Restroom Association (Singapore)

2011-06-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

If you know any organisations and individuals who have contributed to help Singapore achieve a world recognised standard of restroom cleanliness, nominate them for our LOO (Let's Observe Ourselves) Awards 2011 now at www.toilet.org.sg/looawards.html

The LOO Awards is the first award in Singapore to recognise organisations, contractors, cleaners and individuals.

Photo Competition - Come and join us

2011-05-03T11:35:00.000-07:00

Capture images of Singapore public toilets and Win prizes.

Submit photos of the cleanest and the dirtiest public toilet.

Name the place, date & time taken along with your name and your contact number and email it to

editor@hemispheresfund.org before 12 May 2011.

Loo (Let's Observe Ourselves) @ Heartlands

2010-12-22T00:40:00.000-08:00

In an ongoing effort to raise awareness to public on the need to adopt the right restroom culture, Restroom Association (Singapore) has launched a public awareness campaign at heartlands. The objective of this program is to reach out to people from all walks of life to remind them to pratice good restroom etiquette and act responsibly when using the restroom facilities.

RAS launches the first LOO (Let's Observe Ourselves) @ Heartlands at 21 Street Eating House - the first coffeeshop with 5-star Happy Toilet - in Tampines. Pocket tissue packets specially- designed with restroom etiquette messages are distributed to toilet visitors.

We came up with some messages. So guys if you could think off anything fun and witty relating to restrroom etiequette please write us.

LOO Carnival & Awards 2010

2010-12-21T19:48:00.000-08:00

Hey Folks

Recently we had our LOO (Let's Observe Ourselves) Carnival at The Plaza, National Library Building. It was a 3 days event, 3rd Dec to 5th Dec. Our guest of honor was Dr Amy Khor, Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources.

The purpose of the carnival is to raise public awareness on the need to adopt the right restroom culture and the awards ceremony is to recognise the owners, cleaners, contractors and individual for their notable contributions to the restroom environment. The categories for the award include market and food centre, coffeeshop, shopping centre, foodcourt and best restroom of the year.

During the carnival we had various activities going on; educational games such as Loo Quest (restroom etiquette version of snake and ladder) and our patners and sponsors showcasing their product and services relating to restroom environment.

This is good news for Women! One of the many things I have discovered during this carnival was the P-Mate from Qool Enviro booth. P-Mate is a portable, disposable device that allows women to pee standing up whenever and wherever they need to. It can be used during any activity where restroom facilities are less than desirable. Initial Hygiene Services has lit upmany faces during the event whilst giving out mini hand rubs and Hygiene educational packs. They had a Swap Test where they reveal germ hot beds on IT equipment via black light technology.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us throughout this event. Especially to our visitors who have came up to us and providing us with constructive feedback.

We hope to see you again in 2011!

Our latest issue of e-newsletter is out!

2010-04-08T05:32:00.001-07:00

Hi Hi

Check out our latest issue of e-newsletter now!

Ever wondered why the toilet cover is needed?

Read our e-newsletter now to find out. The answer was featured in U're the man in Channel U.

Click HERE to find out now!

Long awaiting post!

2010-01-20T04:21:00.000-08:00

Sorry guys, was really busy with lots of stuff. Anyway, before I start blogging about the exciting stuff that has happened from the last October till now, I wanna wish you all

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, let me start blogging about October first. Our dear RAS president, Ms Tan Puay Hoon, got honoured for her contributions at the Hall of Fame award ceremony. You guys can read more from our e-newsletter here!

In November, well, if you guys know, 19 November is always the World Toilet Day. This year, it was held in Singapore Suntec from 2nd Dec to 4th Dec 09. Click here to read more about it!

On 19th November 09, RAS also announced our 15 recipients as we would really wanna thank them for their contribution to help Singapore acheive a world recognised standard of toilet cleanliness. Click here to read more!

Well, now comes to December. We had a mini christmas celebration with our Coffeeshop Inspectors. Below are the pictures.

CGS!

