : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Name of the country : Nepal

: Suruchi Basnet : Bridge Club Nepal : Karuna Shrestha : 1998 : 122 : 20 : Yes : No : 100,000 smiles project, BC Library, Face to Face Project with BCHK, Exchange project with BCBD, get-togethers. : Working to establish three more BC Libraries; Exchange program (return trip) to BCBD : OK : No

Observation Suggestion

Recommendation

11.

Name of the country : Bangladesh

12.

: BCIO guidance is needed. : Encourage other BCs in their activities and co-operate/assist to establish new BCs Website development : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

: Khayam Sanu Sandhi : Bridge Club Bangladesh : Salman Bari : 1998 : 150 : 35 : Yes : www.bcbd.info : 100,000 smiles project, BC Library, exchange program with BCHK and BCN, get-together : Face to face project with BCHK; Peace & Bridge painting exhibition : OK : No : BCIO guidance is needed. : Encourage other BCs in their activities and co-operate/assist to establish new BCs : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Name of the country : Indonesia

: : : : : : : : : : : :

Poeti Nuzuragulfira Bridge Club Indonesia Annisaa Imanda 1998 100 20 No No 100,000 smiles project, Mission project Cultural research OK No

Observation Suggestion

Recommendation

13.

Name of the country : Malaysia

14.

: Vishalini and Sharifah Amalina : Bridge Club Malaysia : Not provided : 2009 : 20 : 10 : No : No : Updated JAs’ list : Officially registered on August, 2009 : OK : No : BCIO guidance is needed. : Website development Encourage former JAs’ to join BCMalaysia activities : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Name of the country : Russia

: Galina Vicktorovna Koshkina : Bridge Club Russia : Borodin Vitaly Victorovich : 2002 : 67 : 13 : No : No : Annual meeting; 100,000 smiles project : Registration BC Russia as Ngo and close co-operation of BCR with the Ministry for foreign affairs : OK : No : BCIO guidance is needed. : Website development

Recommendation

: Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010. NOTE: This year PA couldn’t speak and understand English so we got this information from the documents provided by BC Russia

15.

Name of the country : New Zealand

Recommendation

16.

: Fiona Jane Sullivan : Bridge Club New Zealand : Fiona Jane Sullivan : 2009 : 15 : 15 : No : No : Reunion, shared lunch and activity day : No : OK : No : BCIO guidance is needed. : Motivate former JAs’ and encourage them to participate in BCNz activities Website development : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Name of the country : Laos

Name of the PA Name of the Bridge Club Date of establishment Name of the President Number of members Active members Other members Website Plans

Current condition Problem with LO

: Phimmathath Ketmany : Bridge Club Laos : 2009 : Thongmala Sayavong : 15 : 15 : No : No : a) Will give present to LO on October 7, 2009 in the occasion of teacher’s day b) Promote BCs c) Logo and website designing d) Donation of books and cloths : OK : No

Observation Suggestion

Recommendation

17.

Name of the country Name of the PA Name of the Bridge Club Date of establishment Name of the President Number of members Active members Other members Website Previous Activities Ongoing activities Current condition Problem with LO Observation Suggestion

Recommendation

18.

: BCIO guidance is needed for at least 2 years. : Keep motivating the former JAs’ and encourage them to take part in BC activities. Website development : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

: Philippines : Angela Margeaux Elepano Tolentino : Bridge Club Philippines : 2009 : Angela Margeaux Elepano Tolentino : 15 : 15 : No : No : No : Volunteer work, JA reunions, Cultural Performance. : OK : No : BCIO guidance is needed for at least 2 years. : Keep motivating the former JAs’ and encourage them to take part in BC activities. Website development : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Name of the country

: Singapore

Name of the PA Name of the Bridge Club Date of establishment Name of the President Number of members Active members Other members Website Previous Activities Ongoing activities

: Adam Assik B. Shahrir : Bridge Club Singapore : 2009 : Adam Assik B. Shahrir : 11 : 11 : No : No : No : Book collection drive JA / PA training and reunions. : OK : No : BCIO guidance is needed for at least 2 years.

Current condition Problem with LO Observation

Suggestion

Recommendation

19.

Recommendation

20.

: Keep motivating the former JAs’ and encourage them to take part in BC activities. Website development : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

: Fiji : Loreen Raju : Bridge Club Fiji : 2009 : Loreen Raju : 03 : 03 : No : No : No : Logo design, museum visit, reunion. : OK : No : BCIO guidance is needed for at least 2 years. : Keep motivating the former JAs’ and encourage them to take part in BC activities. Website development : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Name of the country

: Pakistan

Name of the PA Name of the Bridge Club Possible date of BC establishment Proposed President Plans

: Usman Ahmad Khan : Not established : November 2009 : Usman Ahmad Khan : a) Promote BCs b) Logo and website designing : No : Working to establish BC Pakistan : No : BCIO guidance is needed for at least 2 years. Keep motivating the former JAs’ and encourage them to take part in BC activities.

Website Current condition Problem with LO Observation Suggestion

Recommendation

: Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

21.

Name of the country

: Atlanta

Name of the PA Name of the Bridge Club Possible date of BC establishment Proposed President Plans Website Current condition Problem with LO Observation Suggestion

: Tamar Leah Schmidt : Not established : within 2009 : Tamar Leah Schmidt : Promote BCs , VOH : No : Working to establish BC Atlanta : No : BCIO guidance is needed for at least 2 years. : Keep motivating the former JAs’ and encourage them to take part in BC activities. : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Recommendation

22.

Name of the country

: Taiwan

Name of the PA Name of the Bridge Club Possible date of BC establishment Plans Website Current condition Problem with LO Observation Suggestion

: Chieh Liu Jay : Not established : As soon as possible : Will try to establish BC Taiwan : No : Not Established : No : BCIO guidance is needed for at least 2 years. : Keep motivating the former JAs’ and encourage them to take part in BC activities. : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Recommendation

23.

