About the Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes (YFC) programme

Q1: How many project groups will be participating in the YFC programme this year?
The organisers will select 100 project groups to participate in this year’s YFC programme, based on the strength and originality of their proposals.

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Q2: What are the selection criteria for participating groups of the YFC programme?
The 100 participating groups for the YFC programme will be selected by representatives from Citi Singapore and YMCA of Singapore. The selection criteria are as follows:

• Creativity and originality of the ideas
  
• Viability of the proposal
  
• How best the group intends to leverage on the seed fund
  
• How well the team pitch their proposal to the judges

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Q3: What are the judging criteria for the winning groups of the YFC programme?
Winning groups are judged based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria. At the end of the execution period for the community projects and submission of the final reports, Citi Singapore and YMCA of Singapore will shortlist the finalists, who will be invited to present their projects to a judging panel comprising representatives from leading social/community organisations.

Qualitative criteria are as follows:

• Project management capabilities
  
• Entrepreneurship
  
• Social impact of the project
  
• Quantitative criteria are as follows:
  
• Funds raised
  
• Volunteer mobilisation and development
  
• Public outreach

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Q4: What is the timetable (submission and execution timelines) of the YFC programme?
The schedule of the main YFC programme is as follows:

Afternoon Tea Briefing for VWOs	2 March 2011
March Holiday Trainings: Business Proposal Writing Workshop Presentation Skills Workshop	16 to 19 March 2011
Deadline for submission of YFC Project Proposals	25 Mar 2011
Project Pitch	16 Apr 2011
Mentors’ Briefing Sessions	4 & 7 May 2011
Official Launch	19 May 2011
Project Implementation Period	21 May to 2 Sept 2011
Skill Enhancement Workshops	8 & 11 June 2011
YMCA-NUS Business School Volunteer Service Management Programme (VSMP)	28 May to 25 June 2011
Submission of Final Report	12 Sep 2011
Project Showcase	15 Oct 2011
Final Judging of 9 teams	22 Oct 2011
Mentors’ Appreciation Night	4 Nov 2011
Awards Celebration	19 Nov 2011

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Q5: Why should I take part in YFC?
Planning and executing a self-initiated community project through the YFC programme is, in many ways, very much like running a business. Many community projects that you see and hear about in the newspapers are organised by professional social workers and event managers, and require trained business skills in sales and marketing, public relations, financial control and event management.

Running a 16-week community project through YFC is like taking a small step into the world of entrepreneurship and business – you gain hands-on experience in what it takes to translate business ideas and concepts into reality, learn the value of working as a team, manage people, whether they are your fellow team-mates, your sponsors or your volunteers, and overcome challenges and obstacles. Such experience will definitely stand you in good stead when you embark on major-scale business projects in the working world.

At the same time, you get to serve a social cause that is close to your heart, and touch the lives of many people, whether they are the beneficiaries, your family members, your schoolmates and teachers, members of the public or the media, through your community project. By taking part in YFC, you will come away with a deeper understanding of the communities being served, and what it takes to be a volunteer.

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Q6: What are the prizes for the YFC programme?
The Most Mentor will also receive a award and S$1,000 cash to be donated at a charity of his/her choice.

The Most Supportive School will also receive a award and S$5,000 cash donation.

The Most Supportive Voluntary Welfare Organisation will receive a S$10,000 cash donation.

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About the mechanics of YFC programme

Q1: Are we only allowed to use the seed funding given for the entire project or are we allowed to fork out some money from our own pockets? And is it possible to get sponsors to fund this project or it must be entirely our own effort?
Yes, you are allowed to use your own personal money and solicit for sponsors. However, please ensure that you record these transactions in your Income & Expenditure Statement.

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Q2: What is the rationale behind a 4-member group? Why can’t the group have 2 or 3 members, or maybe 10 members?
From the experience of the organisers, a 4-member group is a logical structure for project management. The group will usually comprise the team leader, the logistics manager, the finance manager, and the marketing/publicity manager.

While the group will have 4 official members fronting the project, there’s no stopping you to form entire committees for each of the job functions, for instance, logistics, publicity/marketing, finance, etc.

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Q3: I'm a foreigner on a student/employment pass in Singapore. I’m not a Singaporean nor a Singapore Permanent Resident. Can I join the YFC programme?
Yes, so long as at least one of your team members is a Singaporean or a Singapore Permanent Resident, and supports a Singapore-registered Voluntary Welfare Organisation.

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Q4: Is it possible to execute the project before the disbursement of the fund?
It would be good if the project could start after the disbursement as each group would be assigned to a mentor from Citi Singapore and a voluntary welfare organisation. This way, you can benefit from the advice and insights of the mentors as you execute your ideas. However, this does not preclude you from doing research and getting the groundwork ready, such as finding out how to apply for fund-raising licenses, performance licenses, sourcing for suitable venues for an event, etc.

