Working on the development of the HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir clubhouse proved to be a lesson in patience and humility for LTC (NS) Bryan Chao.
TEXT: BENEDICT THAM
PHOTOS: BRYAN CHAO, HOMETEAMNS
For the past 20 years, LTC (NS) Bryan Chao has taught Physical Education at East Spring Primary School. As someone who believes that “academic excellence isn’t the only thing that matters,” he encourages his students to develop their character and values. To inculcate independence, for instance, he advises the children: “In life, there are two groups of people — those who work out their own problems and experience personal growth in the process, and the ones who always go to people with questions, expecting them to solve their issues. Don’t live like the latter!”
While he is accustomed to dispensing such wisdom to his young charges, the 43-year-old educator has also been on the receiving end of life lessons, in his role as a HomeTeamNS volunteer. Having served his National Service (NS) as a fire officer at the Singapore Civil Defence Force, Bryan decided to “contribute more to the nation” by joining the HomeTeamNS East Development Committee in late 2021. His first task, which was helping to manage the design and construction of HomeTeamNS’ newest clubhouse, HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir, proved challenging to the teacher who usually has the answers.
PATIENCE GOES A LONG WAY
Like many other projects that faced COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions, the construction of the HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir clubhouse was fraught with setbacks and delays. Seeing it to completion was an uphill slog, but Bryan notes that his fellow committee members demonstrated remarkable forbearance and composure under fire. This was particularly eye-opening for the HomeTeamNS volunteer, who by his own admission tends to be short on patience.
He credits his Development Committee’s Co-Chairman, SUPT (NS) Jim Tan, for helping the team overcome numerous obstacles that stood in the way of the clubhouse’s launch. He shares that the leader employed charisma and decisiveness to foster cohesive teamwork among the committee, as well as liaise with various partners involved in the clubhouse’s development and construction.
“Jim was able to make the tough decisions with such patience and humility that everyone was convinced to take his lead,” Bryan recalls. We thus managed to pull through and make the Bedok Reservoir Clubhouse a reality.”
Bryan cites patience, humility and empathy as important virtues, especially for volunteers such as himself, as they interact with the many people they serve. “People tend to respond better when we show that we’re listening and care for them,” he adds.
Tensions can run high when you’re required to engage with various stakeholders. Thankfully, the married man can also draw on his NS experience with the Home Team to navigate challenging situations with grace. In that respect, he cites his fellow HomeTeamNS volunteer, LTC (NS) Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Kadir, Commander for the 22 Public Shelter Resilience Unit, as a positive influence. Recounting an incident whereby a dissatisfied Home Team NSman had raised a concern due to administrative issues during his reservist call-up, he shares that Faizal managed to resolve the problem by keeping his cool, and calmly convincing the affected party that he would help. “Despite his high rank and level of experience, Faizal does not throw his weight around to get things done, which is an attribute I admire immensely,” he says, in reference to his mentor’s hands-on approach.
And how does he personally deal with similar difficult encounters as a HomeTeamNS volunteer? Well, a good dose of humour can come in handy, says Bryan. “From time to time, we casually share our experiences with one another within the committee. Such exchanges help us to balance our emotions, have a good laugh together, and most importantly, move on!”.
A CONTINUOUS LEARNING JOURNEY
Despite some frustrating moments that can accompany the role, Bryan says that being a HomeTeamNS volunteer has made his life fuller. “Working behind the scenes in the Development Committee, I’ve learnt that it takes a complex operation to get things up and running like clockwork. Individually, we can put in more effort to make the gears tick more smoothly,” he explains.
Motivated to continue making a positive difference in the organisation, Bryan has stepped up to the plate as Vice Chairperson of Bedok Reservoir HomeTeamNS’ Executive Committee, where he proudly leads a group of like-minded volunteers. And he hasn’t forgotten the values of patience, humility and altruism he has developed over the years and — in turn — hopes to impart to the fellow volunteers under his wing. “Being privileged to be placed in a position of authority, I want to use the opportunity to serve others and help create a better environment for everyone at HomeTeamNS,” he concludes.
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