salt_2006_11_12 by SALT NVPC

No. 18 Nov-Dec 2006

Hair Raising

Efforts Hair for Hope Comes Out Tops

Who’s

The Boss? Red Cross Chief Lt-Gen Winston Choo Reveals All

In Full Technicolour

For Volunteers, Donors and Nonprofits

And the

Winner Is... National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards 2006

Doing Good

Well

The 2006 Report Card

The Other

Kidney

Foundation

Dr Gordon Ku on KDF’s Future

Christopher Yeow’s World

A Matter

of Ethics ABN AMRO Singapore Talks Business

contents

ON THE COVER

SALT No. 18 Nov-Dec 2006

It has certainly been a tumultuous time for the charity sector, but with the scandals now behind us, it’s time to give due credit to the good work that has carried on despite the setbacks. MICHELLE BONG looks back on an eventful year and meets the stellar line-up of winners of the National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards 2006.

Shaving their heads in the name of charity is no skin off the noses of volunteers (from top) Vincent Sum, Suzi Ong, Sandra Chew and Dylan Ong who gamely took it all off for Children’s Cancer Foundation’s Hair for Hope 2006 fundraising campaign. MICHELLE BONG profiles the Innovative Fundraising Initiative Award winner of this year’s National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards on page 12.

DEPARTMENTS 2

LETTER FROM SALT

MAILBAG

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

VOLUNTEER PROFILE Nephrologist Dr Gordon Ku took his love for his vocation one step further by setting up the Kidney Dialysis Foundation.

10 PEOPLE SECTOR PEOPLE Christopher Yeow of Very Special Arts shows that all it takes is a little love and compassion to colour someone’s world.

11 WALK THE TALK

Photograph courtesy of Children’s Cancer Foundation.

SALT SHAKERS AND MOVERS

Generally Speaking Singapore Red Cross Society chairman Lt-Gen Winston Choo has quietly gone about the work of transforming the organisation from that of providing first aid training to a humanitarian organisation with an international role. TAN HWEE HWEE chats with the former military top gun for a de-brief of his last decade in office.

ABN AMRO Singapore empowers its staff to excel not just in the office, but also for the future benefit of the community.

19 NEW SALT Kampung Senang Charity & Education Foundation shows that getting the most out of life has nothing to do with worldly pleasures.

24 SALT THOUGHTS WILLIE CHENG argues for a relaxation of some of the restrictive rules around fundraising for overseas purposes in Singapore.

28 SALT AND PEPPER

There’s nothing new about the recent displays of philanthropic largesse or is there? Mal Warwick ponders.

29 CALENDAR

When it comes to creating synergies with other organisations, JACK SIM believes that anyone can be your partner.

30 SCENE AND SEEN 32 A DASH OF SALT SALT pays tribute to the late Elizabeth Choy.

Nov-Dec 2006 S A LT •

L E T T E R

F R O M

S A L T

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

EDITOR Suzanne Lim

CONTRIBUTORS Michelle Bong Tan Hwee Hwee

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

n case you are wondering who those gallant gentlemen are standing protectively by my side, they are no less than Liak Teng Lit (right) and Assoc Prof Pang Weng Sun, the CEO and chairman of the Medical Board of Alexandra Hospital respectively. This was taken at their annual dinner and dance recently, to which I was invited as a volunteer member of their Medifund Committee. Such is the expert way they handle their volunteers, that we get included, along with staff, in their year-end gathering. It is all about doing good well. In this year-end issue (and in keeping with the festive season), we celebrate all those who do good well, including the personalities profiled. Our main feature highlights not just the winners of NVPC’s National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards 2006, but also others who in their own salutary ways, do a professional job of mobilising volunteers, donors and resources to deliver their programmes in an impactful way. At NVPC, we promote the spirit of giving across all sectors and to all levels of society. And what we have found notable is that indeed, people from all walks of life and organisations of every type are asking how they can volunteer, give or contribute. At a recent leadership forum, as we gathered over refreshments, the people in my little circle were talking of the different ways they were setting out to benefit the community. These included the institutions of higher learning (SMU), interest group associations (Restaurant Association) and skills training centres (SHATEC). All this was done without prompting on my part, I guarantee you. It was simply the spontaneous outpouring of likeminded hearts seeking to give wherever they are in their respective spheres of influence. With all this growing interest in doing good on the part of the giving public, it behoves those of us who work in and for the nonprofit sector – the practitioners in the field – to do good well, so that giving interest continues to grow to its full beauteous glory. This final issue for 2006 is also the last under the editorship of our editor Suzanne Lim. If you have enjoyed reading SALT, join me in appreciating her for the superb way she has made SALT an altogether enjoyable and educational read for us all. Have a joyous giving season! Tan Chee Koon Chief Executive Officer National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre

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MAILBAG

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

Quality Giving

Well Done, SALT!

read with interest your feature story Quality Giving in your Sept-Oct issue. Local philanthropy is indeed funded by many helping hands, but philanthropic giving by individuals can grow a lot more if the donors can be linked directly to the needy on the receiving side. Recent articles in The Straits Times have proposed the setting up of a trust fund for parents and others to contribute. This can accelerate individual giving if structured properly. Individual trust funds when kept in a public master register as proposed conceptually by Bizlink to the Enabling Master Plan allow an individual giver to support another individual directly. The immediacy and transparency is appealing. This register can also carry certified individual net worth and income-expenditure statements to allow donors to assess the actual financial needs of beneficiaries seeking assistance. Access to this master registry allows an individual donor to quickly determine the most needy with the least funds in order to help them. This public master registry need not be restricted to people with disabilities. It can also address other disadvantaged groups like the aged and needy medical patients. Being a Singaporean would mean a lot more now as the social safety net of this inclusive society is not only supported by the government, but also by a philanthropic public.

Alvin Lim, General Manager, Bizlink Centre Singapore Ltd

Cheryl Long, Consultant Hill & Knowlton Singapore

he article Quality Giving in your Sept-Oct issue was an interesting read. Is Singapore’s surfeit of charities scrambling for a limited pool of resources? Is the charity scene bursting at its seams, with too many VWOs vying for scarce resources such as funds and volunteers? In my opinion, resources such as funds and volunteers are unlimited. What is perhaps needed is to try to be more creative and to think out of the box. Recent comments in the media like “to ensure that only the deserving and genuine charities are registered” and “if everyone, even in the goodness of their hearts, starts their own thing, we’ll end up with many small charities and a lot of duplication” may have unintentionally contributed to the problems of the charity sector after the NKF saga. Donors are becoming increasingly detached from the beneficiaries and people are just giving to high profile television charity shows or flag days. In a

• S A LT Nov-Dec 2006

recent television charity show, one could see from the donations on the screen that a large portion of the total donations came only in the last 15 minutes or so, presumably from the corporate sector. This may give Singaporeans a false sense of complacency that donations have increased, despite the NKF affair. Without personal involvement and a more direct link between donors and beneficiaries, the problem of too many VWOs vying for too few resources may just get worse. In respect of philanthropy, if you want to give part of your life insurance proceeds to a charity, the financial adviser or insurance company may tell you that it cannot be done by completing a form and that you have to incorporate it into your will. Since about 80 per cent of Singaporeans do not have wills, this may in a way serve as a deterrent for making a bequest to charity. Why not explore the possibility of a

would just like to commend SALT magazine on a job well done over the last two years! As a mark of your magazine’s growing influence, we at Hill & Knowlton are seeing a growing number of our corporate clients taking an interest in SALT as they develop socially responsible business practices for their companies. Model corporate citizenship and ethics boil down to leadership, superior management and quality people. Our clients see SALT as an ideal platform for them to tell their CSR stories as SALT covers topics related to volunteer profiles, nonprofit features, thought leadership stories and how-to articles on developing sound CSR policies. Keep up the great work!

national campaign to encourage Singaporeans to donate one (or more) per cent of their existing insurance policies to a charity of their choice? The policyowner can also be given the option to allow a waiver by the executor, administrator, beneficiary or nominee to revoke the bequest at the time of claim to alleviate the concern that some may have that if their loved ones need the bequested sum more, the bequest can be revoked. I understand that the life insurance industry is poised to announce a new regime for the nomination of beneficiaries. I hope that it can address the issue of simplifying and enabling philanthropic bequests through insurance policies. There has been a drop in individual giving and a growth in the number of charities. This innovative way of donating may help bridge that gap. Leong Sze Hian, Singapore Representative Inter-American Economic Council