2009-10-15T23:40:00.000-07:00

CGS stands for Clean and Green Singapore. Well, it is here once again. We are going to be there, so if you want, you can join us, which is on the 30th October, 31st October and 1st Nov. We need VOLUNTEERS!!! Feel free to email me at zhitong@toilet.org.sg if you wanna volunteer yourself. It is sure gonna be fun.

Anyway, toilet business now. Hahaha, well, if you guys know, we have added new features to our website, which is the Happy Toilet location. If you guys wanna know where are the Happy Toilet, you can visit our website at www.toilet.org.sg and click on the flash.

Recently we are busy with many many things and thats why I didnt really have the time to update. I hope I can really share with you guys on what we are doing now but everything can only be shared after the project.. So well, if you guys know, leaking will make myself go drown. HAHAHA, I mean... Nvm, I will share with you all once after the project end.

We had this hand-washing day with Siling Primary School and Zhangde Primary School where we did this joint project with Initial Hygiene. Well, to be frank, it is very fun teaching the children on how to use the proper steps to wash their hands.

Well, take care people.

2 awards to talk about today!!

2009-08-13T00:41:00.000-07:00

Hi all, how are you guys? Waiting for new entry? Hahahha, hope so. Well, today I am here to share with you all about these 2 prestigious award given to RAS which are namely the Eco-Friend Award 2009 (given to President Tan Puay Hoon) and Environmental Health Stewardship Award 2009.

Let me briefly explain about these 2 award. The first award, which is the Eco-Friend Award 2009, held in Hort Park on 10th July 2009. This award is a recognition to proactive individual in taking the ownership of the environment where everyone gets the benefits from the outcome, which is the clean and green environment. RAS is really happy that Ms Tan Puay Hoon got the award. BTW, she is our president of RAS and has been giving her time by volunteering in RAS for years. The award was presented by Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Environment and Water Resources.

Another award, Environmental Health Stewardship Award 2009, was held in Copthrone Orchid Hotel on 18 July 2009. This award was launched to recognize the work of professionals and organizations that have contributed to our community in the area of environmental health. The award was presented by the Guest-of-Honour Mr. Bernard Fortheath, the President of International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH).

Something is terrible wrong in blogspot because I cant upload the pictures and share with you guys. Dont worry, I will do it at the next entry.

Updates abt us!!

More and more toilets are coming in for HTP. We are really very happy about it, not because of the money ok!! Hahhaa, joking, but the fact is that more people are taking the standard of the toilet seriously and they wanna improve to make it better.

Coffeeshop Inspector is going to roll out soon. Heehee, will update again when I start the project. Meantime, pls take care of yourself.

Some nice pictures to share with you guys

2009-07-14T04:42:00.000-07:00

More and more toilet owners or contractors are coming into the Happy Toilet Program. I wont name here who are the recent ones. I will show you guys the pictures I took and let all of us just enjoy the pictures. Hmm, I can say that if I were to tell you the location, you guys might get shock of it. HAHAHAHA, trying to create some mystery here. Ok, let pictures do the talking.

I like the last picture the most. And its taken by me (Tan Zhi Tong)!! Hahaha, if you guys got any nice picture that you all wanna share with the reader, pls feel free to email me the picture at zhitong@toilet.org.sg.

H1N1!!! and RAS first 2 restaurants to get 5 STARS!!!

2009-07-03T00:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, I believe all of us now know that the H1N1 is spreading uncontrollable in SG. So guys, pls take care of yourself. If you are sick (be it mild fever, flu or cough), pls go and see a doctor.

Well, dont worry, I will not be talking abt H1N1 that much, but today RAS would like to introduce our FIRST 5 STARS RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE!!!

These 2 restaurants are Shami Banana Leaf Delight and Vittles which are located along the Sembawang Road!!!

Both toilets are really in fantastic condition and it dont really look like toilets too. Pls take a look at the picture below.

The above 2 pictures is how the toilet looks like in Vittles.

These 3 pictures are taken in Shami Banana Leaf Delights.

