Changes at the Green Volunteers Network: an email from Grant Pereira

From an email from Gran Pereira dated 24 Sep 08 to all members of the Green Volunteers Network

Moving on….

Earlier this year, Singapore Environment Council had a new Chairman and a change in the Board of Directors. There have been changes and a refocusing of SEC’s goals. The result of these changes resulted that the projects and ongoing activities of GVN do not fit into the new SEC profile. The Green Volunteers Network is being closed down.

Due to my commitments with schools, my last day with SEC and as Head of The Green Volunteers Network will be 31st December 2008. I intend to carry on with projects that I started like mangrove replanting and clean-ups, Orang Utans and Elephant conservation, S.P.R.O.U.T.S, fun tree climbing, overseas eco trips and a few other fun and interesting projects that are now in the pipeline.

In January 2009, I shall be joining Nature Society (Singapore) and one of my main responsibilities will be to build up a volunteer base to carry on with the above activities and do new one on our own or together with schools, NGOs and other like-minded interested green groups.

This sub-group of Nature Society will be known as “The Green Volunteers”. SEC is now in the process of transferring the Ubin Green House to Nature Society and I shall be in charge of running it – so in this area nothing has changed.

True environmental volunteers serve the environment and under whatever banner we do this worthy work is really not important. I hope you and your friends will continue working with us. If you have an interesting project or idea, I would love to hear from you. Please email me at grant@singapore.com.

Although GVN will be a new kid on the block we are bursting with ideas and enthusiasm. The only thing we will be low on are funds, so if you know of any potential donor or sponsor please let me know. Nature Society is an Institute of Public Charter and can issue tax exempt receipts for donations. If you can send your personal donations, make out crossed cheque to Nature Society (Singapore), post to me c/o: Singapore Environment Council 1 Cluny Road House 3 Singapore 259569. Mark envelope “private” on reverse of cheque write NSS/Green Volunteers – Thanks.

I shall also look into organizing company outings, family days etc with an environmental theme and perhaps include a CSR angle, so please contact me if you have such an event coming up and also want to do something for our environment.

PASIR RIS MANGROVE CLEAN-UP, SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER (2.30 PM TO 5.30 PM)

Probably our last activity together as GVN volunteers. Need about 20 hard working volunteers who don’t mind getting their feet wet and hands dirty and very sweaty. This is not beach cleaning but mangroves so expect to be really dirty and muddy. Meet 2.30 pm Pasir Ris MRT station control. We supply gloves, trash bags and Phua Chu Kang boots. Email Grace grace@sec.org.sg your name and mobile number if you can to help.

You bring sunblock lotion, insect repellent, plenty of drinking water, spare T-shirt and a sense of humour.

I’M AWAY….

September 24th to 30th
October 5th to 25th

Thank you for volunteering with us and look forward to your continue staunch support for The Green Volunteers in 2009.

Salud, salud, salud

Grant W. Pereira
Head
Green Volunteers Network
(www.gvn.com.sg)

Singapore Environment Council
(www.sec.org.sg)


Life as light as a feather
Duty as heavy as a mountain