N E W S B

A WRAP-UP OF HAPPENINGS AROUND SINGAPORE

MAKE A VIDEO, HELP END CHILD HUNGER

apping on the increasing popularity of viral videos, Fight Hunger: Walk the World is mobilising the creativity of the viral video community in its bid to end child hunger with a viral video contest. Viral videos refer to video clips that gain widespread popularity through the process of Internet sharing, typically through email or instant messaging, blogs and other media sharing websites. Aimed at helping to spread the word about ending child hunger by 2015 with short, upbeat videos, the winner of the contest will get the chance to visit and film a World Food Programme School Feeding Project in a developing country. To find out more, visit www.fighthunger.org/contest.

CHARITY COUNCIL TAKES SHAPE

Up, Up and Away D

What a ride! A Club Rainbow family enjoying the panoramic view of the Singapore skyline from the DHL Balloon.

HL, the world’s leading express and logistics company, celebrated Children’s Day by inviting more than 100 Club Rainbow (Singapore) beneficiaries and their families to a memorable ride on the DHL Balloon, the only such attraction in South East Asia. Located at Tan Quee Lan Street, the DHL Balloon is a tethered gas balloon fitted with a gondola that can carry a maximum of 29 passengers up to a height of about 150 meters. From such a vantage point, the riders can have a panoramic view of Singapore. The ride is part of Supporting Future Generations, an initiative under DHL’s regional corporate sustainability programme that aims to provide children and youths with access to quality healthcare, education and a sustainable environment.

MAJOR BOOST FOR COMCHEST

he Community Chest has received a whopping $18 million donation – its largest single lump-sum one to date – which over the next 30 years, will go towards helping the disadvantaged elderly live more comfortable lives. The bequest was made by the late Lee Hiok Kwee when he died aged 62 in July 1992. His family approached ComChest in July to fulfil his wish that the donation be for the benefit of the elderly. The gift, however, is in memory of his late father, banker Lee Wee Kheng. ComChest will administer the Lee Wee Kheng Fund which will disburse $750,000 a year over the next three decades. Said Ms Jennie Chua, chairman of ComChest, “The estate identified the needs of the Singapore community well, as we face the challenge of an ageing population. Programmes which address the needs of the aged will require additional funding support in years to come.” This is not the first time the Lee Hiok Kwee estate has made a bequest of such a scale. In 2002, the estate donated $16 million in bank shares to the National University of Singapore (NUS), following his wish to direct the sum to educational causes. NUS used it to fund life-sciences research. The Lee Hiok Kwee Functional Genomics Laboratories at NUS’ Department of Biological Sciences was so named in appreciation of his gift.

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ollowing the recommendation by the Inter-Ministry Committee (IMC) on the Regulation of Charities and Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) earlier this year, Singapore’s first Charity Council has been formed. The Council will encourage the adoption of good governance standards and best practices and will help to build governance capabilities of charities and IPCs to enable them to comply with regulatory requirements and to be more accountable to the public. Appointed for a two-year term, the Council consists of 14 members, with Mrs Fang Ai Lian, chairman of Ernst & Young, as its first chairperson. The other members are: 1) Assoc Prof Mak Yuen Teen, director, corporate governance and financial reporting centre, NUS Business School; 2) David Tay Poey Cher, chairman, Tampines East Citizens’ Consultative Committee; 3) Ms Diana Ee-Tan, managing director, Raffles Hotels & Resorts; 4) Suhaimi Salleh, chief executive officer, SSS Consulting Group; 5) Rajaram Ramiah, partner, Wee Ramayah & Partners; 6) Tan Hup Foi, chairman, Ngee Ann Polytechnic; 7) RADM (Ret) Kwek Siew Jin, chairman, National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre; 8) Tan Kee Yong, Deputy Secretary (Services), Ministry of Education; 9) Goh Aik Guan, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Health; 10) Lim Soo Ping, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts; 11) Benedict Cheong, chief executive officer, National Council of Social Service; 12) Tan Boon Huat, chief executive director, People’s Association; and 13) Oon Jin Teik, chief executive officer, Singapore Sports Council.