Name of the country

: Maldives

Name of the PA Name of the Bridge Club Possible date of BC establishment Plans

: Asiyath Nasooha : Not established : As soon as possible : Will try to establish BC Maldives

Website Current condition Problem with LO Observation Suggestion

: No : Not Established : No : BCIO guidance is needed for at least 2 years. : Keep motivating the former JAs’ and encourage them to take part in BC activities. : Detail reports must be submitted to BCIO by the end of June, 2010.

Recommendation

15. Name of the country

: Hawaii

Hawaiian Peace Ambassador was absent in MH Camp due to H1N1 infections.

16. Name of the country

: Vietnam

No Peace Ambassador and No information is provided.

Brief Opinion of BCs on How to Maintain a Strong BC

Before the 21st APCC convention, all the Peace Ambassadors were asked by BCIO to submit the PA checklists. They submitted their opinions representing their respective BC. Here are the opinions. 1. BRIDGE CLUB Sri Lanka

By Thejaani

•

I think it is important to increase the number of JAs, PAs and Chaperons who maintain BC membership in an active way. Because when there are many active members, we can launch many projects and activities. It makes us easy to achieve our goals. I think it is better, during the APCC if we could make the JAs aware of our duties as BC members to spread the message of ‘Peace and Co-existence’ throughout the world.

•

It is my idea that it is necessary to keep a strong connection with the Liaison office as it shows us a proper guidance to launch our projects successfully. Whenever we organize projects it is better if we could keep in touch with the Liaison Officer to get her ideas.

•

It is important to have new candidates every year as we can get different ideas and concepts which will help us to achieve our goals.

•

We must do projects to spread the message of Peace and Co-existence and to make the people aware of APCC, BCIO, BC.

2. BRDIGE CLUB INDIA

•

• •

•

By Ishmeet

With the help of our Liaison Office i.e. JCI India, at Mumbai, I got a list, addresses & email IDs of all the past JAs & PAs. I am now preparing a database of the same. Shortly I will be in contact with every one and make a network of all. I am, now a days also working towards making a BLOG in Internet of Bridge Club India, where everyone can participate and share their photographs and activities. Towards 100,000 Smiles Project, I started making my contribution by taking 2 sessions on 6th & 7th June, 2009 at a Summer Camp organised in a school, where 80 students were informed about Bridge Club and made all of them its members. I had already submitted its report with photographs to BCIO Head Office. I have a strong connection with the Liaison Office JCI India, as my father Mr. Upinder Bir Singh is the Past Zone President of Zone I of JCI India. I propose to promote the voluntary work of helping poor children in their studies like buying books and paying fees. I will try to popularise internet forum more extensively, organising various projects like dance competition, gifts to children in hospitals and fancy dress competition etc. My suggestion is that in the BCIO website, you should provide the Links to different Bridge Clubs of different countries. Where the facility should be provided to all, to upload and share the various project activities and photographs. By this we do not need different websites of different Bridge Clubs and the whole activities would be centralised. It would be also much impressive for the web visitors.

3. BRIDGE CLUB NEPAL

By Suruchi

Maintain BC membership

Do you think it’s important to increase? If yes, why and how? Yes, I think it’s important to maintain BC membership in order to move BC activities. Keep a strong connection with Liaison Office

Do you have a good connection with your LO now? Is it necessary to keep it? If yes, why and what should you do for it? Yes, we have a good connection with our Liaison officer. It’ll be good if we have good relation with liaison office. But if the liaison office isn’t cooperative than also we have to run BC smoothly and try to convince the liaison officer in BC activities.

New candidates for PA

Is it necessary? If yes, why and what should you do for it? Yes, it is necessary for new candidates to be selected for PA. It is necessary for motivation. And in PA camp they have a chance to interact with PAs from different countries, APCC, BCIO officials where they can exchange different ideas. After returning from APCC they will share their experiences of PA camp which ultimately helps to promote their own BC activities. Activities

What kind of activities should you do to maintain a prosperous BC?, To maintain a prosperous BC ideas should be shared, regular meeting should be organized, JA’s should be encouraged in order to maintain strong BC. Any other opinions

•

As everyone know that BCNepal had organized fund raising program on the theme ‘Faces to help Children’. The funds collected were used to help the needy children where BCN established ‘BCLibrary” in Pharping School and going to open three more BCLibraries in the remote areas of Nepal in the year 2009. If all the PAs’, BCs’ will be involved in such fund raising programme, then I am sure that we will be able to collect more funds so that every BCs’ and non BCs’ can be able to organize different activities where we have a opportunity to promote APCC, BCIO and BCs’ objectives. I would like to discuss on this topic in PA camp.

4. BRIDGE CLUB AUSTRALIA By Lindsay Maintain BC membership

Do you think it’s important to increase? If yes, why and how?

It is important to increase BC membership to achieve the Bridge Club Mission Statement and spread the message of peace and co-existence that JAs have shared at the APCC. Membership can be increased by: • Contacting past JAs; • Inviting past JAs to BC activities; and • Involving families and friends in BC activities.

Keep a strong connection with Liaison Office

Do you have a good connection with your LO now? Is it necessary to keep it? If yes, why and what should you do for it? BC Australia has a strong connection with our Liaison Office, the Australia-Japan Society. It is important to keep this connection strong to support BC activities and the involvement of future JAs in the APCC program. It also forges links between the BC and the wider community and allows people affiliated with the Liaison Office to hear about BC activities. New candidates for PA

Is it necessary? If yes, why and what should you do for it? Yes it is necessary to identify new candidates for PA to meet with other PA in Japan and share ideas about Bridge Clubs. Ideally, PAs should be: • Older past JAs who are now adults; • Have been a member of the BC for at least one year; • Have made a positive impact on the BC through participating in or organising BC activities or assisting with JA’s preparations for the APCC. Activities

What kind of activities should you do to maintain a prosperous BC? BC activities should involve present, past and potential future JAs and be particularly focused on children. • BC activities should involve cultural activities that allow children to learn about other countries and cultures and share experiences. • BC activities should involve local communities and families associated with the BC. • BC activities should support aid programs in the local community and from other BCs. BC activities should be coordinated across different countries’ BCs.

