salt_2006_03_04 by SALT NVPC

No. 14 Mar-Apr 2006

The Usual

For Volunteers, Donors and Nonprofits

Suspects

Drama King Champion of Sports

A Case of Over-Reliance?

M1’s Social Mission

SRT’s Gaurav Kripalani

“Mr Olympics” Ng Ser Miang

Living Large Whistle Blowing Can We Handle It?

contents

SALT No. 14 Mar-Apr 2006

ON THE COVER A line-up worth its weight in gold, but are we relying too much on our “usual suspects” when it comes to taking the lead in our nonprofit organisations and charities? WONG SHER MAINE mulls over the issue on page 12.

DEPARTMENTS 2

LETTER FROM SALT

MAILBAG

Cover and story illustrations by Quek Hong Shin.

NEWS BRIEFS A wrap-up of events, programmes and activities in the People Sector. PEOPLE MOVEMENTS Appointments and new postings in the People Sector.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s call in January to encourage whistle blowing has put nonprofits and VWOs in the spotlight again. Looking at the issues, IMELDA LEE asks: Are Singaporeans ready for a whistle blowing culture?

VOLUNTEER PROFILE Find out how Lee Hong Chuang manages to juggle volunteering in eight organisations, plus hold down a full-time job and still finds time to change his kids’ diapers!

SALT SHAKERS AND MOVERS

Artistic/managing director of Singapore Repertory Theatre Gaurav Kripalani is a drama king in more ways than one.

No Slowing Ng Down Ambassador to two countries, chairman of ★ ★ Singapore’s largest supermarket retailer, founder★ ★ of bus company TIBS, and ★ Singapore’s “Mr Olympics” – for a retiree, Ng Ser ★ Miang is certainly a very★ busy man, as WONG SHER ★ MAINE discovers. ★

Charities: Black Box or Glass House? In the aftermath of the NKF saga and the recent release of the IMC Report, should there now be more onerous regulations governing charities and greater powers for the regulator? WILLIE CHENG argues that this will be taking a step back.

10 PEOPLE SECTOR PEOPLE

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

11 WALK THE TALK Local telecommunications giant M1 is connecting with Singaporeans not only through phone lines, but also through the arts.

19 NEW SALT When it comes to mental health, early intervention is crucial. That’s what recently launched nonprofit organisation Silver Ribbon Singapore seeks to provide.

24 SALT AND PEPPER Singaporeans should be thankful for an organisation that puts volunteerism and philanthropy under one roof, says volunteer management guru Susan Ellis.

25 CALENDAR

26 SCENE AND SEEN 28 A DASH OF SALT

Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

L E T T E R

F R O M

S A L T

SALT is a nonprofit magazine with a managed circulation for members of nonprofit organisations, grantmakers and companies in Singapore. Those interested in receiving a copy, please email salt@nvpc.org.sg. We regret that the print run prevents fulfilling all requests. International readers please email subscriber requests and mailing details. There will be an annual postage and handling charge for all international subscribers.

EDITOR Suzanne Lim

CONTRIBUTORS Adeline Ang Michelle Bong Imelda Lee Wong Sher Maine

PUBLISHING CONSULTANT AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE Epigram SALT is published bi-monthly by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre 7 Maxwell Road #05-01 Annex B, MND Complex Singapore 069111 Tel: 6550 9595 Fax: 6221 0625 Website: www.nvpc.org.sg Email: salt@nvpc.org.sg Copyright is held by the publisher. All rights reserved. Production in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The views and opinions expressed or implied in SALT are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Printed by Fabulous Printers

ecently, I was at a Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) appreciation function for the various MICA Committees. The event hall was filled with over 300 people and my heart rejoiced, because these people were in effect volunteers, although some may not even have considered themselves as such. For everyone who was there, there probably was another who could not make it. Indeed, MICA has well over 600 members in its various ministry and agency committees, as I was later to find out. This is certainly one ministry which knows well how to encourage citizen participation in delivering its many programmes! But what intrigued me at the same time was the fact that there were many familiar faces present, which begs the question of whether we are recycling the same people to be sitting on boards, committees and panels, whether in the public or people sector. Indeed, the “usual suspect” syndrome loomed large that evening. True enough, one party I knew well was telling me he was at one point in time on four different MICA committees until he stepped down from two! In this issue, we explore how rampant this practice is and ask the question: Is it really true that it is so hard to find new talent to sit on the boards of our nonprofits and charities? For a scintillating read, begin with page 12. More food for thought comes in the form of our other feature story on whistle blowing and whether Singaporeans are ready for it. Turn to page 16 to find out what nonprofit practitioners and others have to say. Elsewhere in our regular columns, we’ve gone “alternative” in our choice of subjects featured. The arts feature strongly in corporate citizen M1’s community giving, while our People Sector People subject Gaurav Kripalani is a familiar presence in the theatre scene here. And it certainly cannot be denied that our Shaker & Mover Ng Ser Miang has stamped his mark on the local and international sports scene. These and more in yet another (dare I say it?) heavyweight issue of SALT. Enjoy.

MICA (P) 033/11/2005 To advertise, please call Cynthia Tay at tel: 6292 4456 Email: cynthia@epigram.com.sg

• S A LT Jan-Feb 2006

Tan Chee Koon Chief Executive Officer National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre

MAILBAG

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE? We welcome your letters, news of upcoming events and pictures. Please send them to SALT, 7 Maxwell Road, #05-01 Annex B, MND Complex, Singapore 069111; or email salt@nvpc.org.sg. Please include your name, address and daytime phone number. Letters and articles may be edited for space and clarity.

SALT Shakers and Movers

our interview with Tan Kin Lian (Jan-Feb 2006) was really enjoyable and captured some of the twinkle in the very fertile mind of this extraordinary entrepreneur. One of his qualities that might not have come through as strong as it does in his daily life is his unusual ability to “make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.” When I brought the beginnings of an idea to him about the forming of what is now called the Spirit of Enterprise, he took the idea as if it were a jewel that needed polishing and held it up to the light and examined all the different facets. He asked: Have you ever thought of looking at it this way? What if we did this? How about student interviewers? What if the number of awardees was identical to the number of years Singapore has been independent? What about a book based on the interviews? What about some board members? And, oh yes, we will help out with some of the initial funding! To me, that is the mark of an extraordinary person. He brings totally fresh ideas and encourages you to run with the ones you think will work, and to top it all off, offers help to get it going. The Spirit of Enterprise is now into its fourth year, and had the honour recently of having President S R Nathan hand out awards to its forty recipients last year. This was a stamp of approval echoed in the lives of many Singaporeans who work in anonymity but contribute to over 30 per cent of the GDP and 50 per cent of the jobs here. They are not often brought forward for recognition, but they have the joy and satisfaction of lives lived on their terms as entrepreneurs. That is the very spirit that the Spirit of Enterprise hopes to show to all Singaporeans with its honours, books, bursaries, school programmes and TV series, made possible through the efforts of its board, staff, volunteers, donors and nominees. Tan Kin Lian understood that and must rejoice in what has evolved since he first turned his electric mind to the idea.

Who Governs a Nonprofit, Really?

Muhamed Haris, NCSS Volunteer Circle Member SINDA Volunteer Leader

want to commend Willie Cheng for the above article (Jan-Feb 2006). Much has been said and published in the media about the NKF saga and all the revelations of impropriety and irregularities of various forms in the KPMG report. One word that kept surfacing is the word “governance”. Governance has to do with control and hence whatever structure that is easier to control is often preferred. However, in doing so, good governance principles may be compromised or worse, ignored. Herein lies the danger because when there is no proper check and balance and no accountability structure, abuse of power could be inevitable. There should be public education on what is proper corporate or organisational governance so that individuals in their capacity, either as normal members or as shareholders or those having executive duties, are aware of their roles and responsibilities. This will help develop a more public spirited culture and a more responsible and informed society. The code of conduct expected of directors of companies must be equally applicable, if not more, to directors of charities and nonprofit organisations. For example, the Corporate Governance Statement that is required of directors of listed public companies should be made applicable to other public interest entities, especially if the amount of money raised or collected exceeds a certain guideline amount. I wonder how many nonprofit organisations will pass the test if they are examined on the basis of corporate governance principles.

Editor’s Note: Thanks for the compliment and giving us the heads up about the camp. We’ll certainly look into featuring it in an upcoming issue.

John Lim, Head, Practice Monitoring Division Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore

Russell R Miller, Member, Board of Governors Spirit of Enterprise

A Spicy Read!

any of us volunteers love to read SALT as it’s a very spicy publication for volunteers. The articles are informative, and you can start reading from the first page and carry on until the last page without falling asleep! Every year, the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), together with the volunteers from its Volunteer Circle organises a Volunteers Networking Camp where volunteers from different VWOS come together to network, exchange their various experiences and share resources. This has been a tradition for the past few years and the participants of this year’s camp will take the initiative to organise the next year’s camp. Perhaps SALT can consider featuring this camp in a future issue?

• S A LT Mar-Apr 2006

N E W S B

A WRAP-UP OF HAPPENINGS AROUND SINGAPORE

FAREWELL, GRAND DAME

SPH – The Straits Times

enerable Ho Yuen Hoe, founder of Man Fut Tong Nursing Home passed away peacefully in her sleep on 11 January at the age of 97, a month short of her 98th birthday. Also known as the Grand Dame of Charity, the abbess of Man Fut Tong Temple opened the nursing home for the old, sick and destitute in 1969 with her savings, cultivating prize-winning orchids and writing a vegetarian recipes book in 1998 to help raise money to run the home. Man Fut Tong now cares for 250 sick and elderly residents at its Woodlands premises which opened in 2001.

GOING FOR GOLD

T Model citizen: centenarian Lee Teck Anm.