PEOPLE MOVEMENTS

BALLY GOOD!

n celebration of the re-opening of its store in Takashimaya Department Store, Level 2 on 20 October, Bally donated 20 per cent of its sales from 20 October to 19 November to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. This is the first time Bally has partnered the SSO. Said Odile Benjamin, chairlady of the SSO Ladies League, “I would like to thank Bally on behalf of the SSO. Both Bally and the SSO are two organisations that at first sight may appear to be very different in nature, but actually share many similarities: they both thrive on tradition, precision and perfection, and both aim to please the senses of their patrons. Like Bally, the SSO aspires to inspire internationally.”

THE AMAZING WHEELCHAIR RACE

hirty-six pairs of able-bodied students took part in an amazing race of a different sort on 3 September. Taking on the roles of wheelchair user and caregiver, they manoeuvred around Singapore to complete different tasks at five pit stops that included everyday activities such as grocery shopping, taking the MRT and borrowing books from a public library. Organised by the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) and students from NTU’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Club, the event was an eye-opener for the participants. Said Richardo Chua who formed a team with his girlfriend, “As an avid soccer player, this was the closest I came to losing the use of my legs and it was almost unbearable. It is not pity that our handicapped friends need. It is an environment that they can seamlessly integrate into and a society that treats them as useful and equal individuals that will give them the tremendous strength needed to overcome their disability.”

The winning team with Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (centre) at the awards presentation ceremony.

Project Win-Win

n international service learning project organised by the Service Learning Club @ NIE has won the National Youth Council’s Youth Service Learning Award 2006 (Bronze). Project Polwatta was organised for student teachers to gain experiential learning by serving in an overseas community. A total of 20 student teachers aged between 19 and 32 took part, spending 14 days from 1 to 5 December 2005 serving Polwatta School in Welligama, Sri Lanka, customising services to suit the school’s needs. The teachers also collaborated with three local schools – Qihua Primary School, Naval Base Primary School and Woodlands Ring Secondary School – for Polwatta’s fundraising and pen pal connection programme.

ENHANCING LIVES

I Subrata Banerjee, assistant director of the Handicaps Welfare Association (extreme right), explaining its rehabilitation programmes to Mrs Patricia Herbold, US ambassador to Singapore (extreme left); Ken Torok, president, UPS Asia Pacific (second from left); and Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports (second from right).

n collaboration with Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA), global express delivery giant UPS recently launched the UPS-HWA Internship Placement Programme to enhance the quality of lives for HWA members. This aims to help HWA members seek internship opportunities with companies in Singapore, and support their staff development programme to enhance their management skills and knowledge. The UPS Foundation also donated $105,000 to fund the programme, part of which will go towards purchasing a wheelchair accessible vehicle for transporting HWA members.

Odile Benjamin assumed the chair of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra Ladies’ League on 25 August from Susie Koh, who has stepped down after serving on the League for 20 years. A member of the Ladies’ League since March 2005, she will be responsible for mapping the strategic directions as well as spearheading new initiatives for its members. As co-chair of the organising committee for the SSO Benefit Dinner held at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia in March 2006, she helped raise over $800,000 for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. For contact details, email Ms Cindy Lim, assistant manager for SSO marketing communications, at cindy@sso.org.sg. Frederick Foo was appointed executive director of Mercy Relief with effect from 1 June. He was formerly the head of its international relief department and was instrumental in leading Mercy Relief’s missions for the Pakistan Earthquake in October 2005. He was a volunteer logistician on one of its missions to Melauboh during the tsunami disaster in 2004. Prior to joining Mercy Relief in 2004, he spent more than 25 years in the public service. Tel: 63326320; Email: fred@mercyrelief.org Susan Njoroge recently joined DHL Asia Pacific’s regional office as its corporate affairs manager. Her current role sees her implementing and managing programmes towards DHL’s corporate sustainability strategy in the Asia Pacific. She previously worked with DHL’s emerging markets region (which covers the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States, Africa, CIS, Turkey and Israel) as regional marketing services manager with communications and corporate sustainability responsibilities. Tel: 6216 6905; Email: susan.njoroge@dhl.com Eric Teng was appointed the chief executive officer of the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation with effect from 5 October. The current president of the YMCA of Singapore, he was a board member of the National Council of Social Service from 1998 to 2006, where he was also chairman of the committees promoting, developing and managing volunteers, as well as being a board director of the YMCA of Singapore since 1985. Eric’s tasks at the Foundation include managing the Foundation and putting in place a professional secretariat.

