salt_2005_05_06 by SALT NVPC

No. 9 May-Jun 2005

For Volunteers, Donors and Nonprofits

Master

Builder

Yong Teck Meng of HFH Digs In

FirmGrantmaking Foundations in Singapore Volunteerism Fanning the Spirit Post-Tsunami The Doctor Is In Raffles Medical’s Dr Loo Choon Yong

Lifetime

Partnerships UBS’ Social Mission

Gimme

Some Lovin’

Yap Ching Wi of KMSPKS

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contents 14

DEPARTMENTS

PILLARS OF GIVING ON THE COVER

In the final of three features on Singapore’s philanthropic landscape, KEVIN LEE examines the impact made by one of our main pillars of giving – grantmakers.

Habitat for Humanity builds houses for those in need, but as its Singapore chapter Chairman Yong Teck Meng shares, it’s more than just about building houses. Story on page 11.

SPIRIT ALIVE

Thousands of Singaporeans volunteered during the tsunami crisis, but is the spirit of volunteerism truly within us? HALIMAH CHEW and SUZANNE LIM ponder.

LETTER FROM SALT

MAILBAG

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

11 VOLUNTEER PROFILE Yong Teck Meng of Habitat for Humanity Singapore is hands-on in more ways than one.

13 PEOPLE SECTOR PEOPLE Yap Ching Wi spreads her message of loving-kindness.

Photographed by Benson Goh.

19 KEEPING THE

SALT No. 9 May-Jun 2005

22 WALK THE TALK SALT SHAKERS AND MOVERS

The Good Doctor 24

For banking giant UBS, corporate social responsibility is all about building lifetime partnerships.

23 NEW SALT Music For Good does more than play music.

26 SALT AND PEPPER CEO of Alexandra Hospital, Liak Teng Lit, certainly receives more than he gives.

27 SALT TALKS CEO of NVPC, Mrs Tan Chee Koon, asks: Is a giving society necessarily a mature society?

28 SCENE AND SEEN 30 CALENDAR Guest writer CHEN HUIFEN discovers what spurs Dr Loo Choon Yong, Executive Chairman of Raffles Medical Group, on in his quest to pay back society.

32 A DASH OF SALT

May-Jun 2005 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 Michelle Bong Mervin Chua Daven Wu

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 MITA (P) 027/11/2004 To advertise, please call Suzanne Lim at tel: 6550 9563 Email: suzanne@nvpc.org.sg or Cynthia Tay at tel: 6292 4456 Email: cynthia@epigram.com.sg

Jennifer with a “copy” of Best Practices in Volunteer Management.

f there was one thing the tsunami disaster did unearth, it’s that there’s a volunteer inside all of us. Within a week of setting up our tsunami crisis volunteer hotline, we received hundreds of calls from people of all walks of life offering to help in whatever way they could. The truth was that for many of these volunteers, their time to help was not during the immediate aftermath, but in the future. Our role was to keep their volunteering spirit alive and linking them to projects that fed them with some sense of fulfilment. Recruiting volunteers is just the first step, managing their expectations is truly the harder task and a key component to successful volunteer management. This was a point that was highlighted repeatedly in Best Practices in Volunteer Management, a publication we launched at our NPO Forum in March, which showcased successful strategies adopted by eight nonprofits in their management and retention of their volunteers. It’s one thing to get volunteers on board; the challenge really is how do we keep them on board? The retention of volunteers seems to be a perennial issue faced by nonprofits and our 2004 volunteerism survey figures bear this out – 24% of former volunteers cited “burn out” as their main reason for quitting volunteer work. How do we keep the volunteerism fire burning? At our NPO Forum, keynote speaker and volunteer management guru Susan Ellis shared her ideas. Find out what they were in our feature Keeping The Spirit Alive on page 19. One volunteer who certainly has his passion still aflame is Yong Teck Meng, Chairman of Habitat for Humanity Singapore. A volunteer since his teens and three decades on, he still intends to keep going. Read about what feeds his volunteerism zeal in our Volunteer Profile on page 11. In this issue, we also conclude our three-part series on the philanthropic landscape in Singapore. The spotlight is turned on a group that are publicity shy – Singapore-based foundations and grantmakers. NVPC’s Kevin Lee examines the impact that they have made on the giving scene in Pillars of Giving on page 14. All this and more in this issue of SALT... enjoy the read! Jennifer Lim Director, Marketing & Community Partnerships National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre

P.S. Nominations for the National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards 2005 are now open. Visit www.nvpc.org.sg for more details!

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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.

To Give Or Not To Give

SALT Shakers & Movers

Dear Editor, refer to the above article in SALT Issue No. 8 (Mar-Apr 2005) and note that you had extracted a portion of Ms Saw Phaik Hwa’s comments on corporate giving that appeared in the 29 November 2004 edition of The Business Times. While we are pleased that SALT has taken note of Ms Saw’s views, we would appreciate that her views are presented in a manner that accurately reflects her sentiments. In her comment to The Business Times, Ms Saw did mention that companies do not have a social responsibility but she acknowledges, “...being socially responsible or otherwise differentiates one company from another”. She is also of the view that “the goal of every initiative in the name of social responsibility must be altruistic”. In excluding her accompanying comments, your article inadvertently gave rise to negative views of Ms Saw and of the organisation that she helms. Ms Saw firmly believes in and supports corporate giving, especially employee volunteerism. She also contributes her time for charitable causes, the most recent being a special volunteer for Mainly I Love Kids (MILK) first Share-A-Meal fundraiser. As an organisation, SMRT Corporation is committed to contributing to the communities it serves, setting aside 1 per cent of our profit for worthy causes. In light of this information, we would appreciate a clarification of Ms Saw’s views on corporate giving in the next issue of SALT.

Dear Editor, udos for the article on Dr and Mrs Lee Seng Gee in the Jan-Feb 2005 issue of SALT! The writer gave us an interesting insight into one of the most generous families in Singapore. I first got to know about the Lee Foundation when they supported a Raleigh International expedition to Chile I went on back in 1998. Now that I am working as a fundraiser with the Singapore After-Care Association, I can see that Dr and Mrs Lee hold a special place in the hearts of many individuals and organisations. It is certainly not easy to convince them to be interviewed because they give from the heart and not for the publicity. Well done, SALT team! With this and the many other articles featured, SALT is definitely a high quality magazine that provides a good read.

Goh Chee Kong, Vice President, Corporate Communications SMRT Corporation Ltd

Editor’s note: We apologise for any inconvenience that may have been caused to Ms Saw Phaik Hwa and SMRT Corporation by the use of her comment in SALT. For purposes of clarification, we reproduce here the full comment made by Ms Saw to The Business Times: “No. Companies do not have a social responsibility. A company is essentially an enterprise established for business and profit. However, being socially responsible or otherwise differentiates one company from another. Is it good for business? It certainly reflects well on a company, but whether it translates to new business or business growth remains to be quantified. After all, a profitable business must essentially be built on a sound strategy and good products. I am of the view that the goal of every initiative in the name of social responsibility must be altruistic. It cannot be about building the reputation of the company to reap financial gains, nor performed without any heart to the commitment and actions.”

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Dennis Chai, Singapore After-Care Association

Coming Soon... SALT Online Dear Editor, enjoy reading SALT a lot. The stories are interesting and at times, inspiring as well. May I suggest you upload a PDF version of SALT onto your website? It’ll be great reading for volunteers and would-be volunteers!

Peter Lye

Editor’s note: You will be glad to know that a PDF version of SALT will soon be available on our website www.nvpc.org.sg. Watch out for it!

Dear Editor, chanced upon a copy of SALT at my colleague’s desk. It’s good to have a magazine like SALT that focuses on the nonprofit sector. However, I would like to suggest that perhaps in the future, SALT can collate and publish key volunteer activities that are going on for the months the particular issue covers, as that will be very useful for people like me who are on the lookout for volunteering opportunities. Keep up the good work!

Carrie Koh

Editor’s note: Thank you for your suggestion. We will certainly keep it in mind for future issues. In the meantime, log onto www.nvpc.org.sg to find out the latest volunteering opportunities available on eMatch.

