Defining the Future of ISS

The Sikh community in Singapore has come a long way since the first wave of Sikh immigrants touched the shores. Against the backdrop of Singapore’s economic, political and social changes, the pioneer Sikhs built strong foundations for future generations of Sikhs. As shared in this publication, Istri Sat Sang Singapore (ISS) is very much a part of the history and development of the social and spiritual services provided within the Sikh community in Singapore. However, ISS faces several challenges going forward – both in its immediate external environment as well as from within the organisation. It needs to address these concerns and constraints effectively for its long-term relevance and sustainability. These challenges – membership composition, succession planning, strengthening internal capabilities, changing perceptions and staying relevant – are all arguably inter-dependent.

Changing Perceptions

ISS has had to endure stereotypical perceptions, rightly or wrongly, from segments of the Sikh community, specifically that it basically caters to Sikh women more senior in age and that its main function is to primarily organise weekly gurdwara (Sikh temple) programmes. ISS has little to offer apart from these ad hoc and informal sessions. There is also a perception that the organisation is patronised by a select group of women and, is the case in many other community organisations, that involvement in it is a thankless job, making one susceptible to brickbats. As a result, many women, especially younger ones, have been less inclined to be part of ISS.

 

Staying Relevant

While ISS was started by a group of young women, as its members aged, its activities naturally catered to an older membership base. Against the backdrop of rapid economic development and a more educated younger generation, more Sikh women joined the workforce, thereby changing and diversifying the profiles and needs of the younger Sikh women. As such, ISS’ programmes, most of which are held during office hours, have grown to become less applicable to full-time working Sikh women.

For many years after its inception, ISS had the distinct advantage of being the primary community organisation where Sikh women were members, participated in and organised activities, and were comfortable being a part of. This is no longer the case. Many community organisations have been established over the last three to four decades in which Sikh women are active members, including holding leadership positions. This raises an important point on ISS being the only organisation for Sikh women to be involved in and contribute to society.

 

Moving Forward

Understanding the current needs of the community and areas of organisational development, the current Executive Council members had their first retreat and developed a vision and mission to guide their organisation forward in the coming years. The vision and mission statements, presented below, pay tribute to the efforts put in by previous Executive Council members as well as provide the much-needed beacon to steer ISS forward.

Vision

An inclusive and supportive Sikh community based on the values of Sikhism andsewa.

Mission

To provide spiritual support, foster the principles of the sadh sangat and share values and happiness with all ladies through sewa.


 

To kick off the next era, ISS promises to improve and support fellow Sikh women across different age groups. As women form the integral component of a family unit, ISS believes that it will be able to create a positive ripple effect for their family unit and community, by strengthening the foundation for every Sikh woman here. This will help create a more inclusive and supportive Sikh community. ISS commits to reaching out to more Sikh women, and to different age groups, and providing rationale for them to join the organisation.

By creating a safe space for all ladies to come together, ISS believes its members can benefit from the spiritual support, sewa for others and by being part of the sadh sangat. ISS will also facilitate younger generations of Sikh women to form friendships, connections and support structures with one another, which the older generation of women had by being part of ISS. Many of these friendships blossomed from women actively participating in ISS activities, which led to a strong solidarity during challenging times. For these networks and support system to be passed down to successive generations of Sikh women, ISS will look at developing and strengthening the trust it has with the larger Sikh community and providing opportunities for Sikh women to get together.

To support the evolving needs of the sangat, ISS recognises that it needs to firstly reverse currently-held perceptions or impressions by developing a more supportive and inclusive culture as well as expanding its range of activities to attract a wider section of the Sikh community. Instead of working in a silo, ISS intends to enhance its existing partnerships and build new ones with different
Sikh organisations. As a long standing stalwart of the community, ISS believes that it has a lot to offer to the Sikh community and intends to actively engage the aforementioned issues head on. ISS would like to invite all Sikh women interested in creating a
difference to be come forward and be part of a team which is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive Sikh community based on the values of Sikhism and sewa.

Membership Composition

The aforementioned two challenges lead to the difficulties ISS faces in attracting newer and more diverse group of members. There are, however, other factors too that contribute to this trend. Firstly, the number of youths, including Sikh women, visiting the gurdwara has visibly declined in recent times. This reduces the ability of ISS to reach out to younger members on a wider level. Secondly, with Sikh women having greater access to education now and participating more in the workforce than the generations before them, their networks and social circles are more diverse, and include many non-Sikhs. As such, there is a lesser need to engage friends who are only Sikhs or only women for that matter.