To mark out distinctly the start of the NDP 2008 journey is certainly not an easy task – precisely when, along the road to NDP 2008 and amidst the preparation going on, can one proclaim to be at the beginning? Yet, sitting in a meeting like this, the question fails to come into consideration – as far as these meetings are concerned, NDP 2008 consists of many beginnings, each at a significant milestone along the road to August 2008 and sparked off by an important event. 

The date was the 4th of April 2008, the venue Orchid Country Club’s Jade Suite. As much as the number 4 was present throughout (the 4th EXCO Meeting on the 4th day of the 4th month), this felt just like the beginning once again – the infectious enthusiasm that surrounded the Suite made the event seem like the start of something new. And in many ways, it was indeed the start of something new. 

The spontaneity that characterized the mood of everyone present was evident from the start. Being Friday, it was an opportune moment for the EXCO members and all others present to take stock of the NDP 2008 journey thus far amidst the backdrop of a country club suite and the impending weekend. The result was a relaxed atmosphere showered with pride at how far the NDP journey had come – what was but a project in its infant stages at the NDP 2008 Visioning last August was now a full-fledged event in the planning. 

Speaking about planning, updates were surely in order. Committee after committee presented their updates to all present, and detail after detail came under the scrutiny of watchful eyes in the audience, as has been characteristic of the NDP 2008 meetings thus far. Perhaps one has to look no further than these meetings to prove the point that constant questioning is one of the main catalysts for improvement – question by question, concern by concern, the issues were taken note of and resolved, and one easily sensed the Parade itself forming amidst the discussion. 

Yet taking stock did not constitute all that was done in the meeting. Being in the heat of NDP planning, this was the time to make decisions. From the theme song to the TV coverage of the Parade itself, ideas were raised and decisions were made. In some ways, the meeting was like a micro-version of the Parade itself – people who represent diverse organizations coming together to reaffirm their stake in the journey, and contributing in their own diverse ways to the cause. And one came away with the conception that just as the Singapore Spirit, in being the spirit of its people, clearly characterises Singapore, the NDP 2008 meetings and various other events thus far have characterised the NDP 2008 journey by representing the relationships between various stakeholders on a smaller scale. 

Every issue on the agenda having been raised and discussed, it was now time for the EXCO Happy Hour. Viewing the EXCO members and other guests walking down the flight of stairs to the sight of food and drinks below, one could already feel the weekend in the making. Yet the feeling that something new had begun was not lost on everyone – just as this EXCO meeting was the start of the implementation of the decisions made, the week ahead that beckoned promised to be the beginning of many more things to come.