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N E W S B

Photo courtesy of SPH – The Straits Times

A WRAP-UP OF HAPPENINGS AROUND SINGAPORE

Woman On Top

TWO BECOME ONE

n the spirit of collaboration for the common greater good, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Association of Fundraisers (AFS) have merged to form the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Singapore Chapter). The aims of AFP are to foster the development and growth of fundraising professionals, while preserving and enhancing philanthropy and volunteerism.

n view of her personal achievements, ex-national hockey player Annabel Pennefather could well be dubbed ‘The First Lady’. The latest feather in her cap is being crowned Her World magazine’s Woman of the Year 2004, in addition to being Singapore’s first female chef de mission to last year’s Athens Olympics, the first female president of the Singapore Hockey Federation, and the first female member of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC). Over the next five years, the vivacious 56-year-old intends to raise hockey’s standards, bring more women into sports administration and even become the first Singaporean female to join the International Olympic Council!

Samoa’s Health Minister Hon. Mulitalo Siafausa Vui (in orange) took guests on a tour of the new dialysis centre.

HELP ACROSS BORDERS

DEARLY MISSED

he National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has opened its first kidney dialysis centre in the Pacific island of Samoa. Located at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Memorial Hospital, the centre boasts 12 dialysis machines and 10 dialysis stations. Previously, Samoans suffering from severe kidney failure were sent to New Zealand for treatment, a costly exercise for the Samoan government. Said Mr Richard Yong, Chairman of NKF, “We are not only giving technical expertise, but we will be taking charge of the operations of the dialysis centre as well. With time, we will be training the local staff in various areas, and transferring our expertise to them.”

FREE LEGAL KNOW-HOW

Watch where you swing that hockey stick, Annabel!

ryan Davenport passed away suddenly in February 2005, but he will be fondly remembered as a driven man with great passion for his work as President of the Eurasian Association (EA). Davenport devoted much of his time to helping the less fortunate, and spearheaded CareerLink, a one-stop job centre for job seekers. “The needy had a friend and champion in Bryan. He would pull out his wallet and give $100 to the destitute he met,” said EA’s Acting General Manager Mr George Pasqual. “He’s a true son of Singapore.”

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The late Bryan Davenport (second from left) having a blast at the National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards gala dinner at the Istana in November 2004.

he Law Society of Singapore is seeking more applications from nonprofit organisations (NPOs) for Project Law Help, an initiative started by a group of lawyers, in-house counsels and academics in September 2004 to pair up NPOs with law firms willing to provide free non-litigation legal advice. Help is available in areas like e-commerce contracts and copyright issues. For more information, call Gokul Haridas, Director of Community Relations at the Law Society of Singapore at 65323105.

PEOPLE MOVEMENTS

Idol Support Photo courtesy of Bukit Batok Youth Task Force

Christine Wong was appointed Executive Director of Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) in March 2005. Prior to her appointment, she served as Deputy Director (Programmes) for MWS for five years, working closely with service centres and partner churches to develop programmes to meet social needs. She spearheaded the Bethany Homehelp Service (formerly known as Wesley Homejoy Service) and the Psychological Assessment & Referral Service (PARS). Methodist Welfare Services has 13 service hubs, including family service centres, children and youth centres located across the island serving the sick and frail, the destitute, the elderly, families in crisis, disadvantaged youths and children, and the terminally ill. Tel: 64784700; email: christinewong@mws.org.sg

All smiles: Taufik readily posed

ast year, he commandeered thousands of SMS votes with fans who turned up at Bukit Batok Community Club’s to become the first Singapore Idol. Recently, local youth recruitment drive. celebrity Taufik Batisah pulled off yet another heroic victory – this time, for the Bukit Batok Community Club. His guest appearance at their youth recruitment drive attracted 420 registrations in one day, the equivalent of what would normally have taken two years to achieve. Said the Bukit Batok resident and the constituency’s youth ambassador, “I hope that will encourage the youth to take part in more grassroots activities.”

CHAIRS FOR CHARITY

Photo courtesy of SPH – The Straits Times

s part of homegrown Osim’s 25th anniversary celebrations, five specially designed Osim massage chairs will be auctioned off at the end of the year to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Foundation. This unique effort has garnered the support and creative talents of luminaries like badminton player Ronald Susilo and entertainer Kumar, who have put their artwork on the upholstery.

Ronald Susilo makes his mark.

CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS

ominations for the President’s Social Service Awards 2005 are now open. The Awards are conferred by the President’s Office to honour and recognise outstanding voluntary contributions made towards the social service sector by an individual, an informal group, a formal group/ nonprofit or public sector organisation, and a corporation. The closing date for nominations is 20 May 2005. For more information, log onto www.ncss.org.sg/presidents award or call 62102561.

Ang Koo Peng, a trained accountant with over 25 years of experience, joined Heartware Network as its General Manager in March 2005. Previously, he was the Regional Financial Controller for Burberry’s and Ossia International. A father of three, his career switch to youth-related work is largely driven by his desire to understand youths better and to see them taking charge of their lives, learning the right values and living their dreams. Tel: 63274414; email: koopeng@heartware-network.org Prior to joining the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) as its Chief Operating Officer, Vernon Kang was the Executive Director of the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS). He was with MWS for eight years, the first four as the Director of Finance & Administration, and the last four as its ED. He will be focusing on strengthening the administrative, HR and finance procedures and processes at SHF. The key activities of SHF are to promote heart health, and to prevent and reduce disability and death due to cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Tel: 62360631; email: vernonkang@heart.org.sg Lee Poh Wah joined the Lien Foundation in January 2005 as its Senior Programme Manager. Prior to his appointment, he was the Business Development Manager at the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, championing its Social Enterprise movement. He has also previously held several executive positions in the private sector. The Lien Foundation was established in 1980 and supports nonprofit innovations in the areas of education, family-at-risk, elderly care, and the environment. Tel: 65356217; email: pohwah@lienfoundation.org

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Chance To Learn

BUMPER SUPPORT

he National University of Singapore (NUS) was the recipient of three gifts amounting to $159 million recently. The Lee Foundation, founded by the late Dr Lee Kong Chian in 1952, presented NUS with a cheque for $30 million, which will go towards setting up a nursing school as well as new scholarships and professorships over the next three years. Former OCBC Chairman Tan Chin Tuan gave $29 million to fund four Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professorships, faculty and student collaborations with the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, and joint programmes for architecture and arts and social science students. The largest amount of $100 million was made in memory of Hong Kong-trained doctor and business man Yong Loo Lin. The money, from the Yong Loo Lin Trust, will go towards the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, where research will be done in eight areas including heart diseases, infectious diseases and cancer.

ix scholarships worth $22,000 were given out to children aged between eight and 18 from the Jamiyah Children’s Home as part of SembCorp Environmental Management’s (SembEnviro) Learning The kids from Jamiyah couldn’t hide their delight with their new van, Scholarship Awards programme. Said courtesy of SembEnviro. SembEnviro’s President and CEO, Ms Loh Wai Kiew, “Education is a very precious gift and every child should be granted an equal opportunity to pursue an education regardless of his or her background. I hope this contribution will spur them on to a brighter future.” The home also received a 12-seater passenger van that will be used to transport the children to and from school.

MOVING ON

fter 13 fruitful years during which she turned the relatively obscure sport of netball into the number one women’s sport in Singapore, outspoken Ivy Singh-Lim has stepped down as President of Netball Singapore (NS). Treasurer Tan Wee Khim has been appointed the new president.“It feels great that I can finally step down and make way for a new leader. I know I am leaving the sport in good hands. I now have time to do so many things which I have always wanted to do. Also, I don’t have to deal with donkeys anymore!” said the irrepressible Singh-Lim. She is disappointed that she has not been able to contribute more to sports in Singapore. “After 20 years, I am still dealing with people who seem to be brain-dead. We built a sports school that does not have a competition hall to host indoor matches for fans. We also built a new stadium and indoor complex at Choa Chu Kang that cost more than $50 million, but it cannot host indoor sports events. I just don’t understand why we are wasting money. It is unbelievable!”

MOVE FOR GOOD

undraising efforts for the St Andrew’s Mission Hospital got off to a flying start on 12 March as Anglican bishop Dr John Chew flagged off more than 50 bikers and inline Ready, set, go! skaters at the hospital’s Simei site for its bike-and-blade fundraiser. The 478km route took the participants across locations like Mersing, Desaru and Tanjong Belungkor under difficult conditions which included searing heat and hilly terrain. $90,000 was raised, with more activities being planned to meet the target of $500,000.