I believe when we eat in a restaurant, sometimes the food is excellent but the facilities they have might not be in good condition, and yes, the facilities I am referring to is the toilet. It just spoil your mood once you wanted to use the toilet. Well, in both of these restaurant, they really take care of their toilet (of course not only just toilet, the food is really nice). Pls feel free to go and take a look at it.

CLEAN toilets @ NorthWest

2009-06-07T07:56:00.000-07:00

Had 2 launch today. One is at Admiralty Blk 678A, which is directly located right beside Admiralty MRT station. The NTUC Foodfare, which is located at the 2nd level, had their toilets certified by RAS under the HTP and was awarded 4 stars. Advisor of that area came.. See pictures below.

Thank you (NTUC Foodfare) for been so supportive in the program. I believe taking HTP up is not about the cost, but the meaning as well as to keep up the standard of good clean hygenic toilet for public user.

This launch was done today in the morning at 8am.

The other launch was at 888 Plaza, 6pm. See pictures below.

Well, I would like to mention something here. This is the first plaza in Singapore, or I should say, neighbourhood center, where all of their toilets join in the HTP and are awarded 4 stars. RAS really appreciate the hardwork that are put in by different people (like HDB, grassroot, CCC, NWRO, coffeeshops owners). Sorry if I didnt mention your group here but the fact is that, seeing the whole plaza been awarded 4 stars is really very good. I guess this is the only English that I can think of now "very good". It does help in boosting the business abit. I mean, all of us, even ourselves, tend to avoid visiting places that has dirty and smelly toilets. With HTP, we kind of set the standard there that the toilet must be maintain at all times.

RAS sincerely hope that there will have more and more this kind of neighbourhood plaza joining in and provide good clean and hygienic toilets for everyone!!!

Back!!

2009-05-12T02:45:00.000-07:00

Hi all, sorry for the long long wait. Well, recently RAS has been appearing in tv news. One of this was the recent one which is related to coffeeshops toilet. Feel free to take a look at it.

http://www.xin.sg/article.php?article=30510&st=dtl (read)
http://video2.channelnewsasia.com/cnavideos/chineseplayer.asp?skin=Player1.swf&player=chineseplayer.swf&filename=xin_ch_fri01.flv (video)

They also interviewed our president, Ms Tan Puay Hoon on the toilet cleanliness in Singapore.

http://www.xin.sg/article.php?article=30488&st=dtl(read)
http://video2.channelnewsasia.com/cnavideos/chineseplayer.asp?skin=Player1.swf&player=chineseplayer.swf&filename=xin_ch_thu07.flv (video)

So sorry that it is all in chinese..

Anyway, 2 staff had a meeting today with town council, NEA and 4 coffeeshops. Perhaps we wont reveal what we are going to do. Wait till the project are ready for launch, we will share it with you guys here on what we are going to do. Looks interesting and hopefully this project can be successful.

Weather as been utterly bad for these few weeks, pls take care of yourself.

Been awhile since...

2009-04-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I last updated about RAS. Well, first thing to annouce. Jurong Point Shopping Centre has renewed their toilets in the old building's toilet (which is known as JP1), and they had the new building's toilet (new extension, know as JP2) to also join in the HTP program. The whole Jurong Point Shopping Centre's toilet are all under the program of HTP. RAS really thank them for been so supportive ever since the launch of the Happy Toilet Program in 2003.

Joo Chiat Complex's both Blk 1 & 2 are also in the program. If you guys have time or happen to pass by there, feel free to visit their toilet.

Recently RAS appeared in Chinese newspaper (wanbao) and we talked about the cleanliness of the toilet (in terms of how many people think that local toilets are clean), about out CEA. I hope you guys got read about us and from there, you all can understand how we work.

Anyway, the recent Rojak case in Geylang Serai was kinda serious. Right now I wanna say something to you guys, although what I am going to say now might be a little off track, but PLEASE take care of yourself BY washing your hands after using the toilet, keep the toilet clean and dry (by not flicking the water onto the floor. Throw litter into the bin. Flush after use). Do not wait till something happened then we start taking care of ourselves, by then, it will be too late. So please, toilet is really a place where bacteria breed actively. The only way to protect ourselves to to also protect others when we are using the toilet (like what I have stated above in red).

