One of my favorite movies is “City Slickers”, a 1991 American western comedy film, directed by Ron Underwood and starring Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, Bruno Kirby, and Jack Palance. A pivotal moment in the movie takes place when Billy Crystal’s character (Mitch) is alone with Curly (played by Jack Palance). Curly is giving Mitch some life advice.

Curly: Do you know what the secret of life is? [holds up one finger] This.

Mitch: Your finger?

Curly: One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don’t matter.

Mitch: But, what is the “one thing?”

Curly: That’s what you have to find out.

That scene, for me, contains a simple but profound insight. Finding that one paramount thing in life and sticking with it enable us to uncover the secret of life. For ACSians, that one thing is akin to finding the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:44–46).

Perhaps, the principle (modified to fit the context) of uncovering that “one thing” also has application to the OBA. The OBA invests much of its time and energy carrying out a myriad of well-intended ideas, goals and activities. Yet, unless the OBA’s labour is aligned, the sum of our efforts may prove transient and unsatisfactory. Somewhat like taking a cruise to nowhere – after a journey lasting several days, you return to the point of origin. As an association, the OBA seeks to fulfil a purpose beyond temporal concerns. OBA’s “one thing” is reflected in its Vision: “Preserving and Promoting the ACS Spirit for the Glory of God and the ACS Community.”

In line with this Vision, the OBA has over the last year:

(1) anchored its Vision, Mission and Values;

(2) constituted Standing Committees for institutional continuity;

(3) increased engagement and communication with alumni and ACS Schools to ensure that OBA is close to the pulse of the ACS community;

(4) appointed professional association management to enhance its work;

(5) refreshed its web presence; and

(6) increased its mindspace to encourage evolution, fresh ideas and changes, to ensure OBA remains relevant and fresh in the coming years.

Our roadmap this year will provide opportunities for the OBA to consider new footprints (such as having an online store with ACS accessories, apparels, collections and publications), explore aspirational goals (such as providing a clubhouse for members and the ACS community) and review constitutional challenges (such as changing its revenue model and increasing membership).

Please join us in our quest to remake OBA into an association that is worthy of our school’s motto.

The Best is Yet to Be!

Lim Tat
President
ACSOBA 2016/17