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Q5: Can we choose a Voluntary Welfare Organisation that supports another type of social cause, other than those stated in the brochure/website?
Yes. So long as the Voluntary Welfare Organisation has Institute of Public Character (IPC) status and supports a non-religious and non-racial social cause. The social causes stated in the brochure/website are guidelines, and are considered quite comprehensive.

Please remember to consult your selected Voluntary Welfare Organisation with regards to your proposed project, before submitting your proposal.

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Q6: What if the Voluntary Welfare Organisation I want to work with, does not have IPC status? Can I still take part in YFC?
Yes, you can still take part. The organisers will review such proposals on a case-by-case basis. If the Voluntary Welfare Organisation you want to work with does not have IPC status, please state in your proposal the background and objectives of the Voluntary Welfare Organisation, as well as the contact persons.

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Q7: Are community projects under the YFC programme restricted only within the country? What if we want to organise, for example, an overseas relief mission to help the victims of the recent South Asian and Southeast Asian tsunami disaster?
Yes, you can, so long as the Voluntary Welfare Organisation you work with is registered in Singapore.

But please note that the organisers will not be held responsible for any illegal acts committed, accidents and injury to or death of any party involved during the course of any YFC project, including overseas community missions.

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Q8: Do we need to apply for a license if we're selling items for fund-raising?
There will be a blanket fund-raising license for all community projects under the YFC programme during the execution period from 21 May to 2 Sept 2011. However, please note that this will only cover fund-raising. For other types of licenses, such as public entertainment and setting up a booth in a public venue, you can consult YMCA of Singapore at:

Ms Genevieve Chen
YMCA Of Singapore
1 Orchard Road
Singapore 238824
Tel: 6586 2354 Fax: 6586 2320
Email: yfc@ymca.org.sg

You can also refer to the NCSS website at www.ncss.org.sg for more details.

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Q9: What if our project failed? Say we used S$1,600 but only managed to earn S$1,000, or even made a loss?
Taking part in YFC is a valuable learning experience on what it takes to be an entrepreneur, to serve the needs of the community and manage people. Business failure is also part and parcel of the learning experience. So long as we are convinced you have tried all avenues to overcome your challenges and obstacles, but are unable to do so for a good reason, we will recognise your efforts. If you come away with a new perspective, greater insights and wisdom in your approach to project management, because of your experience as a YFC participant, we consider your participation a success.

Please do ensure that you document these experiences and insights in your Final Project Report and reflect all costs and revenue in your Income and Expenditure Statement.

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Q10: If we were to sell balloons, are we provided with a booth or stall to do so or do we have to look for a place ourselves?
You will have to source for your own stalls and venues. This will be one of the major challenges that you will face, and have to learn to overcome. Please do not hesitate to consult your mentors or YMCA of Singapore for advice and counsel.

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Q11: Can we interact with the residents of some of these Voluntary Welfare Organisations, e.g. underprivileged children from an orphanage or an after-care centre? For instance, can we teach them a skill and get them to participate in the fund-raising process as well?
Yes. By all mean, please interact with the beneficiaries of the Voluntary Welfare Organisation. In fact, the impact of your project on your beneficiaries will definitely score you points. For example, you can teach disabled people a useful skill or get the underprivileged children to participate in the fund-raising activities.

Please note that your intention to involve the beneficiaries must be properly communicated to the person-in-charge of the Voluntary Welfare Organisation, and the decision as to whether the beneficiaries should get involved with your project, lies with the Voluntary Welfare Organisation. This is very important, as there could be adverse implications if you proceed without the Voluntary Welfare Organisation’s permission.

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Q12: For the volunteer recruitment, can we get our family and friends to participate as well?
Yes! You can recruit anyone to be your volunteers. It would be great if you could rope in your family members, friends, schoolmates and get more people to be involved in your project. Recruitment and management of volunteers will be an important judging criterion for the winning projects.

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Q13: We cannot contact our mentor at all, either through handphone or email. What can we do?
Please inform YMCA of Singapore if you have difficulties interacting with your mentor. It could be because of the mentor’s unexpected work commitments or other personal reasons. We will do our best to resolve the issue, and if need be, assign another mentor to help you.

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Q14: Can we start our project early? For example, one or two weeks before the disbursement date?
You would have to inform us to let us know why you need to start your project early. We would like the Mentors and the teams to work together. Hence, we would encourage teams to start the actual execution of the project only after the disbursement date.

However, feel free to do your brainstorming and preparation for the groundwork, before the actual execution.

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