salt_2005_07_08 by SALT NVPC

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contents

SALT No. 10 Jul-Aug 2005

ON THE COVER Self-help group SINDA’s phenomenal success owes much to the dedication of its community to the movement, and not simply to the organisation itself, says its CEO, S Vivakanandan. Story on page 13 and 19.

OUR SHORES

LETTER FROM SALT

MAILBAG

Photographed with SINDA kids by Mervin Chua.

BEYOND 14

DEPARTMENTS

SALT SHAKERS AND MOVERS

The Three Ages of Ee President of the National Council for Social Service, Gerard Ee, shares with guest writer MICHELLE QUAH his game plan for life post-retirement from Ernst & Young.

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 Dr Chan Yew Wing of Raleigh Society is on a quest to get more volunteers!

13 PEOPLE SECTOR PEOPLE S Vivakanandan of SINDA isn’t one to quibble over issues when it comes to getting the job done.

22 MEASURE OF SALT Spotlight on key self-help groups in Singapore.

23 WALK THE TALK

The Asian tsunami disaster thrust the role played by the Singaporean international volunteer into the spotlight, but DAVEN WU wonders if international volunteerism has really come of age in Singapore.

THE NATIONAL 32 VOLUNTEERISM & PHILANTHROPY CONFERENCE 2005

It was certainly a conference to remember for those who attended the two-day event at the Raffles City Convention Centre on 25 and 26 May. Check out the highlights in our special two-page spread!

HELP OURSELVES

Almost every working Singaporean contributes monthly to a self-help group, but how many of us know exactly what they do? WONG SHER MAINE enlightens.

Singapore’s largest bank DBS doesn’t hesitate to use its resources to raise money for charity.

26 NEW SALT New nonprofit Child Bereavement Support aims to help ease the heartache of losing a child.

27 SALT AND PEPPER Where international humanitarian aid is concerned, the government should give way to a more balanced approach, argues Dr Tan Chi Chiu.

28 SALT TALKS Willie Cheng challenges the convention that continued growth is a good measure of success for nonprofits.

30 SCENE AND SEEN 34 CALENDAR 36 A DASH OF SALT

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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.

Up and at it: Chee Koon in action during the impromptu ‘Kebayarobics‘ demonstration at the National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Conference 2005.

EDITOR Suzanne Lim

CONTRIBUTORS Michelle Bong Mervin Chua Wong Sher Maine 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

former NVPC staffer, just back from her one-year job stint in Jakarta, picked up a recent copy of SALT in our office and commented on the observable number of changes in the people sector from just leafing through its pages. Indeed, change seems to be the invisible thread that links our feature stories in this issue, starting with our lead story which turns the spotlight on agencies doing humanitarian work overseas. The tsunami caused local NPOs that had not done relief work abroad to venture into virgin territory, while international NPOs that operate in the affected places questioned if they should be more involved in humanitarian relief work. Locally, we saw more people prepared to volunteer for extended periods in the affected countries. We seem to have come a long way, but how much progress have we really made? Beyond Our Shores on page 14 addresses this issue and more. Helping abroad begs the question of helping at home. And there is no cause closer to helping out in one’s backyard than that of the self-help groups which service their respective ethnic communities. Even there, change is in the air with agencies like SINDA, Mendaki and CDAC collaborating to offer joint tuition services to children from all the races at their centres. Read Help Ourselves on page 19 to find out what’s been going on. Which leads us to the interesting premise that NVPC chairman Willie Cheng poses in his SALT Talks piece End Game: Extinction (page 28). The ultimate mark of an NPO’s success, he argues, is when its services are no longer required because the cause for which it was started has been dealt with through its good work. Extinction, in his opinion, is success! It’s a fascinating read, I promise you. But change is not just at work in institutions; it is also evident in the lives of individuals. This issue’s mover and shaker (page 24), Gerard Ee, president of the National Council of Social Service, has ventured into what he calls the “third age”, having chosen to retire from full-time employment to full-time (more or less) community involvement. We wish him abundant joy as he enters this new season of his life. And I like what S Vivakanandan, CEO of SINDA has to say in our People Sector People (page 13): “Don’t complain about the darkness. Light a candle”. Be the change you want to see. Light a candle if you see a need, and keep that candle burning bright if you have lighted one.

Tan Chee Koon Chief Executive Officer National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre P.S. If you weren’t at our recent National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Conference 2005, you sure missed out on a lot, including an unforgettable ‘Kebayarobics’ demonstration! For more highlights, turn to pages 32 – 33.

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MAILBAG Letter From a Volunteering Legend Dear Mrs Tan Chee Koon, hank you for sending me a copy of SALT. It is very interesting and I am very glad that you and your volunteers are doing such good work for those who need help, and I want to congratulate all the volunteers. They are bringing blessings to all those who are sick, lonely and in need of help. I know they are blessed and they have happiness which only being volunteers can have. I know, because I learned to do social work from both my paternal and maternal grandfathers who were church ministers and they had to look after the welfare of their congregations. By doing social work, I had a lot of joy and contentment and thankfulness for my good fortune. I always tell young ones to help those in need and make them happy and when they bring happiness to those in need, happiness goes back to them. I always say “Selfishness and happiness cannot go together”. Help others in need and you’ll be happy. You know it, I’m sure. All the best and may God bless you and all the volunteers.

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.

What’s Next After BABES? Dear Editor, hen I came across your May/June of SALT, I was heartened to read your update on a coalition of seven organisations called BABES that have banded together to tackle the issues of pre-marital sex and unwanted teenage pregnancies. This is an excellent development, but it set me wondering which other agencies in Singapore are reaching out to meet the diverse and critical needs in the field of human sexuality. Sexual dilemmas loom large among our young, yet so few organisations are addressing them. It seems that much of our sexuality education in Singapore today is introduced late among our youths – when they are in secondary school. However, research shows that children from as early as age eight need their parents to impart knowledge on difficult life issues, including sex and violence. True sexuality education is much more than just about the sexual act. It encompasses areas like self-worth, emotions, communication, gender identity and interpersonal relating. By providing holistic sexuality education from as early as pre-school, we are empowering young people with the necessary life skills and at the same time, offering them some protection against those who prey on them. It is about time that early childhood educators and parents collaborate so as to provide much-needed guidance and influence at this prime stage of life.

Chua Hui Ling (MA, Education), Early Childhood Educator, Vice-President, Singapore Committee, O.M.E.P (Organisation Mondiale pour l’Education Préscolaire), World Organisation For Early Childhood Education

Editor’s Note: Look out for our story on sexuality issues in the Sep/Oct issue of SALT.

Kudos from Overseas

NVPC Conference 2005

Dear Editor, was in Singapore recently when I chanced upon SALT. I was very surprised to find out that such a concerted effort exists to promote the message of volunteerism within your nation. I was very impressed with the articles and I took home some interesting learning points that were shared in your magazine. Thank you.

Dear Editor, hank you for an excellent NVPC Conference 2005. I have personally gained much from it. Perhaps NVPC can consider having quarterly networking sessions for likeminded people such as social entrepreneurs and other special interest groups?

Elizabeth Choy

Elizabeth Choy, 95, is a veteran volunteer in Singapore. Tortured by the Japanese during World War II for covertly smuggling in supplies to prisoner camps, she survived the atrocities to become the first principal for the School for the Blind from 1956 to 1960. A teacher for 40 years at St Andrew’s School, she won a Golden Heart Award from the Golden Years Fellowship in 1997 for her lifelong commitment to social work.

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Somkid Sthithawornchai, Youth Worker Bangkok, Thailand

James Tian Toh Kian, General Manager Red Shield Industries Singapore, The Salvation Army

Editor’s Note: Thank you for your suggestion. We will certainly keep it in mind!

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N E W S B

Photo courtesy of SPH – The Straits Times

A WRAP-UP OF HAPPENINGS AROUND SINGAPORE

Well Done, William! N

euroscientist and wheelchair athlete Dr William Tan earned himself entry into the record books when he completed 10 marathons over 70 days on seven continents, all in the name of charity. In his bid to help raise $1.5 million for a professorship in paediatric oncology at the National University of Singapore, the 48-year-old, who became paralysed from the waist down after contracting polio at the age of two, covered more than 400 kilometres during his quest, which began in February this year. With the establishment of the professorship, NUS hopes to bring overseas childhood cancer experts to Singapore to share their skills and knowledge with local health care workers. To contribute to the professorship, please send a cheque made out to ‘National University of Singapore’ to: NUS Development Go, William, go! Office, University Hall, Lee Kong Chian Wing, UHL-03-01, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119077. Please write your name, address, identity card number and contact details on the back of the cheque, and indicate it is for the professorship.

PROTECTING OUR YOUNG

hild abuse and neglect prevention are constant challenges faced by both developed and developing countries. Organised by the Singapore Children’s Society under the auspices of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), the 6th ISPCAN conference – Protecting Children: Asian Perspectives and Beyond – will focus on the Asian insights, with a cross continental exchange of experiences and the overlapping concerns that often arise despite the varied focus and different societal make-up of the various countries. The conference will take place from 16 -18 November at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore. For more information or to register, please visit www.ispcansingapore.com.

BRAND NEW DAY

fter a 15-month wait, St Andrew’s Community Hospital finally moved into its new 11-storey building at Simei Street 3 on 20 April. Located next to Changi General Hospital, the new hospital has seven wards with a 200-bed capacity. With the enhanced facilities, the hospital will focus on providing rehabilitative care and convalescence for in-patient, outpatient and day care patients, after acute treatment at a general hospital.

THIS ONE’S FOR THE CHILDREN

ome 1 October, some of the world’s biggest film stars, musicians and dignitaries will be descending on Singapore for Listen Live, a six-hour mega concert marking the end of the global Listen Campaign which focuses on the needs and rights of children affected by war, disease, exploitation, poverty and AIDS. The global fund raising event will be beamed ‘live’ to more than 500 million people in 80 countries from Singapore’s National Stadium. So far, Hollywood celebs Susan Sarandon, Goldie Hawn, Brooke Shields, Jessica Lange and Jeff Bridges have confirmed their participation. The world’s largest charitable entertainment project, the money raised from Listen Live will be used to fund 200 children’s charity projects worldwide. For more information, visit www.listencharity.org.

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The new look of SACH.