Family Tradition Rules I

n keeping with a family tradition dating back to the mid-’70s, centenarian Lee Teck Anm turned his birthday party in January into a fundraiser for Hong Wen School and the Thong Chai Medical Association which runs a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. The primary school, founded by Lee’s clan 86 years ago, received more than $55,000 and Thong Chai, over $20,000. News of the centenarian’s birthday bash gave welcome publicity to the school’s efforts to raise about $3 million for its move after its 30-year lease at Victoria Street runs out next year. The Lee family has been donating all hong bao gifts received during special celebrations to charity ever since Lee’s third son got married in 1975.

o raise awareness of childhood cancer, Children Cancer Foundation recently organised the Gold Ribbon Pin campaign. 150,000 Gold Ribbon Pin 3-in-1 bookmarks which were specially packed by students from 20 primary and secondary schools were distributed free to the public in an island-wide effort by student volunteers from Choa Chu Kang Secondary and other organisations. Members of the public were encouraged to wear the Gold Ribbon Pin on 15 February 2006, which was also International Childhood Cancer Day.

INNOVATING SOCIAL CAUSES

CALLIGRAPHIC GOODNESS

en politicians including Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi, Ministers Yeo Cheow Tong, Lim Swee Say, Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Khaw Boon Wan, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon and Mrs Lim Hwee Hwa took time out of their busy schedules recently Perfection! by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. for calligraphy lessons with the president of the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore, Tan Siah Kwee. The fruit of their labour were exhibited at the Singapore Calligraphy Centre before being auctioned off to raise funds for the Community Chest, netting more than $360,000 in the process. The proceeds will help ComChest in its efforts to raise $45 million for the 146 programmes run by the 58 charities it is supporting this year.

• S A LT Mar-Apr 2006

visionary collaboration between the Lien Foundation and Singapore Management University (SMU) has culminated in what may become a nexus for scholars, nonprofit leaders, corporate executives, philanthropists and government agencies to strengthen their capabilities to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes on social issues. The Lien Foundation will donate $6 million, over a five-year period, to fund the establishment of the Lien Foundation Centre for Social Innovation at SMU, the first such centre in Asia. The centre will be governed and supported by a board comprising representatives from the Lien Foundation and SMU as well as community leaders. The board, chaired by Gerard Ee, will also facilitate in the selection of staff, research fellows and other projects.

PEOPLE MOVEMENTS

Starting Young M

SPH – The Straits Times

inister of State for Education and Trade and Industry Chan Soo Sen recently launched the Food Drive Kit Adoption Programme at Greenridge Primary School on 27 January 2006. The initiative by Food From the Heart features an Goodies galore: Greenridge Primary students show off easy-to-follow instructional their collection while Minister of State Chan Soo Sen and co-founder of FFTH Christine Laimer look on. package on organising food donation drives for students and hopes to ensure a consistent supply of donations to its Food Goodie Bag Programme and Self Collection Centres, while giving students hands-on experience in running a charity programme. To date, seven other schools besides Greenridge Primary have signed up for the programme.

LOO CRUSADER IS TOPS

ingapore’s crusader for clean toilets, Jack Sim (above, right), founder of the Restroom Association of Singapore and the World Toilet Organisation, was honoured recently as Singapore’s first Social Entrepreneur of the Year. The award, honouring those with sharp business skills and a kind heart, was launched by Switzerland-based Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship together with The Straits Times. Sim outshone three other finalists to win a trip to the World Economic Forum and the Annual Global Summit for Social Entrepreneurs which will be held in Switzerland next year. Said Sim, “The cause has been recognised and legitimised and that’s more important than me winning.” He added, “The NGOs, social entrepreneurs and non-profit sector form a very big economy and is poised for growth. Singapore with its connectivities and efficiencies is well placed to exploit this economic sector.”

ONE-STOP SHOP

new nonprofit organisation set up to marshall resources, contacts and entrepreneurs to kick start the social enterprise movement in Singapore, the Social Innovator Park (SIP), aims to be a one-stop portal to help potential social entrepreneurs get started with half the effort and double the impact. Founder of SIP, Member of Parliament Penny Low, has attracted strategic partners like successful businesswomen Jocelyn Chng of Sin Hwa Dee Foodstuffs and Elim Chew of 77th Street to act as consultants for fledgling start-ups.

WANTED: YOUTHS FOR CAUSES

itibank-YMCA Youth For Causes, a community initiative by Citibank and the YMCA of Singapore, aims to be a catalyst for promoting social entrepreneurship among youth in Singapore. The initiative provides 100 teams comprising of four members each with seed money and resources to execute creative ideas which they believe will benefit and support voluntary welfare organisations of their choice. In 2005, it raised over $450,000 for charities from $160,000 of seed money, and mobilised more than 10,000 volunteers. This year, the programme will run from 1 May to 19 August, in conjunction with President’s Challenge 2006. Interested teams are invited to submit a twopage proposal by 1 April 2006. For more information, please visit www.youthforcauses.com.

Albert Ching was appointed the general secretary/executive director of the YMCA of Singapore on 1 January. Albert joined the Y as its assistant general secretary on 1 March 2005, where he headed its programmes division. Tel: 64302201 Terry Farris was appointed head of philanthropy services (Asia Pacific) of UBS Wealth Management on 24 January. Prior to joining UBS, he was the head of philanthropy services at MeesPierson Asia. Email: Terry.Farris@ubs.com Alvin Lim was appointed general manager of Bizlink Centre Singapore on 4 January. Alvin has experience in both the public and private sectors, having worked for MINDEF and several MNCs. Alvin is also the founding president of the Small Business Start-up and Job Placement Association. Tel: 62498101; Email: alvinl@bizlink.org.sg Michael Loh joined Heartware Network as its senior manager with effect from January. Michael brings years of experience as the volunteer coordinator of Dover Park Hospice, where he worked with adult volunteers. He will be leading Heartware’s dynamic team of managers and executives to the next level in their work with youth volunteers. Email: michael@heartware-network.org Lee Chee Yeng was appointed the new chief executive officer of St Luke’s Hospital and St Luke’s Eldercare on 12 December 2005. Prior to his appointment, Chee Yeng was the CEO of Changi International Airport Services (CIAS) for five years. Tel: 65632281 Ext 252; Email: leecy@slh.org.sg Lena St George-Sweet joined the Singapore Management University (SMU) as its assistant director of media/publications in February. Formerly with the British Council for the past 23 years, her last position was as its arts director, where she helped the British Council collaborate with many local arts groups and arts festivals, as well as fund arts scholarships for local theatre practitioners. Tel: 68280100

Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

A Man for All Seasons Most people say they don’t have the time to volunteer with even one organisation, but Lee Hong Chuang manages to juggle eight, plus a full-time job and still finds time to change his kids’ diapers! ADELINE ANG finds out from the multi-tasker how he keeps the momentum going.

hen Lee Hong Chuang signed up to be a volunteer Children’s Camp Instructor at the Teck Ghee Community Club Youth Executive Committee in 1989, little did he know that working with young people would become a passion that has grown from strength to strength. After more than 16 years of doing volunteer work, Hong Chuang is currently chairman of the People’s Association Youth Movement Central Youth Council, and also chairman of the Teck Ghee Youth Executive Committee. He also volunteers with the National Youth Council, National Council of Social Service Volunteer Circle, the Teck Ghee Community Centre Management Committee, the Singapore Amateur Gymnastics Association, and recently became a board member of the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre. He also serves on employer Hewlett Packard’s Community Activities Committee. Says Lee, “You must really have a passion for it. You must believe what you are doing is to help society as a whole, and that you can deliver.” The time he spends on volunteering varies, but all too often he has meetings every weeknight and events on weekends. Sometimes, he takes time off from work to attend one of his volunteer functions, but fortunately, his bosses recognise the value of his volunteer work and are supportive of it. He recalls a senior executive once saying to him, “Somebody has to do the job; since it’s not me, it might as well be you!” Of course, Lee reciprocates by ensuring that his work is always on time and up to expectations. Efficiency is his buzzword. “I really have to prioritise and

he gets home every night. But he admits, “Enough is never enough.” Even when it comes to chores at home, he’s always thinking about how to make the best use of his time. After a long day at work and attending after-hours volunteer meetings, he takes on the night shift of midnight feeds and diaper changes – this way, he is assured Happy campers: Hong Chuang of spending “alone time” with to manage my time. (foreground) with his Teck Ghee Youth Executive Committee members I tell myself to work at the annual children’s camp they each child. Knowing the times at which they wake up, he catches smarter, to think of organise for Teck Ghee residents. up on his paperwork in between. ways to simplify processes, Lee takes a long term view of his to make it easier to get things done.” volunteer work. “Hopefully I can continue He readily acknowledges that he all the way! Last year, I was a panel member cannot do it alone. “I need a lot of support from my family, my company, and the team in selecting candidates for the Active Senior Citizen award, and it struck me that they that I work with. Each of us has to believe are all very active, bright, and clear in mind that whatever little thing we do contributes as to what they are doing. I believe it is to the big picture. We may not be able to their community work that keeps their see the picture clearly, but somehow, someminds active. That is helpful to anyone!” body up there is seeing it very clearly. So What keeps him going is his passion we have to contribute our small little part.” for youth work, and his strong belief in the benefit that the youths obtain from the programmes that he works with. “Kids have a lot of energy, so how do we make positive use of it? They have a lot of ideas, and they can do wonders. We create more opportunities for them.” His wife, Michelle (also an IT execuActivities like the Children’s Camp tive), whom he married in 2000, volun(which he started out with) provide opporteered alongside him until their children tunities for children to develop leadership (a girl, now two-and-a-half years old, and skills, and his greatest reward is in seeing a boy, now 10 months old) came along. participants become instructors, then The couple then decided that she would committee members, then chairpersons hold down the fort while he continued of their own committees. with the volunteer work. Making sure that “You can see how the youths grow, his family does not get “shortchanged” of his how they’ve gone along the proper path. time is always a struggle. Lee makes it a That is the most satisfying thing.” ✩ point to spend time with his children once

“ You must believe what you are doing is to help society as a whole, and that you can deliver.”

Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

Drama King Once, a career in the arts sector seemed unthinkable. But 10 years on, Gaurav Kripalani continues his love affair with theatre, as he shares with MICHELLE BONG.

any say that working in the arts sector is a thankless job – funding is always an uphill struggle and support from partners is usually left wanting. But while Gaurav Kripalani, managing and artistic director of Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) concedes that the arts sector is a very tough and challenging one, he insists that “the rewards are many”. “Seeing the audience give the cast a standing ovation on opening night makes all the late nights and weekends spent in the office completely worth it,” he says with much satisfaction. To date, SRT is one of the biggest arts employers in town, with 16 full-time staff, up from four just five years ago. The company stages eight shows annually, and during a production, SRT might employ anywhere up to 100 people in various capacities. Kripalani is responsible for planning SRT’s season, selecting the directors and creative team, and maintaining the financial stability and development of the company. As such, the bulk of his workday is spent meeting sponsors and donors.

“ Seeing the audience give the cast a standing ovation on opening night makes all the late nights and weekends spent in the office completely worth it.” He explains, “Singapore has wonderful ambitions to be the arts hub in Asia. However, compared to other arts capitals of the world, the level of government funding is very low. We spend a significant amount of time ensuring that we

• S A LT Mar-Apr 2006

up to a show opening when working round-the-clock is practically de rigeur. His people management skills have also been honed through working with creative artistes with varying temperaments! It’s certainly been a wild ride for Kripalani, for whom the year 2006 marks a decade in the challenging world of arts management. Highlights include SRT being the first Asian theatre company to make it to New York as associate producer of David With SRT’s associate Henry Hwang’s play Golden Child can pay monthly salaries, artistic director and Medallion and opening the doors of its very as opposed to focusing on Cultural winner Dick Lee (left) at the Cultural Medallion own 380-seat venue at Robertson creating great art. I hope awards ceremony in October 2005. Quay in 2001, after five years of more companies will be arduous fundraising and construction. inspired to explore arts sponsorship as This year, audiences can expect a part of their marketing mix in the future.” slew of offerings from SRT. In May, Thankfully, his role models have there will be three shows on offer – spurred him on. He cites Tony Petito, SRT’s The Candlestickmaker, Krishnan’s Dairy founding artistic director, as a great artistic and the NUS-commissioned Man of mentor whom he first met 10 years ago. Letters which closes the university’s Initially “very apprehensive” about joining centennial celebrations. In July, SRT SRT, Kripalani was convinced that the arts presents the award-winning The Dresser. sector was the place to be after their twoAnd come September, the musical hour meeting. Jennie Chua, a member of Forbidden City will be re-staged before SRT’s first board of directors and now on it goes on tour internationally. its board of advsiors, is also an inspiration. Says Kripalani, “Our biggest “We went to the Raffles Hotel where challenge remains audience development. Jennie had arranged a meeting between We charge less now for tickets than 10 our then-patron, the late Dr Wee Kim Wee, years ago, meaning less revenue despite and a potential donor. By the end of the higher production costs. When we did a hour, the donor had pledged $1 million show 10 years ago, it was a guaranteed to our building fund. I learnt so much sell-out because there was very little else about the art of fundraising in that one for people to do. hour from Jennie!” he recalls. “Now, people are spoilt for choice – Within the office, challenges are the number of shows on offer has grown not elusive either. SRT’s 16-strong staff significantly more than the number of comprises people from eight nationalities people who go to shows regularly. We all who have managed to perfect the art of need to work together to grow that base working together as a team, especially if we are to survive in the long run.” ✩ during crunch time – the few days leading

Living Large Local telecommunications giant M1 is connecting with Singaporeans not only through phone lines, but also through the arts. MICHELLE BONG listens in.

espite being part of the telecommunications industry, local start-up M1 does not subscribe to the “all talk, no action” school of thought. True to their company slogan “1 Life, Live It”, they have been putting their money where their mouth is – by doing their bit for the community through the arts. They are the people behind one of Asia’s largest international fringe festivals – the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival – which features contemporary, cuttingedge works that deal with social issues. They were also responsible for introducing Singapore to the captivating and magical world of circus life by bringing in Saltimbanco (1999), Alegria (2002) and Quidam (2005) through Quebec-based entertainment group Cirque du Soleil. Remarked CEO Neil Montefiore in a Straits Times article, “M1 has been involved in the arts since its inception and this association has remained constant over the years as the M1 brand evolves and strengthens. We hope to continue to build on the beneficial relationships we have forged with our various partners in the arts in Singapore.” For its ardent support and contributions to the Singapore arts scene, M1 was conferred the Patron of the Arts Award in 2000 and has been a Distinguished Patron of the Arts since 2001. When it comes to corporate social responsibility, general manager of corporate communications Chua Swee Kiat says the company’s philosophy is simple: “M1 believes in contributing meaningfully to identify segments in a manner that is generally consistent with our brand image and positioning and our corporate values. These identified segments include the arts, sports and

Explains Chua, “In the case of Cirque du Soleil, the ability to leverage the sponsorship effectively for marketing purposes was also a factor. The colour, drama and imagery of Cirque productions can translate powerfully across the spectrum of M1’s advertising and promotional activities.” On the fringe: Thanks to M1, M1 also supports the Singapore charities involving cutting-edge arts festivals like the M1 Singapore Fringe Rugby Union by sponsoring their children and youths.” Festival are now a reality. schools programme, since both In the arts, M1 is the contact and touch rugby are popular with title sponsor for the second year running students in many of the local schools, even of the Fringe Festival – themed Art and Healing – which is bringing in 51 acts from among the girls in the case of touch rugby! “We hope our sponsorship will help to 20 countries, all within the span of 12 days. encourage and nurture a healthy sporting It is also a corporate sponsor of the Singalifestyle among our students through pore Repertory Theatre, a relationship that their participation in this exciting game,” started back in 1998. In addition, M1 is says Chua. also looking to lend its support to Noise Internally, philanthropy is also very Singapore, a media-based arts festival much a part of M1’s corporate culture. It organised by the National Arts Council. has an active employee volunteers’ group called the SunCare Club, whose members contribute time and services to the organisation’s adopted charities which include Beyond Social Services, Club Rainbow, Children at Risk Empowerment (CARE) and the Salvation Army (children and youth programmes). Volunteer activities include birthday and Christmas parties, visits to the cinema and recreational outings for the beneficiaries’ disadvantaged or terminally So what’s M1’s motivation? It is ill children and their families. SunCare the simple fact that they see the arts as members and other M1 employees also being “synergistic and relevant to their regularly organise fundraising activities brand and business”, and their desire to for these charities and other causes such contribute towards national efforts to as the tsunami relief effort. nurture the “softer” aspects of life and the With organisations like M1 showing development of Singapore as a culturally the way, the message that volunteerism and vibrant global city. This also explains their social responsibility can become a lifestyle selection process, which focuses on the for any one and any company, looks set more accessible art forms with a broader to spread even further. ✩ appeal – theatre and music.

“M1 has been involved in the arts since its inception... We hope to continue to build on the beneficial relationships we have forged with our various partners in the arts in Singapore.”

Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

WE SEE, HEAR AND READ ABOUT THEM CONSTANTLY IN THE MEDIA, BUT ARE WE OVER-RELYING ON THE SAME FAMILIAR FACES WHEN THE TIME COMES TO TAKE THE LEAD IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR IN SINGAPORE? WONG SHER MAINE INVESTIGATES.

“r

educe, re-use and recycle” is a green catch-phrase more commonly used to describe what you should do with your paper, plastic and glass. Some would say, however, that the same snappy slogan can be applied to the people at the highest echelons of the nonprofit sector – the same handful of high profile faces are always seen on numerous boards or executive committees of charities and nonprofit organisations (NPOs), and fronting their fundraising campaigns. Call them the usual suspects, if you will. Some of their distinguishing characteristics – though not applicable at all times – include a high media profile, a mile-long list of appointments at various charities and NPOs, and a constant flow of invitations to sit on various committees which are more often than not politely turned down because they are too busy with their existing commitments!

