FORUM WITH MEMBERS ON 3RD MAY 2012 AT KOTA KINABALU WETLAND CENTRE AT 1930 HRS
Welcome Speech
Hon. Chairman Mr.Daniel Doughty welcome members and informed of EXCO working together with member on same level of understanding.
Agenda
For any written query to forward to STGA new official email: ask@stga.com.my or
doughty.rapidea@gmail.com
Office Bearers of STGA EXCO 2012-2014
All query pertaining STGA via email: ask@stga.com.my as phone call query may not be entertained.
EGM on STGA being independent and not affiliated to MTGC on 10th or 11th June 2012
New STGA SOP on Renewal of membership and New member application, once Temporary Secretariat Office is established (hopefully) by end of May. Meanwhile all renewal of membership shall be directly dealt with Hon. Treasurer Sean Lee.
Any Other Business
Q: Benjamin Golimbi TG4273
Request for updates on member listing with bio-data.
A: Will have in the future have column in STGA website with certain details on members bio-data.
Q: John Prudente TG4279
Cost of paying for renewal TG license, STGA membership cum MTGC and CTRE is too heavy. Is EXCO considering t revise certain fee?
A: STGA is considering this and to be discussed during EGM.
Q: Amran TG10864
Will the minimum wage confirmed Federal Government effect TG remuneration when applying for full time Job in Tour Agency?
A: a. May not have visible impact on Full-Time Guide Salary as extra perks e.g. tour allowance supplementing Basic Income.
To bring to relevant authority on personal witnessing of 150 tourist being cramped in two carriages while doing Padas rafting.
A: b. STGA to bring matter to relevant authority.
Propose telephone allowances to Hon.Chairman and Hon.Secretary to compensate all dealings of STGA through phone calls.
A: c. EXCO is finalizing this matter in the near future.
Q: Roland NgTG9701
What is EXCO stands on MOTOUR Dato’ Ng press released on Taxi driver cumTour Guide issue?
A: a. STGA to approach MATTA and officially write in to MOTOUR for clarification.
Update : written to Matta as well followed by press release.
On Blue Badge and Green Badge TG in Sabah being given free will to guide anyway in Sabah.
Request that EXCO get a written Blanket Cover Letter on the said matter in order not to be side-lined on restriction issues governing license and Insurance Coverage until the 1Badge license materialized.
A: b.STGA to write in to MOTOUR or MTGC on request of Blanket Cover Letter.
On members Bio-data in STGA website. To ensure certain privacy so as not to be abuse by certain quarters e.g. Brunei agents.
A: c. Reassure to protect members privacy and consent prior to public viewing.
3.2 Q: Chin Tong Boi TG4528
a. On CTRE of Salt Trail by TYK. Has CTRE code been approved as appklication was submitted
through past CTRE Officer?
A: Ms.SF Chin as present CTRE Officer will follow up matter.
Update : CTRE Code was not approved.
Meeting concluded at 2030 hrs.
MNUTES OF FORUM WITH S’KAN GUIDES HELD ON 6TH MAY, 2012 ( SUNDAY ) AT 7.00 P.M IN MARK’S LODGE, SANDAKAN
OPENING SPEECH
The Chairman, Daniel Doughty welcomed members who made themselves available to attend this forum.
Propose of this forum is to update members about the enforcement of STGA’s Standard Operation Procedures ( SOP ) on Membership. Members may also voice up & give their comment on this matter
ELECTION OF STGA’S REPRESENTATIVE IN SANDAKAN FOR YEAR 2012-2014
Before the updating of SOP, Sandakan members have elected Mr John Bakar as their representative for year 2012 – 2014.
Lillian Agama informed the floor on the followings:
TEMPORARY SECRETARIAT OFFICE
STGA has set up its temporary Secretariat office at the Chairman’s office at :
13 – 1, 1st floor, Block E, Lintas Plaza ,
Lorong Lintas Plaza 3, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Office Hours: Monday to Friday , from 0900a.m. to 18.00p.m.
All dealing will be done at this office after the recruitment of a clerical staff
UPDATING ON SOP
According to STGA’s Constitution, article 5, Clause 5.1
“ Every member, shall, between 1st and 31st of January of each year, pay to the Association for such year an Annual Subscription or any outstanding annual subscription, the amount of which shall be fixed by the General Meeting. Any member, who fails or neglects to pay such subscription without any valid reason within one calendar month after receipt of notice in whatsoever mean from the Hon Secretary requiring such payment, shall henceforth cease to be a member “
Lillian stressed that it is high time for STGA to enforce the above so that the administration of STGA will be able to operate more smoothly & efficiently.
RENEWAL OF 2012 MEMBERSHIP
For members who have not paid up their yr 2012 sub fee, a grace period of 3 months
Commencing from now up to 31st July, 2012 will be given to members to act accordingly
Members are also reminded to bring along or submit a photo-copy each of the followings:
a) Their own Ic
b) TG Badge &
c) Beneficiary’s IC for insurance purpose.
d) To fill up PCD Form
e) Annual subscription fee is at Rm 100.00 per year or Rm 200.00 for 2 years. They may pay cash or deposit the cash into STGA’s Maybank A/c No. 010013032185 & scan a copy of the bank in slip to the secretariat office
Upon receipt of cash or bank in slip , completed PCD form , relevant documents and after verification of membership, an official receipt with membership No will be issued to members.