PEOPLE MOVEMENTS Tan Wee Khim took over as president of Netball Singapore (NS) from Mrs Ivy Singh-Lim in May 2005. Formerly NS’ treasurer, his first initiative as president was to team up with NTUC FairPrice to offer weekly netball training sessions for the youths of NTUC FairPrice’s adopted charity, Club Rainbow. Wee Khim is also a partner of the Assurance & Advisory Business Services unit with Ernst & Young Singapore. Netball Singapore is the national body for netball with a commitment to the development of the game in Singapore and the vision to establish Singapore as one of the leading teams in the region. Tel: 64286908 Sun spreads her cheer in Meulaboh.

A Beary Good Cause P

op star Stefanie Sun is working together with local humanitarian aid agency Mercy Relief to help raise funds for tsunami victims through the sale of 1,000 limited edition teddy bears, all personally autographed by Sun. For every bear sold, another teddy bear will be pledged to the children in the countries where Mercy Relief is doing relief work. Sun, who is also Mercy Relief ’s goodwill ambassador, visited the Muhammadiyah School and Orphanage in Meulaboh which Mercy Relief helped to rebuild, and distributed teddy bears to young patients at the Meulaboh Hospital during her trip to Meulaboh, Aceh from 7 to 9 May. The limited edition Mercy Relief bear is retailing for $23 each at Mercy Exchange, 76 Robertson Quay, #01-10, The Gallery Hotel.

UNDER THE BOARDWALK

hek Jawa, home to one of Singapore’s richest collections of plant and marine life, will get a brand new 2.5-kilometre boardwalk next year. When completed, the boardwalk will accommodate as many visitors as possible whilst protecting the fragile eco-systems in the area. A resource centre, camp site and biking trail are also in the works. An initial donation of $800,000 from the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation will be used to set up a fund to support the nature conservation, outreach and research activities on the island, as well as for the resource centre that will coordinate and promote volunteerism in these areas.

UP TO THE CHALLENGE

icking off the launch of President’s Challenge 2005 on 1 May were Singapore Idol finalists Taufik Batisah and Sylvester Sim who performed before President S R Nathan at the Istana. Usually held around September, this year’s Challenge has been brought forward and the main activities will take place between 15 and 31 July. Targeted to raise more than $8 million, the money will go to 47 beneficiaries picked by the President’s Office, including the Community Chest, Jamiyah Halfway House and St Andrew’s Community Hospital. Donations can be made via phone on 1900-112-1008 or online at Sly (above) and Taufik www.pc2005.org.sg. (top) do their bit for PC 2005.

Stephen Beng was appointed the honorary secretary of the Singapore Underwater Federation (SUF) on 7 May 2005. He hopes to effectively convey, to both dive operators and the general public alike, information vital to the health, growth and improvement of our local dive industry in his new role with SUF. SUF is committed to increasing the awareness of diver responsibilities, and raising operational and training standards of dive operators in Singapore. Tel: 62991147/64799001; email: sufnet@singnet.com.sg Prior to joining the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre as senior assistant director for community partnerships in June 2005, Irene Han was the general manager of Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF). She joined KDF as its chief administrator in 2000 and was promoted to general manager, a position she occupied until her departure from KDF in May 2005. Tel: 65509580; email: irene@nvpc.org.sg

Albert Ching joined the YMCA of Singapore as assistant general secretary (programmes) on 1 March 2005. He began his working career with the Boys’ Brigade (BB) and was its executive director from July 1999 to January 2005. At BB, he was responsible for the BB Sharity Gift Box project and many other new initiatives. Albert brings with him a wealth of experience in the social service sector, having also worked in the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) in its volunteer action and development division from April 1996 to July 1999. While with NCSS, he was responsible for the launch of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP). Tel: 64302270; email: albertching@ymca.org.sg

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RIDING FOR GOOD

ONLY THE BEST NEED APPLY

lobal financial services giant Citigroup and London-based charity Resource Alliance launched the Asia-Pacific NGO Awards 2005 on 12 May at the Conrad Centennial Singapore. The awards aim to recognise the best NGOs from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. The NGOs will be judged on their delivery of services, efficiency of resource management, transparency, accountability, effectiveness of resource mobilisation and financial sustainability. The NGO of the Year will receive a trophy, a US$10,000 (approximately S$16,500) cash prize and a bursary for one member to attend an international conference next year. Last year, Singapore Children’s Society came in third out of 76 regional entrants. For more information, log on to www.resource-alliance.org. The deadline for submission of entries is 15 July.

NEXT STOP: CIP CENTRAL

ducators and students looking for ideas for Community Involvement Programme (CIP) can now turn to the newly launched CIP Central website for help. Set up by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), the dynamic website aims to be a one-stop resource centre for both adults and young users from primary schools to junior colleges. Features includes the V-Mall, a search and match function; Teachers’ Corner where tips on how to kick-start projects can be found; and Model V, which posts personal accounts of successful projects by individuals and schools. There is also a comprehensive list of more than 400 volunteer organisations that schools can team up with. For more information, log on to www.cip.org.sg.

Comic-inspired CIP Central postcards will be distributed to students and teachers island-wide.

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RT commuters who donated their spare ez-link cards and used single-trip TransitLink tickets at three MRT stations raised $50,000 to help disabled children adjust to life in the mainstream. This unique charity drive, organised by Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) from July 2004 to February 2005 and supported by SMRT, will go towards AWWA’s Teach Me (Therapy and Educational Assistance for Children in Mainstream Education) programme.

Matchmaking Magic W

ith “matchmaking” help from the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) has adopted Beyond Social Services as part of its corporate volunteer programme. Besides encouraging staff to These beneficiaries from Beyond have cause to smile, thanks to PSA. volunteer their time and a $250,000 pledge, PSA’s corporate communications department has also volunteered to help promote the charity’s cause. A charity set up 30 years ago to help poor families in Bukit Ho Swee, Beyond Social Services now aims to give youths-at-risk the necessary skills to integrate into society and to be able to support themselves financially.

LET’S PLAY BALL!

n a novel way of providing social support to youths suffering from chronic and lifethreatening illnesses, Netball Singapore, with support from NTUC FairPrice, has started a one-year training programme for members of Club Rainbow. Every week, the national coach I’m not going to miss... and national captain will conduct training sessions to introduce the game of netball to these youths and to encourage them to lead a healthy lifestyle. Says Club Rainbow’s president, Gregory Vijayendran, “These training sessions are a great morale booster for our teens. We are very grateful to NTUC FairPrice and Netball Singapore for joining hands to support us.”

CALLING ALL BUDDING ARTISTS

aunched at the Arts House on 11 April, The Business Times’ Budding Artists Fund was set up to enable poor youngsters between the ages of eight and 16 years to develop their talents in music, dance, theatre, the visual arts and theatre production. Established artists in the various fields will be engaged to identify those with potential and to groom them. The Business Times aims to raise $500,000 by March 2006 to reach out to 1,000 youngsters. Says The Business Times’ editor Alvin Tay, “Hopefully, some of the kids nurtured by the fund will one day become Singapore icons or idols on the local and international arts scene.”

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Starting Young A firm believer of “You get what you give”, Raleigh Society president Dr Chan Yew Wing is on a dedicated quest to groom the next generation of volunteers, as MICHELLE BONG finds out.

onsidering Dr Chan Yew Wing has always wanted to make a difference among Singapore’s youths, it comes as no surprise then that he is president of the Raleigh Society. The voluntary, nonprofit organisation is dedicated to youth development through sports and adventure learning. Started in the mid-1990s to create overseas expeditions for Singapore youths, Raleigh volunteers have travelled to Indonesia, Myanmar, Inner Mongolia and Tibet to build schools, community halls, water wells, and to promote sanitation and health. A volunteer there since 1987, Dr Chan has helmed the society since 1999. What then is his perception of our youths? “Singapore youths are spoilt. Many don’t value the things they have. They carry the latest mobiles, and some actually spend more than a thousand dollars a month on clothes! Maybe their parents need some education!” he exclaims. “Our youths are so self-centred, they believe that when they volunteer, they are doing others a favour. Not many are able to realise they can also gain something during the process of serving!”

“ Singapore youths are spoilt. They are so self-centred, they believe that when they volunteer, they are doing others a favour.” He learnt this valuable lesson firsthand when he was chosen to represent Singapore in a Raleigh International expedition held in Indonesia in 1987 as a member of the Singapore Armed Forces.

daughter started volunteering when she was four!” To date, the society’s volunteers have walked or cycled around Singapore to raise funds and awareness for beneficiaries like the Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore, Dover Park Hospice and Handicaps Welfare Association. Befriending Mission accomplished: projects with youths from Boys During the three-month Dr Chan (top row, far right) and his volunteers take a Town and Jamiyah’s Children expedition, he worked well-deserved break after a alongside over a hundred hard day spent building a herb Home have also been initiated. garden for a village in Malaysia. The consultant to the volunteers from 20 Singapore International Foundation different countries, many of whom raised Youth Expedition Programme (SIF-YEP) the required expense of 2,400 British who professes to be “never ever satisfied Sterling Pounds (approximately S$7,200) themselves, or had to quit their jobs to be with how much we do on our expeditions” adds that he is always inspired by part of the experience. volunteers who come from disadvantaged He reminisces: “I was totally baffled. backgrounds themselves. Why would someone do all that, just to “Despite their own limitations, improve the life of people of no relation they make a difference to others’ lives. to them? That’s when I discovered the Why can’t more volunteers from more true meaning of volunteering – it’s not all fortunate backgrounds come forward to about giving, but discovering your own render their help?” he questions. strengths and weaknesses, challenging As the donor pie continues to get your personal values, understanding smaller, Dr Chan reckons his challenges communities and more.” increase inversely. However, he remains Married to a physiotherapist and a buoyed by the satisfaction he gets out of father of three, Dr Chan is also programme his efforts. Once, during the opening of manager at DSO National Laboratories. He a new school, he saw a mother shedding cites “careful time management, supportive tears when she arrived with her daughter. colleagues, dedicated volunteers, and Recalls Dr Chan: “When I asked a willingness to make sacrifices and her why, she replied that she could not compromises” as his motivation. believe that her daughter would actually “But the biggest motivator of all is have a school to attend. I realised then my wonderful wife, who gives me the that with a little volunteering effort from support to sustain my voluntary spirit. As us, a dream can be as simple as having a we are a voluntary organisation with no school to attend – something most full time staff, running the society is a full Singapore youths take for granted!” ✩ time commitment. I avoid compromising For more information on Raleigh my family time by getting my family Society, visit www.raleigh.org.sg. involved in my Raleigh activities. My elder

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Action Man Quibble endlessly over issues? S Vivakanandan, CEO of SINDA, would rather just get the job done, he tells WONG SHER MAINE.