Nov-Dec 2006 S A LT •

YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE

n 8 September, 42 walkers from Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd (SCU) completed a 24-hour 70km walk round Singapore to help raise awareness of childhood cancer and funds for Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF). Walkers ranging from SCU’s executive vice president Francis Gomez to junior staff members were greeted by families, friends, business partners and CCF beneficiaries as they returned in exuberance. With support from over 200 organisations such as SCU’s customers and associated companies, $400,000 was raised for CCF.

New digs – the Yunnan primary school kids pose in front of a wall painted by the PwC executives.

A Better Tomorrow Ready , set, go!

KEEPING HEARTS YOUNG

n conjunction with World Heart Day on 24 September 2006, the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) launched its National Heart Week on 23 September at Tiong Bahru Plaza. Themed ‘How Young Is Your Heart?’, SHF also conducted, for the first time in Singapore and with support from Pfizer Singapore, a heart-health survey among the estimated 30,000 to 50,000 visitors to the Heart Fair to survey Singaporeans’ awareness, understanding and attitudes towards their heart health. Said Dr C Sivathasan, vice chairman, SHF, “This year’s theme serves as a timely reminder for all Singaporeans, young or old, to take good care of their hearts. Many Singaporeans are unaware that our hearts can ‘age’ even faster than our natural age, if we do not take proper care of it.”

welve PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) executives from across Asia came together recently in an effort to create a better future for the local community in Yunnan, China. Partnering with the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) under its Singapore Executive Expeditions (SXX) programme, the team of senior executives honed their leadership and cooperation skills by enhancing the learning environment of a primary school through the painting of walls, the buying of new furniture and the stocking up of the library with new books using funds raised from regional PwC firms. Team members also educated the children on basic hygiene and imparted work-life skills to students of a vocational institute. “Today, private and public organisations are constantly looking at ways to inspire their people, to develop talent to its full potential. SIF has found such an employer in PwC,” remarked Ms Peggy Kek, SIF’s deputy executive director.

TAKING A STAND

SUNGEI BULOH VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME IS 10!

CEO of the National Parks Board, Ng Lang (centre) joined the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve volunteers for a bird census survey at their 10th anniversary celebration.

n 26 August, volunteers and staff at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve celebrated a milestone – the 10th anniversary of Sungei Buloh’s Volunteer Programme. Deeply passionate about conserving local nature and wildlife, these enthusiastic volunteers have sacrificed countless weekends sharing what they know about the unique flora and fauna of the Reserve to visitors. To commemorate this special anniversary, the August issue of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves newsletter Wetlands was dedicated entirely to the volunteers and as part of the celebrations, a bird census survey was held. For more information about Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve, visit www.sbwr.org.sg.

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or 30 hours, 600 youths aged 15 to 18 years went without food during an overnight camp in their stand against hunger, poverty, child labour, HIV/AIDS, Through the old newspapers and and other issues that affect millions clothing collection, some $8,000 was received from the sale of the items. of people living in countries less developed than Singapore. The 30 Hour Famine Under No Roof Camp was organised by World Vision Singapore and Habitat for Humanity Singapore from 17 to 18 June. During the camp, the youths went through a simulated and experiential role-play experience of challenges faced by the poor communities in the event of major catastrophes. The camp experience also included a service-learning component where the 600 campers collected old newspapers and clothing to help poor children suffering in Cambodia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. To find out how you can help, visit www.30hourfamine.com.sg.

