Singapore (Ji Yang) Cai Clan Association 
新加坡濟阳蔡氏公会

新加坡济阳蔡氏公会会员资料更新简报

 

 

新加坡济阳蔡氏公会于1930年成立,至今已有83年历史。截此共有2778名会员的入会表格存档。由於创会时没有入会表格可填写,早期的会员无从考究。当蔡普中宗长在1963年担任会长时,设计了首份“申请入会志愿书”,所有在籍的会员都填补表格;因此,1963年整年总共收到498份表格。蔡普中会长填写第一张表格,号码是 0001 号。

 

可想而知,这八十多年储存的会员资料肯定不完全正确;有鉴於此,公会在2012年中旬发函并附上“会员资料更新表”给所有会员,希望收到最新近的资料。可惜的是,发出去的信件七百多封,回返更新表格只收到127份。

 

今年2013年再次发信通知会员,我们公会的董事将会以电话或登门造访方式联系他们,询问存档的各项资料是否正确或已更改。这是件不简单的任务,幸亏不负所望,成功率约达六,七成。

 

之前公会执行秘书都会以手抄方式,将会员的基本资料纪录在厚皮大簿子里(如旧款帐簿),九十年代才开始输入电脑,所输入资料也以通讯地址,性名和会员号码为主。如今,公会准备将所有会员资料,详细地储存在一套新的电脑系统里,借科技的辅助,更加方便与所有的会员们联系。

 

在整理兼输入会员资料的过程中,笔者犹如步入时光岁随道,亲眼见证了新加坡济阳蔡氏公会的历史,也同时看到了新加坡近百年的部份变迁与进步,感触颇深。

 

1966年十月份之前填写的表格上,身份证号码都是五位数,以零开始;电话号码也是五位数;邮区只是单数或双数,新加坡当时只划分二十多个邮区。会员号码 0001 – 0998 的表格上地址都印着

No.89

River Valley Road, Singapore 6. Tel: 33059.

 

1969年的表格呈现的邮区,则为四位数,电话号码也增至六位数, 身份证也增至七位数。会员号码 0999 – 2552 的表格上地址都印着

No.38

AmberRoad, Singapore 15. Tel: 498074.

 

1963 – 1996 年的表格只填写年龄,中英文地址,邮区都从缺,没有电话联络号码;表格全由“赞成人”签署。

 

1997年开始,以今日会所地址 No.3 Lorong Geylang,

Singapore 388751 Tel: 7473665 印制的“入会申请表格”,方由当任会长在董事会议通过后签署。1999年十月过后的表格才开始有出生日期,联络号码(住家,手机,办公室,传真),甚至电邮地址,家属,兴趣等资料都齐全。

2007年开始,公会修改章程,取消互助部,但仍保留原有福荫福利。在50-80年代,有好多宗亲都是因为互助部而参加公会,,这是当时吸引他们成为会员的一个因素。二十五年光景,新加坡急速转型已成为一个先进社会,个个社团也须顺应时代做出政变。于2008年,公会决定以$150一次性会费,让入会者成为“永久会员”,免除每年向每位会员收取年捐的工作,省了聘请收捐员的费用。

 

 

翻阅一张张表格,看见会员们亲手填写的资料,无限感触。早期的会员们,除了一些是从“商”者,还有不少职业是今日罕见的,如:英国皇家空军建筑部监督人员,烧焊打吗甲,打跌工,制香,机工,农夫,渔人,木匠,更有填写“南大学生”,学生,读书,兵士,乐员;一些退休长者填写:“老人”,“家务” 等特殊又有趣的身份。1965 – 1966 年间,好多年级很轻的“乐员”加入公会,他们都是锣鼓队的成员,最小的是蔡龙干才11岁(1966年),大的也二十多岁,共近30名。年纪最大的申请者是蔡成齐宗亲,1968年的申请表格写着84岁。

 

 

表格中,有位文员以英文打字机打印填写表格,另一位用毛笔以小楷填写,书法工整秀气,还有一位宗亲签名又盖章,仅有一位散工宗亲用红墨打大姆指印,字迹各行各色,可看出填写人的认真与用心,诚意十足,令人敬佩不已。这些资料,这张张的表格,笔者视之为很珍贵的历史文物,处理时小心翼翼,花了不少时间细心用透明胶纸修补破损的地方,让这些长辈们留下来的鸿迹,印证我们公会细水长流,成功发展,益裕后人。

 

 

 

1963 2013 年总共有2778张入会表格,但电脑档案显示770名有效会员。事因这50年来有些会员因年事或病故,一些会员因某种原由退出会籍,而另一些则是搬迁后失去联络,无法联系,信件被退回,少部份会员的会籍曾在过去不同时期,在正当程序上被通过删除。恳切希望那些仍在档案内而无法联络上的会员们,能与公会秘书处联系,提供您的最新资料。

 

 

 

根据档案资料,目前最年轻的会员是在籍大学生,这位女会员芳龄24岁。现今最年长的是我们的荣誉会务顾问,蔡镇芝宗长,1930年出生,今年93岁。他老人家精神奕奕,行动敏捷,健康良好,还到处走访,真教人钦佩。

 

 

以上讯息纯属数据简报,还有一些温馨又趣味的小故事,发生在我用电话向会员们索取资料时,在闲聊中,彼此分享欢乐,令人欣慰,感恩。多谢宗亲们的合作。


Bulletin on Updating

Singapore Jiyang Cai Clan Members Data

Singapore Jiyang Cai Clan was founded in 1930. It had been a remarkable 83 historical years since establishment. As at August 2013, a total number of 2,778 member application forms were filed in our records. In earlier years, no application forms were filed to record the data of members. When Mr Chua Pho Tiong, President of Jiyang Cai Clan in 1963, he drafted the very first Application Form using the name of “Chee Yang (Chua Si) Kong Huay” as letter head. All current members filled in the forms; hence, there was a total of 498 sets of forms filed in year 1963. Mr Chua Pho Tiong filled in the first application form aged 38 being Member No. 0001 dated 27.8.1963.