Awards in 2002. t was a simple question from a Comparing the spirit of volunteerism potential volunteer that left to a lighted candle, he says, “Our job is to S Vivakanandan completely stumped make sure that the light does not die down. back in 1998. Fresh into his tenure as Ultimately it’s all about the volunteers. chief executive officer of the Singapore We are a self-help group, and self-help is Indian Development Association (SINDA), the community helping itself.” Viva experienced what he terms a An active volunteer for many years, “defining moment” as he, temporarily 42-year-old Viva used to spend his afterspeechless while the wheels in his mind office hours volunteering at several VWOs churned frantically for an answer, faced and SINDA until he became its CEO. nearly 100 people who had turned up Despite his tight schedule, Viva still to be convinced that SINDA’s mission of sending them to homes to read to children continues to find time to serve other causes. He is the chairman for the Bukit was a good one. The question was from a lady in the Batok Home for the Aged and serves on audience: “By sending me to these homes, the board of MINDS and several other VWOs. But he how can SINDA guarantee my safety?” makes it a point With the benefit of seven years to reply to of hindsight, Viva muses: “I never for a moment thought about that at all! I looked at my staff and he looked back at me. Both of us were thinking the same thing: ‘Why didn’t we anticipate this?’ If I didn’t answer that question, I would have lost 100 volunteers.” He didn’t. “I told them we will go to the house before they do and guarantee that the house is safe. Until today, we make sure we visit the house before the volunteer does. What that volunteer taught me is that as staff, we must do whatever it takes.” And they have certainly done so. From only 180 volunteers when Viva took the reins in May 1998, SINDA now has over 4,000 volunteers, including non-Indians. The feather in its cap was when it was awarded the Best Volunteer Management System Award For Viva (centre), the kids at the National Volunteerism are worth every effort.

emails from volunteers and clients within the day, and is still in touch with the families he has worked with. In fact, his eyes light up instantly when he talks about the children who have benefited from SINDA’s help.

“ Don’t complain about the darkness. Light a candle.” He’s also implemented several practical changes to empower staff to better service clients. For instance, a chance remark made during a home visit in 1999 to a visually handicapped man whose children were getting bursaries from SINDA led to what he calls fundamental changes. He recalls, “He said to me, ‘I’m a blind man. There is no way my family condition will improve. Why do I need to fill up a form every year to qualify for the bursary?’ I told my staff ‘This gentleman has said something very important. Why are we wasting his time and ours on a bureaucratic administrative requirement?’” Thereafter, for all programmes, staff who knew the families they were working with simply preprinted the forms and a simple signature from the applicant, if necessary, sufficed. Staff also started making regular home visits to better understand the needs of the families under their care and to provide them with more complete assistance. Clearly, Viva’s philosophy is that of getting the job done, instead of worrying endlessly about issues. “Don’t complain about the darkness. Light a candle. While analysing and discussing is useful, an issue will only be resolved if someone steps forward to take action.” ✩ For more information about SINDA, visit www.sinda.org.sg.

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BEYOND OUR SHORES

The Asian tsunami disaster thrust the role played by the Singaporean international volunteer into the spotlight, but DAVEN WU asks: how far has international volunteerism really come in Singapore?

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Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity

hat are the qualities that define a nation? A decade ago, the consensus might have been its GDP, the rate of inflation and the general cost of living. Today, the answer – in Singapore at least – has taken on a distinctly human edge. Within days of the catastrophic waves that swept through Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand last December, Singaporeans were among the first in the region to contribute to the rescue and humanitarian efforts. Over the following few months, S$200 million worth of donations flowed from the private and government sectors. Every level of society swung into action. From the military planes stocked with food and medical supplies and relief workers that were immediately mobilised to help with the search and rescue missions, to young children and teenagers who arrived at depots after school to pack food supplies, the common goal was focused firmly on devastated areas that many of these volunteers had never even been to, much less heard of. “The tsunami was a strong rallying point for Singapore,” says Yong Teck Meng, chairman of Habitat for Humanity Singapore, referring to the rush of volunteers who signed up to contribute to the overseas humanitarian aid. The response was unexpected and its extent, unprecedented. In many ways, it was also a defining moment for a country that had long laboured under a reputation, even candidly among its own people, for being self-absorbed and decidedly disinterested in what lay beyond its borders.

CHANGING THE PERSONAL AND POLITICAL MINDSET But more than that, the disaster triggered a very clear crystallisation of a process that had begun barely a decade or so ago. Back then, Yong says, people simply did not volunteer, let alone go overseas to volunteer. Besides this, there was a feeling that the political climate was not particularly favourable towards

Chain gang: The volunteer human chain is a common sight at Habitat for Humanity builds overseas.

“ For many people, the draw of international volunteerism is that it has a sexier image than helping out at the local old folks’ home.” Willy Ong, special projects officer, Mercy Relief

wholesale international volunteerism. Dr Tan Chi Chiu, the former chairman of Raleigh International notes that at one stage, “I had a keen sense that, at least in some sectors of government, it was felt that all external expressions of Singapore towards the outside world should be controlled centrally. Some government agencies believed that they had the right to choose which non-governmental agencies should do international humanitarian work and which should not. Often this had nothing to do with competence and commitment, but had more to do with political favouritism and who was deemed more compliant and controllable than others.” And on the ground level, until recently, the focus of Singaporean society was to consolidate the economic fundamentals, to knuckle down to the business of

raising families and earning a decent living. But then, as these material goals – famously reified as the 5Cs – were accomplished one by one, a question began to emerge among certain sectors of the community: “So, now what?” Says Goh Eng Kee, executive director for World Vision Singapore, “As a society, we have matured. People are no longer looking out for No. 1. Instead, we are starting to look at the world around us and beginning to really understand that there are other people out there who need help.” Volunteer organisations with an overseas mission recognise and welcome these nascent signs of a volunteering spirit, pouring much effort into community education programmes and recruitment drives. Today, the budding Mother Teresa who wants to spend some time overseas is spoilt for choice with the Singapore International Foundation (SIF), Mercy Relief, Raleigh Society, Red Cross and World Vision being just some of the avenues that are available. While it’s true that overseas volunteers come from all walks of life, these agencies are able to detect a certain demographic. Chia Meng Tze, director of international volunteerism at SIF has noticed that more women than men sign up, while World Vision’s Goh adds: “They tend to be a

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Photo courtesy of Mercy Relief

“ It’s not just about sending people out to do good.” Chia Meng Tze, director of international volunteerism, Singapore International Foundation

little older, in their late 20s and early 30s. They come from a fairly comfortable home environment and they’ve had some working experience. I think they’re looking for something else.”

WHEN REALITY STRIKES This last point is crucial as there is a very real risk of a disconnect between what the overseas volunteer is looking for and the reality of the ground experience. Says Willy Ong, a special projects officer with Mercy Relief, “For many people, the draw of international volunteerism is that it has a sexier image than helping out at the local old folks’ home.” All agree that expectations must be managed carefully and at an early stage. By all accounts, the overseas reality that greets the Singapore volunteer is not always rosy. Lack of adequate water and proper sanitation, and makeshift accommodation are common situations – yet another day in the life of the locals perhaps, but a shock for many “green”, well-fed and pampered volunteers fresh off the plane, looking for that “sexy” experience. Sometimes too, the skills of the volunteer have not been properly paired to the task, or the needs of the local community not properly assessed, leading to what the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre’s CEO, Tan Chee Koon, has called the “anarchy of altruism”, in which resources – both human and supplies – are not optimally utilised. Goh also points to the fact that many of the first generation doctors that volunteered with World Vision specialised in rich men’s diseases such as diabetes or heart problems, when the immediate problem could be malaria or malnutrition.

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Mercy Relief youth volunteers helped refurbish an orphanage in Medan, Indonesia on a mission last year.

“Today it’s easier to find more volunteer doctors who are qualified in public health, but it’s still not enough.” Furthermore, there are language barriers. A lack of fluent language skills often limits the Singaporean volunteer to either Mandarin speaking countries or to Commonwealth neighbours.

ARE WE WELCOME? What’s more, having ready, willing and able volunteers is only half the challenge. The greater issue is whether the ground conditions are even receptive to the overseas volunteer. A common

mistake is to assume that the local inhabitants will welcome the arrival of the overseas volunteer bearing gifts of food and technology. As Mercy Relief ’s Ong points out, cultural sensitivities are important. “Before we do anything, we need to check if we’re welcome. What kind of help does the local community need? We cannot assume that they need, or even want, our help.” Most organisations point to the fact that Singaporeans still have much to learn. “We are so new to the scene,” says one. “Most of us do not have the language skills or critical experience of living with

WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE? Advocates for increased participation by overseas volunteers recognise that much more can be done, but point towards the issue of funding. A perennial bugbear for many overseas organisations, even those with long standing local chapters in Singapore, is that all too often, when it comes to fund raising, their hands are tied, with the government tending (in their view) to favour local charities and causes, and only a few select overseas charitable organisations. Any organisation wishing to raise funds for overseas charitable activities, such as assisting the tsunami victims, must first seek a permit from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). The permit comes with a condition that a percentage of the funds raised

“ The goal is not to fish for the locals. Rather, it’s to teach them how to fish.” Bridgette See, Raleigh Society volunteer

– at least 80% – must be applied within Singapore. Such a condition, the overseas organisations point out, defeats their very raison d’etre. Patricia Mak, IRAS’ Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services Division, explains, “In administering the Charities Act and assessing applications for fund raising permits, we are guided by the principle that proceeds raised from Singaporeans should primarily be used to fund charitable activities that benefit the local community. Therefore, we require organisations with fund raising permits to spend at least 80% of the funds raised in Singapore. “However, for exceptional humanitarian relief efforts for events such as earthquakes and the recent tsunami, the Commissioner for Charities has waived the 80% rule. The requirement for organisations to apply for a permit to conduct public fund raising appeals for foreign charitable purposes is meant

to ensure that funds raised from the Singaporean public are raised by credible organisations with genuine causes. This serves as a check that they are not misused when spent abroad. “Organisations do not need a permit from the Commissioner of Charities to raise funds for local charitable causes as it is easier for the Commissioner of Charities to ensure that funds raised are properly spent locally. Each application for a permit is assessed on its own merits.” For these reasons, organisations based in Singapore with an overseas mission must seek other avenues for funding. Unsolicited donations and volunteers become the lynchpin of their humanitarian efforts. Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity pay their own way, as do World Vision volunteers. On the other hand, SIF’s overseas volunteering programmes are entirely funded by the organisation – the volunteer pays the opportunity cost for the time spent away from home which, if the volunteer is a qualified professional like a doctor or a parent with a young family, can be considerable. Still others take extended unpaid leave. In fact, the SIF and the Ministry of Education have launched an outreach programme in which teachers may take a year off their duties

As part of Operation Tashi Deleg in Tibet in 2001, locals and Raleigh Society volunteers built a school from scratch.