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Fists of power.

BABY LOVE

eenagers facing unplanned pregnancies now have a new avenue of help, thanks to seven agencies including Family Life Society and Beyond Social Services who have banded together to launch a new initiative called BABES. This nation-wide campaign aims to offer shelter, counselling and medical services to these troubled teens. Those who need assistance can call 1800-6868623 or SMS to 8111 3535.

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Master Builder He’s been a volunteer since he was a teenager and more than two decades later, he’s still building on those early foundations. Michelle Bong gets inspired by Habitat For Humanity Singapore’s Yong Teck Meng.

“M

y friends preferred to play sports or pursue their own hobbies. I just chose to do something different,” reflects Yong Teck Meng on his teenage years. That “something different” was doing volunteer work. Almost three decades on, the 42-year-old general manager of a company dealing with creative learning in Chinese is still flying high the flag for volunteerism. In fact, a quarter of his week is devoted to it! The affable Yong is Chairman of Habitat For Humanity Singapore (HFH), the local arm of Habitat For Humanity International, the Christian nonprofit that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, regardless of race or creed. Yong’s involvement with HFH started in 2002 when he was invited by one of its directors to start a branch in Singapore. Listening to him, it’s difficult not to be “infected” by his enthusiasm, something he is quick to credit mentors like the late Dr Ee Peng Liang for. “I had the privilege of working with Dr Ee when I was fundraising for the Community Chest,” he recalls. “At one event, Dr Ee was to receive a cheque on behalf of Comm Chest from a local bank. Being a physically large man, he had difficulty getting up from the sofa to receive it. The president of the bank cracked a joke and asked if he really wanted the cheque. Dr Ee replied, ‘Even if you were to ask me to crawl on all fours to you to get it, I will do it!’ I was so choked with emotion, I couldn’t speak! His humility

Hands-on: Yong Teck Meng

and untiring effort demonstrates his cementing prowess. on behalf of the poor and disenfranchised in Singapore is still a constant inspiration to me.” During HFH’s various building missions, the hands-on Yong is often present, spreading cement, stacking bricks, and digging trenches with the other volunteers. From as near as Batam to as far away as Mongolia and Nepal, HFH volunteers – a motley crew of professionals, office workers and students from disparate backgrounds – have laid foundations in all these places. And it’s not only those with big bulging muscles who qualify to join. Yong is quick to point out that their tasks are really not as daunting or backbreaking as they sound. “One of our best volunteer bricklayers is a gentle, fair-skinned lady executive working in the headhunting industry!” he exclaims.

“ Volunteerism is not only for a specific group of people – it is a simple question of choice.”

HFH’s biggest task in the near future is the building of 4,800 homes in tsunami-affected countries, for which it has received an in-principle approval grant of US$8 million from the Singapore Red Cross’ Tsunami Reconstruction Committee to do so. Says Yong, the father of two girls aged seven and 14, “Our partners from the International office are already working with local authorities in Meulaboh to plan the build and come April, I will be leading a survey team there. Lots of challenges await us, but we are determined to make this a success.” But it’s also much more than about building houses. “I believe we can transform Singapore into a more caring community – one that’s less concerned about her own relatively minor complaints, and more concerned about the plight of millions around the world,” he says. “Bringing people of different backgrounds, faiths and races together for a good cause will help to foster harmony among the races in Singapore and make neighbouring countries appreciate Singaporeans a lot more. It’s about promoting regional well-being.” He adds, “I am driven by my Christian faith and the understanding that I live for a purpose. But that purpose cannot be entirely about myself or my family. The little that I can do goes a long way towards making an impact on the lives of others. That’s why I continue to do what I can, when I can. “Volunteerism is not only for a specific group of people – it is a simple question of choice.” For more information about Habitat For Humanity, visit www.habitat.org.sg.

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First, Love Thy Self As Yap Ching Wi of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery tells Daven Wu, you’ve got to show loving-kindness to yourself first, before spreading it to the world.

he first impression one gets on first meeting Yap Ching Wi is her constant smile. The second is of a very keen sense of self-awareness and empathy for others. And as one speaks to her, a clear picture of her social conscience and sympathies – threads that wind their way through her entire career as social activist, social worker and arts administrator – emerge. These, at the end of the day, are the very personal qualities that make Yap so ideally suited to her role as Manager of the Youth Ministry at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. By all accounts, it has been a long and often eventful journey. When she was an undergraduate at the National University of Singapore (NUS), she was actively involved in social work. And for several years, she was a social worker with the Tsao Foundation before she undertook a Masters in Social Policy and Planning at the eminent London School of Economics. “I had a lot of time to reflect during that time,” she says. On her return, she joined The Necessary Stage, attracted by the group’s strong social programmes for the youth and community as well as the opportunity to work from the ground-up. But there was a gnawing suspicion that she was not performing at her potential. She was tired all the time, her mind racing from one project to another. She eventually realised that “being equipped with technical skills is not enough. You also need compassion and wisdom. Otherwise, you can’t help people.” Her constant search for “a better way to help others” eventually led her, first to meditation classes, then volunteer work

Yap’s personal philosophy of working from the ground-up in that it supports young adults by striving to impart positive influences to their career aspirations and spiritual growth. This is done through talks or workshops such as a weekly personal spiritual and The search is over: Yap Ching Wi has found her niche with the Youth Ministry at Kong personal development at the Youth Ministry Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. programme. and eventually to her “We also provide meaningful and fun present role. “I found a niche for myself,” voluntary opportunities in areas such as says Yap simply. “I realised it was about environmental protection and charity,” me taking care of me. It’s about showing Yap elaborates. “You have to work close loving-kindness to myself. If I don’t fix to the source of the problem; otherwise, myself and I don’t understand about you’re just treating the symptoms. In this showing loving-kindness to myself, how case, we have to develop the young.” do I know if I’m sending loving-kindness To that end, Yap works closely with the out to the universe?” community to develop programmes that This is a personal search that has help create a nurturing environment for the brought Yap far, and in the process, young. Buddhism lies at the core of these it’s easy to understand why she herself programmes, though it is not a push factor. eventually became a Buddhist. “From an “The common entry point,” explains observer with an intellectual mind, I had Yap, “is that the people we work with switched from an outside observer to an are seeking personal development or the insider doing.” meaning of life. They’re trying to work More importantly, the work of the out why they’re not fulfilled even though Youth Ministry dovetails seamlessly with they have a great job, family and friends.” By all accounts, Yap’s work today is an extraordinarily fulfilling one. “I am content and enjoying myself,” she says. “There are a lot of opportunities to learn and grow. It’s a brilliant job!” Which might explain the constant smiles. For more information on Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, visit www.kmspks.org.

“ If I don’t fix myself and I don’t understand about showing loving-kindness to myself, how do I know if I’m sending lovingkindness out to the universe?”

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NVPC’S NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY SURVEY

L G VING Pillars of As part of its study on the philanthropy scene, the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre commissioned its first ever survey on grantmaking in Singapore. In this final instalment of three SALT features, KEVIN LEE examines the impact made by one of our main pillars of giving – grantmakers.

oundations are often a major port of call for nonprofit organisations (NPOs) wanting to keep their operations afloat. This is not surprising, given the rich philanthropic tradition of foundations in Singapore. The Lee Foundation, winner of the Special Recognition Award at the National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards 2004, was established over half a century ago in 1952, while the Shaw Foundation was set up in 1957. The amounts donated by major Singapore grantmakers are impressive, whether taken individually or collectively. The Lee Foundation recently gave $60 million for the new National Library Board building and $50 million to the

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Singapore Management University, while the Shaw Foundation has donated some $270 million since its inception. “Foundations are very important. Without their help and support, many organisations and programmes would not survive,” remarks Mrs Tisa Ng, President of Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO). “The trouble is that there are not many of them in Singapore! It would be great if more of our elite families would set up foundations.”