Renewal of Membership 2012 after 31st July 2012, shall be considered expired membership and members need to reapply as new members with new membership fee ( i.e entrance fee Rm120.00 Plus annual subscription fee of Rm 100.00)
APPLICATION FOR NEW MEMBERSHIP OR FOR EXPIRED MEMBERSHIP
Members must bring along with them or submit , a photo copy of :
a) Their own IC
b) Beneficiary’s IC
c) A passport size color photo
d) A letter or Sijil from MOTOUR ( for those who have just passed their Basic Tourist Guide Course or Localized Nature Guide Course )exam )
e) To fill up STGA’s membership application form ( may download from www.stga.com.my)
f) To fill up PCD form
Entrance fee of Rm 120.00 & annual sub fee of Rm100.00 may be made by cash or deposit into STGA’s Maybank A/C No. 010013032185 with a scan copy of bank-in slip to be sent or faxed to STGA’s Secretariat office
Upon receipt of cash or bank in slip , completed PCD form , relevant supporting documents & after verification of documentation, an official receipt with membership No will be issued to members
ORIENTATION NITE
All new members must attend the “ Orientation Nite “ organized by STGA or else their membership will not be renewed upon expiry
RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP FOR YEAR 2013
The Secretariat shall be opened for renewal of membership for Year 2013 from 1st November, 2012 until 31st January, 2013
This shall become an Annual Practice. Any late submission after the stipulated date shall be treated as Application for New Membership as per STGA’s Constitution
Members are urged to adhere to STGA’s Constitution and give their full co-operation on the said SOP
Q & A SESSION
Questions raised up by members were as follows:
Q1. Would it be possible for all TGs badges be tailor-made to expire at end of each year ?
Ans: It is possible but there are some technical problems to be sorted out. Exco to bring up this matter to MOTOUR for their consideration
Q2. Would it be possible to appoint a representative in S’kan to sign the TG renewal form ?
Ans: Can be considered for the convenience of Sandakan guides. Daniel will discuss with Exco members in the next monthly meeting. However, members are reminded that renewal of TG badge can now be done through web site: www.spip.gov.my & as such, manual renewal may not be practicing in the near future & signature may not be required anymore.
Q3 When is the EGM ? How many signatories have been collected?
Ans: Collected sufficiently enough quorum for an EGM based on constitution. Notice of EGM will be on public domain soonest
Daniel informed members that EGM will be held at palace Hotel on 10th June, 2012 . Sandakan members are encouraged to attend . They may submit their collective signatories & petition to him as soon as possible
Q4 When will be the next CTREs in Sandakan ?
Ans: A CTREs schedule will be prepared by Ms Chin . Dates may be fixed in accordance with the availability of speaker .
Members expressed that they would like to have the following CTREs in related to:
Culture – tribes & distribution ; Music ; history ; constitutions & monarchy;, updates of Sandakan locality ; conservation & projects ; palm oil ; safety ; marine; world view/regional view of current projects etc etc
Members were also informed that applying a new CTRE’s approval code will take time & fixing a date for CTRE also depends on the availability of Speakers
Members also expressed their wish to have further education & become specialized in certain fields so as to increase their income
Q5Is it possible for STGA to standardize “In house” guides’ salaries?
Ans: STGA has established its standard professional guiding fees for freelance guides which can be viewed at the web site
With regard to the monthly salary & other benefits for “ in house” or “ residence “ guides, it is up to the individual to bargain or negotiate with their employers or Tour operators before taking up their appointment
Q6 What is STGA’s stand on the recent proposal made by the Ministry on “ Taxi Tourism package “ & Taxi drivers act as TG ?
Ans: Daniel informed members that he & Exco members are strongly against such proposal made by the Ministry. Taxi drivers had not undergone the TG course, they might give wrong information & mislead tourists & It would also affect the livelihood of TGs .
STGA jointly with MATTA, have made a Press release which will be published in the local newspapers on 7th or 8th of May, 2012.
In a recent courtesy visit to MOTOUR, on behalf of STGA, he also expressed his disappointment & disagreement on this proposal
Members also expressed that if the Ministry could allow Taxi Drivers to act as TG, TGs should be given Taxi license to operate taxi business as well !
Q7. A few guides have complained that food was not properly served at Selingan Island, what should they do ?
Ans: Lillian Agama advised them to take photos as evidence and report officially.
Q8 How to submit Insurance Claim ?
Ans: Should there be any claim, Exco must be informed immediately following by submission of relevant document ( Ic, TG badge, date & time of accident, medical report & receipts etc ).
Lillian quoted an example of Datin Faridah’s accident last October, without any official receipts, claim will not be entertained.
She futher explained that this is an open & Group insurance policy, terms & conditions of policy can be viewed or download from MTGC’s web site
Q9. How does an inactive guide renew his TG license ?
Ans: Whether or not to renew TG license for inactive guides is at the discretion of Licensing Office or MOTOUR. There are terms & conditions to fulfill. It would be best for inactive guides to seek advice from MOTOUR before approaching STGA to settle their fees
Q10 Can guides get free T shirts from STGA ?
Ans: There is no obligation from STGA to give free T shirts but traditionally, T shirt will only be given to a new member when he/she attends the “Orientation Nite “.
Any guides who are interested to have one, they may purchase from STGA.
Q 11Guides faced with Road closure & unfair treatment from the Authority Concerned when transferring tourists to the airport , what should they do ?
Ans: Should this happen again, guides are advised to make official report to the authority concerned with date, time , whom they dealt/spoke to & with the support of photos ( if any ) as evidence
Members are urged to give their full support & co-operation to their rep in Skn, John Bakar & be polite to the clerical staff who will be stationed at the Secretariat office soon
ADJOURNMENT
The forum was adjourned at 9.30p.m. with a vote of thanks to John Bakar for making all the necessary arrangement