Photo courtesy of Raleigh Society

people who are very poor. We think we know Indonesia, but really we don’t.” Goh agrees. “This is a generation of apartment and HDB dwellers. We have lost that kampong mentality that allows us to sit and drink tea with neighbours for hours and bond. We are too action oriented when we really need to build friendships, observe and wait until the local community invites us in. Then our work can start.” While the methods of different organisations differ – Habitat for Humanity builds homes, Raleigh Society combines youth development through adventure and charity work – the focus of their efforts is constant, and that is to develop human resources. Says SIF’s Chia, “We send out teams to train and to build capacity. It’s not just about sending people out to do good. Yes, we want the locals to have a better life, but by their standards. Sometimes, it’s just about capturing the local community’s own aspirations.” Bridgette See, a seasoned volunteer with Raleigh Society, relies on a pastoral analogy. “The goal is not to fish for the locals. Rather, it’s to teach them how to fish.”

Jul-Aug 2005 S A LT •

Photo courtesy of World Vision Singapore

“ Before the tsunami, the idea of anyone taking three months off to do volunteer work overseas was incredible. Not now.” Goh Eng Kee, executive director, World Vision Singapore

with six months paid leave, with a oneyear bond of service upon their return. Employers too have a vital role to play. Says Dr Chan Yew Wing, president of Raleigh Society, “Corporations must be encouraged to promote active volunteerism as part of the corporate culture. Often, corporations are willing to donate a lump sum of money but do not actively get the staff to be directly involved in volunteering. We need to make corporations see that active volunteerism is a form of staff development. We can do more to encourage more corporations to give working Singaporeans more incentives to volunteer, be it subsidised paid leave or sponsorship.” Habitat for Humanity’s Yong believes too that Singapore could benefit from building first reaction teams. “By the time our volunteers go in, the area is usually already stabilised with clean water, transportation, food chains and security. We are better known for reconstruction work, rather than immediate relief. We are not seasoned enough in that respect.”

MAINTAINING THE MOMENTUM The tsunami may have been the catalyst for the mind set change that Dr Chan speaks of. World Vision’s Goh agrees. “Before the tsunami,” he says, “the idea of anyone taking three months off to do volunteer work overseas was incredible. Not now.” Says Dr Tan, “Even though government led or sponsored humanitarian efforts still receive the lion’s share of support and media attention, my hope is that more Singaporeans will realise that they have

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It’s hammer time: World Vision Singapore volunteers getting down to work in Cambodia.

the ability to do great international humanitarian work and do not need to wait to be invited by the government or by a government sponsored organisation.” This is something Dr Damian Yap, winner in the individual section of the Singapore International Foundation Award 2004, has taken to heart. Whilst pursuing his undergraduate studies in the UK, he began volunteering at summer camps for youths in Eastern Europe. Currently a cancer research scientist at Cambridge University in the UK, he is actively involved with two Romanian charities, helping them with fund raising, restructuring, partner relationship building and proposal writing. “If, in the next decade, as overseas Singaporeans, we aspire to lead the way in encouraging and motivating others to volunteer and succeed in making Singapore a sending base for the region and beyond, that will be a worthy achievement,” he remarks. But the consensus is that the momentum must be maintained. While there are no empirical numbers, the overseas organisations report a sense that the increase in the number of volunteer and fundraising activities in the

few months following the tsunami have tapered off. The challenge is how to encourage overseas volunteers to think in the long term. Goh, for instance, believes that two weeks is too short a time for a volunteer to make an impact. “Six months is the minimum, with a two- to three- year stint being the most effective.” Others are more pragmatic. They recognise that Goh’s vision is the ideal, but the reality is that few people are able to take that much time off. “These are real concerns as they’re opportunity costs,” says SIF’s Chia. Equally, the organisations recognise that every little bit counts. Habitat for Humanity, for instance, offers one-day builds in Batam for the time-pressed Singaporean. In the end, the over-riding goal must be the greater good of those in need, though as Chia says, “There is no satisfactory way of measuring the impact of these volunteers.” The benefits to the local community are, by their very nature, intangible. Diplomacy is an inevitable by-product. But then, so is the greater fabric of the global village, stitched together – one strand at a time – to create the nation that we would most like to be. ✩

Help Ourselves

ALMOST EVERY WORKING SINGAPOREAN CONTRIBUTES MONTHLY TO A SELF-HELP GROUP, BUT HOW MANY OF US KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO? WONG SHER MAINE ENLIGHTENS.

SINDA’s Project Read was such a success, it inspired other self-help groups to adopt the same.

the last three years, Madam Hasinah Maidin, 42, has undergone a radical transformation: from a housewife struggling to make ends meet with four school-going children to a name card-toting food stall operator who revels in making enough money to donate to those less fortunate than her. She did not do it alone. Nothing would have been possible without the help of the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP). Madam Hasinah, who was frustrated because it was difficult for the family to survive just on her taxi driver husband’s income alone, first approached AMP as she was raring to make a business out of her cooking skills. She recalls, “I was too shy and had no confidence. I did not know how to start!” Apart from attending the association’s home-based

business programme, AMP wanted to help the entire family, and her two younger children were put under its free tuition scheme. After Madam Hasinah “graduated”, armed with knowledge on marketing and how to make a profit, she started a catering business, but subsequently began operating a school canteen food stall. Earning over $2,000 now, Madam Hasinah has since donated $250 to AMP to sponsor a family under its Adopt a Family and Youth Scheme. “I have got so much help from others, I would like to give back to the community,” she says humbly.

It’s About Giving Back That is a phrase that all the self-help groups in Singapore would like to hear from those whom they help.

Jul-Aug 2005 S A LT •

What the groups – which have been working tirelessly and quietly behind-the-scenes for years – do is to marshall their individual communities into helping those who are worse off than them. Common thrusts among the groups – which include the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), Eurasian Association, Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) and Yayasan Mendaki – are programmes which focus on children (approximately 25,000 students attend tuition classes run by self-help groups), providing needy families with computers and increasingly, programmes which are “holistic” in the sense that the whole family is helped, from funding to tuition for the children to skills re-training for the parents. SINDA’s Project Life, for instance, is a six-year programme aimed at helping low-income families with infants by assigning the family a volunteer mentor, upgrading the skills of the parents, getting them a computer and helping the family to tap on the Government’s baby bonus scheme for their children’s pre-school education which includes two years of childcare and two years of kindergarten. Each self-help group, however, has a different emphasis. For instance, last year, the bulk of CDAC’s funds, approximately 40%, were spent on skills training programmes, whereas SINDA spent 61% of its funds on education. Within the Malay community, pulling up the mathematics and science standards Tuition schemes, like this one offered by the Eurasian Association, are one of the core programmes of self-help groups here.

“I have got so much help from others, I would like to give back to the community.” Hasinah Maidin, an AMP beneficiary-turned-donor

of the children is a priority, which is why AMP launched a learning kit for parents earlier this year to help them teach their children about science and mathematics at home.

A Helping Hand to All It is heartening to note that while the self-help groups may have focused on those within their own racial community in the past, more are extending a helping hand to those outside their community. At AMP, for instance, 10% of its beneficiaries are not Malay-Muslims. All the self-help groups have also pooled their resources under a collaborative tuition programme so students of all races can attend tuition at a large spread of centres island-wide. On these partnerships between the self-help groups, then-Acting Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, in his speech during the Mendaki awards presentation ceremony in September 2003, said: “They (the partnerships) are valuable because they encourage interaction among students from different language and ethnic backgrounds.” The groups also learn from each other. For instance, following the success of SINDA’s Project Read programme, where volunteers were sent to homes to read to the children aged four to eight for an hour a week over a six-month period, AMP took a leaf out of SINDA’s book and started its own reading programme in 2002.

Self-Help Group? What’s That? But does their work make a difference? Ask some of those who contribute part of their monthly salaries to the selfhelp groups and the likely answer would be “I don’t know”. For research executive Marilyn Wong, 29, $1 is automatically deducted from her salary every month for the CDAC. She sheepishly admits, “If you did not ask me, I would have forgotten all about the deduction! It doesn’t make any difference to me – I don’t know what the CDAC does. I just assume my money is being channelled to the right places.” She need not worry. While not exactly the stuff of

“It doesn’t make any difference to me – I don’t know what the CDAC does. I just assume my money is being channelled to the right places.” Research executive Marilyn Wong, when asked if she knows what her monthly $1 contribution to CDAC does

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One of AMP’s popular initiatives among the ladies is its home-based business programme.

headline-gripping news, what the self-help groups do is the bread and butter staple in the rejuvenation plan for thousands of Singaporean families. In 2004, for instance, the CDAC helped provide tuition for 250,000 students and sponsored 28,500 workers for 100 types of courses. Behind the figures are very real instances of people like Wong Huimin, 16, whose mathematics grade was pushed from a F9 (the lowest grade) to an A1 (the highest grade) for her GCE ‘O’ Levels. After she failed her mathematics in Secondary 3, her mother sent her to the CDAC for weekly two-hour long tuition sessions. Says Huimin, now a first-year student at Jurong Junior College, “My parents are not well-off and would not have been able to afford a tuition teacher for me. If not for the CDAC tuition scheme, my A1 would not have been possible.” In the case of Mrs Emelia Pereira, 51, an ex-assembly line worker who fell victim to her company’s closure, she found a job after three years with help from the Eurasian Association. On top of giving her some financial support, a social worker from the association linked her up with job-matching agencies. She is now working as a dishwasher at the Swissotel Merchant Court hotel. Her voice thick with sincerity, Mrs Pereira remarks, “I am very happy now. I have no problems at work and my colleagues are very nice to me. I would not have gotten this job without the association’s help.” The association is currently trying to help Mrs Pereira’s jobless husband.

