Gold and More Than Gold: Inside RC4 Flag 2026
RC4 Flag 2026 Committee. From left to right, Rex Chng Jin Teng, Yao Mi, Derrick Koh Tiang Rong, Leslie Guan Kai Feng, Calista Chen Qiwei, Oh Jia Xi (Credit: Yao Mi)
Gold and More Than Gold: Inside RC4 Flag 2026
Written by Angel Maria Siji
When applications opened for the Project Director of RC4 Flag 2026, only two people signed up. One of them was Leslie Guan Kai Feng, who, with no prior experience leading major initiatives, steered the team to a Flag Gold award as RC4 Flag Project Director (PD) and a record-breaking haul of over S$15,000 - the highest fundraising total in the college’s Flag history.
A “kill two birds with one stone” decision
For Leslie, the decision to run for PD stemmed from a longstanding habit of volunteering and a newfound desire to be challenged. Having never undertaken a major project like this before, being Flag PD seemed like the perfect opportunity: to grow as a leader while also giving back to the community on an even bigger scale. Looking back at his Flag 2025 volunteering experience as a freshman, he had fond memories of having fun interacting with members of the public on the ground. Indeed, Flag had left a lasting impression on him, which would ultimately set the wheels in motion.
RC4's achievement of Flag Gold in 2025 further strengthened his resolve, which Leslie recalls, “ignited a flame in me. I also wanted to hit Flag Gold to not only carry on the legacy, but also to hit that certain milestone and to have that sense of accomplishment.”
Building a team from scratch
Once elected as Flag PD, there was no time to waste! Together with Derrick Koh Tiang Rong as Vice-Project Director, Calista Chen Qiwei as Secretary-Treasurer, Oh Jia Xi, Rex Chng Jin Teng and Yao Mi as the rest of the committee, he set out to organise an event that would build on the previous year's success.
The workload ran on several tracks at once. The team developed merchandise to raise funds, including keychains and shirts, organised logistics, and had proposals vetted by both the RC and NUS Student Union (NUSSU). This year also brought a new addition: an external carnival, where the team set up a booth at Somerset 111 to sell merchandise to the public. All the while, they also had to account for the biggest event yet – Rag & Flag Day.
RC4 Flag 2026 at their external carnival (Credit: Yao Mi)
Leslie was quick to credit his team. “Most people don’t notice the backend work and sacrifices made”, noted the PD, adding that he could not have asked for a more reliable team to help him juggle the never-ending deadlines and deliverables. Proactive every step of the way, the numerous contributions and support provided by the committee could not be overstated.
Finding The Right Community Partner
Their biggest hurdle yet came early. One of the team's first challenges was identifying a suitable partner for their project. Having decided to work with a different community partner from the previous year, the team set out to find an organisation whose mission aligned with their goals and the project's three-month timeline.
After exploring potential partnerships, the team connected with Care Corner, an organisation that provides social and mental health support for vulnerable children, families and seniors. “We believed that the elderly arreone of the most vulnerable groups in Singapore,” stated Leslie. Care Corner’s dedication to supporting vulnerable communities, Care Corner proved to be a meaningful partner for the team's efforts to give back.
Gratitude, and More than Gold
When asked whether any act stood out among the contributions that led to their $15,000, Leslie felt reluctant to single out any single gesture. Be it a $5 donation at a sales table, a visit to an engagement session, a Flag Day sign-up or a share to help publicise the cause: "every little effort was appreciated." He did, however, wish to express special thanks to the professors and alumni of RC4 for their generous contributions, as well as to the freshmen who showed up for Flag Day despite four back-to-back days of orientation camp.
Moreover, receiving Gold did give the team an immense sense of accomplishment, but to the committee, what mattered most was impacting the beneficiaries’ lives through their engagements and funds while ensuring that the volunteers were making the most of the experience.
On to More Gold
Looking ahead, Leslie hopes that the team will be remembered not merely for their S$15,000 milestone but also for the impact they created. There is also a quieter hope: that the record will motivate future Project Directors to aim higher still.
For a project that began with just two applicants for its top leadership position, RC4 Flag 2026 demonstrated what a committed team could accomplish together. In “setting the standard” for RC4 Flag, the team is optimistic about the future batches to come.
