Interesting Green: Cupid gets a new name - Social Development Network

TODAY, Afternoon Edition, Friday October 16, 2009
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http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC091016-0000195/Cupid-gets-a-new-name
11:55 AM Oct 16, 2009
by Leong Wee Keat

Cupid gets a new name - Social Development Network
Singles will get subsidies to sample dating activities

The SDN has been created to help singles find partners with minimum fuss and embarrassment.
TODAY FILE PHOTO: Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd

PHOTO: SDN and participating agencies.
SDN's provides basic services. These include access to the agency's online communication platform, magazine and information on events planned by SDN and its partners

IF YOU are single, a Singaporean or Permanent Resident, and aged 20 and above, the Government is offering to offset some of your dating costs.

Picture: http://www.dulemba.com/Blogstuff/ColoringPageTuesdays/Cupid-big.jpg
This loving CUPID on its way to create the next successful boy-girl union that will exist for a life time. A very cheerful worker performing the tasks that leads to more happy events and creations of mankind.

The Social Development Network (SDN) - the new name of the combined Social Development Unit-Social Development Service (SDU-SDS), it was announced this morning - is giving a one-time subsidy of $25 to singles who are trying out dating sampler packages for the first time.

PHOTO: http://wallpaper4god.com/download-wallpaper_1-corinthians-1313_1024x768_2426.html
A perfect combination of the loving elements in this primitive world and religion universe, in english and chinese language, with early spring flower.

Singles have 10 packages, put together by nine accredited dating agencies, to choose from. Though the packages are each worth between $64 and $502, singles need only pay $50 to get a taste of the dating activities, with the rest of the cost absorbed by the agencies.

PHOTO: Recent Berjaya trip by Philip's Colleagues.
A tour with exceptional opportunities for networking, information gathering and fun activities. Breadth taking scenery and wonderful environmental air.

The packages include grooming courses, dating consultation and networking events as well as tours, such as to the Old Parliament House.

Singles will also no longer have to pay registration fees to access SDN's basic services. These include access to the agency's online communication platform, magazine and information on events planned by SDN and its partners.

PHOTO: Recent Berjaya trip by Philip's Colleagues.
The resort with quiet ambient surrounding is an ideal place for a peaceful holiday, away from the stressful working environment.

Prior to this, singles paid $10 for a year's membership, and SDN hopes the fee waiver will get more on board - there are about 350,000 people in the potential pool of singles aged between 25 and 44 - to widen their social circles.

PHOTO: Recent Berjaya trip by Philip's Colleagues.
The pictureque Europe landscape is enough to set our mind wandering with pleasure. This type of natural escape is the best form of activities to indulge ourselves into completely.

Around 75,000 singles who signed up with SDU-SDS previously will enjoy the dating samplers for free. The first 1,000 non-members who sign up with SDN will also get them for free.

PHOTO: Recent Berjaya trip by Philip's Colleagues.
A very well cultivated green and flowering landscape in the remote part of a jungle that comes complete with all the luxuries to refresh our body and minds.

The moves, announced by Minister of State (Community Development, Youth and Sports) Yu-Foo Yee Shoon at the Partner Connection Trade Seminar this morning, come as the trend of people not marrying or marrying at a later age, especially among women, continues to grow.

PHOTO: http://www.supplierlist.com/photo_images/34929/Sterling_silver_platinum_plated_Cupid_Cut_Ring.jpg
Platinium, the most precious metal, together with the best glittering diamond is still the most popular way to express the life-long commitment between couples.

PHOTO: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/William-Adolphe_Bouguereau_(1825-1905)_-_A_Young_Girl_Defending_Herself_Against_Eros_(1880).jpg

William-Adolphe Bouguereau:

English: A Young Girl Defending Herself Against Eros
Français : Jeune Fille se Defendant Contre L'amour
Italiano: Una giovane ragazza che si difende da Eros

According to the population trends report released last month, the median age of citizens at first marriage increased from 28.3 to 29.7 years for males, and from 25.7 to 27.1 years for females, between 1998 and 2008.

PHOTO: http://phelans1.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/cupid_dead.jpg
People are not marrying or marrying at a later age, especially among women, continues to grow.

SDN's latest makeover continues a revamp which began in 2006. Then, the agency established an accreditation framework for the private dating agencies and practitioners to encourage industry players to enhance standards.

PHOTO: Recent Vietnam trip by Philip's Colleagues.
A very unique, fancinating and Cultural monuments only found in few places in the world.

Nine dating agencies and 13 dating practitioners have been given the stamp of approval. Earlier this year, SDU and SDS merged to give members greater access to more singles.

PHOTO: Recent Vietnam trip by Philip's Colleagues.
Many beautiful garden flowers and plants arround the temple structures.

Describing the outreach as "a new milestone for the dating landscape", Mrs Yu-Foo said SDN's new name "reflects the expanded role of the organisation, being in the centre of the entire local dating network, creating an environment that is conducive for all singles to meet and forge meaningful relationships. I hope singles will regard SDN as their friend."

By Leong Wee Keat