Uniquely Positioned to Help Though some self-help groups are able to tap on monthly deductions, funding, like for any other voluntary welfare organisation, is still an issue. Acknowledges Anuar Yusop, AMP’s executive director, “Donor fatigue affects us. A lot of

“The word ‘SINDA’ does not represent an organisation, but a movement for the uplifting of the community. People do not feel passionately about an organisation, but they would feel for a movement.” S Vivakanandan, CEO of SINDA

money has been donated to other causes, like the tsunami relief effort, and everybody is feeling the pinch.” He notes that in the last two years, AMP has used more funds than it has raised, and it was necessary for them to draw on their reserves. Some may also feel that with the formation of the community development councils and the presence of a network of family services centres all over Singapore, self-help groups may become redundant since there are so many helping hands around. However, Goh Chim Khim, deputy executive director of the CDAC, is quick to point out, “The self-help groups are in a unique position to help those in their own community and each has different needs.” For instance, the CDAC focuses on skills training. “Some people may also be more comfortable approaching the self-help groups for assistance.” Which is why those like SINDA’s chief executive officer, S Vivakanandan see self-help groups playing an important role. On his vision for SINDA, he says, “The word ‘SINDA’ does not represent an organisation, but a movement for the uplifting of the community. People do not feel passionately about an organisation, but they would feel for a movement.” ✩

Jul-Aug 2005 S A LT •

In this issue, SALT highlights five self-help nonprofit organisations.

Self-Help Nonprofit Organisations All inputs provided by the societies and associations

SINDA

General Date of establishment Constitution

1990 Society

Charity Status IPC Status Website

Yes Yes www.sinda.org.sg

Organisation Chairman Executive Director No. of full-time staff equivalent No. of volunteers Key programme/Activity

Finances (S$'000) Income – Donations – Grants/Sponsorships – Activity & membership fees – Other income i Expenditure – Programme expenses ii – Operating expenses iii – Fundraising expenses – Other expenses iv Surplus/Deficit Fundraising Ratio v Reserves/Accumulated Funds (S$’000)

Mendaki

CDAC

AMP

Eurasian Association

1982 Company limited by guarantee (w.e.f 1989) Yes Yes www.mendaki.org.sg

1992 Company limited by guarantee Yes Yes www.cdac.org.sg

1991 Company limited by guarantee Yes Yes www.amp.org.sg

1964 Society

Prof S Jayakumar S. Vivakanandan (CEO) 42 4,200 Early intervention programmes for preschoolers and infants Tuition, motivational and character building programmes for students/youths Bursary for pre-schools and pri/sec/JCs Family empowerment programmes IT training and new PC programme Community outreach programmes Volunteer development and management Family Service Centre

A/P Yaacob Ibrahim Rashidah Abdul Rasip (CEO) 81 4,103 Education programmes from pri/sec students Customised programmes for lowachieving students Mentoring and developmental programmes for youths Community outreach to and empowerment programmes to disadvantaged families Subsidies for pre-school

Lim Swee Say Sam Tan

Yang Razali Kassim Mohd Anuar Yusop

34 1,100 Education programmes including Modular Tuition and Cyber Tuition for pri/sec students Skills training for low-skill low-income workers Job placement for the retrenched and unemployed Enrichment and mentoring programmes for 25,000 members at 10 student service centres island-wide Financial assistance for disadvantaged families such as hardship assistance and bursary scheme New and refurbished computers scheme Community outreach programmes

29 300 Adopt-A-Family programme Helpline and counseling Befriender & Ready Readers programme Youth enrichment programme Life-Long Learning Micro-Biz Programme Young AMP

Gerald Minjoot George Pasqual (Acting GM) 9 100 Tuition & enrichment programmes Learning journeys Heritage visitations Job placement and job training Bursary awards Family support services

(2004) 7,278 4,157 2,668 – 453 7,588 4,015 3,230 – 343 (310)

(2003) 17,641 12,476 vi – – 5,165 12,029 6,591 4,483 – 955 5,612

(2004) 14,486 8,119 3,551 2,193 623 13,394 12,344 560 – 490 1,092

(2004) 4,594 1,666 1,326 – 1,602 4,532 2,165 1,879 370 118 62

(2004) 938 415 200 3 320 878 517 316 2 43 60

22.2%

0.48%

20,485

24,313

5,747

2,356

46,403 vii

Yes Yes www.eurasians.org

i. Includes investment and interest income ii. Also known as direct charitable expenses (programme and activity cost) iii. Administrative Expenses iv. Includes publicity, capital expenses and other expenses v. Fundraising expenses/Donations x 100 vi. For Mendaki, figure only available for combined figure of donation + grants/sponsorship vii. Of the 46,403, 9,686 is Operational Fund and 36,717 is Endowment Fund

All information retrieved from organisation/organisation website

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Vested Interest, Greater Good Taking care of society’s less fortunate is as important as maintaining a healthy bottom line at Singapore’s largest bank, as MERVIN CHUA discovers at DBS.

s the people’s bank, DBS is keenly aware that their success is intrinsically linked to their banking base. “We have a vested interest as the largest bank in Singapore to ensure that the community we operate in continues to stay vibrant. As such, we have the responsibility to take care of the needy and under-privileged in our community,” explains Catherine Ong, head of corporate communications at DBS. This mutual relationship isn’t achieved just by raising money in times of need, like for the recent Asian tsunami. It’s from the grassroots level up, with employee volunteerism forming the main building block in the bank’s community relations. DBS was the first organisation in Singapore to grant their staff two days of volunteerism leave annually. This pertains not just to DBS-chosen charities, but any charity approved by the National Council of Social Service. Last year, DBS bucked the trend again by extending volunteerism leave to weekends.

“ DBS is not shy about using its resources to raise money.” “Why should volunteerism leave only benefit those doing it on weekdays?” questions Ong. This practice was eventually adopted by the DBS office in Hong Kong as well and was the perfect compromise between the bankers’ hectic

volunteers, Ong sees micro-management as a wet blanket. “We have a two-prong approach to volunteerism. My department organises activities, but at the same time, we decentralise it as well so different units in the bank can organise their own departmental volunteerism effort.” This builds a sense A time to cook, a time of intra-departmental camaschedules and their volunteerism to bond: DBS’ Hot Meals volunteers serve raderie, while the more efforts. “Besides, they like to up dinner for the needy elderly of Thomson. formal inter-departmental volunteer during the weekends efforts allow staff to mingle with other because it allows them to include their families, but more so because, as bankers, colleagues from other business units. While the success of charity work it’s sometimes difficult to take three days is not always measured by the amount off if you’re in the middle of a complicated of money raised, it is still an essential transaction,” Ong elaborates. component. The bank’s vast resources At the core of DBS’ community were quickly employed during the work is their focus on the children and tsunami disaster. “We mobilised the the elderly. While one of their oldest bank’s resources... not just in hard cash, beneficiaries is the Sri Narayana Mission but by making use of our distribution Home, their most popular initiative to channels like our Internet banking and date is the Hot Meals programme. ATM network which is the largest in “We have a group of volunteers who cook dinner for elderly folks living in one-room Singapore,” says Ong. In total, DBS facilitated the collection and distribution flats in the Thomson area,” explains Ong. of $5.6 million for the Red Cross Volunteers purchase ingredients and Tsunami Relief Fund, not counting its cook meals at the Thomson Community own staff contribution of $600,000. Centre and deliver it to the one-room Juggling charity efforts with their core flats nearby. “It’s so popular that it’s all business often requires a fine balancing booked up, so there’s a waiting list for act, but it’s certainly reassuring as Ong Hot Meals volunteers until the end of points out, that “DBS is not shy about the year!” Ong proudly admits. using its resources to raise money.” ✩ When it comes to managing

Jul-Aug 2005 S A LT •

SALTS HAK ERS & M OVERS

The Three Ages of Ee G

erard Ee has worn many hats and achieved much in his life. A random selection of his credentials impresses instantly: president of the National Council of Social Service, ex-chairman of the National Volunteer Centre, president of the Automobile Association of Singapore, audit partner at Ernst & Young, and ex-Nominated Member of Parliament, no less. But mention this to him and he promptly brushes it aside. “A lot of people tell me I’ve done so much. But I look at it as I’ve gained so much. I think the work I’ve done did benefit people and the community. But really, the biggest winner from it all is myself,” he insists. The 55-year-old modestly attributes his extensive work in the community to his enthusiasm for trying out different things. “I like variety. At the end of the day, I think everyone benefits when members of the community bother to participate. It’s not a one-sided affair. When the pieces fit together, the picture becomes whole and everyone gains.” And he’s not planning to ease up on his community work even after his retirement from Ernst & Young in June this year. In fact, he plans to intensify his efforts! One major issue he hopes to address is the growing tendency for some voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) to focus on themselves, rather than on the work they do.

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Arthur Lee / The Business Times

Retirement certainly doesn’t mean taking it easy for Gerard Ee. As guest writer MICHELLE QUAH of The Business Times learns from the energetic community worker, he’s only just getting started!

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

“Today, there are just too many charities, with each one trying to carry its own brand. There’s too much of what I call ‘flag-flying’. I’m not so sure that all the VWOs are out there purely because they believe in providing the service to those in need of charity. Some are more caught up in promoting their own movement, their own stance or their own belief. And I don’t believe that’s healthy.”