To Give is to Gain

Nephrologist Dr Gordon Ku took his love for his vocation one step further by setting up the Kidney Dialysis Foundation to provide treatment for the most needy Singaporeans. As he tells MICHELLE BONG, he’s gained much more than he’s given.

or Dr Gordon Ku, a 24-hour day is virtually insufficient for him to do all that he wants to. His 10-hour work day as a nephrologist – one who specialises in the treatment of kidney diseases – is spent going on rounds at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, seeing a nonstop stream of patients at his clinic, being on call to attend to emergencies, and clearing paperwork. In fact, his only forms of respite are a 15-minute lunch (always packed from home) at his desk and the occasional trips to the bathroom! Outside of work, he dedicates the rest of his time to chairing meetings, speaking at events and writing medical papers linked to the nonprofit Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) which he set up in 1996 and serves as executive chairman. KDF is not affiliated to any other kidney organisation in Singapore and provides high quality, subsidised dialysis for the most needy

“ I have become more focused, more compassionate, and more patient... I have also found a sense of inner peace.” members of the community. Its patients are referrals from medical social workers, and represent blue-collar workers who are among Singapore’s lowest income earners. “KDF was started to address a strong need to help significant numbers of the needy who were not being treated. The idea was mooted by myself and three other fellow nephrologists because we felt we had to help improve the situation. As I was the only one in private practice, I took on

In helping patients of KDF, Dr Ku says he himself has had much to gain. “My greatest satisfaction is the fact that my work for KDF has definitely induced changes in me,” he says. “I have become more focused, more compassionate, and more patient. These qualities Building bonds: Dr Ku (in checked allow me to deal better the challenge with the support of shirt) at Wild Wild West Nite, a gathering for KDF patients with difficulties in life. the others,” explains the 65-year recent cum appreciation dinner for Bike old, whose wife is also a doctor Aid Singapore and Courts Singa- Through my efforts pore, following their charity bike as a volunteer, I have and helps with KDF activities. ride to raise funds for KDF. Dr Ku is responsible for the planning also found a sense of inner peace. Such of the organisational structure and medical intangible rewards cannot be bought.” Dr Ku cites the late Dr Ee Peng facilities at KDF, in line with its efforts to Liang and Raffles Holdings’ CEO Jennie provide high quality and cost-effective Chua as his sources of inspiration. treatment to patients. He says a key He explains, “Both of them are similar in component of KDF’s success is the fact many ways – Dr Ee juggled a successful that dialysis services are outsourced to profession with years of tireless efforts professional service providers through an as chairman of the Community Chest. open tender system. Likewise, Jennie has done the same, Over the past decade, this formula has devoting herself to busy work commitments proven itself to be a success. What began and philanthropy as Dr Ee’s successor. as a single centre that treated 28 people I hope she will be in that position for a has grown to two haemodialysis centres long time to come.” and a peritoneal dialysis centre that has In the same way, Dr Ku’s work with treated over 380 patients and facilitated KDF will continue for as long as possible. 38 successful transplants. Presently, there “Providence has allowed me to do are some 14 nephrologists from both what I do to help people,” he remarks, private and restructured hospitals attending and adds that he hopes one day KDF to patients on a voluntary basis. And can work with the National Kidney while KDF started with a seed amount of Foundation to help even more patients. just $400,000, its coffers will soon swell Discussions for such a collaboration are with some $15 million by year’s end, thanks already underway. to a generous donation. Details of this “I am really looking forward to donation are expected to be announced the day.” ✩ at the end of November.

Nov-Dec 2006 S A LT •

It’s a Colourful Life

He’s trained in the field of engineering informatics, but Christopher Yeow of Very Special Arts shows that all it takes is a little love and compassion to colour someone’s world. MICHELLE BONG peeks into his colour-filled world.

espite his formal designation as executive director, Christopher Yeow doesn’t consider himself an official employee of Very Special Arts Singapore (VSA), the arts organisation that provides the disabled with opportunities to access the arts for rehabilitation and social integration. Depending on his schedule as an adjunct lecturer at Nanyang Polytechnic where he teaches engineering informatics, Yeow spends at least half a day at VSA’s Bedok North Avenue 3 premises five times a week. His work there starts in the afternoon, when he lunches with the staff before tackling paperwork and other administrative matters until the office closes at 6pm. During the annual Polytechnic term breaks, Yeow works full days at VSA and sometimes clocks extra hours as a result of related meetings and functions. This routine was born in 2001 following a request by VSA’s chairman Philip Ng that Yeow help VSA out in the

