It has been a little more than a decade since I was invited to join the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF). The co-operative life was a total change for me after a lifetime career in the corporate world although I had always been involved as a volunteer, a Committee member and as a Board member in charities and in public service. Having the passion to continue to contribute to society especially for communities whose voices may be too soft to be heard, the challenge of doing good sustainably, the co-operative values of empowering one to help himself/herself and practising the gotong royong spirit make good sense.

For me, it was a learning journey in the co-operative movement which was challenging, exciting, fun and fulfilling, both locally and overseas.  It was never just a job. It is about making that difference. It is about touching lives, and building on the legacy of our pioneers and make lives better.

The co-operative movement is a force of do well and do good. However, if we want to remain relevant and drive continued growth, we need to first, collaborate and co-operate, to anticipate the next wave, to transform and be ahead of the pack.

We have shown that when we collaborate, we can accomplish more than the sum of each individual’s efforts. For example, coming together to plan and organise the mega event for 15,000 attendees including children, parents, grandparents from the NTUC First Campus Co-operative, ‘Co-opaliciouz - Come Together as One’ to commemorate 2012 International Year of Co-operatives (IYC), and working together with the Singapore Tourism Board to win the bid to host the first ever World Credit Union Conference in Singapore and in Southeast Asia in July 2018 which brought 1,400 attendees from 58 countries around the world to Singapore.

Second, we need to engage and encourage the youth, the leaders of tomorrow, to join the co-operatives. I am extremely proud of our scholars in our scholarship programme. Once youths have longer term needs and interests, they can contribute to the sustainability of the co-operatives. In addition, taking proactive steps to plan for future talent needs will ensure smooth transition of leadership when the old guards retire, which help ensure the co-operatives’ future viability.

Third, we want to build on the legacy of our pioneers and leave a legacy for our future generations.  We documented this in the books published, i.e. ‘The Singapore Co-operative Story’ (1925-2015) and ‘Singapore Co-operatives, Singapore Stories’.

Fourth, for the co-operative movement to progress, it is important to engage all stakeholders including the Ministries. Policies should be appropriately balanced between the need to allow co-operatives to grow and the need to protect members’ interests. We should share resources and expertise more to be more productive and efficient than reinventing the wheels.

In short, for the co-operative movement to move forward, we must remember our roots - co-operatives exist to serve the communities while running sustainable businesses; and we must evolve with time; embrace the youth; and collaborate with other co-operatives, organisations and the Ministries. It is only when we walk the talk, we can then continue to tell our stories, Our Singapore Co-operatives, Our Singapore Stories, and fly the Singapore flag high and win the respect of Singaporeans and friends around the world.

I will remember the times that we have together when I move on to the next chapter of my life’s journey, to continue to do good and to do more good. Thank you for your guidance and in taking my guidance. I wish you all to continue to plough on and bring the co-operative movement to greater heights.

Remember, We Never Walk Alone!

Signing Off
Dolly Goh

Lifetime Memories that We Share Together