Any other opinions

•

BCs should help each other set up their websites so that BC members can access information and contact other BCs over the website. This could be done at the 2009 PA camp. Each BC should then appoint a representative to keep their website as updated as possible. BC Australia would like to assist with this by providing laptops and possibly technical support to other BCs, such as a Bridge Club branded laptop.

5. BRIDGE CLUB INDONESIA

By Poeti

Maintain BC membership

Do you think it’s important to increase? If yes, why and how? Yes, it’s important to increase BC members. It’s because of BC as an organization needs regeneration of members. Actually, there are so many ways to maintain BC membership. One of them is held some continous meeting among BC members. It’s not only discuss about BC itself but also make some fun activities that can make BC members enjoy and have willingness to join the meeting. So, it can make BC members still active and increase sense of belonging among BC members. Keep a strong connection with Liaison Office

Do you have a good connection with your LO now? Is it necessary to keep it? If yes, why and what should you do for it? Yes, we have a good relationship with our LO and we think it’s necessary to keep that thing because of the important position of LO as the bridge between BCI and APCC. LO always support every BCI activity. For example, in JA selection. LO as facilitator makes list of elementary school. For your information, LO in Indonesia has the position as department of kindergarten and elementary school in Indonesia. So, it’s kinda easy to make list of elementary school in Indonesia. Then, BCI will select JA from some elementary schools. The requirements are written and oral english test, interview, communication skill, social knowledge and of course the willingness to participate in APCC and BCI. New candidates for PA

Is it necessary? If yes, why and what should you do for it?

It’s necessary. To give an opportunity to other BC members. It’s also can make some fresh ideas to solve BC problems and common activity. Activities

What kind of activities should you do to maintain a prosperous BC? By creating some useful activities, not only external activities, but also internal activities. External activity, in this term, means the activity which is related to the other people, held social project or mobile library for instance. While, internal activity means an activity which is held among BC members, in order to tighten the friendship among members and increase the sense of belonging of BC, for example: having reunion or gathering. Both of those activities can be mixed, for example during the gathering or reunion, we can have a fund raising for the social project. Considering those two activities will build a prosperous BC internally and externally. Any other opinions

•

• •

Make sms center to easier spreading the information among BC members. It’s not enough if we just depend with internet. The problem by internet is not everyone has connection with internet in every time. Compare it with handphone that almost everyone has it. So, with sms center we hope spreading the information among BC members can be fast and effectively. Updating the database of APCC participants every year, every BC must update the participants of their own countries and report it every year to APCC or BCIO. Each country or BC should have a BCIO’s delegation/representative (assigned member, who is in charge on BCIO).

6. BRIDGE CLUB VANAUTU

By Julie

Maintain BC membership

Do you think it’s important to increase? If yes, why and how? Yes, very important! BCV faces challenges on this due to our geographical setting as island are distance apart but with the current members we have been active in charity work such as donation of clothes, books and stationeries to children in remote areas of Vanuatu. And another activity is environmental clean up campaigns. Our next year’s program we will try to organize activities to attract former Jas and do more awareness on APCC and BCIO and BCV. Keep a strong connection with Liaison Office

Do you have a good connection with your LO now? Is it necessary to keep it? If yes, why and what should you do for it? Yes it is important to keep a strong connection with our Liaison Officer as she is the focal point of contact and she is actively involved in our BCV activities. I would also like to give her the opportunity to experience APCC and BCIO in the future. New candidates for PA

Is it necessary? If yes, why and what should you do for it? Well as we have just been set, BCV has agreed that a PA should remain for a 2 year period before we can select a new one. But good to have new Pas to increase participation but also we continue to promote APCC and BCIO. Activities

What kind of activities should you do to maintain a prosperous BC? To maintain a prosperous BC, we would need to do more awareness within Vanuatu. BCV would encourage former JAs to participate in BCV activities. Any other opinions

No comment 7. BRIDGE CLUB INDIA

By Aditya

Maintain BC membership

Do you think it’s important to increase? If yes, why and how? We have to prepare one mailing list with email address of all BC members and should share about the major events such as Birth Days, Freedom of respective country’s day etc. Yes, as this will help more members in BC and the the BC more strong in terms of membership in numbers. Keep a strong connection with Liaison Office

Do you have a good connection with your LO now? Is it necessary to keep it? If yes, why and what should you do for it?

Yes I have a good connection with LO and we all met in a common meeting on 26 th of May in our country India. New candidates for PA

Is it necessary? If yes, why and what should you do for it? I think we have multiple roles to play such as helping and guiding the JA’s of 2009, making our BC more active, participating during APCC etc.

Activities

What kind of activities should you do to maintain a prosperous BC? I am planning to suggest one project in environment, which will help to maintain a prosperous BC. 8. BRIDGE CLUB RUSSIA

By Galina

Maintain BC membership

Do you think it’s important to increase? If yes, why and how? We think to maintain BC community we (all BC members) have to co-operate each other to create new ideas and projects with all BC participation. Also these projects may include non BC countries. Keep a strong connection with Liaison Office

Do you have a good connection with your LO now? Is it necessary to keep it? If yes, why and what should you do for it? BC Russia keeps connection with our LO in preparing JA Program: we share all necessary information about JA preparation. All activities directs to maintain a strong BC Russia are within the competence of BC Russia. New candidates for PA

Is it necessary? If yes, why and what should you do for it?

