SINGAPORE : In weeks to come, community clubs will be
handling one of their most expensive events, the National Day
dinners.
At some community centres (CCs), these are large-scaled
events that draw about 2,000 residents.
According to some Members of Parliamant (MPs), the costs
run up to a five-figure sum.
However, they are quick to add that much of the cost is
offset by the tickets residents buy to attend the sit-down
dinner.
While Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was reported in The
Straits Times to have said earlier this month that CCs spent "so
much money" to put up a tent - money he would not have spent - MPs
whom MediaCorp spoke to shared the ways CCs managed their
expenditure and what they spend on when holding community
events.
South West District Mayor Amy Khor said community
functions at the two CCs in her district cost from a few hundred to
a few thousand dollars, but would exceed $10,000 for very large
scale events like the New Year countdown or National Day
dinner.
A Bursary presentation for 300 participants, for example,
could cost about $1,800 to hire chairs and photography, as well as
provide light refreshments.
But dinners cost more as they need performances and better
sound system, for instance.
Dinners are the main expense, agreed North West District
Mayor Teo Ho Pin.
At Bukit Panjng CC, which holds up to 50 events annually,
a Chinese New Year dinner has about 60 tables.
A 50-table dinner could cost under $15,000, with each
table costing about $200 and the remaining expenses going to
peripherals such as marketing and entertainment.
Residents buy tickets for about $20, said Dr
Teo.
But for the National Day dinner, which requires nearly 200
tables, tentage - which costs under $10,000 - is needed as the CC
is too small.
While he did not have figures on annual spending on
events, Dr Teo said the CC has "many new events" and participation
increases by 10 to 20 per cent annually.
For example, more residents attending the Hari Raya
celebrations have also expanded the scale of the celebrations from
a buffet to a 50-table dinner.
While the proportion of spending on events, compared to other
expenses have remained the same over the years in Dr Khor's
CCs.
In "real dollar terms", Dr Khor said spending has increased because
her CCs are organising more larger-scale activities not only for
bigger crowds, but also a "more sophisticated and affluent
population".
These events include countdowns and family days.
"We have organised more activities to promote integration of new
citizens and dialogue sessions with residents to get feedback," she
added.
Other than dinners, CCs also chalk up costs when they provide
drinks, goodie bags, but these are "not significant costs", said MP
Hri Kumar for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.
According to the People's Association (PA) 2008/09 annual report,
6,000 new immigrants participated in at least one grassroot
activity in 2008, compared to 3,000 the year before.
The Community Development Councils, in collaboration with partners,
organised and funded about 1,300 programmes and activities in 2008,
compared to 940 in 2007.
This attracted some 1 million residents in 2008, compared to
918,000 in 2007.
However, MPs also stressed the various ways they manage
costs.
One obvious way would be getting sponsors for the tentage and lucky
draw prizes.
"It is rare to have paid performances," said MP Hri Kumar, adding
that for paid performances, a lower fee is often negotiated.
And for dinners, including the National Day dinners, "we try to get
decent food, decent performances but always on a negotiated basis
so that costs are not high," he said.
The CC also tries to organise activities indoors, instead of
renting tentage.
"But we always have to balance the attractiveness of the programme
and cost of organising it," Dr Khor added.
Dr Khor and Dr Teo noted that CCs try to maximise the use of
tentage by sharing it with other groups or organising more than one
community event over the weekend.
When contacted, the PA said: "The Grassroots Organisations organise
a wide variety of activities/programmes for residents ... Our
grassroots leaders (GRL) are always mindful of how much they spend
on their programmes, keeping costs as low as possible."
"Most grassroots events are self-funded as GRLs raise money to run
their programmes," added PA.
Last year, PA spent $18,398 in subsidies and contributions,
including those to CCs, compared to $25,920 in 2008.
It spent $55,958 on activities and projects last year, compared to
$52,777 in 2008.
- CNA /ls
