Oh, What A Night!
We had my NGO's Industry Dinner last night. It was a resounding success.
We've toiled over it for the last 1 month and I've been predominantly absorbed with this event, for the last 2 weeks or so. There's only 4 of us, handling the entire event and I think that last night's event could not have been so successful, without Steve (not his real name) being the Organizing Chairman. I am both amazed and humbled by his workrate.
It's our first big industry event in 4 years, since the inception of the NGO. And everything about last night, reflected how much the organization has grown in the last 4 years.
We've raised enough money for the organization to last us the next 1 year, at least. (And I think after tonight's success, it's bound to be annual event). And that's a good change for an organization that is passionate about their voluntary "national service" and yet living hand to mouth, without a proper source of funding.
The sweet sour journey has been long and the appreciation awards section of last night's event thanked everyone, who has supported us in that journey.
As I saw each of our "invisible heroes" being recognized on stage, it gave me an immense satisfaction that their efforts are not invisible, to the world-at-large anymore. Without these unselfish and tireless men and women who go the extra mile - the efforts at improving the innovation environment in this country, would be all the much poorer for it.
Judging from the sentiments of all those who came last night, I think the NGO left with a lot more keen supporters and evangelists, than prior to this. People knew in more depth what we've been silently doing for Malaysia and perhaps, that would promote further on-the-ground collaborations, with other parties, in future.
And the event was relaxed and even the VVIPs mostly stayed till the last segment of the event, which was the lucky draw. And it was good to see again, the struggling technology entrepreneurs whom we've once helped - whom are now successful and on easy street. And they came back to support the organization that once helped give them, the kickstart.
My only regret was the cheap and awful stand-up comedian, that we hired last night. I wanted Jit Murad and Harith Iskandar, but the rest of the gang said that The Idiot is 50% cheaper.
Considering that it was a fundraiser dinner, I caved in, much to my regret last night. The Idiot was awful (though he could sing relatively well, too) and the jokes were either not funny or offensive to the VVIPs. I think we lost half the goodwill created before that, due to his lame and offensive jokes.
Moral of the story: If you're choosing a comedian for the entertainment section of a dinner - don't take the ones that are 50% off the good ones. Pay for value and you will get value, for the pay.
But overall, it was a great night. I came home, exhausted and a little hungry - didn't eat very much, since I was busy with the event. But something felt good inside - I forgot how much I enjoyed the thrill of organizing successful events, where everyone went home smiling.
But it was not only that.
Last night, our efforts and the efforts of all those that have supported us in our journey, were recognized by the powers-that-be and the people who matter.
The NGO has done a lot and it's about time, we took a little credit for it. Unlike most other organizations that are obsessive about talking an issue to death, we made sure that we walked an issue to resolution, as well. It'll probably make the road ahead much easier as well, for us to push for a better environment for players involved in the innovation landscape.
And the Council Members of the NGO - well, I've realized how much we've been through together - I have a memory of at least one major event, being shared with all of them. We're not just Council Members anymore - we're family. A truly Malaysian family.
Thank you, God, for this night of full of meaning. My life may be lonely in some ways, but one thing that I've always been thankful for, is that it has never lacked meaning and the avenue for contribution.
Alhamdulillah.:)
We've toiled over it for the last 1 month and I've been predominantly absorbed with this event, for the last 2 weeks or so. There's only 4 of us, handling the entire event and I think that last night's event could not have been so successful, without Steve (not his real name) being the Organizing Chairman. I am both amazed and humbled by his workrate.
It's our first big industry event in 4 years, since the inception of the NGO. And everything about last night, reflected how much the organization has grown in the last 4 years.
We've raised enough money for the organization to last us the next 1 year, at least. (And I think after tonight's success, it's bound to be annual event). And that's a good change for an organization that is passionate about their voluntary "national service" and yet living hand to mouth, without a proper source of funding.
The sweet sour journey has been long and the appreciation awards section of last night's event thanked everyone, who has supported us in that journey.
As I saw each of our "invisible heroes" being recognized on stage, it gave me an immense satisfaction that their efforts are not invisible, to the world-at-large anymore. Without these unselfish and tireless men and women who go the extra mile - the efforts at improving the innovation environment in this country, would be all the much poorer for it.
Judging from the sentiments of all those who came last night, I think the NGO left with a lot more keen supporters and evangelists, than prior to this. People knew in more depth what we've been silently doing for Malaysia and perhaps, that would promote further on-the-ground collaborations, with other parties, in future.
And the event was relaxed and even the VVIPs mostly stayed till the last segment of the event, which was the lucky draw. And it was good to see again, the struggling technology entrepreneurs whom we've once helped - whom are now successful and on easy street. And they came back to support the organization that once helped give them, the kickstart.
My only regret was the cheap and awful stand-up comedian, that we hired last night. I wanted Jit Murad and Harith Iskandar, but the rest of the gang said that The Idiot is 50% cheaper.
Considering that it was a fundraiser dinner, I caved in, much to my regret last night. The Idiot was awful (though he could sing relatively well, too) and the jokes were either not funny or offensive to the VVIPs. I think we lost half the goodwill created before that, due to his lame and offensive jokes.
Moral of the story: If you're choosing a comedian for the entertainment section of a dinner - don't take the ones that are 50% off the good ones. Pay for value and you will get value, for the pay.
But overall, it was a great night. I came home, exhausted and a little hungry - didn't eat very much, since I was busy with the event. But something felt good inside - I forgot how much I enjoyed the thrill of organizing successful events, where everyone went home smiling.
But it was not only that.
Last night, our efforts and the efforts of all those that have supported us in our journey, were recognized by the powers-that-be and the people who matter.
The NGO has done a lot and it's about time, we took a little credit for it. Unlike most other organizations that are obsessive about talking an issue to death, we made sure that we walked an issue to resolution, as well. It'll probably make the road ahead much easier as well, for us to push for a better environment for players involved in the innovation landscape.
And the Council Members of the NGO - well, I've realized how much we've been through together - I have a memory of at least one major event, being shared with all of them. We're not just Council Members anymore - we're family. A truly Malaysian family.
Thank you, God, for this night of full of meaning. My life may be lonely in some ways, but one thing that I've always been thankful for, is that it has never lacked meaning and the avenue for contribution.
Alhamdulillah.:)
posted by Stingrayz | 6:11 PM
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