“ You’ve got to forget yourself, in order to become more successful in the giving.” One solution, Ee believes, is to get some of these charities to work together for a common good – something he’s already started to do at the Junction 8 shopping mall in Bishan, where nonprofit groups can now occupy rent-free office space on six floors. He elaborates, “What I’ve done, when it comes to allocating the space, is I’ve deliberately thought in terms of having a particular theme for each floor. For example, if the theme is youth, I’ll try to put together three or four charities – representing different racial groups, different religious backgrounds – on that floor, having them work together for the youth. “In other words, they’re brought together on one floor and they have to do joint projects, as part of the terms and conditions. I don’t believe they would, on their own accord, begin to collaborate until someone puts them all together.” Ee hopes that such a plan will help to foster a new spirit of charity and community work. “I hope this will become an example to people that there’s so much more to gain when we forget what we represent and focus on what we’re trying to achieve.” That’s not the only issue he hopes

to tackle in the future. He also wants to address what he considers to be a disturbing trend in community work, something that has its roots in how society itself is developing. “There are more and more charities these days. While we do want to encourage more people to come forward, the problem with this is that you can land up with a lot of duplication. And, in a reflection of how society has developed, the number of charities has grown because people would rather set up their own organisation – because they all want to do it their way – rather than learn to adjust within an existing organisation. The focus then becomes distracted into the self, rather than whom you’re serving.” He would rather see a consolidation: having people come together to form larger units and be more efficient in serving the community. “Having more charities isn’t necessarily good. It’s better that people learn to work together.” And herein lies one of the main tenets Ee subscribes to when it comes to charity work: “You’ve got to forget yourself, in order to become more successful in the giving.” And forgetting himself is something the active social worker does well. Ask him about his achievements – such as when he was the chairman of the Assisi Home & Hospice in 1989, the head of the Bizlink Centre from 1989 to 1992, and the deputy chairman of the Singapore Courtesy Council in 1999 – and he sincerely cannot recall enough details about what he’s done to talk about them! “I do get a lot of satisfaction from each and every project I’ve done. But I’m not sentimental – when it’s done, it’s done. I move on. I don’t sit back and glow in the memories of what I’ve done. To me, the past is what you learn from and you extract whatever lessons you can, and then you move on to the next thing,” he explains. That ability to move on has also helped him avoid a lot of sleepless nights

over his work. “Someone taught me this years ago: when things keep you awake at night, ask yourself ‘Can I do anything about it?’ If the answer is no, then go to sleep. If there’s something you can do about it, then why are you lying in bed? I tend to look forwards, rather than backwards.” And what’s ahead for the soon-to-beretired accountant is lots more free time – a period he terms the “third age”. “The first age is education, the second employment. The third age is moving into something exciting, something you dream of doing. If you don’t pursue what is inside you, that’s it. It’s over. By the time you reach the fourth age, you’re just waiting for death.” What Ee plans to pursue is tai chi – something which has interested him greatly since he was a child watching kung fu movies. As an adult, he is appreciative of the craft’s curative and therapeutic benefits, which he can now devote more time to.

“ I don’t hope to save the world. But if I have helped just one soul, I think I would be quite satisfied with myself.” “Normal working life is made up of 70 to 75 per cent work and 20 to 25 per cent community service. Retirement will be flipping it around – where it’s 60 to 65 per cent community, 15 to 20 per cent pursuing my passion and 10 per cent or so for earning a living.” It’s a life he has little regrets over. “To me, the measure of success is this: did one’s existence matter to anyone? I don’t hope to save the world. But if I have helped just one soul, I think I would be quite satisfied with myself. So I’m driven by that: to make a difference.” ✩

Jul-Aug 2005 S A LT •

A Time to Heal A

lmost two years old, Max was healthy by all measures, but no one could fathom that as he was tucked into bed one night with a slight sniffle, his inflamed lungs would take him away from his parents forever. To this day, his mother Sonya Szpojnarowicz still questions what happened to her first-born. “It still seems impossible; it just doesn’t happen. They did an autopsy and they still could not find out what happened!” Sonya was inconsolable as she broke down in the hospital. “There was no one taking the time to let me grieve... there were so many rude, horrible people.” In the midst of her grief, all she heard was “Export, export!” – a refrain chimed by the representatives of various casket companies who, assuming that they were expatriates, her husband and her would be cash cows who would need to export their son’s body back to the UK. Another mother, Sonya shares, had an equally mortifying experience. “She was approached by hospital staff, literally minutes after her son died, and was told she needed to pay the bill because there was going to be a shift change!” In retrospect, Sonya admits that the callous behaviour “doesn’t come from badness, but just a lack of understanding.” To address this, Child Bereavement Support (CBS) plans to host training sessions in grief counselling for frontline hospital staff to help them better handle bereaved parents. But at its core, CBS is about the grieving and healing bond between bereaved parents. From a core group of five bereaved mothers, CBS has grown to about 100 members after their official launch in

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Photo courtesy of SPH – The Straits Times

It goes against all conventions that a child dies in his or her nascent years, but as MERVIN CHUA learns, new nonprofit group Child Bereavement Support tries to help make sense of this tragedy, one parent at a time. other parents have to say... and then they realise ‘Oh my god, someone else is feeling the way I do and I’m not going insane’!” Friends who want to help can also attend these open support sessions. “But in a way, you can’t help. All you can do is be there and One way Sonya Szpojnarowicz keep being there for a March this year. Intrinsically, (pictured with her family) has with the loss of son Max is long, long time. And its approach to bereaved parents coped to keep pictures of him and share them with her other children. don’t push people and let is baby steps, in cadence with them go at their own time,” Sonya advises. the healing process. Besides their monthly open support meetings, the group conducts Having gone through that stage, Sonya admits that she’s had wonderful friends “befriending” sessions. who inevitably felt an “overwhelming “It’s matching people up with powerlessness” dealing with her grief. individuals that we think would get along “No one knows what to do, what to and then it’s up to them... some people say and it feels awkward. I guess to them may just communicate through emails; they feel it’s better to get on with life. some have coffee but it caters to an In a way, only a bereaved parent would individual’s comfort level,” says Sonya. In essence, it’s about one parent reaching understand,” she remarks. Grieving is not about forgetting the out to another. pain, but learning how to live with it. According to Sonya, some families choose to forget by denial. “In giving support, they cook meals, but in many families, the death is never mentioned. I’ve spoken to many women whose families won’t even let them mention the child’s name. It all seems awfully painful,” laments Sonya. A quietly strong group with an intense commonality but offering no rapturous healing sessions, what CBS does, as Sonya puts it succinctly, is “to The monthly sessions on every second give time and understanding.” ✩ Thursday of the month also offer another For more information about CBS, log comfort level – anonymity. As Sonya puts it: onto www.childbereavementsupport.org.sg. “Some parents just want to hear what

“ Some parents just want to hear what other parents have to say... and then they realise ‘Oh my god, someone else is feeling the way I do and I’m not going insane’!”

Compassionate Expressions The government’s dominance over international humanitarian aid should give way to a more balanced approach, accepting independent civilian efforts as part of Singapore’s total contribution, argues Dr TAN CHI CHIU. BY

DR TAN CHI CHIU BOARD MEMBER NVPC

he outpouring of goodwill following disasters should represent the purest expression of the human spirit and the sincerest outpouring of compassion by people and nations. But is it always so? In larger nations, many organisations are available to channel aid. Singapore is a small country with limited options. In addition, the government has considerable influence over which organisations lead, and this is ostensibly in accordance with foreign affairs policy and the wish to control expressions of Singapore’s external diplomacy. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has admitted that we play “the politics of compassion”. The government tailors its response according to the country involved, which has generated criticism in the past. For the tsunami, the government’s emphasis on Aceh was understandable. However, once the government is involved, directly or behind the scenes, most of the resources available will be directed in accordance with government wishes. Centralised control in Singapore also extends to international humanitarian aid. Those endorsed by the government to lead are deemed compliant and controllable, something a senior official admitted to me some years ago. A survey of organisations most involved in the recent tsunami reveals that there are large, experienced government-linked players, as well as small, relatively inexperienced groups who were somewhat overwhelmed by the

expectations suddenly placed upon them. Their rapid promotion to the frontline was largely through government and political patronage and to their credit, they rose wonderfully to the occasion. There is nothing wrong with the government supporting its preferred agencies. But outside of a small circle, there is very little opportunity for independent groups to establish themselves. And probably because resources are limited, the government (or at least its bureaucrats) has regarded these other agencies as undesirable competitors. They can be ignored or manipulated out of existence. A few years ago, some senior civil servants gave me the view that “What the government did not choose to do, nobody else should do either”. This may have been overly conservative, because our political leaders are evidently much more open and inclusive. But such thinking has been damaging, and has led noticeably to the abrupt curtailment of once highly effective efforts led by the civil and corporate sectors that could have represented Singapore magnificently after the tsunami but which were spectacularly absent. How much the government should lead in international humanitarian work is debatable. Some argue that in order for a global society to mature, people should be allowed leeway to take the lead and work alongside government rather than always for government. The chafing accompanying the creation of the Tsunami Reconstruction Coordinating Committee was telling. Some complained of “more government control”, even if this was not strictly so. Attitudes are changing, and the

thinking I have recounted probably represents an out-of-date and out-of-touch minority within the bureaucracy. Posttsunami, the government actively invited the contributions of other participants as part of the national effort. For example, civilian doctors were invited onto SAF missions to Aceh. When I organised a private medical relief mission to Sri Lanka and approached a well-respected Member of Parliament for support, he blurted “Who gave you permission to go? Have you got approval from MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)?” Slightly bemused, I reminded him that this was a purely civilian affair and we didn’t need permission. After a moment’s thought, he had to agree! Obviously old thinking dies hard. Subsequently, the Minister for Health presented awards to all healthcare workers who participated in the tsunami relief operation, whether through the government or independently. Such inclusiveness was significant and refreshing. As our society evolves and matures, citizens will increasingly want to express their compassion for foreign communities in their own way. They will expect the government to have greater trust and accept their contributions on behalf of Singapore. Better still, they will hope that the government will support them by working in partnership. There is a new openness in Singapore these days, and we have much to look forward to. ✩ Dr Tan Chi Chiu is a Board Member of the NVPC. He has been deeply involved in youth development through international community service, overseas community development and also in numerous humanitarian relief missions abroad, most recently to Sri Lanka during the Asian tsunami disaster.

