Message from the Leadership Team

To my dearest Sierrans,

Time moves ever so quickly when you’re having fun. These last twelve months have been a turbulent roller coaster, so many peaks and lows. Sounds just like the life of a business owner, doesn’t it? Yes, anyone who takes up the opportunity to run a chapter will realise very quickly just how much it is like running a business, your own or otherwise. Now, I can’t help but feel a little sad that time is up and my tenure as your president comes to a close.

It seems just like yesterday, me and other members of the current Leadership Team, were logging on at 6am, and feeling like “Oh my god, what was I thinking, I’ve got fifty more weeks to go”. Makes me smile every time I think of it.

Somehow along the way, we had so much fun that we stopped counting. I’ve had members asking me if I would continue my term for another 6 months. While I really appreciate this, I’ve decided that it’s time. As other opportunities have come knocking, I have had to make a decision to make room for the other things I want to do with my businesses and life. It is also time for someone else to take the opportunity to lead our great chapter. It is my greatest hope that this tradition gets carried forward as we continue to build up other members of our chapter. From my end, I will continue to be a contributing member of Sierra.

Deep in thought, I was recently reminded that it is okay. We have to make changes and room for other things to come into our lives. So as we reach the end of the line for my time in Sierra’s Leadership Team, I’d like to leave you all with a little bit of intellectual nourishment that I hope you can spare the time to reflect on.

1. Opportunities come and go

I learnt that opportunities come and go. We will not always be ready for them when they come. As usual, being business leaders, along with the many decisions we make daily for our businesses respectively, sometimes big ones come and we have to make a choice to take action or to let it go. Twelve months ago that opportunity came to me and I am proud to say that I have no regrets having taken up the responsibilities as President for Sierra. One of the best decisions I’ve made in my time in BNI. Since that leap, people that I’ve crossed paths with both inside and outside of BNI look to me differently and at times for guidance. One day, this opportunity may come your way too and I hope you run towards it.

2. People come and go

Like opportunities, people also come and go. We aim high, and want the best and sometimes it’s okay that people are choosing to cut short their journey as they are also going through different phases of both their business and life. It is not personal. This further adds on the fact that not only is time within a role limited, but time that others will spend on the journey with you will also be limited, so you’re only going to have a small window to make the most of it. Please do so wholeheartedly and with passionate enthusiasm.

3. Take a chance and give yourself the benefit of doubt, make a decision

I highly recommend to any member that has yet to step up to a role within the chapter’s Leadership Team Support (LTS – Chapter Growth Coordinator, Chapter Mentor Coordinator, Chapter Events Coordinator, Network Education Coordinator, Webmaster) and Leadership Team (LT – President, Vice President, Secretary Treasurer, and Lead Visitor Host) to give yourself the opportunity to explore your personal growth and at the same time, give back to the community that you are a part of. There are times when we get sucked into our daily routines, we forget what it is like to grow and be at peace with change. The best way to change things up is to step out of our comfort zone to see what we can take and how we’re going to make it work. It may be a little uncomfortable at first, but you’ll figure it out if you keep going.

4. Mutual Respect and Tactfulness

People may not remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel. In any capacity carrying yourself both inside and outside the chapter, having mutual respect, having an open ear, being approachable and always being tactful will go a long way. Always remember to keep communication going and things can and will grow. Go into any situation with clarity on the outcome that you want and don’t be afraid to have difficult conversations. You might surprise yourself at just how much people will understand when you care enough to explain things or when you are willing to lend a listening ear. Most of the time, we assume and we miss out on the opportunity to have a good conversation, an experience that really helps two parties bond. Have those conversations and build that trust.

5. Everyone in your team and community is important

Last but not least, just like time, life is ticking. Choose better for yourself and those around you. I chose to serve, to give and to support my fellow Sierrans and I started by communicating my plans to the leadership team that I started with, followed by the whole chapter. We are not perfect. We have tried our best to make the most of things for the betterment of our community. One key observation is; as much as we contribute our views, all parties of the community need to come together to make these initiatives fruitful. It will always take two hands to clap. So let’s all do our part regardless of how big or small, as all of us have our roles to play within the chapter. Every single person is just as important to the success of the chapter and it’s plans.