We think new candidate for PA may be members of APCC as JA and also be non participant of APCC. Participation young people as PA who never take part in APCC can helps to maintain a strong BC network. Also these new PA who are non participants of APCC must be members of BC in own countries and be very active members. Activities

What kind of activities should you do to maintain a prosperous BC? All BC activities may include different levels. Some of them can realize on international level with other BC including NGO shared purpose of BCIO. Some of them can realize only on local level (in own country). The results of activity realized on local level may shared and discussed with other BC to understand the reason of it. Any other opinions

These will be brought up for discussion at the PA camp 9. BRIDGE CLUB HONGKONG

By Kylie

Maintain BC membership

Do you think it’s important to increase? If yes, why and how? It is very important that a strong BC membership is maintained, so that the APCC is not a oneoff but a continuous commitment towards building a global network and creating a harmonious community. Keep a strong connection with Liaison Office

Do you have a good connection with your LO now? Is it necessary to keep it? If yes, why and what should you do for it? BCHK has a good connection with its Liaison Office. It is necessary to keep it as the LO provides great support in the JA election process. It would be nice if it can also assist BCHK in rebuilding connections with past JAs, since it has a considerable amount of resources. New candidates for PA

Is it necessary? If yes, why and what should you do for it? It is the most ideal to allow 2 Peace Ambassadors from each country to take part in the APCC, so that the Junior Ambassadors can be better cared for. Having 2 PAs to participate in the APCC can also ensure better support in strengthening respective BCs in the following year.

Activities

What kind of activities should you do to maintain a prosperous BC? As each BC differs from another in its scale and amount of resources it has, it may not be necessary to make particular activities compulsory for all BCs. I believe that a common activity will be sufficient. Any other activities thus subject to individual BC’s ability and needs. I think that BCs can encourage their members to be pen pals of at least one member of another BC, so that JAs can establish closer relationships with each other after they return to their home country from the APCC.

10. BRIDGE CLUB BHUTAN

By Dechen

Yes it’s important to maintain membership as it helps the club to go forward If possible it’s important to increase the membership because the more the number of membership more the idea for the club to move forward with different ideas but then there are also drawbacks coz the club members are not always located to one area like example though Bhutan is a small country all the members are not based in Thimphu there for according to me I would like to suggest that we also have a main bc functioning place and then have branches within so that we can keep up dated with the JA ‘s from the different dzongkhags(county). Keep a strong connection with your Liasion office

Yes we do have a good connection with the liaison office now and it is also necessary to keep it as then we are aware of the activities of the apcc and it’s easier to hold meetings with the help of the liaison office for the JA’s preparation and somehow the liaison office keeps us updated about the news and also like to involve us during the mission project and when there are delegates from APCC this way the connection with the club and the liaison office becomes very important. New candidates for PA

It’s good to have new candidates for PA but then some of the former JA’s might not be aware of it therefore if we have very limited members who can be PA’s .Yes it’s necessary to have PA because it also strengthens the bridge club as now they are more known about the bridge club more so before as a junior ambassadors. We as a club member would like to encourage our members who have not had the opportunity to be a PA to take part in it and once we have all our members participated then would like to make an announcement through the media for the rest of the JA who would be interested to take part as a PA and become a strong member of the bridge club. Activities

To maintain a prosperous BC we should carry out activities that are useful to the society and also makes people smile like the collection of the library books for the underprivileged children’s in the remote schools. We would also like to let the other bridge club members from different countries to be able to take part in the activities that we held coz it’s important as when we have other members around the world therefore people in our own country will also be motivated and will be happy to be taking parts in the activities that the bridge club organizes. We could not only have children exchange from countries to countries but we could also organize to exchange children within our own country so that the children in the cities get to experience village life and likewise the village children also get to experience the city life.

Any other opinions

Well I am not sure about the other countries how their JA’s are being selected likewise in Bhutan the JA’s are selected from different Dzongkhags and different schools therefore we have varieties of participants from different regions so it would be nice to set up small bridge club with this individuals as the members. It’s nice to have branches every region so that then club will get feedback about the activities that needs to be carried out and it’s easier to organize any kind of activities provided the member are willing to put in efforts. It is much easier to communicate with our members this way we not only bridge the children around the world we are also able to bridge the children in our own country and then connect them to the other parts of the world this way a long strong bridge is formed. We for now i can only think of this much maybe when we all get together then opinions might come up again. Until then would like to thank everyone at the headquarter and who made the participation for the PA’s possible. 11. BRIDGE CLUB MALAYSIA

By Sharifah and Visha

Maintain BC membership

Do you think it’s important to increase? If yes, why and how? Yes we think it is important to increase countries with BC membership as it will be easier to standardize activities between countries and keeping in contact. It is also important to increase membership in a country’s BC so that more activities could be done successfully with the help of more members. To increase membership, we could have activities to promote BC first off, then from there we could hold more activities that could strengthen friendship between BC members and we also need to have a clear objective so that members know their role and purpose in BC. Keep a strong connection with Liaison Office

Do you have a good connection with your LO now? Is it necessary to keep it? If yes, why and what should you do for it? Currently we do have a good connection with our LO although it could be better. Our LO is not in charge of APCC alone but other exchange programs too therefore she cannot give full attention to APCC and BC activities. We are hoping to change this soon by keeping our LO updated constantly regarding APCC and BC activities. We also feel it is very important to keep in contact with our LO because she has connections with our ministry of education and it would make establishing BC and running our activities much easier.