• S A LT Mar-Apr 2006

These usual suspects run the gamut from rich retirees who have the time and the money to spare in giving back to society to high profile business people with the connections to help with fundraising to “old hands” who are so passionate about a cause or have been in the industry so long that they are repeatedly called upon to help steer the ship.

ake Gerard Ee for instance, who despite his humble and unassuming meet the mien, cannot hide line-up from the towering shadow he casts in the charity sector. “I am definitely one of the usual suspects,” he admits candidly. He also does not hide from the fact that his

father, the late Dr Ee Peng Liang, fondly remembered as Singapore’s “Mr Charity”, first propelled him into the spotlight. But his body of work now speaks for itself. He heads the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), is a member of the National Ethics Committee, president of the Automobile Association of Singapore, chairman of the Public Transport Council, sits on the governing council of the Singapore Institute of Management, and also chairs a cluster of other committees. Most recently, he was called on by the Government to chair the battle-scarred National Kidney Foundation (NKF) within 24 hours of the board stepping down. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said back then: “The choice of Gerard is clear, as far as his role in charity here in Singapore is concerned. He is well known and has inherited perfect genes from his father. He personifies kindness,

From left: Jennie Chua, Eunice Olsen, Gerard Ee and Elim Chew

charity, good decency and so on.” Or Jennie Chua, who is the president and CEO of Raffles Holdings by day and serves on 13 local Government and community service boards by night. Widely known as a champion fundraiser, her extra-curricular activities include heading the Community Chest, the Singapore Film Commission and the Skills Development Fund Advisory Committee. Other old hands include Ng Ser Miang, the recently-appointed chairman of NTUC FairPrice who is primarily associated with sports and is fondly known as Singapore’s “Mr Olympics”; and Venerable Shi Ming Yi, CEO of Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre who also chairs the Singapore Buddhist Federation Youth Organisation, Marine ParadeFoo Hai Elderly Lodge and Aspiration Childcare Centre amongst others. Apart from the graying heads, there

are also the younger ones who have broken I attract attention, and inevitably, I will into the limelight. Elim Chew, the founder be asked to do more.” and managing director of street wear But the problem is this: outlet 77th Street, has blazed a path in Where are the new faces? youth development since she started Are they in hiding? The Young Entrepreneur Mastery to inculcate entrepreneurial skills to the hat certainly appears youth and My Voice, a community proto be the case. For ject for youths to express their thoughts. instance, when NCSS And of course, there’s youth voluncame up with its Code of teerism ambassador and Singapore’s Governance and Manageyoungest Nominated MP Eunice Olsen ment for voluntary finding who started out teaching etiquette to welfare organisations new faces: wayward girls as a grassroots volunteer (VWOs) back in June a mammoth task? but who now sits on several youth 2003, one of its recorganisation committees. ommendations was to Well and good. After all, it’s a case of limit the term of board members to six years what National Volunteer & Philanthropy to ensure rejuvenation and succession. Centre (NVPC) chairman Rear-Admiral However, the VWOs which gave (Ret) Kwek Siew Jin calls “Good work feedback complained that this was unrebegets more work.” alistic as it was already a Herculean task Remarks Ee, “The more I do, the more to find the right people for the job. Their

Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

“the more i do, the more i attract attention, and inevitably, i will be asked to do more.” Gerard Ee, president, NCSS

litany of woes included: “It is difficult to recruit committee volunteers with the required ability, competency and commitment to serve...”; “It is extremely difficult to get people involved...”; “It is already an uphill task persuading potential board members to run for election...” Ivy Singh-Lim, former president of Netball Singapore and who now runs organic food farm Bollywood Veggies (and a usual suspect herself when it comes to giving views on issues relating to NPOs) feels that without remuneration, no one would come forward. She says, “The nonprofit sector does not remunerate their board members, so you cannot seriously attract good people.” The exception is rich retirees like herself with the money and time to spare, she freely admits. She also implies that there is some cronyism involved, such that the same few faces are perpetually appointed to key positions. She states: “There is a great old boy’s network prevalent in Singapore which does not encourage new blood.” Others prefer to see it in a different light. Comments Tisa Ng, president of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), “People, quite naturally, have an inclination to work with people they know and are comfortable with, and with whom they have shared interests and a common background and experience. That’s not to say the same level of comfort cannot be reached with new people, but it requires a bit more effort and something of an act of faith.”

they just keep hangin’ on

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ometimes, however, it could be a case of the incumbent refusing to let go. NCSS’ Ee suggests

it could be a face-saving issue. “To grow resources, older leaders must make way for younger ones to lead. It seldom happens by chance. This could be because of society’s respect for older persons and there is some embarrassment in asking the older leaders to make way for younger ones to try out their leadership skills. Would older persons take instruction from younger ones? In an employment situation, the answer is ‘Yes’ because there is no choice. In a voluntary situation, often pride gets in the way.” Worse is how high level positions in NPOs, some of which come with entitlements to attend overseas conferences, may be seen as positions of prestige, like jewels to add onto a “crown” of a biographical profile. Says Ee, “Some people find it hard to give up the prestige and do not want to miss the opportunity to travel on the NPO’s account.”

“good work begets more work.”

Rear-Admiral (Ret) Kwek Siew Jin, chairman, NVPC

Also questionable is whether a hanger-on is still the best person for the job. “It is not having the same usual suspects that is a problem for NPOs,” he laments. “It is when someone hangs on after he or she has run out of ideas.” In fact, one person serving a long term could be an outright deterrent to new faces entering the fray. Observes Ee, “People are reluctant to come forward because they believe that once they are in, they cannot come out.” He continues, “A longer term would entrench a person until he or she becomes so personified with the post to the extent that a replacement will face a hard time to shake off the image of the retiring person.

A worse scenario is that it could possibly encourage politicking by well intended people to depose the entrenched.” In the case of Singh-Lim, she found it an uphill task to find a successor and was the face of Netball Singapore for years until its honorary treasurer, Tan Wee Khim, stepped up to the plate. Tan states matterof-factly: “The only reason I became known is because of the person I succeeded rather than who I am.” Tan, who is sure there are “plenty of people who just do one thing quite happily”, was dogged by questions on how he felt about filling such big shoes, but in the time he has taken over, has found it smooth sailing due to support from the rest of the management committee.

o Ee, the best way to ensure renewal and the is to put term limits solution on the length of is...? time that any one person can serve. “It is always good for constant renewal. Currently, NPOs are reluctant to consider rotating their office bearers for fear of being unable to find new candidates.” A NCSS survey of 88 VWOs in 2002 found that about 35 per cent of the boards did not have term limits for their boards. Says Ee, “Sadly, not too many have taken the effort to amend their Constitution to ensure this self-renewal. With a constitutional requirement to step down, it would be easier to convince more people to volunteer with the assurance that their commitment is fixed for a term of two or four years. In any case, it should not exceed six years.” NVPC, which clearly sees the lack of talent at the top as an issue, is getting ready to launch its Board Match programme this year to “matchmake” suitable candidates (who apply or who are talent spotted) to high level positions in NPOs. Says Rear-Admiral (Ret) Kwek, “At

the highest level of a NPO, you need a good board for good governance. If we can raise standards as a whole, the whole nonprofit sector will improve.” Potential candidates could be those with management and board experience, such as retired professionals like himself. “We are also looking for those who are upwardly mobile; perhaps those who are one level below the CEO who would benefit from the experience of being part of a board,” he adds. At the ground level too, it is important to spot and groom potential high flyers. Comments Nominated MP Olsen, “If we want a body of new people who can lead in the nonprofit sector, you need to train them now – it would be like a mentorship programme. Identify youths who are actively participating as volunteers now and who may want to go one step further in the future. If you don’t do so, they may not know there is a need for their talents.”

erhaps we can take a leaf from the way overseas inspiration nonprofits work overseas. Su Sayer, the co-founder and CEO of the charity United Response in the United Kingdom, which supports people with learning disabilities, says, “(In the UK), many charities are broadening their search to make sure they recruit the best person for the job rather than just the usual suspects.” For one, the trend is to move away from closed door invitations and appointments for high level positions to a formal process – almost like a job interview. Says Sayer, who was recently in Singapore to receive a special UK leadership award from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, “Existing trustees and supporters may know of excellent candidates, but in all cases, they should apply through the formal application process. This is the only way to ensure the process is both fair

“you don’t start out and immediately say ‘i want to be on the board of directors!’”

Nominated MP Eunice Olsen

and transparent and to guarantee that you appoint the best person for the job.” A method which has proven to work in the UK but which hardly any NPO has tried in Singapore is advertising. And why not? Advertising, after all, is the best way to get the word out. “This is increasingly recognised as a good practice and an excellent way to enhance the diversity of skills and experience on a voluntary sector board,” Sayer states.

“the only reason i became known is because of the person i succeeded rather than who i am.”

Tan Wee Khim, president, Netball Singapore

In fact, she recently chaired the nominations committee for a leading health charity, and the requirements for the three vacancies were clearly outlined in the national press. “We were delighted with the volume and calibre of the response. We were almost spoilt for choice! Several of the candidates had held very senior public sector appointments, but all went through the same interview and assessment process. “I believe this professional approach to recruitment was one of the factors that convinced the final appointees to join the board.”

S no dearth of talent

ome, however, prefer to see the other side of the coin. Rear-Admiral (Ret) Kwek, for one, feels

that while there may be a few usual suspects who are well known by virtue of their being outspoken and frequently featured in the media, there are also loads of other people soldiering on who are frequently relied on or called upon, albeit outside of the spotlight. Olsen also disagrees that there is a lack of talent. Citing statistics from a NVPC survey which showed that one out of every four youths here aged between 15 to 24 is a volunteer compared to one in six in 2002, she says that bodes well, for in order to take the plunge, people first need to get their feet wet. “You don’t start out and immediately say ‘I want to be on the board of directors!’” she quips. It’s a long process, she argues, of understanding the ground level needs of that particular cause or organisation before moving on to higher profile decision making positions. “You have to give them a chance to come in and learn the ropes.” 77th Street’s Chew also observed that after the recent Social Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, many people came up to her to say they wanted to play a part in contributing to social causes. The Social Innovation Park – a platform to support entrepreneurs’ business solutions that advocate societal change – was launched during the awards, and Chew, one of its founders, hopes it will play some part towards grooming talent for the sector. “We need to have a change of mindset to find passionate people with business acumen to fill a gap in social needs. Therefore, we need to grow this mindset into a big movement of movers and shakers who will rise up to the call,” she remarks. Ee agrees. “There is no dearth of talent. The young and untested people will have more and newer knowledge.” The only thing is if, when and how they will get their chance to shine. ✩

Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

he besieged social service sector was spotlighted again recently after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong encouraged Singaporeans to blow the whistle on nonprofit organisations (NPOs) suspected of inappropriate practices. The call came hot on the heels of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) saga, and the Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Association (SATA) debacle. Shortly after PM Lee’s call, the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) made a further suggestion for the social service sector to put in place a whistle blower policy to encourage staff to speak

• S A LT Mar-Apr 2006

up without fear of reprisal. As far back as early 2004, parliamentarians had called for a whistle blowing policy but the government felt Singaporeans were not ready for the move. Is now the right time?

