Guidelines for Setting Up an ESSYC in Your School

As part of our aim to promote education for the betterment of society, the Education Society of Singapore (ESS) welcomes schools and institutions of higher learning to set up the ESS Youth Club (ESSYC) in your respective institutions.

Because you want to be admitted to top global universities, and you want to do good for society!

Stand out from the crowd, and be noticed by top universities!

Top universities seek students who have volunteered to improve society because it shows leadership, empathy, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Volunteering, especially for the least, the last, and the lost—such as the poor, disabled, or marginalized—demonstrates that students care about more than just academics. It highlights their ability to understand diverse challenges and work to address them.

These experiences help students develop important skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. Universities value these qualities because they show that the student can contribute to campus life, collaborate with others, and take initiative in solving real-world issues.

Moreover, volunteering reflects a sense of social responsibility, which aligns with the mission of top universities to nurture future leaders who will drive positive change. By serving others, students show they have the character, resilience, and passion to make the world a better place.

Preparing Yourself for Success and to be a future Leader in Work, in Life and in Society!

Volunteering for the ESSYC develops leadership and other important future-ready skills that you do not get from purely doing academic studies. And it all starts from understanding and practicing servant leadership. So what’s servant leadership?

Servant leadership means leading by putting the needs of others first. As a member of the Education Society of Singapore Youth Club (ESSYC), you can practice this by volunteering to serve the least, the last, and the lost—those who face challenges like poverty, disabilities, or being excluded.

For example, imagine volunteering at a center for the blind. You could read books aloud, record audio clips to help them learn a new language, help them learn to use technology, or guide them during walks. Through this, you learn empathy by understanding their daily struggles, patience in working at their pace, and teamwork as you coordinate with others. These experiences show how leadership isn’t just about being in charge—it’s about uplifting others and creating a supportive community.

Practicing servant leadership benefits not just the people you serve but also helps you grow as a person. In your career, servant leadership teaches you to listen, communicate, and work well with others—skills that are highly valued by employers. In life, it builds strong relationships because people appreciate those who care and show understanding.

Most importantly, it prepares you to become a community leader. By serving others, you learn how to identify problems, take action, and inspire others to join you in creating positive change. Whether leading a school project, starting a community initiative, or working toward a bigger cause, servant leadership gives you the tools and mindset to make a difference.

Through ESSYC, you’ll not only grow as a leader but also contribute to building a more inclusive and caring society.

The ESSYC will focus on the following objectives:

  • Promoting awareness of inclusive and equitable education principles.
  • Organizing activities that foster a culture of mutual respect, diversity, and understanding.
  • Reaching out and supporting the educational needs of the Least, the Last, and the Lost in society.
  • Collaborating with local and international organizations to enhance educational opportunities.

Background information:

Inclusive and equitable education means ensuring that everyone, no matter their background or challenges, gets a fair chance to learn and succeed. This is especially important for the least, the last, and the lost in society—those who are often left behind because of poverty, disabilities, or social challenges.

For the least (those with the least resources), the last (those who are often excluded), and the lost (those who may have dropped out or never attended school), inclusive and equitable education offers hope. It ensures every person, regardless of their situation, has the opportunity to achieve their dreams and contribute to society.

Inclusive education ensures that students of all abilities and needs have the opportunity to learn. It respects and values differences, such as culture, language, or physical and learning disabilities. For example, students with special needs or those who are blind may receive extra support, like having a teaching assistant or learning with specialized tools, so they feel included.

Equitable education goes beyond giving everyone the same resources; it gives students what they need based on their individual situations. For instance, a student from a poor family might receive free school meals or textbooks to help them focus on learning.

Step 1:

Institutions that wish to set up a Sub-Branch of the ESSYC for student extra curricular activities or as part of the school’s enrichment/applied learning programmes, may contact us at contact@esociety.sg.

Step 2:

All students volunteering with the ESSYC will need to submit a simple membership form here: https://esociety.sg/membership/

Note: Select “Student Member” under Membership Type. Student Membership is free.

Step 3:

A Steering Committee for the ESSYC Sub-Branch shall be set up, comprising of the following:

  1. A teacher/advisor appointed by the school to guide and support the club. This person needs to have interest an experience in inclusive and equitable education.
  2. Student members appointed to take on the key roles of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Step 4:

The ESS shall provide training to the Steering Committee during the initial formation of the club. The training shall include:

  1. Background and past activities of the ESS
  2. Guide the students in the fulfilment of the appointed roles
  3. Provide local and overseas volunteering opportunities
  4. Explain the preparation for the submission of a simple monthly record of all activities of the club (including meeting minutes).
  5. Explain the communication channels to get support from the ESS

Step 5:

Under the leadership of the Steering Committee, the club members shall:

  1. Conduct membership drives, to increase the number of club members .
  2. Check the academic calendar with the school teacher/advisor.
  3. Plan meetings and activities that will culminate in the completion of the volunteering opportunities offered by the ESS.
  4. Discuss with school teacher/advisor, and seek school management approval for activities if these involves external parties, require members to pay for activities, or involves travelling abroad.
  5. Promptly communicate with the ESS for activities related to ESS volunteering opportunities.

The club members may volunteer, or elect their fellow students to be key position holders of the ESSYC in the school. These Steering Committee members shall be responsible for the following:

President Vice President Secretary Treasurer
– Leads the ESSYC.
– Presides over meetings, oversees all club activities, and provides guidance to the team.
– Represents ESSYC in school and external events or partnerships.
– Resolves conflicts within the team and ensures smooth operation of the club.		 – Supports the President in executing club activities and takes over in their absence.
– Coordinates with club members to ensure smooth running of projects.
– Assists in planning events and outreach programs.
– Provides mentorship and motivation to club members.		 – Manages club documentation, including meeting minutes, attendance records, and correspondence.
– Organizes the club’s calendar and schedules meetings or events.
– Ensures all decisions and plans are recorded and shared with members.
– Communicates announcements or important updates to the team.		 – Manages the club’s finances, including budgeting, tracking income, and expenses.
– Prepares financial reports and ensures transparency in fund usage.
– Collects sponsorship funds, donations and payments for activities.

Below are templates that the ESSYC Secretary and Treasurer may use to keep track of meetings, and activities:

For ESSYC Secretary:

ESSYB Secretary Template

For ESSYC Treasurer:

ESSYB Treasurer Template