SUM TOTAL There are currently about 143 trusts and foundations in Singapore, based on the number of charities with the word “foundation” or “trust” in their names. Of these, 79 of them

“Foundations are very important... The trouble is that there are not many of them in Singapore!” Mrs Tisa Ng, President, SCWO

The Lee Foundation’s gift of $50 million to SMU was one of the largest ever given to a university in Singapore. Picture courtesy of Singapore Management University

are grantmakers – those whose main activities are giving grants and who have given grants in at least one of the past two years. According to the survey and based on data available, in 2003, grantmakers in Singapore gave away about $405 million. In contrast, the corporate sector gave away only about $111 million. Interestingly enough, the biggest grantmaker isn’t a foundation as most of us would see it, and it certainly does not bear the word “foundation” in its name. It is the Singapore Totalisator Board (often known simply as the Tote Board), the parent of Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club. Singapore Totalisator Board acquired Singapore Pools from Temasek Holdings in 2004. The Tote Board (including Singapore Pools) gives away about $300 million a year, based on information provided in the 2004 parliamentary debate on the Singapore Totalisator Board (Amendment) Bill. Singapore Pools itself has contributed over $1 billion to the community since it started operations in 1968, with over $176 million in financial year 2003/2004 alone. Singapore Totalisator Board, Lee Foundation and Shaw Foundation, together with SingHealth Foundation and Lien Foundation, make up the “Big Five” grantmakers in Singapore. The new kid on the block is SingHealth Foundation, which began life as SingHealth Endowment Fund in 2002. Its vision is to make lives better through improving healthcare, be it in medical research, education or patient care. “The benefits of our efforts may not be immediate, but it will help to meet our nation’s healthcare needs in the future,” says Professor Tan Ser Kiat, Chairman of

SingHealth Foundation and Group CEO of SingHealth. But grantmakers need not be big, nor need they be set up in Singapore, to benefit the Singapore community. The Ian Ferguson Foundation, for example, is relatively small but has made an impact on the community by “helping small and needy charities”, according to Mrs Peony Ferguson, the foundation’s Chairperson and wife of its late founder Ian Ferguson. Administered by trustees in Hong Kong, it has donated to charities in Singapore and elsewhere.

LEVERAGING THE AVERAGES Grantmakers in 2003 each gave on average over $5 million. But this average is highly skewed by the Big Five donors who collectively account for 92% of the total grants. The survey revealed that 68% of 43 grantmakers each gave $1 million or less in 2003. The smallest known total grant made by a single grantmaker in that year was $8,000, while the largest known grant (excluding Singapore Totalisator Board) was $49 million.

“Foundations... are private in the sense that they arise from private wealth. But once they have been granted tax exempt status, they exist solely for public benefit.” Mr Alan Pifer, former President, Carnegie Corporation (US grantmaker)

One of SingHealth Foundation's key initiatives is CURE to help find cures for diseases affecting humankind.

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Of the grantmakers, 47% of them are family foundations, while 14% are corporate foundations. The others were set up mostly by “special interest” groups, such as religious organisations and societies. Beyond corporate donations, some companies have preferred to show their sustained commitment to corporate philanthropy by setting up their own corporate foundations. CFO Asia magazine describes such a move as helpful, because “funds for philanthropy and those for business are clearly separated”. The Hong Leong Foundation, established in 1980, is an example. Through the foundation, the Hong Leong

Group is better able to focus attention, resources and commitment towards philanthropy, and also enable it to reach out to more charitable organisations and community-related programmes.

WHO’S WHO? The truth of the matter is that relatively little is known about most grantmakers in Singapore. Even among the Big Five, information about them usually only surfaces when they make major donations that attract media attention. The Lee Foundation, for instance, has served the community for over half a century. Yet, it has no website

THE BIG FIVE

ead and shoulders above the other grantmakers is the Tote Board (incorporating Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club). In addition to offering the hope of fulfilling its customers’ dreams, it offers hope to nonprofit organisations and their beneficiaries. With Singapore Pools and Turf Club under one roof and the entry fees from the upcoming casinos, the Tote Board is likely to continue to top the grantmaking list in the years to come. The low-profile Lee Foundation has been making headlines recently with its high profile donations, such as the $30-million gift to the National University of Singapore in April 2005. Chairman Dr Lee Seng Gee said, “If you are lucky enough to have excess wealth, there

is no point just locking up the money in the bank. Give it away to help others who need it.” The philanthropic work of the Shaw brothers started even before the Shaw Foundation was set up. In 1948, Sir Run Run Shaw and Tan Sri Runme Shaw started the tradition of giving parcels and cash personally to the aged during Chinese New Year. The Shaw Foundation was set up in 1957 “with the overriding principle that wealth contributed by society should be returned and in generous measures.” The SingHealth Foundation is registered under the Ministry of Health Central Health Endowment Fund as the SingHealth Endowment Fund. It is the only grantmaker in the top five that has IPC status. It is also the

only one with a specific focus on health. The foundation aims to fill the gaps in the present healthcare delivery system by supporting critical programmes that otherwise might go un-funded. The Lien Foundation was established in 1980 by Dr Lien Ying Chow, when he donated almost half his wealth to start it. Dr Lien, at various times of his life, was a banker, hotelier, entrepreneur, diplomat, community leader and philanthropist. Although the foundation is 25 years old, it is “very much a work-inprogress outfit with a start-up feel, ” says Mr Lee Poh Wah, its Senior Programme Manager. “We will evolve to stay relevant and connected to the community and the causes we aim to serve through our contributions.”

Top Five Grantmakers (2003) Singapore Totalisator Board

Lee Foundation

SingHealth Foundation

Shaw Foundation

Lien Foundation

Date of Establishment

1988

1952

1957

2002

1980

Constitution

Statute

Company Limited by Guarantee

Rules and Regulations*

Company Limited by Guarantee

Charity Status

Yes

IPC Status

Yes

Website

www.singtote.gov.sg

www.shaw.com.sg/ www.singhealth.com.sg/ shawstory/shawstory12.htm shfoundation

Founder(s)

Dr Lee Kong Chian

Sir Run Run Shaw, Tan Sri Runme Shaw

Dr Lien Ying Chow

Chairperson

Dr Yeo Ning Hong

Dr Lee Seng Gee

Dr Shaw Vee Meng (Council Member)

Prof Tan Ser Kiat

Mrs Margaret Lien (Governor)

Key Executive

Mr Lim Teck Leong Chief Executive

Dr Kwa Chong Teck Director

Mr Lee Poh Wah, Senior Programme Manager

Accumulated Funds# (S$m)

Grants (S$m)

300**

# Accumulated funds may not reflect total assets *Registered under the Ministry of Health Central Health Endowment Fund as the SingHealth Endowment Fund Source: compiled by NVPC from annual reports and other public documents. All information correct at press time.

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**Estimate

to speak of, and its Chairman, Dr Lee Seng Gee, has given only three interviews in all of his 83 years. (Catch his third one in SALT Jan/Feb 2005 issue). In Singapore, some grantmakers don’t even list their telephone numbers, much less make their financial information easily available to the public. Some are also created through wills and trusts, and their existence is not publicly known unless they register as charities. This is in contrast to developed countries like the USA, where there is greater visibility and transparency of foundations. It is what Carnegie Corporation, a major US grantmaker calls operating with “glass pockets”. Mr Alan Pifer, a former President of Carnegie Corporation said foundations have a “dual private and public nature”. They are private in the sense that they arise from private wealth. However, they are also public in the sense that “once they have been granted tax exempt status, they exist solely for public benefit.” The legal environment in the two countries is however different. In Singapore, there is no specific legislation to govern foundations, unlike that for charities and institutions of a public character (IPCs). If a foundation is a charity or IPC, then it is governed by the relevant legislation. Many foundations here do register as charities to enjoy tax exemption under the Income Tax Act. One of the income tax requirements is that a charity’s income is exempt from tax if 80% of its donations and income (less the allowable deductions) for Year One are spent on charities/charitable objectives within Singapore by Year Two. This 80% rule certainly encourages grantmakers with charitable status to make donations. In its 2003 annual report, the Lee Foundation stated that it needed to donate about $29 million to meet this requirement. While the encouragement to donate on a yearly basis has its merits, income could vary from year to year, and grantmakers who wish to fund multi-year programmes over a longer term, rather than process requests from year to year, may find difficulty doing so.