Views From the Top

Views from heads of NPOs and volunteer welfare organisations (VWOs) were as diverse as the services they provide. True to the subject matter, many who were approached to comment for this story insisted on remaining anonymous or preferred not to use their real names. A VWO head who declined to be

identified thinks the call for a whistle blowing policy is an over-reaction to the NKF saga and “undermines the long established trust of our volunteer driven VWO sector.” He adds, “Any whistle blowing policy is an open platform for mistrust. Such a policy, being negatively inclined by itself, will cause people to be more guarded, and not necessarily more honest. This is especially so when you are only addressing issues that concern the minority... why should the majority be affected by it?” Ivy Singh-Lim, the outspoken president of Asian Netball Federation and president of the Kranji Countryside Association, says, “As long as we have a culture where people have no courage and are continuously discouraged from speaking up, we will never be a nation of warriors. I hate the term ‘whistle blowing’. If we need to put in place such a policy, then we’re just a nation of cowards.” She also cautions against encouraging a culture of whistle blowers. “It would be like living in the old Communist days

public, which whistle blowing implies.” She thinks the culture Singaporeans are looking for is one of accountability for public monies instead. Three things innate in our culture will prevent whistle blowing from taking off, suggests another anonymous interviewee. “One, our attitude towards our leaders says, ‘They are the authority, they know what they are doing’. Two, ‘This has nothing to do with me, why should I bother?’ And three: ‘Why put my neck on the line? I have to protect my rice bowl.’”

Reality Bites

when you don’t know who is going to squeal on you. We should bring back the basic values of honesty, integrity, and courage in our people so that they will speak up when they have to.” Comments June, a Singaporean who does regional work for an international NPO, “When it comes to whistle blowing that leads to mass public furor and involves huge lawsuits and major investigations, our society in general is not ready to embrace the practice.” Mak Yuen Teen, vice-chairman of SATA and a lecturer on corporate governance at the National University of Singapore, observes, “Overall, I think there are still few Singaporeans who are willing to blow the whistle on wrongdoing, unless there is little chance of their identity becoming known.” Lecturer Ana says, “The term ‘whistle blower’ does not have a positive connotation. I think whistle blowing is similar to snitching and no one wants to be known as a snitcher. Our culture also does not promote washing dirty linen in

Ana blew the whistle on her former employer, a VWO. “I decided that what I saw was truly bad management, and that the clients were not benefiting from what was happening. I had to decide that it was not spitefulness, and even had to look at the impact of it being possibly seen as snitching or washing dirty linen in public.” After considering all that, she decided to tell the headquarters of the VWO, but only after submitting her resignation. “If I had decided not to leave, I would not have gone all the way to talk about accountability. I knew that if I did and stayed, it would have been a living hell, not just for me, but also for the people under my supervision. Their promotion and job scopes would have been limited.” The head office took action by “pacifying” the person in question, and by offering a very good departure package instead of firing the person with no benefits. “It amazed me how they could do that. I am happy they managed to get the person out of the position of power; however, I still feel it was not done correctly,” she recalls. Too much is at stake for whistle blowers to want to stick their necks out, even for a worthy cause, as in Ana’s case. In the United Kingdom, legal protection is mandated to safeguard whistle blowers from being victimized or dismissed. In the United States, legislation on whistle blowing enables staff to raise concerns about wrongful practices safely and as an alternative to keeping mum. Yet, a US survey revealed that too many brickbats are stacked up against

whistle blowers. According to a Today Online report in January this year, 54 per cent of these whistle blowers in the US were harassed by colleagues; 90 per cent suffered from depression and anxiety, and one in 10 attempted suicide. Almost every one of them was fired and encountered problems finding another job. “There are many ways to skin the cat. By that, I mean there are many ways to punish whistle blowers. Whistle blowers will probably be ostracised in any organisation unless there is a major re-organisation, and this applies globally,” notes Yong Teck Meng, chairman of Habitat for Humanity (Singapore). Whistle blowing breeds distrust in an organisation, adds Yong. “In an NPO, there will be many areas that may cause misunderstanding, more so than in a profit-and-loss organisation. NPOs need to base their operations on a lot of faith and good will – it is a business linked with idealism. To encourage whistle blowing is to create an atmosphere of mistrust from the start – as in why have whistle blowing when everybody came together to do good in the first place? – and then to encourage them to look for perceived wrongdoings where there may possibly be none.”

It would be like living in the old Communist days when you don’t know who is going to squeal on you.” IVY SINGH-LIM, president of Asian Netball Association, cautioning against encouraging a whistle blowing culture in Singapore

Further, the fear of gaining a reputation as a whistle blower among potential employers could impair one’s career development prospects or in the worst case scenario, totally destroy one’s rice bowl. That is a big factor in influencing one’s decision not to blow the whistle. States June, “A whistle blower is Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

likely be isolated by fellow colleagues and management, which may ultimately lead to depression and anxiety, and in extreme cases, suicide. There are repercussions on families and loved ones.” “Engaging a lawyer to defend one’s case is also extremely costly, time consuming and can drain you financially, physically, emotionally and mentally. The implications and impact that whistle blowing can have on the lives of the individuals, their families and loved ones is too great to risk to undertake without assurances of continual normalcy and protection,” she adds. Comments SATA’s Mak, “When employees whistle blow, there is a greater risk of their identity being discovered, especially if they reveal information which may only be known to a few individuals within the organisation. “Currently, employees who are faced with wrongdoing within organisations are more likely to either stay silent or resign without saying anything. Not only do they fear being ostracised within the organisation, they also fear being ostracised within the close-knit business community, which unfortunately still tends to view whistle blowers as trouble-makers and disloyal employees. Our existing libel laws and our very pro-employer employment laws are also real impediments towards encouraging employees to whistle blow.” Felicia Chia, formerly in the broad-

There is actually a name for open whistle blowing without consequences – it’s called ‘feedback’. YONG TECK MENG, chairman, Habitat for Humanity (Singapore)

cast media, saw anomalies in a previous company and did nothing about it. “I didn’t think it would do a bit of good. I don’t think having any other policies specially to protect whistle blowers will really help encourage more people to step forward. The issue is not so much that I’m afraid for my own job, since I believe that it’s more important to do the right thing at the right time. “What makes the difference in whether or not I blow the whistle is if it would really result in positive action being taken. Most of the time, my excolleagues and I felt it would’ve been useless to voice up and then worse, with no positive change forthcoming, we’d get in trouble for all our efforts.”

What It Takes

While legislation protecting whistle blowers will be a great help, having a proper whistle

What makes the difference in whether or not I blow the whistle is if it would really result in positive action being taken... with no positive change forthcoming, we’d get in trouble for all our efforts. FELICIA CHIA, who chose to remain silent about anomalies in her former company

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blowing policy and a culture within an organisation that encourages employees to speak up is also important, clarifies Mak. “If an organisation has a culture of openness and transparency and a tolerance for alternative views, then a whistle blowing policy is much more likely to be effective. The values of people at the top of the organisation – the board, controlling shareholders, CEO – will either encourage it or discourage it, depending on those values.” “There is actually a name for open whistle blowing without consequences – it’s called ‘feedback’,” says Habitat’s Yong. “My people talk to me all the time about their concerns, and I pro-actively seek them out to hear them out as well. The safeguard measurements for the organisation cannot come from whistle blowing alone.” The correct safeguard for any organisation is having in place proper corporate governance systems and tools, like board diligence, third party financial audits, and even conflict of interest avoidance. “The problem we have today is not the lack of whistle blowers, but the lack of simple integrity and the neglect of simple responsibility,” he suggests. So are we ready to embrace a whistle blowing culture? The answer, it seems, is neither a resounding ‘Yes!’ nor ‘No!’ As Jennifer Yee, executive director of Lions Befrienders Service Association sums it up, “It is not whether Singapore is ready or not. There can be regulations set to say the whistle blower in the organisation cannot be penalised. But even with all the protective regulations set in place, it all boils down to an individual’s courage, financial situation, and values as to whether he or she will blow the whistle or not.” ✩

First Aid for the Mind

When it comes to mental health, early intervention is crucial. That’s what recently launched nonprofit Silver Ribbon Singapore seeks to provide, as ADELINE ANG finds out.

orsche Poh, an administrator with the Institute of Mental Health’s Early Psychosis Intervention programme, knows all too well the harm that can occur when mental health problems are not addressed in a timely manner. In the course of her work, she often encounters patients who could have been more easily treated and in some cases, completely cured, if only they had come forward for help sooner. Instead, the delay in their treatment sometimes means that their recovery is that much longer and more expensive for them. In some tragic cases, the patients’ illness may have developed to such a stage that it has become chronic and difficult (if not impossible) to recover from. With this in mind, Poh founded Silver Ribbon Singapore (SRS), inspired by a campaign by the same name which was started in the US some years ago. The campaign was launched in Singapore on 4 February 2006, with the objective of promoting a positive attitude towards mental health among the community.