Alright, lets us all work hard to have a clean toilet for everyone. Take care!!

New month, New case..

2009-04-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

Yeah, as you guys know, RAS recently checked and audit SPC toilets. Hmm, perhaps if you guys have time, feel free to go down and take a look at their toilet.

Its April and seriously, there are so many things waiting to be completed by us. I sense that time is moving REALLY fast. We always say that 24 hours is never enough. True you know...

Although our organisation are very small but we sincerely would like to give Singapore a good clean public toilet for everyone.

We are going to have a project coming soon. Hmm, I am not suppose to say the project here lah but you guys just wait ok. Once the project is ready for launch, I will definitely share with you guys our experience in checking toilets. Heehee, it is not as easy as ABC ok.

Alright, I will update more okie and feel free to tag lah, email or call us up if you see any dirty toilets. Cheers!

RAS appear in news!!

2009-03-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

Yeah, one of the staff got interviewed by Cheryl Fox from Channel News Asia.

Take a look at it and read the news. By the way, they got the staff name wrong. It should be Tan Zhi Tong, not Tan Zhi Teng. Hahaha, she is ok with it but just to clarify here.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/415275/1/.html

SPC officially comes in and RAS is going to be real busy checking their toilets and certify them. Take care people.

Busy March!!

2009-03-06T05:34:00.000-08:00

The title looks familiar? Hahaha, yeah, it is exactly the same like what happened in March. We got lots of corporate talk now, lots of toilets to check soon because SPC is coming in to take up the HTP program.

I will update soon ok. Perhaps I can only blog about what happened in April okie. Take care friends.

Meetings....

2009-02-11T04:34:00.000-08:00

Alright guys, I am back with some action mama things to share with you guys... Hahaha, not really action mama but just some stuff we did, especially this month.

Well, first of all, lets talk about the IAWC meeting. We had our first meeting last year and today was the 2nd meeting we had at JTC Summit. RAS really appreciate for those who turn up today and discuss further pertaining to the previous meeting we had in Environment Building (Scotts Road). Well, basically everything went well and discussion was great.

Now we come to another stuff, where it really keep a few of us busy, especially this month. Some of you guys should know by now that we have the CEA and VEA. I will not elaborate much on that. What I wanna tell you guys is, as the CEA (Certified Eco-Assessor) are still under supervision, so 1 or 2 of our staff will need to be there, monitoring and mentoring them, to make sure that they did a right job, award the right way (meaning give correct grading) and punctuality is SUPER IMPORTANT, especially when they are representing RAS and date/time are fixed days/weeks before the audit. RAS will never tolerate lateness especially if the in-charge are waiting. So this happened yesterday for one of the food centre. Two of our staff has got no choice but to ask the CEA (said to be half-way) to go home. If we were to wait for her to come, it will take another 30 minutes. It is just a story to share with you guys on how we work and how serious we are. I mean, to be frank, since the date/time given, shouldnt we take the ownership to come earlier or on time. Anyway, its something to share, not to discuss lah..

Wanna mention about NorthWest Regional Office (NEA). RAS really wanna thank them for helping us SO SO SO MUCH. I am not sure if you guys know him, but the officer from NWRO, his name is Mokhtar. He encourage the coffeeshop to take up the HTP program and involve one of our staff in the meeting and all... Officially annoucement!! Woodlands Centre Blk 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A ARE UNDER OUR HTP PROGRAM!! Of course, convincing the coffeeshop owners to take up the program need some time. It is not very nice to disclose the process here.. They are the FIRST coffeeshop to sign up the HTP program ever since our launch. Feel free to visit that area (got nice prata at the Woodlands Hawker Centre but sells in the morning only, ice kachang and chendol not bad too) not just to visit the toilet, but the food there are not bad.. Hahaha, this is something close I am sharing with you guys. Oh, and the pancake at Blk 1A is really nice. Thats my preference lah, not sure about your taste, but no harm to try right? Hehehe..