New candidates for PA

Is it necessary? If yes, why and what should you do for it? Yes we think it is necessary because sending new candidates of PA every year would give new individuals the opportunity to gain the experience and knowledge from attending the program. Therefore more people would be exposed to the causes of APCC and BC. It would also allow new ideas to be generated by the new PAs every year as they can provide fresher outlook on matters. BC members in each country should be given the task to pick a new PA every year from their observation of the PA candidates as quality PAs needs to be picked. We had PAs not committing to the tasks they were supposed to do after the APCC program and this has to change in the coming future. Activities

What kind of activities should you do to maintain a prosperous BC? •

Family Day

•

BC Carnival

•

Dinner and monthly gathering

•

Meetings once a month

•

Ice Breaking sessions for new members

Any other opinions

We are planning to gather members of BC and show them video regarding global warming issues and current issues affecting the world in order to open up their minds and see the issues that we need to tackle as members of BC.

12. BRIDGE CLUB THAILAND

By Moke

We are normally appointed the President of each generation for the coordination with the BCT. The club will send the news to the president, when they have activities, to tell the members about the information of the events that will be held at the club including the meeting and other events. It is important to keep a strong connection with Liaison Office. But as you knew is now having some problems within our club in Thailand between the clubs and only some of the coordination to the Liaison Office (not with the office). We are trying to find a solution satisfactory to both parties and will be back working well together again. Casually with the first management team of club will be set to expire. The club is trying to recruiting the management team to solve the problem soon. I think it’s very good that we have the opportunity to be PA in this year. Because it will have the opportunity to exchange experience and apply the other ideas suggestions from another PA to resolve of our club’s problem. As we must now accept that we have problems within our club. Our activities are a temporary halted. But when we solved the existing problems already, we will continue the club activities. By strongly follow the principles of the BCIO to do the good things for public and focus on social benefit by non-personal-profit. 13. BRIDGE CLUB HAWAII

By Sarah

Maintain BC membership

Do you think it’s important to increase? If yes, why and how? It is unbelievably important to increase in membership size. We need to remind the past JAs that we still have a lot of work to do to promote world peace and do our job in the community. As an established Bridge Club, we need to encourage our members to get into Bridge Club activities and invite any other JAs from their year to join. Keep a strong connection with Liaison Office

Do you have a good connection with your LO now? Is it necessary to keep it? If yes, why and what should you do for it? Yes, I am very Liaison Office. The office is very close to my school so I volunteer there after school and also keeps in touch via e-mail with Elizabeth Barerra, our liaison officer. Elizabeth gets all of the important information about what the APCC activities and it is important to be informed about what is going on in Japan and in Hawaii. We need to clear something’s for the Bridge Club through her and keep her updated. New candidates for PA

Is it necessary? If yes, why and what should you do for it? Colby Takeda (the founder of Bridge Club Hawaii) and I should talk about possible candidates for the position of Peace Ambassador for the 22 nd Asia-Pacific Children’s Conference next year. Possible candidates must be of age and have helped and attended the activities that the Bridge Club has had in the past. We need to make sure that our candidates represent our state and country well academically and their community service. They should also have future ideas or plans for our Bridge Club.

Activities

What kind of activities should you do to maintain a prosperous BC? Although the Bridge Club focuses on building peaceful relations with other counties in the Pacific Rim and making our community, state, and country a better place, but we also need to have activities to keep Bridge Club fun and exciting. Colby and I discussed a possible event in the near future that would be fun for past JAs. This activity should encourage the JAs to join and be more active in our Bridge Club. Also, during this activity, past JAs would be able to get to know each other better and discuss what they may want to do in the future to build the Bridge Club. Any other opinions

I think Bridge Club Hawaii is going to be a great for Hawaii. I have a lot of ideas for community service projects and there many people who could use our help. We just need to get together and talk about our ideas and future work! 14. BRIDGE CLUB MONGOLIA

By Sundarya

Maintain BC membership

Do you think it’s important to increase? If yes, why and how? We understood this question in 2 different scopes. 1.

Maintain BC membership in the wider scope, which means BCIO member countries. In other words, shall we increase the number of countries of APCC. We think that in the next 5 years BC shall not increase BC membership. We think that it is not time yet to join more countries to APCC since we haven’t established local BC’s in all member countries.

Maintain BC membership in the narrower scope, which means local BC membership. In other words, shall we increase the membership of BC Mongolia. We believe that BC Mongolia shall try to increase the membership. Today in BC Mongolia there are over 10 active members. This year we are very much focused on promoting the idea of BC and increasing the number of active members. Specially we want former JA’s and PA’s to be actively involved in the activities of BC Mongolia. We believe that 100,000 Smile project was a big step towards increasing the membership of BC.

Keep a strong connection with Liaison Office

Do you have a good connection with your LO now? Is it necessary to keep it? If yes, why and what should you do for it? We do have a good connection with our LO. As you know, BC Mongolia doesn’t have an official residency. But our LO provides us with a room for meeting or any other BC activities when there is a necessity. So in that way our LO is very supportive. The only problem that we have with the LO is that BC does not enjoy any right on the selection of JA’s. We believe that if BC had any right on the selection of JA’s it could be beneficial in several ways. Today JA’s are selected/appointed by the LO. If BC had the right of selection of JA’s the process would be more open. We would have the selection of JA’s by announcement through mass media so that every 11 year old child who would want to participate in the APCC would have a chance to be selected. This way there will be more people involved. It means that selected children would be much more responsible and willing to participate in the BC activities after their comeback. Also announcements through mass media would be a great promotion for the BC and its ideas. New candidates for PA

Is it necessary? If yes, why and what should you do for it? We understand this question as that people who are not former JA’s could be a candidate for PA. We think that this is necessary since it is more fair and useful to extend the scope of BC. We believe that anyone who is actively involved in the BC shall have a chance to be selected as a PA. It could be used as a great motivation to many non former JA members to be actively involved in the BC. Activities

What kind of activities should you do to maintain a prosperous BC?