“ I have always been interested in bringing out the best in people, whether it is in my profession as an industrial engineer or in my involvement in the various social service organisations. “ short run by spending half a day there everyday to supervise the staff and manage the daily operations. What was supposed to be a short period of involvement has now lasted five years! While some people may ponder the wisdom of putting in so much time and effort into a non-remunerating

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started. It also regularly submits works for exhibitions organised by VSA Arts (the international arm of VSA) and is invited regularly to the VSA Arts International Art Festival which is organised once every five years. In addition, it has raised awareness that the act of Group effort: Christopher Yeow creating art is especially honorary position, Yeow, (back row, fourth from left) with participants of the VSA-Credit beneficial to people with who’s also a member of the Suisse workshop Beliefs and Toastmasters Club and several Perspectives in September 2006. disabilities and since 2002, VSA has had a home to call its own. other grassroots and social service organIn view of these milestones, Yeow is isations, has absolutely no regrets. excited to do more in 2007. “I have always been interested in “We hope to put up new shows to people and in bringing out the best in promote our professional artists and new people, whether it is in my profession as an industrial engineer, as a lecturer, or in my programmes to develop new emerging artists. We will be participating in the involvement in the various social service M1 Singapore Fringe Festival in February organisations. I enjoy much personal 2007 as the theme for the festival is satisfaction when I see the results of my Art and the Disabled, and we’re looking efforts and knowing that I have given to initiate new classes and workshops my best,” he says. in this area. We also intend to reach Yeow’s involvement with VSA began out to schools in our public education right from its formation in 1993 as part programme and to initiate activities that of a project under the National Council will promote social integration between of Social Service, with whom he has been students of special schools and maina regular volunteer since 1972. Some 34 stream schools using the area of art.” years later, he continues to facilitate VSA’s Citing his peers in the social service visual and performing arts programmes for sector as sources of inspiration, in particchildren, youths and adults with disabiliular former Member of Parliament for ties as well as special education teachers, Tanjong Pagar GRC, Dr S Vasoo, whom trainers, volunteers and parents of these special people. Programmes include handi- he considers “a good friend and mentor for his unassuming and total commitment craft workshops, art seminars, children’s to improving the lives of Singaporeans”, arts camps, dance therapy sessions and Yeow demurs when he is credited for overseas arts exchanges. much of VSA’s success. Under Yeow’s stewardship, VSA’s reach “Without the dedicated and committed has certainly grown. Its current projected VSA staff and volunteers, none of this number of beneficiaries stands at 830, would be possible.” ✩ compared to less than 100 when it first

Future Forward

ABN AMRO Singapore’s business and CSR policies speak volumes about the way it empowers its staff to excel not just in the office, but also for the future benefit of the community, as MICHELLE BONG discovers.

hile other banks see their employees leaving the organisation as soon as they find better paying employment somewhere else, global financial institution ABN AMRO Singapore enjoys a turnover rate lower than that of the national average. This is undoubtedly linked to the bank’s strong commitment to being responsible for its employees’ wellbeing and providing a conducive work environment for them. “We believe a happy worker is a productive worker. That is why we invest a lot into providing a healthy, inspiring and inclusive work environment for all our staff,” says Molly Yeo, its head of human resource. Such a positive attitude is very much in line with ABN AMRO’s CSR efforts. Last year alone, the bank initiated several activities and programmes to promote work-

“ We will not work with companies that are known to have engaged in activities detrimental to the progression and development of society.” life balance among the staff. Based on participation rates, their three main projects – Wealth Is Health, We Are Family and Employee Volunteer Programme – were highly successful, with the volunteer pool growing to 206 this year. This represents a 58 per cent jump from 130, and makes up 16 per cent of their total workforce. Other initiatives to boost workforce wellbeing include family care leave, where a day’s paid leave per calendar year is granted to staff to enable them to fulfil

