Service with a smile
MICHELLE Mok Shiau Ping’s weekdays are filled with meetings for numerous charity projects.
On weekends, she travels outstation. On average, the lawyer gets about six hours of sleep each day.
But Mok takes in all in her stride because she has a mission.
“One person may not be able to change the world but when you work in a team, you can make a big difference to improve a person’s life or a community,” says Mok who is the Lions Club International (LCI) District 308 B1 District Governor (DG).
District 308 B1 comprises seven districts - Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Wilayah Persekutuan, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan. There are 126 clubs with 3,900 members under Mok’s wing.
“During my tenure, I hope to reshape the image of Lions, ensure a better administration system and inculcate positive thinking. I also hope to promote youth development and enhance the quality of LCI’s services to the community,” says Mok, who intends to focus on issues like hunger relief, childhood cancer, diabetes awareness and environment concerns.
There are plans to organise culinary, sewing and business workshops for urban poor women and single mothers across District 308 B1.
The mother-of-two has been with the Lions Club for 17 years and has experienced an eventful ‘lionistic’ journey. She has served in various positions in her club including president, region chairperson, certified district trainer and 2nd vice district governor. “I am grateful for the opportunity to the lead the district. It’s truly an honour especially for women’s achievement in community service,” says Mok, who hails from
Lahad Datu, Sabah.
Throughout LCI’s (Malaysia) 60-year history, only four women from district 308 B1 have taken up the prestigious position of DG. Last July, Mok became the fourth woman to assume the male-dominated post.
“Women are assertive and rely on their soft skills to communicate with others. They are compassionate and empathetic. They can excel in any high position, especially with their team members’ support,” says Mok during an interview in Petaling Jaya recently.
“I am looking forward to leading the team for the fiscal year 2018-2019. I have formulated the theme Bridging Love with Care and Smiles, and hope LCI’s services will be more than merely serving others. I would like to enhance our services with love, care and most importantly, with a warm smile,” says the 52-year-old lawyer, who joined Lions Club in 2001.
According to her, there is nothing more fulfilling than lending a helping hand to the less fortunate.
“Anyone, regardless of their wealth or status, can do their bit to help a person in need. Simple deeds like feeding the poor, teaching underprivileged children or spending time with the old folks are simple deeds that one can do to reach out to others,” says the lawyer who has provided pro bono services for the underprivileged.
Mok believes any small deed can work wonders to alter a person’s life.
Even with her hectic schedule, she was quick to reach out to victims of the Kelantan floods in 2014, and the massive earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015.
As the DG of a huge network of Lion clubs across seven states, she will now be able to lead her community to make even more of an impact.