Back to business, right now, we are working with NWRO and HDB to audit more public toilets and to help RAS achieve 70% clean public toilets. It is really nice to see how all of us work together, not because of the goal (it is important lah but then..) but we, ALL OF US, we really want to provide good, clean, hygienic toilets for all our fellowmen..

RAS still need your support.. If you guys are reading this and feel that, "Hey, I can help. I wanna help!", call us at 62979824. Or you can choose to email us at info@toilet.org.sg. We will be waiting for your emails!!

Anyway, weekend is coming VERY SOON. Take care..

Busy Feb!!

2009-02-07T04:50:00.000-08:00

Yeah, this Feb is really a busy month for us. Trainings for our CEA, audits for coffeeshops, school talk, workshop, corporate talk, IAWC meeting...

Its good to be busy because this mean that more and more Singaporeans or those who resides in Singapore will know what RAS do and who we are. More people will know the importance of having clean public toilets.

Will keep you guys updated about RAS's stuff and of course, stay tune in our blog. I will try to interact and share with you guys as much as possible..

Meantime, if you have got some comments or notes for us to take note, feel free to tag our board which is at the right side. DONT BE SHY!! Hahaha, take care people!!

Good Day!!

2009-01-14T23:28:00.000-08:00

Hi Readers, how are you guys? I hope those who celebrate Chinese New Year have settled their goodies, clothes, tibits, food, decoration.....

I must say, in Singapore, whenever there is festive season, we will celebrate together. Take for example, Christmas Day, all of us buy present to do the present exchanging session. For Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese do give Green Packet to Malay neighbours. Take for example my family, we do give to our neighbour. The feeling of celebrating festive season together is really nice.

As for Chinese New Year, well, I believe those non-Chinese do also buy lots of New Year clothes, buy tibits and etc.. Right here, in our office, we have a malay colleague who is really gonna celebrate CNY. She is not going after the ang bao (although we know she IS GOING after the ang bao lah. hahaha), but in fact, she like the festive season feel. The feeling of celebrating together..

Are you all ready for Chinese New Year? After the Chinese New Year, RAS is going to work real hard to hit our target for FY09. We need all of your support (keep the toilet clean at all times when using, tell/inform us where are the dirty/clean toilets are) and feel free to tag this board as and when you like. We would like to see your comments. Thank you so much for those who have tag on the board.

Take care guys.

HAPPY NEW 2009!!

2009-01-05T01:11:00.000-08:00

Hi all, RAS would like to wish all readers

HAPPY NEW 2009!!!

May all the wishes you make come true. (and if u guys make a wish in striking 4D, when you win, pls remember RAS ah.. Hahahahah, joking!!!)

Take care peeps.

Updates!!

2008-12-13T07:38:00.000-08:00

Hi all, sorry for the late updates.. Well, there are seriously too many things going on for RAS. Not trying to say that we are really busy but 24 HOURS IS REALLY NOT ENOUGH. Hahaha.. Anyway, coming 2009 will be a very challenging year for us. As you guys know, we had launched our LOO Campaign and by 2010, Singapore will have at least 70% clean public toilets (hitting our standard of 3 STARS).

Why is 2009 a challenging year for us??? Cos at the end of 2009, RAS should have certify 12,000 toilets in Singapore. If we do a breakdown now, it means that we will need to visit 1000 toilets per month.. So readers, PLEASE JOIN US AS VEA OR CEA because we really need help from the public to certify our toilets!!! (Feel free to call us at 62979824 for more details or visit our website at www.toilet.org.sg)

There are quite a number of upcoming events. First of all, one of the RAS staff are going to be a judge in the 4th Public Health Award held by SWCDC. On next year first quarter, we will have a competition set for Secondary students to design our collar pin!! Details will be out on the coming first quarter of the year, so just hold on for awhile more okie.