“ In Asian society, the attitude is that we suffer in silence. We don’t talk about our problems.” The reasons for people’s reluctance to seek treatment are diverse, but many of them stem from one basic issue: stigma. Says Dr Lim Cheng Hwa, president of SRS, “In Asian society, the attitude is that we suffer in silence. We don’t talk about our problems. We don’t come forward. Then the problems escalate. They suffer in isolation – and their families don’t bring them for counselling. It is an issue of

end, SRS has produced brochures on mental health and conducts talks to raise public awareness of mental health issues. SRS volunteers provide what they define as ‘mental health first aid’. According to its website, “First Aid is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained. Mental Health First Aid is the initial help given to someone experiencing a We have lift off: President S R face, and they feel inhibited Nathan officiated at the launch mental health problem before of Silver Ribbon Singapore in professional help is sought.” to talk about it.” February this year. It may be that a person is But why should the average feeling burdened and just needs someone man on the street care about mental health to talk to, a listening ear for their problems, issues? Most would dismiss it as something without feeling stigmatised. Many problems that only “crazy people” have to worry can be nipped in the bud at this stage, or about. But Dr Lim explains, “Sometimes, if more professional help is needed, the things can start from a simple problem. volunteers are able to refer the person It can escalate – for example, spouse to trained counsellors or mental health beating might start off as anger. But your professionals. Early intervention can be emotion overcomes your mental control, very helpful to a person who has just and you are unable to control your actions. started to experience mental health issues. That’s where mental illness comes in.” “Sometimes people are suffering from The same goes for addictions. temporary depression, because of the death “Gambling, drugs, pornography, all these of a loved one or from a failed relationcan eventually destroy a person’s life when ship. If they have somebody to talk to, they develop into addictions.” Especially they can recover,” says Dr Lim. SRS’ goal in developed countries, stress can cause is to address the issue as early as possible, these addictions to surface. “In a complex and thereby start people on the road to society like ours, we don’t have physical recovery at the earliest possible stage. and mental space, so stress will build up.” He adds, “Recovery needs acceptance, Over time, that stress may well manifest and recovered patients need to assimilate itself in some form of mental illness. back into society. They need society’s SRS’ hope is that the mental effects of support. We must treat them as they are stress will be viewed by society much like – normal people.” ✩ its physical effects, such as high blood For more information about Silver pressure and heart disease, are. “The public Ribbon Singapore, visit should treat it the same way. We are trying www.silverribbonsingapore.com. to educate people,” says Dr Lim. To this

Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

SALTS HAK ERS & M OVERS

No Slowing Ng Down Photo courtesy of NTUC FairPrice

Ambassador to two countries, chairman of Singapore’s largest supermarket retailer, founder of bus company TIBS, and Singapore’s “Mr Olympics” – for a retiree, Ng Ser Miang is certainly a very busy man, as WONG SHER MAINE discovers.

hatting with Ng Ser Miang is a deadly serious affair. Speaking slowly with careful thought given to every word, it is ironic that the one thing he says during this interview which adequately sums up what he has been doing in the last few years sounds suspiciously like a wisecrack: “Retirement does not mean you do nothing. It means you do a lot of non-paying jobs.” But really, it’s no joke, notwithstanding the fact that Ng says it with a perfectly straight face. Ng, who turns 57 on 6 April this year, was formerly known as the banker who bravely waded into unknown waters in 1981 when he founded TIBS, the second bus company in Singapore. Since 2001, when he sold TIBS to transport giant SMRT – around the time he started thinking of himself as a retiree – he has become more well-known than ever, and not just as a transport man. Carrying on a long-standing passion for sports which started from his days as a young sailor, he spoke up for sports causes in Parliament as a Nominated Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2004, such as asking for greater recognition for national sportsmen who were serving National Service for instance. From 2001, he became and still is ambassador (nonresident) to not one, but two countries – Hungary and Norway. But what Singaporeans will remember him more for, however, were his quiet but regular appearances on their television screens during the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in July last year,

• S A LT Mar-Apr 2006

held for the first time in Singapore. Not only was Ng instrumental in convincing the IOC to hold its 117th session in Singapore – during which the venue for the 2012 Olympic Games was decided in a nail-biting vote – he also headed the organising committee, which was lauded for its flawless execution of the event. Before that, in 1998, he had already made history as the first Singaporean to be elected as an IOC member, the highest honour for an individual sportsman or official and which earned him the title of Singapore’s “Mr Olympics”. He will not be relinquishing that title any time soon as he recently went further up the ranks

of the IOC – he was elected to the IOC executive board at the IOC session, with 86 out of 99 votes. However, Ng is not stopping to take a breath. Just a month after the IOC session, he took over the reins from Chandra Das as chairman of NTUC FairPrice, the largest homegrown supermarket retailer here, and it certainly looks like 2006 is shaping up to be one of his busiest years yet. On his vision for FairPrice, Ng says, “I believe we can continue to help keep the cost of living down, covering a wider range of Singaporeans, especially the lowerincome groups, and doing it better. The role for FairPrice is also not just to sell

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food at the best price, but also to be a partner to Singaporeans in healthy living and promoting healthy eating habits. We are coming up with a series of programmes for this.” Indeed, just hours after the interview, he was on a flight to Italy to attend the Winter Olympic Games in Turin. “This year, I will be travelling the most compared with other years,” the frequent flyer observes.

“ Retirement does not mean you do nothing. It means you do a lot of non-paying jobs.” But don’t call it a second wind. After all, he has been involved in community work for years, from being the former vice president of the International Sailing Federation from 1994 to 1998, to chairing the Singapore Sports Council from 1991 to 2002. Keeping busy in the community is just something he does to find harmony. Says the mild-mannered, soft-spoken man who radiates with quiet dignity, “In a way, I find balance in doing different things. You can be involved in business and focus on building up a company and making it grow. But once you get involved in these (community) activities, it gives you a different perspective on things.” For instance, while he was steering TIBS and looking at public transport issues, he was also president of the Automobile Association of Singapore (AA), where he was concerned with car ownership issues. Ng did not stumble on this life lesson by accident. He learnt it from watching his father and grandfather, who freely gave of their time in community work, and practised it when he was in school. He was head prefect at Serangoon Gardens Secondary School and he joined the scouts, where he did volunteer work. “In essence, you must find the work meaningful, be committed and have

the passion to do it,” he remarks on his unwavering sense of community. “If you believe in what you do, you will find meaning, and find passion and drive.” Throw in some good time management skills and that is how he has managed to scoop up a plethora of accolades for his work, including an Outstanding Chief Executive of the Year award from the Singapore Business Awards in 1992, to a gold medal from the Singapore Sailing Federation in 1998, to a Public Service Star in 1999. He adds, “Once you get involved in a company that is service-oriented, it is natural that you become involved in some other forms of social and voluntary work. The objective is to serve people besides making a profit, to look after the workers. At TIBS, our first objective was to serve the people. Second was to make a profit, and third was to look after the workers. From there, we started a rough relationship with the unions which has developed into a cordial and amicable relationship.” That, he explains, is partly how he ended up in the chairman’s seat at NTUC Choice Home Co-operative in 1996. With a resume that takes a good amount of ink to print, he is hard-pressed to name those achievements in his laundry list of achievements which are the most personally gratifying. After a bit of thought, while he mentions the setting up of TIBS and his work with AA, he tellingly starts off with and focuses at length on his involvement in sports, at both the local and international level. Ng has spent years building up the local sports scene into something which he is immensely proud of, and was instrumental in developing sports into a business which has become a part of the local economy. “What gives me great satisfaction is my involvement in the IOC. It has shaped policy and the direction of the Olympic movement,” he says. The IOC session last year which he oversaw is still fresh in his mind as a moment of glory.

“Singapore was really on parade – the whole world’s attention was focused on us and the team came together so well. With so many foreign dignitaries, making sure that everyone was happy and everything was working was no easy task. It was a great challenge.” With so many hats to don, ask Ng whether he thinks of himself as a businessman, sportsman, diplomat or community leader and he is unable to answer. But what the widower unhesitatingly owns up to being, first and foremost, is a father. “The children may have grown and are in different places, but I still spend a lot of time thinking about what they are doing and supporting them,” he says. Two of his three children are now living overseas (one working and the other in university), while the third is studying in a local university. He reminisces, “When the children were younger, we always spent time together on Saturday nights, which was family night, and would go on holidays two to three times a year. At dinner, we would talk. Now, we still go on our skiing holidays, which we have done for the last 20 years. When I travel, I try to work it into my schedule to visit them.”

“ If you believe in what you do, you will find meaning, and find passion and drive.” At the end of the interview, you wish him a good trip and it is only then that he tells you, before quietly exiting the room, that he is actually flying to Italy that night to be a torch bearer and to run one leg of the Olympic torch relay, as a lead-up to the Winter Games. “Probably only half a kilometre, and I’ll be wearing winter clothing,” he says modestly. That’s Ng for you – he really doesn’t take a break. ✩

Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

Charities: Black Box or Glass House? Should there now be more onerous regulations governing charities and greater powers for the regulator? WILLIE CHENG argues this would be taking a step back.

eception to the Inter-Ministry Committee on the Regulation of Charities and IPCs (IMC) Report has been mixed. The recommendations have been mostly welcomed as timely, but there are concerns by charities on the increased level of regulation partly because the signals on the role of the regulator have been mixed. It may be useful to think in terms of two contrasting approaches to regulation. From the public’s perspective, one approach would be to view a charity as a black box, a trusted institution with the government’s seal of approval. The other extreme would be for a charity to be as transparent as a glass house with donors expecting a caveat emptor (let the buyer beware – or in this case, donor beware) environment.