NOT TAKEN FOR GRANTED The 80% rule also implicitly assumes that there are causes worthy to receive grants each year. If, in a grantmaker’s opinion, there are insufficient worthy causes for that year, it has to decide whether to donate the money anyway to what it may deem to be less worthy causes, or to donate less than 80% and pay tax. The survey findings show that the quality of applications is an issue. When asked for the main reason why grant applications were unsuccessful, 21 out of 25 grantmakers responded that the applications did not meet their grant making guidelines. The survey also showed that by and large, grant applications were assessed by the grantmakers’ board members or

trustees (19 out of 29 respondents), followed by staff members (9 out of 29 respondents). Having professionals on a grant maker’s payroll, however, seems to be a recent development. As they say, it takes money to make (or raise) money. For grantmakers, it also takes money to spend money. Due diligence needs to be conducted by grantmakers to search and assess which causes are worthy, which applicants can execute and deliver outcomes, and then to monitor whether grants are used as intended. This is where experienced staff can help.

Dr Lien Ying Chow (left) donated almost half his wealth to start the Lien Foundation in 1980. Picture courtesy of Lien Foundation

“To move from ‘feel good’ philanthropy to ‘high impact’ philanthropy, we need to sharpen the who, what and why of grantmaking.” Mr Lee Poh Wah, Senior Programme Manager, Lien Foundation

“A foundation is a vehicle for giving back to society and it requires exceptional effort to be an effective one,” notes Mr Lee Poh Wah, Senior Programme Manager at the Lien Foundation. “To move from ‘feel good’ philanthropy to ‘high impact’ philanthropy, we need to sharpen the who, what and why of grantmaking. Professional staff can devote more time to follow developments and grapple with issues in the community.” He continues, “To hunt for good projects, you’ve got to pound the pavement, kick many tyres, and build relationships that foster trust and innovation. A written proposal cannot convey the passion and personalities of the grant applicants, their organisational capacity or give a feel of the physical setting where the project would play out.” Indeed, grantmakers are an essential part of the giving landscape. They help to foster informed and sustained giving, and grantmaking as an industry can be developed further. This could range from legislation that specifically promotes and supports grantmaking, to developing a network of grantmakers that embraces industry global best practices.

May-Jun 2005 S A LT •

GRANTMAKERS AT A GLANCE The Grantmaking Pie 1

Grantmakers’ Behaviour 2

No. of Grantmakers: 79

Total Grants Made: S$405m

Country Comparisons Total Grant Amount made as % of GDP

* 0.06% if Singapore Totalisator Board is excluded

Number of Grantmakers per Million Population

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Study conducted by NVPC in December 2004 – March 2005, based on 79 grantmakers.

Survey conducted by ACNielsen Research (Singapore) Pte Ltd, based on responses of 30 grantmakers. Survey covered the period between May and August 2004.

Thousands of Singaporeans volunteered during the tsunami crisis, but is the spirit of volunteerism truly within us? HALIMAH CHEW and SUZANNE LIM ponder.

he effects of the tsunami crisis touched many of us more than the actual waves ever did. It certainly tugged at the heartstrings (and loosened the purse strings) of Singaporeans, with a record level of aid – financial and in-kind – pouring in. Thousands of people jammed the hotlines of relief agencies, volunteering their time and services to help the tsunami victims. This spontaneous response on the part of individuals and organisations towards the same cause showed that Singapore is, as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong put it, “a small nation with a big heart”. By now, the giant waves of the tsunami have receded and the numerous accolades have been bestowed, but some

May-Jun 2005 S A LT •

Not Just Another Charity Case At private banking institution UBS, corporate responsibility is all about building relationships and partnerships that will last a lifetime, learns MERVIN CHUA.

sponsored Christmas party does little to change one’s life. Which is why UBS’ approach to corporate responsibility strays from the mundane visiting of homes. Instead, its goals are more pervasive and permanent. “We wanted a relationship and we wanted partnerships with organisations we could work with in the long term,” explains Christina Ong, Managing Director, UBS Wealth Management, and Chairman of UBS’ South Asian Community Affairs Committee. UBS found one such partner in the Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA), an organisation that shares its guiding principles of education and community regeneration. AWWA’s Teach Me programme works on integrating disabled children and youths into society by educating the schools and families, as well as providing therapy and emotional support. One way of getting involved for UBS was through planned outings that were recreational activities for both the staff and children.

“ We bring the children into our environment, so that over time, these kids will not feel like just a charity case.” “We bring the children into our environment; they go to the cinemas and family days together with our staff,” explains Ong. “This closes the disparity between the giver and the receiver, so that over time, these kids will not feel like just a charity case,” she adds. Another upside is that employee volunteerism then

• S A LT May-Jun 2005

half the duration of the trip. That means that for a 10-day trip, only five days will be deducted from the employee’s leave allocation,” elaborates Ong. Beyond Singapore, UBS works with the Singapore International Big day out: UBS volunteers Foundation, following becomes a source of recreation and the kids from AWWA get up close with the dolphins at the same principles of rather than (charity) work. Dolphin Lodge in Batam. education and commuThis familial approach also nity regeneration. In Indonesia, the works to encourage disabled youths to Yayasan Bhakti Luhur is the only charitable feel economically independent and confiorganisation in East Java that serves dent, so that they can play a role despite the disabled community. UBS has been their disabilities. To do this, UBS drew on funding a full-time social worker there their core competency – training. UBS’ for two years. An estimated US$70,000 large training department is well versed in has been spent on training primary careteaching their own staff how to interview, givers of disabled children, as well as the communicate and team build. Along with teaching of carpentry, handicraft and a programme manager from AWWA, a computer skills to disabled individuals. team of HR volunteers from UBS created UBS has also initiated charity events the ‘I Can!’ series which trains youths like a golf tournament in 2003 that raised on the skills needed to secure a job, like over $62,000. On top of that, it has become resume writing. UBS also set up an interna conduit for other charitable endeavours, ship programme, giving AWWA clients real such as providing free philanthropy advice world perspectives and on-the-job training. to clients who are keen to initiate charity The Teach Me programmes of AWWA events of their own. The UBS Optimus have been running for two years, with Foundation invests donations from UBS UBS contributing over $300,000 so far. clients into a number of programmes Between the family day outings and and organisations that focus particularly the HR volunteers in the “I Can!” series, on children. The costs of managing and UBS also boasts a staff volunteerism rate administering the Foundation are borne of 11 per cent. There are also policies in in full by UBS, so that the entirety of their place for when staff want to take volunclients’ contributions reaches the projects. teerism to a higher level, such as the Says Ong, “At the end of the day, it’s company’s one-for-one policy when it comes to disaster relief trips. This became really about building lasting partnerships, whether it’s between us and our clients, us especially significant in the light of the and charities, or encouraging partnerships recent tsunami disaster. between our clients and the charities.” “Essentially, the company will match

The Gift of Song Local nonprofit Music For Good is showing musicians they can do their part to give back to the community – in the best way they know how. Michelle Bong listens in.

t is an undisputable fact that music is one of the most powerful communications tools today. And local nonprofit group Music For Good (MFG), set up in May 2004, is blazing a trail in Singapore by using it to help spread the giving message. Says MFG’s President Patrick Chng, “We were inspired by how musicians from the UK and the USA give back to the community through benefit gigs and CDs, various outreach programmes, as well as helping to bring awareness to worthy causes through their music.” MFG seeks to encourage the spirit of giving among musicians by providing a platform for them to help the community through fundraising performances and charity events, or by conducting free music education programmes, working in partnership with charities and other nonprofit organisations. It is also committed to harnessing the power of music and the process of music making to help bring individuals and communities of different backgrounds together. To date, MFG comprises of some 30 volunteers aged between 18 and 42, the bulk of whom are working professionals in their 20s. The members hail from all walks of life – from students to marketing executives to local musicians, including band members of local music groups TypeWriter, Ugly In The Morning, Electrico and Eugene’s Moment Of Truth. Chng, a web editor at MTV Networks, heads a panel of committee members, some of whom are involved with the local music industry. Most of the work for MFG is conducted via phone calls and emails – actual meetings don’t occur that

