Written by Zhang Bi-Yun Photographed by Guo Shui-De Translated by Mindy Chen
Zhang Xuan-Er, TIMA member from the USA, shared that the lecture-affair team is indeed mindful.
Tzu Chi volunteers in Tzu Chi uniforms, standing in a line, bowed and clapped hands to greet the special guests - TIMA members.
When the lecture-affair team received the information: “The closing party will be held at Jing Si Abode instead of Jing Si Hall, the team members rushed to put labels with group numbers, country names, location of seats (eastern or western area) on the signs so that the participants could easily find their groups and locations.
2018 TIMA Conference is about to be held on Sep. 22. All functional team members have been on the go. In addition to planning lecture schedules, inviting lecturers and receiving attendees, 45 lecture-affair team members also planned the traffic flow for TIMA members’ entering the dining room.
Zhang Xuan-Er, a humble, pretty volunteer from the USA, greatly praised the lecture-affair team members from Kaohsiung. She stated that she felt they were easy-going and friendly. Besides, when discussing with them,. Once reaching an agreement, they replied,” Got it well!” Although she was with them for only one day, she thought their spirit is indeed worth learning.
Zhang Xuan-Er modestly said, “I am here to learn.” She has been a Tzu Chi volunteer in the USA for over 20 years. Two weeks ago, she just went to New Mexico for free clinics as well as material distribution, and she felt a bit exhausted afterwards. Therefore, she hesitated about whether to attend the 2018 TIMA Conference. However, Tzu Chi USA will host the 2019 TIMA seminar; therefore, she decided to come to learn the valuable experience. She was assigned to work with the lecture-affairs team. She said, “It’s quite different experience from what I have learned in the USA. In the States, the lecture- affair team is only in charge of lecture design, communication with lecturers, collecting information from lecturers, contacting with other functional teams like culinary, diligent, activity and so on. But here, the lecture-affair team must take care of everything!” Through participating in volunteer work in all functional teams, Xuan-Er realized how important cooperation and selfless contribution are! Everyone here would like to express their gratitude and love to overseas dharma family members through participating in volunteer work during the Conference. “Tzu Chi volunteers feel grateful to each other indeed,” said Xuan-Er. Grateful actions speak louder than watching and words.
Zhang Xuan-Er and Steven Voon attend 2018 annual TIMA Convention, and aim to get valuable experience for hosting 2019 TIMA conference held in the USA.