“ Disclosures ... enable the public to properly decide... Also, visibility induces compliance and discipline on the matters being disclosed.” In the black box model, the primary responsibility for ensuring the integrity and soundness of a charity rests with the regulator. For the regulator to be effective, the rules and regulations that a charity must comply with have to be both comprehensive and prescriptive. And

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the attendant powers available to the regulator to investigate and enforce those rules have to be extensive. A black box model is a valid approach. It could be argued that pre-NKF, the presumption was that the Singapore charity scene was operating on the black box model. In the glass house model, the primary responsibility rests with the public in terms of which charities they may choose to support and donate to. There is still a need for rules and regulations, but these are minimal, sufficient only to ensure a certain level of soundness and stability on the part of charities. More importantly, most of the rules are about transparency. For this model to work, disclosure rules have to be mandatory and extensive. These disclosures enable the public to properly decide and take responsibility for their decisions as to which charities they prefer to support. Also, visibility induces compliance and discipline on the matters being disclosed. Note, for example, the recent trend of listed companies disclosing board attendance which has had the effect of improving the attendance of directors at board and committee meetings. I am reminded of a piece of advice that my then-managing partner in London years ago doled out to a group of consultants on the kind of personal behaviour that was appropriate outside office hours. He said simply apply one of two tests: Either “Would the Queen’s mother do it?’’ (Apparently, she was very strict); or “Can you explain it all on TV the next morning?’’ When organisations complain that disclosure standards are onerous, they

“ Recent pronouncements by the authorities have also stressed greater self-regulation... Such messages support a glass house model. However, the heavy handed intervention in SAVH and the increased powers proposed by the IMC for regulators say otherwise.” don’t usually mean that it takes a lot of administrative effort to make the disclosure: How much effort can it take to provide information you already have? What they may mean is that by having to disclose the information, organisations and directors often feel compelled to comply with what may be a good practice – but they really don’t wish to. The IMC recommendations are replete with calls for greater disclosure and transparency. Recent pronouncements by the authorities have also stressed greater self-regulation, with the primary onus of governance being placed on the board of directors and the onus of making informed choices on the public. Such messages support a glass house model. However, the heavy handed intervention in the case of the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) and the increased powers proposed by the IMC for regulators say otherwise.

and accountability – not only on the part of the charities – but also on the part of the regulator. It is important that the regulator explains its actions and its findings. The public can then decide whether it wishes to continue to support the charity based on – or in spite of – any adverse views expressed by the regulators. To be fair, an effective glass house environment requires, in addition to transparency by charities, an educated

BLACK GLASS BOX HOUSE

MODEL

Has Government’s Seal of Approval

BASIS

Caveat Emptor (Donors Beware)

Regulator

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHECKING

Donating Public

Comprehensive & Prescriptive

RULES & REGULATIONS

Baseline & DisclosureBased

Extensive, Range

Effective Rules & Enforcement

POWERS & PENALTIES

SUCCESS FACTORS

Few, High

Transparency & Informed Donors

REGULATION OF CHARITIES Of particular concern is that the increased powers accorded to the regulators may have the opposite and adverse effect of dissuading volunteers from helping out with charities. Some of the powers lean to a black box model and even beyond. For example, it is draconian for the authorities to suspend fundraising before an investigation is concluded. That pre-judges the results of the investigation. In fact, the

mere disclosure of an investigation would likely send many donors scurrying away! One of my favorite comic characters, Spiderman, has a well-used line that marks his motivation to be a superhero: With great power comes great responsibility. A regulator that has great powers carries with it a proportionate responsibility and this should be articulated. A glass house environment requires transparency

“ The public and the authorities need to accept that from time to time, there will be problems.” and informed public. This is a key ingredient. Singapore has started down this route, but we are far from having arrived. While there is now greater public awareness and interest in charities, the attendant understanding of donors in the workings of charities and a support infrastructure of industry watchers and a ratings system are not there yet. The political pressures following the NKF saga may push the authorities and the public towards a more comfortable black box model where the government basically takes care of everything. But that would be regressive. If we wish for Singapore to be a more civic society, then the community needs to take responsibility for getting there. Regulations should only provide a baseline for a charity to get started and to operate. Transparency by charities helps the community to make informed choices between individual charities. The public and the authorities need to accept that from time to time, there will be problems. Yes, expect there to be another NKF and another SAVH along the way. In a glass house model, it is for the informed public to catch these before the issues become bigger than they need to be. ✩ The opinions expressed in this article are that of the author’s.

Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

A Great Name for a Great Centre When something happens in your own backyard, it can seem ordinary. But when visitors to your neighborhood peek through the fence and see what they consider extraordinary, you end up valuing what went unnoticed before, says volunteer management guru SUSAN ELLIS. BY

SUSAN ELLIS PRESIDENT E N ERG IZE I NC .

Salt and pepper shakers from a private collection.

wonder how many people in Singapore realise how remarkable it is to have an entity like the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC). Many countries have a peak body for volunteering and a separate peak body focused on financial giving, but it is indeed rare to find both activities under one roof. Volunteering is too often a neglected step-child to fundraising. A disproportionate amount of time, attention, and money is spent trying to raise funds, while the raising of people’s time and effort is generally under-resourced and neglected. Putting them together under one roof allows each to nurture the other, offering support both to citizens who give and to organisation staff who need to find and manage both sorts of contributions. Old Traditions, New Realities The root of the traditional separation between those who give money and those who volunteer lies in gender and age stereotypes. Men historically controlled the purse strings, and gained status from being seen as philanthropists. Women, on the other hand, had little say in the distribution of wealth. For them, volunteering was a way to contribute to causes they cared about, and a way to gain status of their own. Today, between well paying careers and a longer life expectancy, more women can be expected to give charitable financial contributions – and where they give their money will be influenced by which organi-

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sations welcomed them as volunteers first. Further, three factors are introducing men to the world of volunteering in much greater numbers. First, everyone is living longer, which means more years of retirement, with its looming unproductive hours. It’s no surprise that many countries have created projects specifically designed to recruit retired executives into community service to keep them engaged in important work. Second, boys and young men are being introduced to volunteering through school service-learning programmes. If they enjoy such activities, they will develop a lifelong interest in this type of service.

“ Volunteering is too often a neglected step-child to fundraising... Putting them together under one roof allows each to nurture the other.” Finally, major natural disasters around the world pushed huge numbers of new people into the emergency response effort. Much of the volunteer work needed to rebuild the devastated areas in the long haul involves the type of outdoor physical labour often appealing to men. The second stereotype concerns age. We expect money to be in the hands of middle-aged people, not those under 30. But if there’s one thing the Internet has taught the world, it’s that young entrepreneurs can get very rich very quickly. Those who wait until people become established in their fields before soliciting a financial

donation from them may be much too late. Organisations that welcome young volunteers will find themselves receiving both time and money in the long run. There’s also a ripple effect to involving the youngest members of society in volunteering. Children and teens learn from the adults around them. If they see adults integrating community service into their busy schedules naturally over the years, they will grow up with a personal philosophy of citizenship and social obligation. Bridging the Divide It is taking organisations all over the world a while to catch up with the new realities of life. Universities continue to segregate professional education, with too little cross-fertilisation between departments. In the same way, staff assigned to fundraising remain focused on money, short-sightedly leaving volunteer management to others. NVPC has a great opportunity to bridge this divide. Whether it’s the sharing of special expertise at no cost, the enthusiastic contribution of hours of effort, a cash donation, or an in-kind service or barter, the common denominator is people who support a cause. From classroom studies to independent research to in-service staff development to volunteer and donor recognition, NVPC is in a unique position to nurture the commonalities and minimise the differences between effective volunteering and financial philanthropy. Everybody wins! ✩ Susan J. Ellis has written 12 books on volunteerism and scores of articles for a variety of publications. For more information on Energize, Inc., log on to www.energizeinc.com.

CALENDAR D A T E S

T O

DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUBLICISE? We welcome your news of upcoming events and pictures. Please send them to SALT, 7 Maxwell Road, #05-01 Annex B MND Complex, Singapore 069111; or email salt@nvpc.org.sg. Please include your name, the name of your organisation, address and telephone number. SALT reserves the right to edit submissions for space and clarity.

N O T E

22 February – 5 March M1 Singapore Fringe Festival Catch 50 works from 20 countries – including Australia, Bhutan, Chile, France, Mexico, the UK, Cambodia, Japan, Israel, and Singapore – at venues all over the island at this festival organised by The Necessary Stage and supported by M1. Into its second year, the festival offers audiences a variety of art forms ranging from visual arts, theatre, music and film. For more information, visit www.singaporefringe.com.

8 – 12 March Discovery 120 In celebration of International Women’s Day 2006, the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), together with over 80 partners, is organising a five-day, fun-filled, island-wide discovery hunt. Over 10,000 men, women and children stand to win many exciting prizes while visiting institutions and taking part in activities related to women’s lives in Singapore today. For more information, visit www.scwo.org.sg.

25 March Launch of Adopt a Teddy Bank Project Venue: Pan Pacific Singapore From 25 March to 20 August, 5,000 custommade teddy banks from Assisi Home and Hospice will be sitting in their adopted homes and offices, collecting donations from well-wishers. At the end of the fundraising drive, all the teddy banks will return to Assisi Home and Hospice where they will lend their treasures towards helping cancer patients before returning to its adopted home for good. All donations are tax deductible. Each bear can be adopted at $10 each from Assisi Home and Hospice. To reserve a teddy bank, please email ronita_paul@assisihospice.org.sg or geraldine@assisihospice.org.sg.

15 April Public Symposium: “The Heart and I” Venue: Suntec Convention Centre Time: 1–5pm Fee: $8 (Public), $5 (SHF member/ Friends of the Heart) Many women are unaware of the extent and severity of heart disease in females. In Singapore, heart disease kills one in five women, and is the world’s number one killer amongst women. Learn more about this killer disease at the public symposium jointly organised by the Singapore Heart Foundation and The Heart Institute especially to raise awareness of the disease for women. For more information, call Irene Lai at 67725596.

23 April Daffodil Day – Singapore Cancer Society The daffodil is the international symbol of hope for people affected by cancer. It also represents the efforts of cancerrelated organisations all over the world to prevent and control cancer, as well as to render assistance to people afflicted with the ailment. On Daffodil Day, volunteers of Singapore Cancer Society will hand out Daffodil pins to every donor who makes a minimum donation of $2. For more information or to volunteer, call Ng Hwee Ping at 64215859 or email: hwee_ping@ singaporecancersociety.org.sg.