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End Game: Extinction WILLIE CHENG challenges the conventional wisdom that growth and further growth is a good measure of success for nonprofits. BY

WILLIE CHENG CHAIRMAN NVPC

he nonprofit sector in Singapore is thriving.From 400 registered charities in 1983, we have more than 1,700 today. Even as new charities are formed, existing ones are growing in strength, with several moving into adjacencies. Food From The Heart, which started three years ago as a spontaneous response to bread wasted by bakeries, has grown into an impressive distribution operation involving 1,400 active volunteers and 11,000 beneficiaries. They are now leveraging that logistical network to deliver in addition to food – books and toys – to needy families. Child-At-Risk Empowerment, set up to target at-risk youths, is initiating a new programme, CAREvolution, to promote relational literacy across a broad spectrum of youths – beyond those who are at-risk. A Paradigm Shift Other examples abound. These notions of growth, expansion into adjacencies and capitalising on core competencies resonate well with my business upbringing. However, my last few years working with nonprofits have also taught me that paradigms from the commercial world don’t always apply to the nonprofit world. Philosophically, if we go back to the roots of an NPO – it is about causes. Whether that cause is about people (Singapore Children’s Society), animals (SPCA) or toilets for that matter (World Toilet Organisation), the purpose is to

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effect change through advocacy and/or service in all or some parts of society. Success for a nonprofit is when it has achieved its goal of effecting the societal change that it set out to do. Therefore, ultimate success must mean that it no longer needs to exist! This is the antithesis of the commercial world, where liquidation often means ultimate failure. Therein lies a key contrast between the two worlds: in the commercial world, you succeed by growing and expanding. In the nonprofit world, you succeed by seeking to become extinct! The Road to Extinction This notion first came to life for me two months ago when I had dinner with Iftekhar Zaman, the executive director of Transparency International (TI) Bangladesh. TI is an international NGO devoted to combating corruption. He has his work cut out for him as Bangladesh is ranked at the bottom of the global Corruption Perception Index!

“Success for a nonprofit is when it has achieved its goal of effecting the societal change that it set out to do... Ultimate success means that it no longer needs to exist!” “My job is to catalyse conditions where we won’t be needed any more,” he said. “If corruption can be brought down to a tolerable level and Bangladesh moves up the global rankings, TI-Bangladesh would have its mission accomplished.” Unfortunately, he does not see this

happening soon. And that sentiment is certainly not motivated by any desire to stay on the job forever as he narrated the difficulties of working in an environment where the powers-that-be are against what he is doing. More recently, I spoke for the first time with Dr Gordon Ku, chairman of the Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF). I asked him his vision for KDF. He explained that KDF was set up to help needy kidney patients. To him, the end point for KDF is when all needy kidney patients are taken care of and KDF is no longer needed. As part of moving towards that, KDF is promoting peritoneal dialysis, a home-based kidney treatment that is more cost-effective and convenient for its patients. Looking for Extinction The healthcare sector provides obvious examples of causes that were once in demand but which medical advances may have sunset the need. I looked at two: tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy. TB was a major killer in the 1960s, but is now under control. Between 1960 to 2004, the number of cases were reduced from 310 to 39 per 100,000 resident population. The Singapore AntiTuberculosis Association (SATA) was set up in 1947 with the aim of combating TB. By 1972, it had dealt with over 46,000 cases. In 2003, it treated only 34 TB patients. However, the organisation appears to be going strong, with four clinics and a staff of 130. It has evolved from a TB clinic to one that provides general medical services such as pre-employment checkups and health screenings. Leprosy is a less infectious and less

common disease. In 1960, the incidence rate was 21 per 100,000 Singapore residents. In 2002, Singapore saw only three new cases of leprosy. The Singapore Leprosy Relief Association (SILRA) was set up in 1971 to provide a home, basic care and love for ex-leprosy victims. At its height, the home had 150 residents. Currently, it houses 65. SILRA is moving to a new home at Buangkok View which will function as a home for chronic skin diseases. The home will provide care for persons with skin diseases beyond leprosy, such as eczema, psoriasis, venous ulcer etc. Moving On So if an NPO were to close or reduce its programmes in line with the needs of its cause, does this mean that all the expertise, volunteers and value built up is lost? That need not and should not be. The people involved and the capabilities developed can be harnessed for other causes. Which, in a sense, is what some of these NPOs are seeking to do, albeit under their original organisational umbrellas. However, moving to a new cause under a new nonprofit setup avoids having to deal with the confusion over the original cause (often built into an NPO’s name eg. “food”, “tuberculosis” etc) or the tricky question of donors’ intentions on the use of their donations for different purposes. More importantly, having a clear cause and an end-goal provides focus and optimises the use of community resources. You could argue that the “market” will decide whether an existing NPO will be successful with new causes, or is better off in a new setup with clear objectives. My earlier article in the Mar/Apr 2004 issue of SALT (“The Missing Hand of Adam Smith”) pointed out that the market mechanism of the commercial sector does not quite exist in the nonprofit world, where funding is more often determined by connections and campaigning than by the value of services delivered. One example of a focused nonprofit

is Family Against Casino Threat in Singapore (FACTS). It was set up nearly a year ago to provide a platform for Singaporeans to register their anti-casino views via an online petition to the President of Singapore. It gathered 29,000 signatures and submitted its petition in April 2005. You could debate whether FACTS was successful since the government’s decision went against the petition, but FACTS did perform its stated role and its cause was effectively over when the casino decision was made.

“Does it mean that each time a nonprofit exits the scene, it is good? Not necessarily...”

More than food: Food

Feelings still run From the Heart has leveraged on its distristrong though. Fong bution network to Hoe Fang, founder of deliver books and toys to the needy as well. FACTS, stated that there is currently talk among the signatories “to form some kind of an organisation to combat the social ills that will befall our land once the casinos come on track.” Should that happen, it will be a positive channelling of the energies of the group into a new cause. Another nonprofit with a clear timeline is the Ian Ferguson Foundation. According to Mrs Peony Ferguson, her late husband’s will stated that the money should be spent within 10 years and as chairperson of the Foundation, she is working towards fulfilling that wish. Exiting Graciously Does it then mean that each time a nonprofit exits the scene, it is good?

Not necessarily, especially if it has not achieved its cause. Sometimes, NPOs close because there is a lack of funding or interest to continue. I had previously cited the example of Humanity for Golden Kids which closed due to a lack of funding, rather than because its cause (cancer) was no longer relevant. An analysis of the eight charities in Singapore that deregistered in 2004 found that most did so to move on to other organisational forms. In other words, they are pursuing the same causes, but under different umbrellas. The statistics suggest that there is less of an inclination to close down NPOs in Singapore. In 2003, there were 105 newly registered charities, but only 10 deregistered, an attrition rate of less than 10%. In the UK, the comparable numbers were 5,038 and 4,485 or nearly 90%; and in Canada, it was 2,774 and 1,921 or almost 70%. Of course, we are at different stages of development. In active civic societies like the UK, you would expect the net number of nonprofits to be somewhat stable. In Singapore, relatively more new causes will be discovered and find support. Nevertheless, it does beg the question: could it be that the nonprofit sector here is not yet sufficiently developed to accept and in fact, celebrate “extinction” as the ultimate success? The purpose of this article is not to discourage the nonprofits cited here like Food From The Heart which are leveraging on what they have built up to do further good work. Rather, it is to provide a macro perspective of what is in the greater interest of the sector, and to point out that the mantra of growth in the commercial sector is not necessary – and may not even be healthy – for the nonprofit sector. My take is that a clear definition of and focus on end-goals by NPOs here would make for a more vibrant and effective civic society in Singapore. Such a mindset should certainly be preferred over one where growth for growth’s sake is pursued. ✩

Jul-Aug 2005 S A LT •

Photo courtesy of SPH – The Business Times

SCENE&SEEN Winners All

19 May, Singapore International Foundation Awards Ceremony, Meritus Mandarin Hotel

For his volunteering efforts in Eastern Europe since his undergraduate days in the UK, Singaporean cancer research scientist Dr Damian Yap received the prestigious Singapore International Foundation Award (Individual) from President S R Nathan at an afternoon ceremony held at the Meritus Mandarin Hotel. The winner in the group category was the Singapore Armed Forces for their instrumental role in Singapore’s response during the Asian tsunami disaster.

Run Like the Wind

Catch me if you can!

27 April, JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge, Marina Boulevard

Photo courtesy of Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Some 10,000 participants from more than 300 companies took part in the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge, a 5.6 km race organised by JP Morgan Chase and co-sponsored by The Business Times, Fortune Magazine and Tiffany & Co. The fastest man and woman title went to Dipendra Gurung and Vivian Tang respectively, and the evening ended with a vibrant party at the Padang. The event also helped to raise funds for the Asian Civilisations Museum.

From left: Dr Damian Yap; President S R Nathan; Chief of Defence Lt-Gen Ng Yat Chung; chairman of SIF Board of Governors Barry Desker; and SIF executive director Dr Tan Tay Keong.

Musical Gifts 1 May, Inaugural SPH Gift of Music Concert, Botanic Gardens Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage

The rain failed to keep the crowds away from the Botanic Gardens on Labour Day, as 6,000 people turned up for the inaugural Gift of Music concert by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra at the newly rebuilt Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage. The Gift of Music is a series of 20 concerts sponsored by Singapore Press Holdings at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage and other venues across the island to celebrate Singapore’s 40th birthday. And the band played on...

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Be Kind 28 May, Animal Kind Resource Book Launch, Goodwood Park Hotel

To help primary school teachers educate young children to appreciate and respect animals, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) recently launched a resource book called Animal Kind at an afternoon ceremony at the Goodwood Park Hotel. The children present at the launch were in for a treat as they got to enjoy a preview of the book as well as fun activities like body painting!

I wonder how much I should bid for this?

A Ball of a Good Time

Singer Jacintha Abishegenadan held the audience captive with her spell-binding performance.

13 May, Food From The Heart Passionball 2005, The Fullerton Hotel

A maritime theme was adopted for the annual fundraising gala dinner of Food From The Heart, featuring life-sized portraits of sea voyagers and adventurers, children dressed up as sea captains, centrepieces made up of bowls of guppies swimming amidst “shipwrecked” pearls and other treasures, and of course, fresh seafood! There was nary a dull moment, with games, auctions and performances by Jacintha Abishegenadan and Dick Lee, who both waived their professional fees for the evening.

Can you make mine a kitty cat please?

Sweet Endings 15 & 16 April, St Luke’s Hospital Fundraising Concert, Methodist Girls’ School

Say “cheese”...

Fine Social Examples

Bittersweet Symphony, the fifth fundraising concert in a series in aid of St Luke’s Hospital, treated St Luke’s patients to a showcase of the musical, dancing, acting and artistic talents of three classes of graduating Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) Secondary 4 students, including Singapore Idol finalist Daphne Khoo. The two-night event raised more than $58,000 for the patients.

