Volunteer body aims to increase membership

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chartered Volunteer Society aims to increase its membership to at least 1,000 strong by next year.

Founding president Professor Dr Benjamin Yapp said although the organisation is new, it is steadily gaining recognition from the public as well as other organisations with a similar vision.

“We were only established in October this year and although we are very young, we are moving very fast.

“Our membership is growing day by day and hopefully we can increase it to at least a thousand next year,” he told reporters during the Sabah Chartered Volunteer Society seminar on entrepreneur development and financial management at MCIS Insurance, yesterday.

He added that the non-profit organisation seeks to expand to more districts outside Kota Kinabalu, to add to Tuaran, Tamparuli, Kiulu and Tenghilan.

Yesterday’s seminar was part of the organisation’s community development program to improve standards of living.

Benjamin said the seminar was aimed at encouraging volunteers, especially youths, to venture into economic activities and entrepreneurship.

“We organise talks from time to time to educate volunteers and anyone interested, so they can find a way to earn extra income.

“Many youths today face the problem of securing a job, so we try to alleviate this issue through our programmes,” he explained. Benjamin further said the public must grab opportunities when there is a chance to generate income and improve personal development.

He also welcomed those interested to join as volunteers, saying the organisation is open to all.