Spreading the idea of BC and keeping connection with all the former JA’s, PA’s and other BC’s is very important to maintain a prosperous BC. Right now we are working on to open a website of BC Mongolia to achieve the goal above. 15. BRIDGE CLUB BANGLADESH

By Sandhi

Maintain BC membership.

It’s important to maintain BC membership. Yes I think we should increase BC members. The JA's who joins every year with us they become BC member. Beside that we can invite our friends & family member to join with us. Keep Strong Connection with liaison Office.

Yes I have a Good Connection With LO. & yes it’s Necessary to keep good connection with LO. Cause we all are students now. For many of our activities we need logistic support, which we can get through LO. Sometimes we need Government permission. LO can Help us a Lot. New Candidates for PA.

It’s too necessary to select new candidate for PA. It motivates BC members to work with BC's. In our BCBD we handover Precidentship to a PA to another. So, it’s too important for us to have New PA for the future of BCBD. New leadership can be created. Activities.

Most important thing is to maintain BC's Regular Activity. Then it’s necessary to keep communication with Other BC's. BCIO head office, and with all the Members of BC. So we have activities within our country and also joint activities with BCs. Though this, we can share ideas and thoughts. 16. BRIDGE CLUB NEWZEALAND

By Fiona

1. Membership: It is very important to NZ BC to increase BC membership. At present we only have a few members, and are struggling to get people to our events. We need to get in touch with previous JA’s, and get their current contact details so we can keep them up to date with BC information and upcoming events. We are working on getting an email contact list and sending out a regular newsletter, or if enough people use facebook then setting up a BCNZ facebook group could be another good way of keeping members informed and up to date with what is happening with the Bridge Club, in NZ and internationally

2. Liaison Office: At present we have a strong relationship with our liaison office. However, if anything we need to become more independent from our liaison office because we need to be able to survive on our own (i.e. just BC members), so that if the liaison officers can no longer be involved for whatever reason, the BC doesn’t fall apart and can continue to function and grow. 3. New PA candidates: We also need to start thinking about new candidates for PA. It is important that the strength of the BC is renewed each year by sending new PA’s to Japan to bring back fresh ideas and friendships from the APCC. I think it is also a good way to ensure that leaders begin emerging in the BC as in order to get the requisite recommendation from the BC to participate as a PA they will have to have been involved and show leadership potential.

4. Events: We think that it is very important to have a broad range of events. Several a year that help maintain friendships and relations within BC NZ, as well as with other BC’s around the world. But also several community events, to help raise and promote awareness of BCNZ, BCIO and the APCC – this may help attract new applications for JA’s as well a. Movie nights b. Sports events c. Can drives d. Tree planting e. Community service: helping out charitable organisations with collections for their annual appeals, etc

Key Findings from BC Checklists After going through the checklists from all the BCs, so many optimistic and enthusiastic ideas and opinions have come out. It’s very good to see that all the BCs are positively thinking of maintaining a strong BC. Maintain BC membership. •

SRILANKA

 Aware JAs’ of their duties as BC members during APCC •

INDIA

 Prepare database containing the email and addresses of JAs’ & PAs’ to communicate.  Prepare local mailing list with email addresses of BCI members and develop fellowship in between them. •

NEPAL

 Necessary to maintain BC membership. •

AUSTRALIA

 Contacting and inviting past JAs’ to BC activities including their friends and families. •

INDONESIA

 Couple of meetings in between BC members and talk about BC actions including fun activities. •

VANUATU

 Organize some activities & do more awareness on APCC, BCIO and BCV. •

RUSSIA

 Maintain BC Community. •

HONG KONG

 Maintain a strong BC membership.

•

BHUTAN

 Create branches in different zones under the supervision of central BC & increase membership using it. •

MALAYSIA

 Promote & advertise BC then hold activities among them. •

HAWAII

 Encourage the JAs’ to attach with BC activities. •

BANGLADESH

 Increase the participation of JAs’, PAs’, friends & families. •

NEWZEALAND

 Update contact details, encourage BC members to participate in activities by using social community website. •

MONGOLIA

 Wider Scope: Should not increase for next 5 years. Need to move after establishing BC in all member countries.  Narrower Scope: Should increase & should take positive steps like 100000 smile project to increase membership. Keep A Strong Connection with Liaison Office

•

SRILANKA

 Necessary to keep a strong connection for proper guidance, positive ideas & launching of successful projects. •

NEPAL

 Its good to keep relation with them. But if not co-operative then run BC smoothly & turm them convinced in BC activities. •

AUSTRALIA

 Important because of supporting BC activities & involving the future JAs in APCC program. This liaison will help to keep communication with other community & broadcasts the BC activities to general people. •

INDONESIA

 Necessary to keep because of they are the bridge in between BCI & APCC. Also responsible for JA selection. •

INDIA & VANUATU

 Necessary to keep in touch •

RUSSIA & HONG KNOG

 Necessary to keep in touch for JA selection & preparation also helps to contact with former APCC participants. •

BHUTAN

 Necessary to keep in touch because of JA selection, preparation, holding BC meetings & keep contacts to APCC, •

MALAYSIA

 Have good connection but could be better & should improve the current situation because of the strong connection with the ministry of education. •

THAILAND

 Important to keep connection misunderstanding & clashes. •

but

interrupted

because

some

unexpected

HAWAII

 Necessary to keep in touch because of getting updated news from APCC & Keep liaison in between them & BC Hawaii. •

BANGLADESH & MONGOLIA

 Need to keep connected for logistic supports.