24 May, Outstanding Social Worker Awards 2004, The Istana

Four social workers received the Outstanding Social Worker Awards 2004 (OSWA) from President S R Nathan at the President’s Tea Reception for Social Workers at the Istana on 24 May 2005. The winners were Mrs Wong Cher Meng, director, Students Care Service (Clementi Centre) and Ho Lai Peng, principal social worker, Communicable Disease Centre, Tan Tock Seng Hospital. They each received a certificate, a trophy, a $1,000 cash award and a $5,000 Personal Development Grant. Merit winners – Joyce Tan Swee Yee, director (Programmes), Methodist Welfare Services and Shawn Koh Chu Bian, centre head, Pasir Ris Family Service Centre – received a certificate and a trophy each. The Awards were sponsored by petroleum giant ExxonMobil.

The girls put their heart and soul into the evening’s finale.

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The National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Conference 2005:

THE REALITY OF GIVING 25 – 26 May 2005, Raffles City Convention Centre fter the Asian tsunami disaster of 26 December 2004, the nonprofit world was surprised by the overwhelming generosity demonstrated by donors and volunteers in Singapore. At the same time, concerns also arose about how nonprofits utilise donors’ donations and volunteers’ time. With all these happenings on the local nonprofit scene in the past year, NVPC’s fifth annual conference – The Reality of Giving – certainly took place at the right time. A record number of delegates – about 600 – attended the two-day conference, which tackled issues in the ever-changing world of giving and receiving. Panel discussions led by people, private and public sector leaders provoked lively debate, while overseas speakers such as Senator Richard Gordon (chairman, Philippines Red Cross Society), Jack McGowan (executive director, SOLV) and Dr Charles Maclean (founder, PhilanthropyNow) inspired the delegates with their experiences. The conference also saw the “magical” launch of The State of Giving, a landmark publication by NVPC. The culmination of 18 months of arduous research, The State of Giving presented the first-ever in depth study of the giving landscape

Our guest-of-honour Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister-of-State, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.

A magic show by volunteer magicians from Singapore Magic Circle launched The State of Giving.

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in Singapore, covering individuals, corporations and grantmakers. And in a unique twist to the reality show format, five nonprofit groups battled it out on 25 May in a Singapore Idol-style competition – Real Time Giving – for a chance to take home $50,000, sponsored by NTUC Income and UBS Singapore. Two prizes were up for grabs – the Judges’ Choice and the Audience’s Choice, which was determined by the highest number of delegates’ votes. Music For Good emerged the Judges’ Choice winner and walked away with $35,000, while a jubilant yet teary-eyed Bridget Lew from Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME) accepted the Audience’s Choice award and $15,000. As if that wasn’t excitement enough, delegates were jolted into action on 26 May by an impromptu ‘Kebayarobics’ demonstration led by conference panellist and ‘Kebayarobics’ founder Kartini Abdul Rahman who got everyone in the room up and at it, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zainul Abidin Rasheed and NVPC’s chairman Willie Cheng! Now that’s what we call a conference to remember. Our captive audience.

The Reality Rules panel discussion got the second day of the Conference off to a flying start. (From left): Kishore Mahbubani (chairperson); Gerard Ee; Deirdre Moss; Dr Geh Min; Dr Gordon Ku and David Gerald.

Claire Chiang “pitching” Singapore Compact to the audience during her panel discussion on New Realities of Giving in Singapore, to the amusement of fellow panellist Niam Chiang Meng (left).

NVPC’s blue and orange It’s About Giving wristbands were a big hit, as “modelled” by NMP Eunice Olsen (top left), Dr Tan Chi Chiu (far left), and Melissa Kwee (left).

Delegates were far from shy when question time came around. (Top): David Tay of Singapore Sports School; (Bottom): Monica Gwee of MeesPierson Singapore.

Bridget Lew of HOME could not hold back her tears after receiving the Audience’s Choice award from NVPC chairman Willie Cheng. It’s ‘Kebayarobics’ time: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed (left) gets into the thick of the action at the impromptu ‘Kebayarobics’ demonstration (top) during the Power From the People panel discussion.

The State of Giving is retailing for $25. To order, visit www.nvpc.org.sg.

Jul-Aug 2005 S A LT •

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

19 August Kids’ Heart Fund Charity Dinner 2005

29 & 30 August 2005 LOVE – Our Story in Song Time: 7.30pm Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio In support of Dover Park Hospice, the fundraising concerts feature performances from classical composer Phoon Yew Tien; jazz musician Jeremy Monteiro; Chinese evergreen chanteuse S K Poon; jazz singer Bruce San Rani Singam; Colombian master flamenco guitarist Alvaro Sanchez; chairman of the Hong Kong Composer’s Guild Joshua Kam-Biu Chan; and the HuQin Quartet. Hosted by Vernetta Lopez and Bruce San, expect to hear two world premieres by composers Phoon and Chan, as well as medleys of evergreen hits from the ‘30s to the ‘80s. For more information and to obtain tickets, please call Jill Ng at 81254611 or 63558216, or email jill@doverpark.org.sg. Vernetta Lopez

23 July Presbyterian Community Services Flag Day Presbyterian Community Services (PCS) is looking for volunteers aged 16 and above for its flag day. PCS has been serving the needs of the community via eldercare for the frail and lonely, childcare and student care, financial assistance to families in crisis, education for children with special needs and a temporary crisis shelter for troubled teenage girls. To volunteer, please call Ms Shirley Lim at 63344445 ext 103.

29 July Fundraising Training: Fundraising Through Advertising and Direct Mail Time: 9am – 5pm Venue: National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, 7 Maxwell Road, MND Complex Annex B, #05-01 Fee: $190, inclusive of 5% GST and course materials Get an overview of how advertising and direct mail can help you to achieve your fundraising goals as well as gain a basic understanding of how to use these tools effectively.

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Conducted by marketing expert Suenne Mocktar-Ng, the course will also look at the pitfalls and practical examples of good, bad, and ugly advertising and direct mail methods. The Nonprofit Sector Training Grant (NTG) subsidy is applicable for this workshop. For more information, please visit www.nvpc.org.sg.

30 July & 27 August Stroke Club SLH Talks Time: 9.30am – 11.30am Venue: St Luke’s Hospital Conference Room Stroke Club SLH, a partnership by St Luke’s Hospital and the Singapore National Stroke Association, is organising monthly talks in which speakers and stroke survivors share their knowledge, experience and relevant issues for stroke survivors, families and caregivers. Attendance is free. The topics on 30 July and 27 August are All About Stroke and It’s OK To Say ‘No’ respectively. For enquiries or registration, please call Madgalene Choo at 68953203 or email magdalenechoo@slh.org.sg.

7 August SPH Gift of Music Concert: A National Day Tribute Time: 6pm Venue: Botanic Gardens Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage Part of the 20-concert musical gift for Singapore’s 40th birthday, this concert showcases some of our favourite National Day songs through the years and celebrates the diverse musical sounds and styles unique to Singapore.

13 August Social Entrepreneurship Forum 2005 – Business for Social Innovation Time: 1pm – 5pm Venue: University Cultural Centre Organised by NUSBSA Student Chapter – SEpirit, this forum is aimed at re-inspecting the challenges faced by social entrepreneurs in Singapore. Local practitioners and nonprofits share their experiences in starting up, fundraising, being socially accountable, and more importantly, sustaining their entrepreneurial efforts. To register or for more details, please call SEpirit at 98288632 or email www.seforum.com.sg.

Time: 7pm Venue: The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore The NUH Endowment Fund is starting a special fund for children who suffer from congenital heart disease. This fundraising charity dinner will feature some 20 four- to five-year-old children from Pat’s Schoolhouse who will take part in the opening act for the dinner. For more information and to obtain tickets, please call 63572493/63572490 or email: Jessica_LY_Lee@ttsh.com.sg or Eunice_Toh@nhg.com.sg.

20 August Hair 4 Hope (Head Shaving Day) Venue: Plaza Singapura Outdoor Atrium (facing Starbucks) Children with cancer go through painful treatments such as chemotherapy and in the process, they lose their hair as the treatment kills both mutated and healthy cells. On 20 August, volunteers and members of the public will come together to shave their heads to pledge support for children with cancer. Besides shaving, volunteers can also choose to donate a ponytail. Sponsors are needed for every head shaven and Hair 4 Hope is hoping to gather 500 volunteers for this event. For more information, please call Simon Emmanuel See at 68356464 or email simon_fr@ccf.org.sg.

AD 7 AD # LUNGS

OVERHEARD at the National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Conference 2005

“Ladies, you queue up all your lives for the toilet, and yet, you don’t speak up about it. Well, I am here to speak up for you.” Jack Sim, founder, World Toilet Organisation

“Volunteerism is fast food for the soul.” Jack McGowan, executive director, SOLV (USA)

“We want to build a culture of welcome.” Bridget Lew, founder, Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME), on HOME’s mission

“Anyone can learn to juggle within 20 minutes. Instant success like this goes a long way towards building up self-esteem.” Knik Pang, founder, Circus Outreach, on how their programmes can help youths with low self-esteem

Photo courtesy of SPH – The Straits Times

IN MEMORIAM

“This is the real world. When you pitch to corporates, it is different from appealing to the heartstrings. Often, it is the opposite of how you would react as an individual giver.” Madeleine Lee, one of the judges for Real Time Giving

“Our intention is to use music to help youths-at-risk build confidence and utilise their time positively. I wouldn’t go so far as to say we will try to be all-encompassing and help them to fix their social or personal issues.” Pauline Chong, director of fundraising and sponsorship, Music For Good (MFG), responding to a judge’s question about how MFG intends to help youths-at-risk with their problems adjusting into society. MFG won the Real Time Giving Judge’s Choice award of $35,000.

“Singaporeans should export our toilet technology, but not our toilet manners!” Dr Tan Chi Chiu responding to an audience suggestion that Singapore export its toilet technology

“We come into this world with nothing on our backs and we will leave with nothing... Before we leave, we return to society what it has given us. We try to treat every person as a human being.” Dr Wee Kim Wee (1915-2005), former President of Singapore

“We should be a nation of keyporters, interested in [reporting on] key issues that affect our community.” Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed, chairperson of the Power From the People: Community Raising in Singapore panel, using an analogy from his reporter days in response to an observation by a conference delegate that Singaporeans should be more kaypoh instead of being kiasu.

“If you want us to stop giving, then please don’t buy our shares!” Dr Loo Choon Yong, executive chairman, Raffles Medical Group, responding to a question on reconciling shareholders’ pressures with corporate giving.

“We do not inherit the earth from our parents. We are merely borrowing it from our children.” A native American saying cited by Jack McGowan during his presentation on Community Raising

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