them, although we’re still finding our feet and learning as we go along. I believe the secret behind our success is love, passion, drive, vision and an able management committee. The challenging part is sustaining the organisation.” So far, events organised include Hip Hop For Hope, Busking For Relief and Concert For A rockin’ good time: Music For Good Op Res to raise funds often simply because performed at the Suntec Singapore G-Force Concert last year in celebration for the Boxing Day Asian its committee members of International Volunteer Day 2004. tsunami victims. There have busy day jobs with have also been several workshops held. demanding (and often conflicting) sched“A blind old woman wept after she ules. But all this could change soon. At took part in a percussion workshop we did press time, MFG was working on setting at a local hospital. She was just so grateful up an office they can call their very own. that she had the opportunity to play music, Chng is buoyed by the impact of the and it was an overwhelming experience for organisation’s efforts to date. “It wasn’t her and for us,” Chng remembers. difficult to set up Music For Good. I’m There are lots of initiatives in the pipenot doing this for personal satisfaction; line for MFG, although Chng declines to it’s just something you do because you elaborate at this point in time. However, he can do it,” he remarks. is quick to reiterate that music is an excep“The response has been very positive. tional tool when it comes to spreading the We are very encouraged by the fact that a message about giving. lot of organisations want us to work with “Most people enjoy music through a CD or a ‘live’ performances. So what better way to raise funds and highlight awareness to various causes than through it? We believe in the inherent good of music. It is a creative activity that brings joy, confidence and self-esteem to millions of people across all age groups.” Interested in joining Music For Good? Email contact@musicforgood.org or visit www.musicforgood.org. Membership is free.

“ A blind old woman wept after she took part in a percussion workshop we did at a local hospital. She was just so grateful that she had the opportunity to play music.”

May-Jun 2005 S A LT •

SALTS HAK ERS & M OVERS

The Good Doctor Arthur Lee / The Business Times

His humble childhood during the political turbulence of 1950s Singapore taught Dr Loo Choon Yong, Executive Chairman of Raffles Medical Group, the importance of paying back to society. Guest writer CHEN HUIFEN of The Business Times discovers what spurs him on in his social mission.

ven after almost a decade, Dr Loo Choon Yong remembers his early days at Singapore AntiNarcotics Association (SANA) vividly still. “When I first started this work, I was very depressed because eight out of 10 drug (heroin) addicts never recover. That was what our statistics showed. Even when you counseled them, six out of 10 still relapsed.” Fortunately, his faith in making a difference made him persevere. The Executive Chairman and co-founder of Raffles Medical Group held the belief that going by what statistics indicated then, he could at the very least help keep 20 per cent more of the offenders off drugs. “You really learn to see the glass of water as half-filled, not half-empty,” says the 56-year-old, who is also a ViceChairman of the National Council Against Drug Abuse.

“Could we be another Medecins Sans Frontieres? Well, if we could be the Asian version, that would be something.” Of course, with more refined methodologies and improved counselling programmes over the years, SANA has reduced the drug relapse cases to around 30 to 40 per cent today. Having played his part in adding value to the organisation, Dr Loo has recently decided to step down

• S A LT May-Jun 2005

as its President, a position he has held for the past nine years. “Every organisation needs new blood to look at it differently,” he says. “The drug scene is also evolving from one of heroin to more designer drugs. And I think the approach needs to be reviewed, so it’s good from time to time for a social organisation to have injection of new people and leadership.” That is not to say that he will be stopping his volunteer work. As a matter of fact, the nonprofit Asian Medical Foundation (AMF), an offspring of his hospital group and a registered charity, looks set to occupy him for some time to come. Registered in late 2003, AMF was

started by a group of doctors and nurses at Raffles Medical who wanted to offer their expertise to the underprivileged in Singapore and to poorer countries in the region that have little or no access to proper healthcare. “Every year, we (Raffles Medical) adopt a charity. Usually, we try to look at those where they have special needs and we can try and leverage on our medical expertise. Then one day, the professionals working here – the doctors, the nurses, the healthcare managers – said ‘Singapore is one of the better-off countries in the region. Why don’t we use our skills, expertise, experience and a little bit of our money to help the less fortunate in the region?’ They were

Specialists in Philanthropy Management STRUCTURING • FINANCING • TRUST AND CORPORATE SERVICES • INVESTMENTS • INSURANCE • REAL ESTATE

referring to those who are poor, who suffer from diseases, who have got ailments that even their own doctors can’t treat because of lack of experience, training or resources.” The initial idea was to have an entity to organise medical volunteer work in Southeast Asia. He reckons that most Singaporeans are well looked after and have access to healthcare services, whether rich or poor. “But this is not the case in many countries, and then you count disasters. Every now and then, you have disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes, and floods that will suddenly strain the medical infrastructure of any country. If you are able to mobilise people quickly, you can bring help quickly to where it’s needed most,” he observes. Then, about the time when AMF was being realised, a request arrived from Iran to separate twins Laleh and Ladan Bijani. So the scope was expanded to cover more of Asia. “We know that there are many healthcare professionals, doctors, and nurses who are very willing to serve, not only from Singapore but also from the region. And you can see that from the recent tsunami disaster and Nias earthquake – many people stepped forward.” Following the December 26 tsunami, AMF, collaborating with Raffles Medical and Munich Re, sent a team of two doctors and two nurses to Banda Aceh. They were joined by four doctors and three nurses under the AMF umbrella. It also dispatched $25,000 worth of medical supplies and medication to Aceh. More recently, the foundation also sent a team to Nias to extend emergency medical assistance to the victims of the March 28 earthquake. The medical mission was once again joined by some Indonesian doctors in Nias. “The professionals can do so much, but they also need an organisation to quickly get the money, get the logistics organised, liaise with people and all that. And this is what AMF seeks to do. While we started in Singapore, we hope that it

will truly be a regional organisation.” AMF now has about 50 volunteers, drawn largely from the pool of medical practitioners in Singapore, with a small list of partners and contacts from Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand. It constantly receives requests for medical assistance from East Timor, Papua New Guinea and pockets of communities in developing countries around the region. For such cases, the AMF board will have to evaluate and verify the information before deciding on the undertaking. AMF is also planning to send ad-hoc missions overseas to train the locals in specific healthcare tasks, such as vaccinations, childcare, and even the proper delivery of babies. Long-term, Dr Loo sees potential in turning AMF into another Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), a private non-government international network which provides medical aid to populations suffering from disease and neglect.

“If I can be of assistance in whatever way, I will do so. As the good book says, it’s more fortunate to give than to receive, isn’t it?” “If we can be very effective in Asia, I think the founders would be well satisfied. And beyond that, could we be another Medecins Sans Frontieres? Well, if we could be the Asian version, that would be something,” he notes. His deep involvement in social work stems from a personal belief in paying back to society. Growing up in the 1950s of Singapore, Dr Loo experienced first-hand what it was like to be poor and living in a chaotic, politically unstable environment. Peace and security should not be taken for granted and whatever ways he can contribute to make that sustainable, he will.

“If I can be of assistance to my neighbours, to my fellow Singaporeans in whatever way, I will do so,” he declares. “As the good book says, it’s more fortunate to give than to receive, isn’t it?” If you are thinking that the man is pretty much swamped with his professional and social duties, you’ll be even more amazed at the other hats he wears. Dr Loo is also the Deputy Chairman of the Action Community for Entrepreneurship, a public-private collaboration to promote entrepreneurship in Singapore. And while he may have stepped down as the President of SANA, he remains on the board and participates in its monthly meetings. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Trustees at the Singapore Management University and the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC). He also sits on the Board of Governors for Raffles Junior College, and early this year, became a Nominated Member of Parliament. In March, he triggered a debate when he called for the casino decision to be put to a referendum. While he personally takes a neutral stance on the issue, he thought that putting it to a people’s vote would be a step towards political maturation. “Then we will learn to accept that we are a plural society, that we can persuade. But if the rest don’t come along, we must learn to accept and live peacefully with our neighbours. I think this is something that people who are vocal must also understand. That’s the reason why I thought the government should be prepared to consider (a referendum),” he recalls. As the interview draws to a close, one can’t help but be inspired by his can-do spirit. Despite being a corporate bigwig, he exudes none of the airs of someone at the top of the hierarchy. Even with three consecutive meetings in a row, he remains energetic and unruffled. “We have only one life. We might as well make the most of it!”

May-Jun 2005 S A LT •

Getting More Than You Give CEO of Alexandra Hospital, Liak Teng Lit, shares in his candid commentary why when it comes to volunteering, it really is a case of receiving more than giving.

