I-D.A.R.E. to Be
The spirit and tenacity of our Heartware volunteers is best encapsulated in our I-DARE values, first created during our re-branding in 2018.
Any Heartware volunteer can tell you that their volunteer journey, though fulfilling, is anticipated with difficult decisions and even failures. To step-up, they have to DARE to take on the challenges, while maintaining true to themselves.
Say I-DARE!
So What?
Our Heartware volunteer programmes are meant to challenge our youths to think smart and be street-smart, and not without sufficient preparation. All volunteers undergo onboarding sessions where they will learn the knowledge, skills, and emotional awareness to understand what the programme is for and how they can contribute.
Part of these sessions include Scenario-Based Learning that encourages volunteers to critically appreciate the situation and solve issues with their values as their moral compass. Let’s see how the I-DARE values steer our solutions:
Heartware Tuition Programme
Scenario: There is a fight in class that occurred between 2 good friends. Subsequent lessons saw them either bad mouthing each other or just not talking. Worse still, you’re tutoring the both of them. What would you do?
| I | “I could carry on teaching and avoid addressing their personal problems, but they are my responsibility. I could try guide them in talking it out, because their discomfort around each other can affect their concentration and progress too.” |
| D | “Alright, let’s plan a way to make sure they clear any misunderstanding. No rest until they say sorry to each other!” |
| A | “It is not like me to see two people I care for be at loggerheads. I am not going to say that it’s not my problem.” |
| R | “Mending a relationship is not easy. I have to be wise and careful in my words and reaction, and try my best even of progress cannot be seen at the end of the session.” |
| E | “I could plan pair-based games in the coming sessions and ask my fellow tutors and their tutees to join too. I will make sure that my two tutees have to work together in the games.” |
Heartware Support Our Pioneers
Scenario: During a visitation, an elderly man had a sudden burst of outrage, talking about how his children kept coming up with excuses to not come and even pay him a 15-minute visit. What would you do?
| I | “I could avoid the topic completely, or I could slowly ease him into expressing his feelings and eventually calm him down.” |
| D | “Family matters may be beyond me, but I now understand that he treasures visits from people he loves. I will make sure that I come down to visit him in all the pre-arranged sessions for the programme.” |
| A | “I will make sure that the words I say are not dismissive or uncaring, just so that he will stop talking about the issue. I will listen to him sincerely.” |
| R | “It’s not easy to absorb his disappointments, and I feel uncomfortable about it too. He might express his sadness next visitation too. I will prepare myself mentally and emotionally to receive his thoughts and feelings.” |
| E | “Twice monthly for our visitations is twice the fun every month for him! Perhaps in the coming sessions, we can bring im out or do the things that likes. We can even organize block gatherings so that he can make new friends nearby.” |
Heartware – National Day Parade Hospitality Management
Scenario: Some spectators are reserving seats for their friends who are coming late, and they are adamant about not giving their seats due to the large influx of people. What would you do?
| I | “Even though I understand their concerns, I cannot close a one eye for this. If I allow them to do as they wish, there will be many empty spaces in between spectators. , especially when this group comes in to slot themselves in. So, no they do not reserve. |
| D | “As I talk to them, I must maintain a smile and be respectful. After all, I am here to serve the public.” |
| A | “I might get frustrated at their insistence, but I must remain true to the instructions that were passed down to me. When I speak to the spectators, I should also mean what I say.” |
| R | “They might make noise about me being ‘unreasonable’, but there are bigger reasons why these must be done. I should stand my ground, or seek help if really needed.” |
| E | “If they truly insist on sitting together, speak louder so that others around can also listen to the reasons why. They might feel pressured to listen and move in.” |
Got an idea on how to use I-DARE now? Always keep it in mind when serving others. If I-DARE, you would definitely dare too!