SIDS rebrands to attract younger members
SIBU: Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak ( SIDS) Sibu has taken initiatives to rebrand the association in keeping up with time and the changing environment.
According to its outgoing chairperson Dato Alice Jawan, the association has been associated with senior and elderly members of the Dayak community and was facing challenges in recruiting younger members.
“We are currently trying to rebrand it to be an association for all ages and professions.
“The age range is now from 18 years old ( junior members) to our senior members of 70 years old,” she said after the SIDS Sibu 26th annual general meeting cum election of new committee for 2018 -2020 term held at a hotel here yesterday.
Angelyn Uchi Maseng was unanimously elected to lead the assocation.
Alice, who has led the association for the past 17 years, noted that members in the age group of 30s and 40s were increasing including those from the professional/graduate group.
“In order for SIDS Sibu to grow, we need to be inclusive of our young Dayak ladies and to allow them to diversify activities within the vision of the SIDS.
“Understanding the needs of the young Dayak ladies and motivating them to reach out for the stars through education is the way of the future.
“We must ensure that our youths have the opportunities to chart their own path and SIDS should provide the link or network for them to grow. Sarakup carried out many activities on welfare, health, education, crafts, and leadership geared for the overall development of our women,” she said.
While saying that partnership between all parties was important to ensure forming a good team for the community, Alice said every member should strive to do the best for the community as a united group of SIDS, in achieving more for the women.
According to her, SIDS comprised women with varying knowledge and skills and by strengthening the team, more could be achieved.
She hoped that SIDS Sibu or Sarakup would continue to strive and extended her gratitude to all members and past leaders for their support, and to her family for their understanding, love, and support that allowed her to give her best in all activities.
“It has been an honor to serve SIDS Sibu and I will continue to serve in different capacity for our SIDS Sibu and Dayak women.
“We now have to unite and give our full support to the new chairperson, Angelyn who is ready and will take SIDS Sibu to new heights,” Alice said.
SIDS Sibu was formed in 1989 with only about 40 Iban ladies. In the last 29 years, SIDS Sibu had grown and now has more than 1,200 members from the urban and rural areas.
Alice was the second branch chairperson who had taken SIDS to a different level by expanding membership to Dayak women from rural longhouses, emphasis on education and empowerment of women.
Meanwhile, other elected executive committee members of SIDS Sibu are Monica Firi Jamban as the vice- chairperson, Michelle Hildalyne Jering Anthony Luta (secretary) and Claudia Dieo (assistant secretary).
Mundau Undau was elected treasurer, assisted by Priscilla Bunsi David.
The other committee members are Magdaline Segie, Elizabeth Raymond, Loryna Leman, Catherine Tamoh and Lynner Andrew Lenggie.
The co- opted members are Adina Sana, Magdalen Sinah and Senorita Salleh.