LIAK TENG LIT CEO A LE X AN DR A H OSPITAL

e often think of volunteering as GIVING AWAY our time and effort. But in my experience as a volunteer, I find that very often, I RECEIVE much more than I give! Free T-Shirts My son once asked me “Why don’t you wear normal T-shirts?” My wardrobe is practically overflowing with free T-shirts printed with all sorts of logos and messages – my reward for helping. Add to that an endless supply of umbrellas, mugs, water bottles, writing pads etc... New Lenses I have been involved with the healthcare sector for almost 30 years, but as a volunteer, I have learnt to see things from the different perspectives of professionals in fields as diverse as education, entertainment, sports, and the environment. Applying a fresh perspective or a mix of perspectives from other fields has sometimes led to some interesting innovations in my own work! Free Tuition As a volunteer, I have been lucky enough to work closely with and learn from individuals who can motivate and mobilise people to “move mountains” – not with authoritative power, but with their positive energy, EQ, moral authority and personal credibility. I have attended

• S A LT May-Jun 2005

hundreds of management lectures, but nothing can match watching these “masters” at work. Often times, those we help can help us learn much about life. I have met individuals in nursing homes and oneroom HDB rental flats who have so little by way of material wealth, and yet they live life with great dignity and are much happier than many who are better off materially. They have taught me the importance of distinguishing between my needs and my wants.

“ I have encountered many rejections when soliciting help, but they serve as a reminder to be more understanding of others’ efforts and to be even more helpful.” No Pain, No Gain Even the “pain” of voluntary work can be a good learning opportunity. I have encountered many rejections (some delivered rather unpleasantly) when soliciting help, but these rejections serve as a reminder to be more understanding of others’ efforts and to be even more helpful. I have also sharpened my “people reading” skills. When I call on people wearing my hat as a “beggar” for the Community Chest, that’s when I find out many a friendly backslapping “I will be happy to help” person is really less than

willing. On the other hand, many low profile individuals have come forward to help in a big way without any fanfare. Personal Super Google Thanks to my work as a volunteer, I have established a wide network of friends and acquaintances in many different fields. It has become my personal “Super Google”, and I can often access expert resources and ask for help with just a telephone call or an email. It has also allowed me to contribute in areas beyond my (little) station in life. Happiness Pill Some of the nicest people I know I met while volunteering. They are full of life, positive in outlook and selfless. These individuals are a great antidote to the “Me, me, me!” people I come into contact with daily. It is simply impossible not to be happy around people with an abundance of positive energy. I’ve also discovered that I don’t always have to play a leadership role when I volunteer. Simply gardening and helping to set up and maintain an aquarium at a nursing home turned out to be great fun and it did wonders for my stress levels! Finally, life is all about having a positive impact. As a volunteer, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I have contributed in my own small way to make things a little better for others. And that’s reward enough. Liak Teng Lit is a volunteer with the Community Chest, Southwest Community Development Council, Singapore Tourism Board, Promote Mandarin Council and Victoria School/Junior College Advisory Committee.

Singapore:

Kid, Teenager or Adult? How mature are we as a nation? The CEO of NVPC ponders. BY

TAN CHEE KOON CEO NVPC

ecent spirited debate on two issues in the local media caused me to think about what makes a mature society, and this has nothing to do with economic indicators. The first was the great casino debate, when the focus shifted for a while from ideology to asking whether as a society, we were mature enough for individuals to make their own lifestyle choices. The second was on the advisability of separating conjoined Nepalese twins Ganga and Jamuna, given the state that they are in now, post-surgery. Both girls are likely to grow up severely handicapped, potentially placing an onerous burden on their primary care givers as well as on society at large. Was the decision to separate them a wise one? The discussions around these issues got me thinking about Singapore’s maturity as a society. I would argue that a mature society is a giving society, characterised by a “giving back” rather than a “gimme” philosophy. It is moving away from a “What is the government doing about it?” to a “What am I going to do about it?” mindset when confronted with societal problems, and coupled with the readiness to act to address a social need. My chairman Willie Cheng has said that in a mature civic society, there is

healthy contention of causes, so if there’s a group of people wanting to cull crows, there will likely be another anti-crow shooting coalition. Civil society in the USA started because their founding fathers were staunchly against government involvement in the setting up of their local communities, having escaped from England for precisely that reason. Here in Singapore, we are only beginning to grow out of that look-to-thegovernment-for-the-answers syndrome. When we have an active citizenry that is weaned off its dependency on the government to provide solutions to everything, when the “nanny state” label cannot stick anymore, when there are people driven with a passion for something beyond and larger than themselves, perhaps that is where a truly mature and giving society resides. But for that to happen, people have to willingly give of their time and money to society’s causes. So, how giving are we? Well, if you have been diligently following SALT, you would have a sense. The outpouring of help around the tsunami and earlier SARS crisis demonstrated that our spontaneous giving can be overwhelming. Yet, the philanthropic surveys we have shown in this and previous issues indicate that we lag considerably behind other developed nations, with USA arguably leading the pack. In individual philanthropic giving, as a percentage of per capita gross national

income, Americans donate nearly six times more than we do (1.64% vs 0.28%). For corporates, measured as a percentage of pre-tax net profit, American companies give almost eight times more (1.6% vs 0.21%). Our grantmakers are also few and far in between. We have 20 grantmakers per million of population; the USA has 11 times more at 221. And while 97% of Singaporeans give to charity (albeit because they get asked on street corners on flag days etc), only 15.2% do volunteer work. In the USA, it’s 44%. And this, ultimately, is the acid test of a giving society: how its people are willing to take up arms, cudgels, or plowshares (as the case may be) to address a need, right a wrong and fill a gap, even if the need was not of their creation in the first place. So, if we define a mature society as a giving society, how do we fare using the casino and the Nepalese twins as proxy indicators? I say if as a community, we get involved in civil society groups to educate, counsel and help in gambling recovery programmes whether we have anything to do with the casino or not, and if we are concerned enough to care for the differently abled amongst us such that their primary caregivers need not have to worry about their welfare even after they have gone, then we have “arrived”. We’re not quite there yet, but if indications are anything to go by, we are coming of age.

May-Jun 2005 S A LT •

Photo courtsey of SPH – The Straits Times

SCENE&SEEN A Kind of Magic 10 March, Disney Royal Tea Party 11 March, Disney On Ice Princess Classics Opening Night, Singapore Expo

Popiah Power

Yummy!

8 March, OCBC Adoption of Singapore Children’s Society Ceremony, Singapore Children’s Society Convalescent Home

OCBC Bank CEO David Conner and other OCBC executives sat down to make popiah with more than 40 children at the Singapore Children’s Society’s Convalescent Home, marking the bank’s adoption of the society. OCBC has pledged $2.5 million to the society over the next five years to help the nine centres of the society, which takes care of about 12,000 children and their families. With this pledge, OCBC is now the society’s largest corporate sponsor.

Tee Off For Charity 10 March, The Boys’ Brigade 75th Anniversary Charity Golf 2005, Tanah Merah Country Club

A perfect sunshine-filled day greeted BB Old Boys and their guests as they descended on the greens of Tanah Merah Country Club for BB’s annual charity golf event, in aid of the BB21 Development Plan. The target of $100,000 was met even before a single golf ball had been struck, thanks to the generosity of those present at the event which included BB Old Boys Mr Khoo Boon Hui, Lt-Gen Winston Choo (Retd) and Mr Sim Kee Boon. A post-golf dinner and auction rounded off the day’s programme. In preparation: BB Old Boy Lt-Gen Winston Choo (Retd).

• S A LT May-Jun 2005

Aladdin and the Genie

made the kids’ day at the About 100 children tea party. and their families from Club Rainbow spent a magical afternoon with characters from Disney On Ice Princess Classics, courtesy of NTUC FairPrice. Not only did characters like Aladdin and Cinderella drop by for tea, they also entertained with songs and dances. The magic continued the next day for the kids, as along with 1,000 children from other charities, they were FairPrice’s special guests at the opening night performance of Disney On Ice Princess Classics at the Singapore Expo.

Getting up close with Mickey and Minnie on opening night.

Be The Best You Can Be

Thank You, Volunteers!