Anyway, take care people. Oh, because I am not in the office right now (obviously), so I cant upload the pictures we took during the Campaign but dont worry, RAS might have a flickr account soon. VERY SOON.

LOO CAMPAIGN 2008 - 2010!

2008-11-19T21:14:00.000-08:00

Hello all, how are you? With the kind of recent weather we get from our mother earth, please take care yourself.

Alright, as promised, I am here to once again, share the joy and happiness, fun stuff that happened during our LOO Campaign in Singapore Zoological Garden yesterday!!

I hope some of you might have tune into news channel (CNA, CH5, CH8, Berita) yesterday where the campaign is featured in news!!

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20081119/tap-863-rsa-wants-70-public-toilets-achi-231650b.html

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/390863/1/.html

You can read for more info at the above links.

Below is the news broadcasted in CNA, CH5, CH8 and Berita.

Alright, yesterday RAS staff with volunteers reached the zoo at 9.30am to do the set up and all. Frankly speaking, all of us enjoyed setting up the place and we had lots of funs. Once the photos are in, I will post it and show you guys the pictures.

As the time gets nearer, our Guest-of-Honour, Dr. Amy Khor and everything goes well!! Our president, Ms Tan Puay Hoon gave a speech about our aim, which is to have 70% clean public toilets (attaining 3 stars standard) by 2010. After all the speeches, we had the signing ceremony where all the participating, sponsors and supporters organisation sign on the LOO Pledge and as we take the pledge with our right hands up, at that moment, it is really grand. Everyone is serious about having clean toilets for everyone.

After the signing ceremony, we proceed on to the school performance where we had Fuhua Primary doing the STORM! and Zhangde Primary singing the loo rap! The performance was great.

After the campaign, we took some group pictures and please take a look.. So fun!!

RAS staff!!!

Volunteers!!

Anyway, take care peeps. I will upload more pictures once the photographer's picture is in ok.

Upcoming event!!

2008-11-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

Hello dear readers, how are you? Please take care as we are now in the raining season. Alright, I am here and sorry for not updating the blog. Well, to be frank, RAS timetable for this month has been quite tight.

Why is it that our schedule is tight? Well.... It is because....

19th NOVEMBER 2008, LOO CAMPAIGN at SINGAPORE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN, PAVILION BY THE LAKE.

You guys are welcome to join in the fun that day!!!

I promise you guys, I will do an update of what we did, what happened to us after the launch ok.. See you guys on the LOO CAMPAIGN LAUNCH!

CEO Semakau Run, NEA NorthWest RO Invitation

2008-10-23T03:02:00.000-07:00

Hi all, how are you guys doing? Again, it has been a very busy week for us. Each of us are doing something and seriously there isnt much time for us. All of us are preparing for the LOO Campaign and there are still some small little details that we need to settle it.

Ok, CEO Semakau Run, I guess you guys will ask "What is Semakau?". Its ok to ask if you dont know because initially I also do not know what is this CEO Semakau Run. Semakau, also known as Pulau Semakau, is located 15 minutes away from the Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal and in order to reach there, you will need to take the ferry/boat/sampan. It is a landfill island but few years ago, it has developed to become a recreational island where we can go there to camp, family gathering etc. This CEO Semakau Run, in short, is to run (of course), and each of the NGO will take a portion of money (donation from corporate). The place is really nice except that the weather is really hot and humid. I will post the picture up soon. I would say this CEO Semakau run is really fun. Volunteers, next time if you guys are interested in this, feel free to call us up and you will join us in the fun together!

A very big thank you to our president, Ms Tan for running that day.

Ok, now we come to the NorthWest RO Invitation. RAS is really glad that they are the first RO to take part in the HTP program. RAS would like to see more ROs to participate in our HTP Program! A nice and simple award ceremony but I guess all others who attend the ceremony seriously know how important it is to have clean toilet because they actually had a pledge and it is a really nice pledge.

There are so many upcoming activities and all of us are really busy. By the way, please take a look below. Interested parties, please email us. Take care.

First IAWC meeting!!!