3 – 8 May Quest for Global Healing Conference Venue: Ubud, Bali In the midst of major world challenges, something profound is being born – recognition that the wounds of the planet can be healed by individuals of vision and commitment. Join Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Desmond Tutu, Fatima Gailani, Walter Cronkite, and other world-renowned speakers at an extraordinary gathering of concerned global citizens, business leaders and other innovative thinkers in a quest

27 – 29 May Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade 2006 The successful fundraiser for St. Andrew’s Community Hospital (SACH) by IT firm Avanade Asia is back for its second run. A targeted contingent of close to 100 male and female road bikers and inline skaters, mostly corporate executives, will embark on a scenic three-day, 450km journey from Singapore to Desaru and back. Last year’s inaugural event raised a total of $212,000 for SACH’s needy elderly patients. For more information or to sign up, please log on to www.charitybnb.com.

towards a more collaborative, peaceful and sustainable future for humankind and the planet. This unique gathering is designed for those concerned about where the world is heading and who want to play a role in the world’s renewal. For more information, visit www.questforglobalhealing.org.

6 May Christian Care Services (Singapore) Carnival Cum Mini Fun-Walk Venue: MacPherson Secondary School Christian Care Services (CCS) (Singapore) helps substance abusers and dysfunctional families. To raise funds and awareness of its role and contribution in the community, CCS is organising a carnival cum mini fun-walk. Matthias Yao Chih, Mayor of South East CDC, is the Guest-ofHonour at this event. For more information or to volunteer, call Gabriel at 91016519/64408349 or e-mail: care_centre@pacific.net.sg.

12 – 13 May Shanghai Yue Opera Charity Night Venue: Victoria Theatre Members of Marine Parade Community Club’s (MPCC) Shanghai Yue Opera Appreciation Club and students from Evergreen Primary School will perform with two Yue Opera stars, Hua Yi-Qing and Huang Hui, who will be accompanied by the SAF MDC Chinese Instrumental Ensemble in this special two-night charity performance to raise funds for Food From The Heart and to promote a better understanding of Chinese culture and language. Tickets are available at $20 and $30 each. For more information, call Ain at 62597176.

Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

SCENE&SEEN A Very Special Christmas 15 December 2005, Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre

It was a Christmas celebration to remember for the children from Child@Street11 and staff of Suntec Singapore on 15 December 2005 when Suntec staff hosted the children to a special Christmas party where hymns were sung, games were played, and lots of mouth-watering savouries were consumed, and not forgetting presents too! As part of its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, Suntec Singapore has adopted Child@Street11, a multi-racial, independent, nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping children from low income families.

Crumbs of Kindness

Ever cheerful NMP Eunice Olsen during the food drive.

22 January, Junction 8, Bishan

Five hundred members of the public, together with MediaCorp artistes Gurmit Singh, Vincent Ng and Andrea De Cruz, as well as radio deejay the Flying Dutchman and Nominated Member of Parliament Eunice Olsen, collected a total of 3,382 food items in a Crumbs of Kindness public donation food drive at Junction 8 organised by Food from the Heart (FFTH) under its Food Goodie Bag Programme. The goodie bags will go to the 734 needy families which receive regular food packages from FFTH.

And the next game we’re playing is...

Lending a Hand 26 January, SRC Swimming Pool, Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

Organised by the NTU Lifeguard Corps for the Christian Outreach to the Handicapped (COH) for the past six years, the annual ‘Help A Needy Disabled Swim’ (H.A.N.D.S) fundraising event was held recently at the SRC swimming pool at NTU. More than 100 students and lecturers from NTU, National Institute of Education (NIE) and neighbouring schools took part in the event, which include a mass swim and a more challenging 3km obstacle swim. Hunks at H.A.N.D.S.

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SPH – The Straits Times

The Kids Are Worth It 23 January, SPH Foundation Cheque Presentation Ceremony, SPH News Centre

Twenty programmes run by voluntary welfare groups received cheques of $10,000 each from the Singapore Press Holdings Foundation recently, the first lump-sum donation by the foundation this year. All the beneficiaries provide a range of services related to children, including training for parents and caregivers of children with special needs, counselling for children from dysfunctional families, and services that help intellectually disabled children integrate into mainstream society. “We hope our contribution will help sustain the various

programmes which provide the multi-faceted services that help put these needy children on a better footing,” said foundation chairman Dr Tony Tan at the cheque presentation ceremony at SPH News Centre.

From Child to Child 22 January, Singapore Red Cross Campsite, Jalan Khairrudin

This one’s still good!

Volunteers from the Singapore Red Cross spent the day sorting out 8,000 soft toys donated by the public during a soft toy collection drive conducted from 26 to 30 December 2005 at the Giving Tree @ Northeast in Tampines. The toys will be dry-cleaned free-of-charge by launderette Crusade Services before they are sent to NGOs and VWOs for distribution to children in the tsunami-affected areas of Aceh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Accompanying the toys will be notes of encouragement penned by the child donors of the toys.

On Fanning Music the Love the Road

Like our bus?

February, Sing Melody Children’s Choir Bus Tour

11–12 February, Tiong Bahru Plaza

To help raise awareness for the Man Fut Tong Nursing Home (MFTNH), a group of final-year Simply fan-tastic! communications students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) organised Fans of Love, an attempt at setting a new record for Singapore’s largest collection of handmade paper fans. The event collected 84,688 fans in total, thanks to a cumulative effort by 6,000 people, including residents and volunteers of MFTNH, secondary school students, and members of the public.

As part of its Sing Melody Singing Bus Tour, a cheery pink open-top Panda bus ferried children from nonprofit Sing Melody Children’s Choir to their outreach performances around town last February. The bus also helped to spread cheer by broadcasting the choir’s music in between performances. The choir, an initiative of the Central District Community Development Council, hopes to bring the love for music to the community while striving to establish itself as a world class choir.

Mar-Apr 2006 S A LT •

T SPH – The Business Times

“This is by far the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. This is bigger than golf. This is bigger than anything I’ve done on the golf course. Because we will be able to shape lives.” Tiger Woods, winner of 57 tournaments worldwide and 10 major championships, at the recent opening of his US$25 million Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, California, USA

“It’s a form of charity. I do this to help others.” Daniel Leong, volunteer for the $100-million long-term medical study on the state of Singaporeans’ health.

“Last time I didn’t have a neck, now I do!” Businesswoman Fion Phua, who lost 18kg in the last year helping to deliver food and other items to the needy. She used to weigh a hefty 78kg.

“To me, money is a means to an end. And it’s true, otherwise I wouldn’t be willing to give it away.” Billionaire George Soros, who gives away about US$400 million a year to his chosen causes.

“ We may have a mental illness, but we are not mad.” Harris Ng, a private tutor and writer who suffers from schizophrenia, during the launch of Silver Ribbon Singapore, a nonprofit formed to raise awareness of mental illness and early treatment. Thanks to early diagnosis, his condition has been stable for the last 18 years.

“ I want many people to share my joy but I wouldn’t feel good if I were to keep their gifts. After all, I am not in need and I am very comfortable.” Centenarian Lee Teck Anm who turned his 100th birthday bash into a fundraiser for Hong Wen School and Thong Chai Medical Association. The bash raised over $55,000 for the former and over $20,000 for the latter.

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“ Most of my friends from that time are in jail now. If not for the (Touch) volunteers, I would probably be there too.” Ex-gang member Dennis Tan, now a special education teacher and a volunteer at the children’s camps organised by Touch Community Services.

“If I helped save some lives from this scourge called diabetes during my time on this earth, then I’ve done something.” Auto-industry icon Lee Iacocca on what he’d like to be remembered for. Since 1984, he has spent US$20 million through his Iacocca Family Foundation to support research in finding a cure for Type I diabetes.

“ The prospect of being fussed over by nurses (women!) was an added incentive to lusty young men immersed in an almost totally male environment.” James Law, Singapore’s first Champion of Champions blood donor, on how he first became a blood donor during his National Service days back in 1967. He has since donated blood more than 150 times.

“ As a volunteer, I get a say instead of ‘Just do it’, I feel that I owned the project, I want to make it work. I don’t feel like I am just a volunteer. I feel that I am part of the family. There is no distinction between staff and volunteers. Rhyss Tan, Clementi volunteer (Student Mentorship Programme)

“ The staff relate very well to our students and take a personal interest in each pupil whom they come into contact with. They are dedicated and committed to their task of helping our students grow to become responsible and well-adjusted people.” Mrs Irene Yeo (HOD), Ghim Moh Secondary School (School Social Work Programme)

Founded in 1976 by late Francis Thomas, Students Care Service has maintained its relevance in service “to be a leading social work organisation in enabling students to maximise their potential”. We adopt a holistic approach to helping students and their families through various preventive, developmental and remedial programmes. PROGRAMMES – Casework & Family Counselling – Educational Psychology Service – Guidance Programme – School-based Programme – Social/ Educational Programme

“ Thank you for understanding my son and helping him. My son is stubborn and would not listen to others easily. Since attending the learning support programme, I find that he is better able to express his feelings.”

– Student Mentorship Programme – Training & Consultancy – Research & Publication – Volunteers Development – PSLE Hotline/Project O

Together with our service partners, sponsors, donors, volunteers and funding agencies, we celebrate our 30 years of service to the community. SCS CLEMENTI CENTRE Blk 437 Clementi Centre Ave 3 #01-98 Singapore 120437 Tel: 67786867 Fax: 67754132 Email: scs_c01@students.org.sg

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SCS HOUGANG CENTRE Blk 463 Hougang Ave 10 #01-964 Singapore 530463 Tel: 62869905 Fax: 62866230 Email: scs_h01@students.org.sg

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Mrs Ho, mother of a 9 year old son (Educational Psychology Service)