•

NEWZEALAND

 Need to keep connected but if not available then BC should continue by their own attempt. New Candidates for PAs •

SRILANKA, INDONESIA & MALAYSIA

 Necessary to have because of developing creative ideas & concepts to solve BC problems. •

INDIA

 Necessary because of guiding JAs, making BC more active, Participating APCC & gather experience. •

NEPAL, MALAYSIA & NEWZEALAND

 Necessary to have because of motivation needed. And gather experience from APCC, APCC’s Participants & BCIO which will help to promote BC more advance. •

AUSTRALIA

 Necessary to identify new candidates for PA so that they can meet with other PAs in Japan & share ideas for BC. And they should be Past matured JAs worked for BC at least one year & have positive impact with organizing capability in holding BC activities including JAs preparation for APCC. •

VANUATU

 PA should remain for two year period before select a new PA. But good to have new PAs. •

RUSSIA & MONGOLIA

 PA selection could be from APCC participants as JA or non participant. It could be more helpful to maintain a strong network. They can be very active as a BC member after APCC participation. •

HONG KONG

 Should allow 2 PAs from each country at APCC. It will help the JAs to boost their inspiration. Also using this technique, APCC can get better support in strengthening respective BCs in the following year. •

BHUTAN

 Good to have new candidates but wider broadcast is needed for PA selection because of not getting PA selection information on time. Inspiration is needed by us to JAs for strengthening BC and makes them participate in APCC as PA so that they can be effective in activities. If needed media should be used for announcement.

•

HAWAII

 New PA is needed. But s/he should be matured and has the capability to hold BC activities with different creative ideas and plans. Also represent the country well academically and community service. •

BANGLADESH

 New PA is necessary as because of we handover the presidentship to PA according to the constitution. It is also needed for motivation to the JAs Activities to Maintain a Prosperous BC •

SRILANKA

 Aware general People on APCC, BCIO and BC by doing different projects & spreading the message of Peace & Co-existence. •

NEPAL

 Sharing BC ideas, organizing regular meeting and encouraging JAs. •

INDIA

 Promote voluntary work of helping poor children in their studies, popularize internet forum, organizing projects like dance & fancy dress competition etc.  Doing project on environment to maintain a prosperous BC. •

AUSTRALIA

 BC activities should involve present, past & potential future JAs and specially focused on children.  Include cultural activities by allowing children to share and exchange culture with other countries.  Involve local communities & families with BC activities.  Should support aid programs locally & from other BCs. •

INDONESIA

 External Activity: Like social Project, mobile library etc.  Internal Activity: Like having reunion or gathering of BC members & raising fund for social projects. •

VANUATU

 Do some awareness & encourage former JAs to participate in BC activities. •

RUSSIA

 BC activities should be done through Local and International level. •

HONG KONG

 Common activity will be sufficient and other activities will depends on BC’s ability & needs. •

BHUTAN

 Activities useful to the society like book collection for library of underprivileged children in remote schools by not only local BC but also overseas BCs. Also organize to exchange children within own country in between city life & village life •

MALAYSIA

 Family day, BC carnival, Dinner & monthly gathering, meeting, ice breaking session for new members.. •

HAWAII

 Besides doing BC activities on building good relation with overseas BCs, fun & exciting activities should be continue in between the members of local BC which will help to develop fellowship between them.

•

BANGLADESH

 Maintain regular BC activities; keep in touch with overseas BCs, BCIO & APCC. Also doing join programs with other BCs •

NEWZEALAND

 Maintain friendship & relations within BC and other BCs, promote awareness on BC,BCIO & APCC, attracts new applicants for JA’s by movie nights, sports events, can drives, tree planting community service etc. •

MONGOLIA

 Broadcasting the idea of BC, keeping connection with JAs, PAs & BCs, developing websites. Any Other Opinions •

INDIA

 Provide links to different bridge clubs of different countries in BCIO website & provide facility to share different project activities through photographs, videos etc. •

NEPAL

 All the BCs should involve in fund raising program through which ensure the increase of BC activities. Also it will promote the objective of APCC, BCIO and BCs. •

AUSTRALIA

 Setup website in each and every BCs for accessing information and contacting with other BCs. BCA would like to provide technical support to other BCs if needed. •

INDONESIA

 Create SMS Center for spreading information among the BC members. Updating the database of APCC participants each and every year and report back to APCC and BCIO.  Each BC country should have a BCIO’s assigned representative. •

HONG KONG

 BCs can arrange pen pals of at least one member of another BC which will develop the relationship with each other after returning to their home from the APCC. •

BHUTAN

 Beside central BC branch, sub branches could be created in different remote areas as because of JAs are selected from different zones. It will help to keep connected. •

BANGLADESH

 Need to solve the crisis between BCBD & Liaison Office. •

MALAYSIA

 Planning to gather members of BC to show them videos on global warming issues in order to open up their eyes & minds and see the issues that need to tackle as members of BC. •

HONG KONG

 Common activity will be sufficient and other activities will depend on BC’s ability & needs.

My Recommended Suggestions According to my perception, we need to work on the following activities for at least one year if we really want to make a sustainable and effectual BC Network. We who are the ex-PAs has already been committed and motivated towards APCC and Bridge Clubs Goal. A positive mind can be created when another positive mind assists him. So according to my notion, our primary target should be “Be Positive & Plow Someone Positive”. We have lost many people to our road to “Peace and coexistence” as because of they became de motivated. They have lost because they didn’t have the right spirit and positive approach. So it’s the time for us to turn our upcoming JAs and PAs to positive by keep enduring the counseling. If we can turn 60% of them to be positive in their attitude and behavior, we will get some dynamic BC Leaders in prospect those are capable of taking significant decision making. I strongly believe, “Positivism can make every heart optimistic, booming, effective and productive”. Proposed Action Plans 1. Aware JAs of their duties as BC member during APCC. 2. Update JA/PA contact lists of each and every BC. 3. Prepare a local BC mailing list with members’ email address and develop fellowship in between them by exchanging mails. 4. Necessary to maintain BC membership strongly. 5. Organize local BC activities regularly with the JAs including their friends and families. 6. Hold regular BC get together or parties and develop fellowship. 7. Create public awareness on APCC, BCIO and Local BC and integrate them as BC friends and families. 8. Create branches in different zones and states under the supervision of central BC and develop membership using it. 9. Encourage new candidates for Peace Ambassador. 

