1ST KUALA LUMPUR COY RECIPIENT OF PIONEER PIN AWARD

 

 

 

    Interview with Warrant Officer Lee Seng Mun...

1. Can you tell me what the Pioneer Pin is all about?
The Pioneer Pin is the highest national award in Girls’ Brigade Malaysia. Girls between 16 to 21 years old are qualified to work for this Pin. When a girl gets her pin, it is worn on the pocket of her uniform. When a girl has become a Warrant Officer, she may continue to work for the pin if she desires, and continue to wear the pin on promotion to the status of Commissioned Officer.

2. What did you do to qualify for the pin? How long did you take?
Basically it took me three years, working inconsistently, to finish all the required areas for me to qualify for the award. The pioneer pin is awarded when a girl completes 5 areas:-
 

i) Four triangles have been completed
The four triangles are earned by completing the Pioneer Venture Program (PVP).The PVP is divided into four responsibilities. A girl has to work in these 4 responsibilities which are Responsibility in the Home, Responsibility in the Church, Responsibility in the Community and Responsibility in the World. When the PVP is completed, a girl will earn the four triangles.
 
ii) The compulsory service section is done
This service section is three months of consistent social service or 25 hours of social service to be rendered to others such as old folk, children and those in need.
 
iii) Preliminary Leadership Skills Training is completed.
This training is normally called the Young Leader’s Preliminary Training (YLPT). When completed, a girl is qualified to be a Young Leader and enables her to help her officers.
 
iv) The four areas of leadership training skills are completed
These trainings offer a girl the opportunity to develop in the areas of leadership in which she feels she would like to accept responsibilities. All girls must complete the YLPT, and then she should attend the four areas of training on Spiritual leadership, Girls’ Brigade leadership, Administrative leadership and Recreational leadership.
 
v) Been interviewed to the satisfaction of the interviewing committee.
 
3. What was the most difficult obstacle to achieve the pin?
Completing the PVP is the hardest. School, tuition, homework, exams and extra-curricular activities took up a lot of time. Therefore I hardly had time to work on the PVP. When I had the time, I would be tempted to rest and enjoy the day. Completing the PVP is a long process. At times it never seemed to end and I would be tempted to stop and give up. Completing the compulsory service section was difficult too. I had to wait until after my SPM to work on this area as I have to be consistent
 
4. Did you have to get help from anyone?
One cannot work alone. Receiving this pin was not solely my work but also help from others. All my GB officers have contributed in giving spiritual, physical and moral support. I want to especially say thanks to three individuals. The first person is Lt. Jenny Ho who was the Pioneer Section leader. She has given me many opportunities to work on the PVP. Without her help, I would have taken a much longer time to complete the PVP. The second person is Advisor Ms. Tay Choon Neo who was also the Pioneer Section leader. As a member of the national EXCO, she has a vast knowledge about the interviewing committee. Therefore she helped prepare me for the interview. Lastly, I would like to say thanks to Mr. Tung Kam Seng. Though he was busy, he still helped me by providing information about the local to the worldwide set up of a church.
 
5. How do you feel getting this award?
I am thankful to God. It is not about the award but because of the experience that comes with the award. I am also glad that I have finally finished all the 5 areas because if given a longer time, I would have been tempted to give up on working for the Pioneer Pin.
 
6. Do you think you have benefited as a person? How?
Yes. Through the training skills, I learn to gradually fit into the role of a leader. Besides, I am able to communicate with others more confidently and view things more positively. Completing the 5 areas was a wonderful experience. It made me aware of my surroundings and how I was capable to contribute to society.