2008-10-07T23:48:00.000-07:00

Hello our dear readers, how is your day? I hope it is all fine. Sorry for the late greeting but I still have to say this to all our friends, SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDLIFITRI!! This week has been super busy for RAS. While preparing for our LOO campaign on the 19th November @ Zoo, RAS had our first Inter Agencies Working Committee (IAWC) in Environment Building. This meeting actually brought the Owners, Cleaners and User together to talk about their problems that they faced in toilets. WTO, Mr Jack Sim and President of Restroom Association, Ms Tan Puay Hoon co-chair the meeting and it went smoothly with lots of discussion and feedback given. See the pictures below.

The meeting area looks big and nice right? Maybe we can have our volunteer gathering there? Any volunteers wanna voice out? Haha.

Recently, we had a new staff who join us on 2nd October and she is Ros!

Alright, thats all for the update this week. Once again, take care guys.

A nice gathering and a great news to announce!

2008-09-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

As mention in the previous entry, we will have a Volunteer Gathering and guys, THE VOLUNTEER GATHERING was really fantastic and RAS sincerely thank all the volunteers who turn up the session at Kallang CC on 26/9/2008.

The volunteer meet-up session is to inform them about our upcoming activities and of course, to ask them to volunteer and join in the fun with us!

Anyway, we celebrated the birthdays of those who were born in the month of August to October. Let pictures explain the gathering session.

Nice and heart-warming gathering we had with them!

Another good news to share with you guys!

RAS IS GOING TO HAVE THE LOO CAMPAIGN LAUNCH IN THE SINGAPORE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN ON 19TH NOVEMBER 2008! Timing to be confirm again. BUT BUT BUT, the date will never be change and it will launch on that day! You can go to our website at http://www.toilet.org.sg/ to find out for more details. Please feel free to contact us for more details and we are really anticipating to see you guys, our supporter, in the zoo and lets enjoy the day together!

Alright guys, take care of yourself and RAS hope to see you soon.

Volunteers meet up!!

2008-09-14T22:49:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls...

RAS is going to have a Volunteer Meet Up Session on 26th September, 4pm. Venue to be confirm.

Those who are interested in joining us please feel free to email us at info@toilet.org.sg!!!

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??

Our first pioneer batch in Voluntary Eco Assessor!

2008-09-01T20:36:00.000-07:00

Once again, BIG HI!!!! to all readers of restroom association's blog. How is your day? Hope it is all well (although it seems to be raining these past few days).

As you can see from the title of the entry, yes, I am going to introduce to you guys something new. Just last Saturday (30th August), about 18 - 20 grassroot leaders from North-West CDC attended RAS first ever Voluntary Eco Assessor workshop at Ulu Pandan CC (and this naturally made the grassroot leaders our pioneer batch!). The workshop lasted 2 hours from 2pm all the way till 4pm.

The purpose of this workshop is to educate them on what is a clean toilet, some factors of identifying clean toilets and to spread the knowledge that they learnt during the workshop to their peers. With the grassroots attending the workshop, the after-effect is to help assess the toilets and feedback the state of restrooms to RAS and counsel the toilet owners to take remedial steps within their own constituency. It also train them to become an ambassador of clean restroom.(as I mentioned before, RAS really need support from the 3P(public, people, private) and we seriously are very thankful to the grassroots members who attended the workshop. THANKS!!).

Ok, so what does Voluntary Eco Assessor means? Ok, let me start from the start ok. Right now, in RAS, we have Volunteer Eco Assessor (VEA) and Certified Eco Assessor (CEA) program. As you can see from the name, one group is volunteered, another will be certified. So what is the difference? Well, it seems a little bit tough to explain here but I will try my best to make it easy to understand.

Voluntary Eco Assessor (VEA)

Volunteered basis
Able to advise toilet owners on what steps to take to achieve a clean restroom
Visit public restroom

As for Certified Eco Assessor (CEA)

Work closely with RAS
To award and certify public restroom
Communicate to the toilet owner on how to rectify the mistake after audit

So basically, the difference between the 2 of them is... VEA will just do checks but for CEA, they will need to award and certify them. In another words, CEA will have the power to give the rating of the toilets.