It is necessary to have new candidates every year as we get different ideas and concepts from PAs of different countries through interaction in between them, APCC and BCIO officials during Convention. It is a kind of experience which is used to promote local BC activities after convention. It is also needed for motivation.

PA Selection Criteria (Proposed)

9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4

Past matured JAs who are now actively participating in BC activities. Have been participating in BC activities for at least one year. Has the capability to lead the future Bridge Club Organizing capacity of BC activities with creative and fruitful ideas.

9.5 9.6

Has been attending at least 80% of the club meetings and project activities. Prospective Peace Ambassador Applicants who are active and available in club must be recommended by the BC President to APCC and BCIO.

10.

Keep a strong connection with Liaison Office and try to overcome entire crisis with LO if any.



It is necessary to keep connection with liaison office as because they are the media in between APCC and Local BC. Also they are responsible for the JA selection. But sometime, Bridge Club faces problem with liaison office. Depending on the situation and proceedings, different BCs have different problems with liaison office.

Possible Solutions (Proposed)

10.1 10.2 10.3

10.4

APCC should implement a strict GUIDELINE for LO and it should be followed by anyhow. In their guideline, the IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL BRIDGE CLUB should be strictly emphasized so that the liaison office can formally understand the role of Bridge Club. Liaison office has the right to select JAs for APCC participation. But as because they select JAs from different geographical areas of the country, most of them has lost after participation to APCC and they are not being able to take part in BC activities due to long distance communication problems. So it will be very effective and fruitful if TWO of JAs are RECOMENDED by BRIDGE CLUB who are dedicated, sincere and committed in BC activities. But depending on the countries it could be varied. It will ensure the IMPORTANCE OF BC to liaison office also Bridge Club will get some active, promising and dedicated member in future. This will be formally written in APCC guideline provided for Liaison Office.

11. For complete guidance, APCC and BCIO need to publish a formal strict complete guideline for Liaison Office and Bridge Club so that they can understand the importance of Bridge Club, APCC and BCIO. The Proposed guideline should include the followings, 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 11.9 11.10 11.11 11.12

What is APCC? What are the aims and objectives of APCC? What is BCIO? What are the aims and objectives of BCIO? What is Bridge Club and what is the importance of Bridge Club to APCC? What is Liaison Office and what are the activities of LO? What is the importance of Bridge Club to Liaison Office? Responsibilities of Liaison Officer. Responsibilities of Former APCC Participants. Responsibilities of Chaperons. Junior Ambassador Selection Guideline. Peace Ambassador Selection Guideline.

12. Encourage all the APCC participants to use social network like Facebook, Hi5, Social Networking Service (SNS) etc. it will be very easy to keep in touch with Local and Overseas BCs.

13. Employ some devoted and dedicated overseas members by BCIO from different BCs permanently so that they can work on that under BCIO and develop some fruitful steps towards maintaining a strong BC. 14. Try to spread the BC Network to Non APCC Participants so that we can have some more manpower and promote our aims and objectives swiftly. It is not mandatory that every BC need to follow. As we consider BC Bangladesh and BC Nepal for example, we are getting some positive benefits by following this. So it can be followed by other BCs if they want. I am giving some ideas here as for guidance, 14. 1

BC Membership for Non APCC Participants (Proposed)

WHY? Members are the heart of the club and active members are the force of the club. To strengthen the club activities, the important role must be played by the active members. If we develop 10 members for Bridge Club, 2 or 3 of them will be active members and they will be the solid, dedicated and committed members. Membership Development is needed in order to strengthen BCs. Because the increase of members will increase the percentage of active members. But those who haven’t been established their BC yet may need to emphasize on contacting their former Junior Ambassadors and motivate them to participate on the club activities and promote the objectives of Bridge Club. Besides that, they need to keep in touch with other overseas BCs for sharing ideas and gathering experience. HOW? 1.

For established BC

 Every country should take initiative for BC Membership Development if they have the strong BC platform and enough junior ambassadors.  After formation of new BC by the former JAs & PAs, they will start to develop membership in between their FRIENDS & FAMILIES. 2.

For non established BC

 First they have to establish BC with their JAs’ and keep motivating the JAs’ to take part in BC activities.

 Also they have to try to contact the former JAs’ and make them to take part in BC activities.  After having the strong platform they should try to make their friends and families to participate in BC activities and encourage them to be a part of club.  Finally the sincere, dedicated and motivated BC friends can be a member a BC. Membership Proposal  Name of the prospective member will be proposed by an active member of the BC by a COMMON MEMBERSHIP FORM supplied by BCIO to the club president.  Prospective member will have to participate in club meeting and club activities for SIX MONTHS before getting complete BC membership.  Before getting final BC membership, once again the prospective member will be informed about the objective, purpose, mission and vision of Bridge Club, APCC and BCIO as a part of orientation process and solid MOTIVATION.  After achieving the target of membership development, BC President will REPORT to BCIO in detail immediately.  MEMBERSHIP FEE can be implemented if needed. But it will depend on the Bridge Club whether they need it or not.  Issue MEMBERSHIP ID NUMBER from the local BC if they need. Rules to be followed  The non JAs’ member will never be a part of the executive committee of BC and have no voting rights in General Meeting.  The non JAs’ members have no rights to take part in APCC as a PA.  The executive committee has rights to halt the membership if needed. 15.

Be positive and make someone positive.

THE END