4 February, ABN AMRO Thank You Party

27 January, Tsunami Volunteer Appreciation Reception, MND Auditorium, MND Complex

In recognition of their efforts during a relief mission to Meulaboh from 10 – 14 January 2005, the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) organised a simple thank you reception for some 60 tsunami volunteers and their families. Much camaraderie had obviously been forged among the volunteers during their mission as laughter and the continuous clicking of cameras pervaded the evening. The volunteers also took home with them certificates of appreciation and a small gift courtesy of NVPC.

Guests that night included veteran volunteer Elizabeth Choy and MP Halimah Yacob.

One for the album: CEO of NVPC, Mrs Tan Chee Koon, poses with volunteer Edward John Langton.

ABN AMRO held a thank you party for its volunteers as well as caregivers from its seven adopted charities to mark the bank’s efforts in furthering the giving cause. Volunteers shared their experiences with those present, reinforcing the message that by being the best that you can be, you also contribute in your own way. ABN AMRO’s seven adopted charities are Tampines Family Service Centre, Student Care Service, Pertapis Girls’ Home, Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore, School for the Visually Handicapped, MINDS Towner Gardens School and MINDS Lee Kong Chian Gardens School.

Let’s Hear It For the Ladies! 8 March, SCWO 25th Anniversary Dinner, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel

We’re all blowing out the candles on the birthday cake?

The Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) marked its 25th anniversary on International Women’s Day with a gala fundraising dinner. It was indeed an occasion to celebrate as the organising committee, headed by Dr Jennifer Lee, had been hard at work for many months to help make the event a rousing success.

Lunch With A Lion

David Wong, Managing Director, ABN AMRO Singapore presents a token of appreciation to Dr Saba Iqbal of Pertapis Girls’ Home.

Cheers!

16 March, MILK Share-A-Meal, Shangri-La Hotel

National footballer Lionel Lewis was all smiles as he obliged the kids with numerous autographs.

Nine children from disadvantaged homes got to join national footballer Lionel Lewis for a buffet lunch at the Shangri-La Hotel, thanks to the Share-A-Meal programme initiated by Mainly I Love Kids (MILK), a charity that helps underprivileged kids and their families who are ineligible for aid from existing channels. The nine children, aged between nine and 13 years, were from Beyond Social Services, and their lunch treat was made possible by an anonymous donor who contributed $5,000 for the opportunity.

May-Jun 2005 S A LT •

CALENDAR D A T E S

T O

N O T E

25 – 26 May The National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Conference 2005 – The Reality of Giving Time: 9am – 6pm Venue: Raffles City Convention Centre, Canning & Padang Ballroom Fee: S$350 (inclusive of 5% GST) This two-day annual conference organised by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) will examine new emerging attitudes, trends and insights in giving from the perspective of donors as well as beneficiaries. The keynote speaker is Senator Richard J Gordon, widely considered as the “Father of Volunteerism” in the Philippines, who will share his vast experience in mobilising the private and the people sectors to partner the government in rebuilding communities. Panel discussion topics include Sustainable Fundraising, The Harsh Reality of Giving Away Money, New Realities of Giving in Singapore, and Disaster Relief Giving. This conference is the perfect forum to discuss the new realities in giving and receiving, and offers invaluable networking opportunities for those involved in the nonprofit and corporate giving sectors. Nonprofit organisations and government organisations can apply for the Nonprofit Sector Training Grant (NTG) to enjoy a 70% and 50% subsidy respectively on the conference fee. For more details of the conference and to download the conference registration form, visit www.nvpc.org.sg/conference05/.

21 May – 11 June Active Retirement – You Can Do It Too Time: 9am – 12noon Venue: Singapore Action Group of Elders (SAGE), 19 Toa Payoh West Fee: $180 nett for four modules; $50 nett for each module (inclusive of course materials and refreshments) The Singapore Action Group of Elders (SAGE) is organising a fourweek long seminar to help prepare mid-lifers for retirement and retirees for a more fulfilling retirement. The seminar will address issues such as the process of ageing and deal with the social, psychological, health and financial aspects of ageing. This seminar is also recommended for companies who want to provide value-added benefit for

• S A LT Mar-Apr 2005

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.

their employees who are retiring and retirees. Closing date for registration is 13 May 2005 and the seminar is limited to 25 participants. To register, please contact Seema or Zubee at 62588789 or email admin@sage.org.sg.

27 May Growing Donor Relationships Time: 9am – 5pm Venue: National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, 7 Maxwell Road, MND Complex Annex B, #05-01 Fee: $420 (inclusive of 5% GST and course materials) Charles Bernard Maclean, PhD, the Founder, Donor Advocate and Coach for PhilanthropyNew in Portland, Oregon (USA) will be

conducting a one-day training seminar on growing donor relationships, aimed at helping organisations to understand and retain donors as life-long valued customers. This seminar is designed for executive and management staff, board members and key volunteers. The Nonprofit Sector Training Grant subsidy is applicable for this seminar. For more information, please visit www.nvpc.org.sg.

27 May Eat With Your Family Day Organised by the Centre for Fathering in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Eat With Your Family Day aims to encourage multi-generation families to dine together to reinforce the importance of building healthy and resilient families. Thousands of corporations, organisations, schools and government bodies across Singapore will be urged to stop work or end their activities by 5pm on that day so that employees can get home in time to dine with their families. For more information, visit www.fathers.com.sg.

June Amazing Chopsticks Car Rally Fee: $250 per car (maximum of four persons), inclusive of all materials, goodie bags and the satay/durian feast Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) will be organising a car rally with Wheels for Fun on a Saturday afternoon after the June school holidays. This car rally will take food lovers through a half day “foodie trail” around Singapore. The event will end with a delicious satay and durian feast. For more details and to register for the car rally, please contact Ms Clara Lick at 64784723 or email claralick@mws.org.sg.

3 July The MILK Run 2005

2 – 6 June Global Youth Summit This six-day summit organised by The Boys Brigade Singapore will bring together youth leaders from the Global Fellowship of Christian Youth and Boys Brigade Asia to exchange ideas pertaining to global changes and youth trends directly affecting the membership of youth organisations, and to promote cultural sharing with respect to youth work, family and community cohesion. Participants from the respective countries will exhibit their work and ideas, which will be open to the public. For more details, log on to www.bb.org.sg or contact Mr. Daniel Chong at 67370377 Ext 108 or email daniel_chong@bb.org.sg.

As part of its annual Youth Day celebrations, Beyond Social Services will be organising a charity run in aid of the Mainly I Love Kids (MILK) Fund. Previously known as the Streetwise Run, the MILK Run has been held on every National Youth Day since 2001. The fundraising target of this year’s run is $1 million. For more information and to sign up for the run, visit www.milkrun.com.sg.

AD 9 NVPC AD # CONFERENCE

Photography by Skye Tan. Picture courtesy of NewMan.

“It’s like the Olympics. You have a burning torch, and a burning desire to help. You try to keep it burning. But it’s pointless to just keep it burning and burning. Pass on the burning torch to each person who comes along the way.” Elim Chew, entrepreneur and volunteer, on keeping the volunteerism spirit alive.

“Having a heart has nothing to do with how big your bank account is. Everyone has something to give.” Barbara Bush, former USA First Lady

“Who set the fire on them?” Sister Teresa Hsu of Heart to Heart Services when she heard that former volunteers cited “burn-out” as one factor that led them to cease volunteering.

“If you haven’t got charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.” Bob Hope (1903 – 2003), comedian and volunteer

“When you help others in need or in trouble, happiness will come to you.” Elizabeth Choy, 94, veteran volunteer

“We reward good volunteer work with more volunteer work!” Susan Ellis, volunteer management guru

“Volunteering requires a belief that something is worth doing and you go ahead to do that something. My belief is that toilets can be better!” Jack Sim, Founder, World Toilet Organisation

“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965), UK Prime Minister during World War II

“I look forward to the day when I can be a ‘normal’ volunteer minus the celebrity status because I believe it will be a most enriching and fulfilling experience.” Kit Chan, pop star and World Vision International volunteer

• S A LT May-Jun 2005

DID YOU KNOW? A study by the University of Michigan involving 2,700 people and spanning 10 years found that people who did no volunteer work were two-and-a-half times more likely to die than those who volunteered at least once a week.

AD 10 NTUC INCOME