Obviously, the particulars of members stored over the 80 over years could not be correct. In view of the importance of keeping most up to date data of our members, Cai Clan mailed out a letter attaching a Update of Members Data Form in mid 2012 requesting members to forward their recent particulars. With much regrets, only 127 sets of updated formed were completed and returned despite of 700 over letters of request.

Nevertheless, we insisted to attempt again in 2013 by sending letters to all members informing them that our Management Committee Members would be approaching them individually either by phone calls or house visits in May to June 2013. We shall be verifying with members if their data in our records are still valid or perhaps there had been some changes, either residential address or contact numbers, etc. This is not an easy task, quite a challenging mission to fulfill. Finally, the returns are rather rewarding with success rate of 60 – 70% achievement.

In earlier years, the Secretary of Cai Clan would hand copied some summary data of members into a hard cover record books. By 1990’s, some key data began to store in computer for correspondences usage, particulars included Membership No., name & address, contact number. Today, we plan to store all information and data of our members into the new computer system for greater convenience and efficiency to link the network with all members.

In the process of sorting, arranging, and keying data of all members’ information from the recent feedbacks and source from original copy of Application Form, it was a true experience of flash back into the history of Singapore Jiyang Cai Clan and as well the history of Singapore. There had been so many changes taken place over the 80 years.

Forms filled prior to October 1966, the NRIC numbers shown were in 5 digits beginning with 0, telephone numbers in 5 digits too whereas postal code was either a single or double digits. Application Forms of Membership # 0001 - # 0998 used the letterhead of Cai Clan’s registered address at

No. 89,

RiverValley Road, Singapore 6. Tel : 33059.

In year 1969, the postal code shown on forms were in 4 digits, telephone numbers increased to 6 digits, and the NRIC had been changed to 7 digits as what we use today. The Application Forms of Members # 0999 - # 2552 showed the address of Cai Clan’s first property purchased at

No.38 Amber Road, Singapore 15. Tel : 498074.

The Application Forms used for years 1963 – 1996 indicated columns to fill in “Age”, address to be written in Chinese and English without postal code, no contact numbers at all. All forms were signed by “Supporter”.

Beginning from year 1997, the new Application Form using current premise address at No. 3 Lorong Geylang, Singapore 388751 Tel : 7473665 as letterhead. Forms with new format of design conclusive of more detailed information were printed in 1999, ie. DOB, contact numbers (residence/mobile phone/working place, fax), email address, particulars of immediate family members, hobbies, etc.

The Constitution of Jiyang Cai Clan was amended in year 2007, the Welfare Group was omitted but the benefits of welfare still remained for those members who applied in earlier years. During the years of 50’s to 80’s, many members joined the Cai Clan in need of the grant from Welfare Group. Over the years of changes and development, the society of

Singapore had progressively advanced to another era. In year 2008, Cai Clan decided to apply the one-time enrolment fee of $150 for applicants to become “Permanent Member”. This decision helped Clan saved the expenditure on employing Bills Collector and other administrative work.

As pages and pages of Application Forms being flipped through, emotion filled my heart. Every sheet of application form was hand-written filled in personally. Apart from the common trade of “Commerce/Merchant”, some trades were rarely seen today, eg. “British Royal Airbase Construction Supervisor”, welding mechanic, joss-sticks maker, farmer, fishermen, carpenter, dress-maker,etc. Some applications would filled in their occupation as “University Student of Nantah”, “Student”, “Studying”, “Soldier”, “Members of Orchestra” (Funeral occasion); some retirees filled in as “Old Man”, “House-keeping”, etc. In years 1965/1966, many young members of Orchestra group in funeral occasion joined as members of Cai Clan at very young age, youngest member was 11 year old in 1966, elder members aged in 20+, they added up nearly 30 members. The oldest applicant aged 84 on application form in 1968.

Amongst all application forms, a Clerical member used English typewriter typed his data neatly on the form, another member used Chinese calligraphy filled his form, a labourer member sealed his thumb print in red ink, another member added a carved seal chopped next to his signature. From the way these members filled in their application forms, you could strongly feel their passion and sincerity, how earnest they were to become a member of Jiyang Cai Clan.

Time and patience were indulged handling these application forms as every piece of paper was a very precious heritage of treasure. Some of them were torn or damaged that needed attentive work of mending using ring holes reinforcement, scotch tapes, etc. These evidence of proof from our senior members reflected the root of history and road of development of Cai Clan. We thanked them with great respect and honour and deep appreciation.

During the years from 1963 till 2013, there were a total of 2,778 application forms filed in records but computer showed only 770 valid members. Some members passed away as they aged or fell sick, some left due to unforeseen reasons whereas some members lost contact after removal of residence. Partial membership had been withdrawn or cancelled and were officially passed in the Board Meetings by the Management Committee Members in few meetings. We earnestly appeal to those members who had lost contacts with us to furnish your personal latest information with the Secretary of our Cai Clan.

After compiling all records, the youngest member shown in our record is a lady undergrade aged 24. The most senior member is our Honourary General Affairs Advisor, Mr Chua Chi Cher aged 93 born in 1930. Senior Chua is very healthy and still very active in his social life.

Above information were simply statistic reports. There are several heart-warming moments when interative conversations were shared over the phone while seeking data for updating. It was a joyous, pleasant, interesting experience with gratitude. Thank you all for your most supportive co-operation.



 

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