With that, I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to all Sierrans if I have offended you in any way. I didn’t mean to and hope if I have, you will take the time to also let me know so we can move forward together starting with a cuppa.

To the outgoing members of my leadership team, I cannot thank you all enough for coming with me on my journey to build a stronger Sierra. I am eternally grateful for your time and patience with me and each other. We’ve had many good times and I will always remember them.

To our Sierrans, thank you for trusting us in leading the chapter over the last twelve months, you guys have been awesome. It is my hope that everyone will continue to support the incoming leadership team, let’s build an even stronger Sierra!

It has been a great pleasure, cheers all! Signing off!

Your president,

Vernon Foo,
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Solutions
President, April 2022 – Mar 2023

Taking up the Vice President role for the second time wasn’t a difficult decision to make as I truly enjoyed the opportunity given to care for the members in such a way and to ensure chapter runs in the most harmonious way possible. It has been my privilege to be given the honour to assist the President and Leadership Team and would like to express my utmost gratitude to the Membership Committee (Gael, Solomon, Damon, Deana, Dennis & Joseph) for the endless support and making the MCM process less crucial.

If I were to be given another chance, I would have chosen to continue my contributions as Vice President as I’m genuinely passionate about the happiness of the members, but it’s time that I should answer to my new callings and to make bigger dreams come true for the chapter hopefully!

I sincerely thank you all again for your dedications and trusts in us Leadership Team and we shall continue the journey together as One Family, One Chapter, One Heart.

Carmen Chin,
Event Management
Vice President, Oct 2022 – Mar 2023

I would like to start off by saying what a pleasure and honour it is to serve in the Leadership Team, working along side hardworking and dedicated fellow Referral Partners. Being the Secretary Treasurer means that Referral Partners are trusting me with their funds, and to ensure that the funds are properly utilised for the Chapter’s growth and benefit.

With the move to a hybrid meeting structure in February 2023, this means more funds will be needed to make our physical meetings worthwhile and interesting. As always the Leadership Team will ensure that our Referral Partners’ health and safety remains a priority whilst balancing Sierra’s growth and business objectives. The days of MCO may be over but we must continue to be mindful of following good safety procedures like not over crowding our meetings and reminding our Referral Partners to stay home if they don’t feel well.

I would like to thank our Event Coordinator, Cathrine Leong and her various committees who have contributed in helping to organise the activities during the term. Through their efforts and dedication we were able to bring a mix of family and business events. It is important that we include family events which allow us to get to know our Referral Partners at a personal level. After all behind every business owner is his/her family supporting them through the tough times.

I would also like to thank Rene Teo for her assistance in helping with our Referral Partners’ renewal process.

It is my fervent hope that more of our Referral Partners will take an active role in the new term. Your participation in our activities is particularly important as the activities are organised for our Referral Partners’ enjoyment, for building bonds as well as creating opportunities for business collaboration. Organising any activities requires not only time and effort, but RPs’ contribution and participation. Through your participation we can obtain your feed back on what other activities the Leadership Team can organise and how we can utilise your contribution more effectively.

I look forward to continue working with our new Leadership Team and with our Referral Partners for the new term. Thank you for your support and the trust you have in me.

Gillian Chong
Practice Director
UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd
Secretary Treasurer, Oct 2022 – Mar 2023

After serving two terms as Lead Visitor Host, it is time to past the baton to the next Referral Partner. He is a seasoned member in the chapter, and I am confident he will do a great job.

2023 seems like the perfect opportunity to grow the chapter to 60 Referral Partners. As everything is normal again, and the economy is certain to bounce back, having a trusted network to help your business thrive is the most viable option. But it is only possible if the stick to the basics and focus on the Power of One.

With the new leadership team in place, I can picture BNI Sierra standing amongst giants in the BNI system once again.

Foong Eu Jin
Corporate Insurance Specialist,

Lead Visitor Host, LT 2022-2023