I hope you guys are interested in the both the VEA and CEA. I think everyone in Singapore should do something about having clean toilets. If you want to have a better understanding about toilets, want to change the current situation (dirty toilets), WE WELCOME YOU TO JOIN US! If you are interested in the above VEA and CEA, feel free to email us at info@toilet.org.sg!

Take care

Restroom Association Singapore (RAS)

2008-08-29T06:40:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our very first Restroom Association Singapore's blog.

A very big HI to readers. Before I start typing all the exciting existing/current news, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you all. I am Nicole Tan and have been working in Restroom Association Singapore (RAS) under the department of Outreach and Education for months and I would say that I truly enjoy every day of my working life in RAS.

First of all, let me briefly introduce RAS to you guys.

Restroom Association Singapore, a non-profit organisation was set up in 1998, by founder Mr Jack Sim. Ever since the start of the organisation, we are greatly supported by the public, private and people sector.

RAS's vision and mission are simple.

Vision
"Clean Toilets for Everyone"

Mission
"Dedicated to Promoting the Cleanliness, Design and Functionality of Public Toilets in Singapore"

Although is may seems simple, but in fact, it will be hard and tough for us if the public, private, people and friends did not help us and I am glad that all of us here are working towards the same vision and mission we had. (Thanks*)

In RAS, we have 4 main pillars that are supporting and making RAS grow.

As I mention earlier, I am under the Outreach and Education. My job is to educate the young and youth about the importance of having a clean toilet not just for your home, but for the schools as well as public. The way to approach them is by assembly talk. Under the Outreach and Education, we focus on pre-school, primary, secondary as well as tertiary. For pre-school, we give workshops to the teachers and from there they will impart what they learnt during the workshop to the kids whereby they are at the age of 3 to 6.

Our second pillar is Training and Standards where RAS would want to set the standards of having a clean toilets and give training to our assessors, grassroots leaders on how to see/check if the toilet is up to standard.

The third pillar, which is the Community, as what the word means, we reach out more to the community for instance, the recent Aljunied GRC event where we set up a booth there to explain to the residents why is it important to have clean toilets in Singapore.

Last but not least, the last pillar is Research and Development. In RAS, we believe in constant upgrading in skills and to serve the community better with research done and good development planned.

Ok, now comes the exciting part of the post.

There are still a minority that does not complete the "steps of using toilets" and thus in RAS, we believe in educating the youth. Last few months was really exciting because we had quite a number of happenings. First of all, we held a training session at National Environment Agency North-West Headquarter. The attendees turn to be good and receptive. A total of 50 from 3 sectors (Cleaning contractors, Management and Grassroots), we talked, discussed and went in-depth to the issues, or maybe we can say problems that each sector are facing. The purpose of the workshop is to educate them and let them know the importance of having a good clean toilet.

Alll these while, we know ourselves that toilets must be clean and usable but just how many of us really go into the problem and solve it. For instance, we know that we MUST wash our hands after using the toilet but how many of us will actually do that step? We know that we need to flush our business down and we did this at home, but when it comes to public toilets, how many actually flush after use?

This month (August), RAS are proud to host our Thai delegates during their stay in Singapore for 3 days. It was really a wonderful experience with the delegates. They asked some questions which some of you may feel weird but then, when we come and think about the questions they asked us, I have this thought that are we taking things for granted? There are so many people without having a proper sanitation but in Singapore, we always have the best. So when the delegates ask me some questions related to toilet, I am glad that I can answer their questions but also on the other hand, I start to think if we are really taking things for granted. I hope they enjoyed their 3 days stay in Singapore. (I am sure they enjoyed!)

I believe with the help of you guys (by telling me where are all the dirty toilets or toilets that need to upgrade!), RAS can work towards a clean and sparkling toilets for everyone!

*For more information about RAS, please visit our website at www.toilet.org.sg