95 per cent of the wish list has been fulfilled so far for the four beneficiaries – Tampines Family Service Centre, Beyond Social Services, Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls, and Students Care Service. Based on the very good feedback, we will continue to run this programme in 2007.” On top of monitoring staff Paddle pop: ABN AMRO volunteers on welfare levels, steps are also taken their family a kayaking excursion with beneficiaries to ensure that business practices obligations; daily from Tampines Family Service Centre. are transparent, and authority figures are exercise classes which have proven to be accountable and responsible in all their overwhelmingly popular; newborn wellness, business undertakings. a benefit that allows staff to claim for A Singapore Compact member, expenses incurred by their newborn before ABN AMRO recently won the 2006 Gold the baby is discharged from the hospital; Medal for International Corporate Achieveand employee volunteer programme opporment in Sustainable Development by tunity, where employees get a day of paid the World Environment Centre. This leave to offer their time and effort towards accolade, says Wong, is an endorsement activities targeted at various charity groups. of their efforts and an encouragement Explains managing director and for them to continue doing more. country executive David Wong, “Depending Come 2007, the bank will continue on their skills and interests, employees can to focus on underprivileged youths through select the type of activities they want to a charity concert (a first for the bank), take on as volunteers. Some do gardening; and continue with current in-house others facilitate workshops and give campaigns Kill-A-Watt and Leaves-Forfinancial planning trainings. Through the Later that encourage energy saving and volunteering programmes, staff from the recycling respectively. different business units also get a chance Declares Wong, “Our leaders and to work together outside of the bank and senior managers are trained to make that helps in developing better relationdecisions in response to global challenges ships and fostering stronger bonds among such as environmental change, human the colleagues. rights abuses, inequality and poverty. “One of our most successful initiatives “We manage our business processes has been the gifts-in-kind collection drive. to bring about positive impacts on Under the programme, we get the volunsocieties and communities and we will tary welfare organisations we support to not work with companies that are known give us a list of the things they need and to have engaged in activities detrimental we try to fulfil them by getting the staff to the progression and development to contribute. Each year, we’ve organised of society.” ✩ a three-day fair to collect the goods.

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he Dalai Lama once said: “Compassion is not religious business, it is human business; it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.” Volunteers here may not be familiar with these wise words, but they’ve certainly celebrated them through action. As seen from the spectrum of good work being undertaken, one thing is apparent: when it comes to doing good, there are plenty of individuals, nonprofit organisations and corporations who do it, and who do it well. Their efforts reflect, in addition to their passion, an unwavering commitment to their mission, perseverance and a keen desire to raise practice standards in the face of adversity. Despite the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) mismanagement scandals and floundering public confidence, nonprofit organisations and volunteer welfare groups stood shoulder-to-shoulder with multinational corporations and local companies in a display of camaraderie and trust, to further champion the contribution of time, money or effort to help the needy. “2006 was a relatively successful fundraising year for us despite the post-NKF negativity and donor hesitation,” reveals Alfred Tan, executive director of the Singapore Children’s Society. “We were challenged to consolidate our own processes within the organisation to ensure that we fully met more stringent rules. But we managed to overcome these with a good team of staff and committee members and the continued

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work with volunteers, miracles happen!” On top of honing their “home improvement” skills, BDCCS staff also organised events for the elderly. Says HR manager Valerie Ong, “Our celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival at Sembawang Park left us with lasting sweet memories despite the haze hitting a high PSI of 150 that evening.” Spurred by the experience of these early encounters, the company is now looking to taking the relationship to a deeper level, through the offer of their corporate resources to the Home in the human resource Dolled up for charity: The Dim Sum Dollies [pictured with President and Mrs S R Nathan (centre) and Singapore Children’s Society and communications areas. This chairman Koh Choon Hui (extreme right) and Mrs Koh (extreme left)] helped the Society raise $500,000 at its recent gala dinner. is a development in corporatecommunity partnerships that NVPC “We were challenged to consolidate our own processes through its newly-launched ComCare within the organisation... But we managed to overcome these with a good team of staff and committee members...” Connection is hoping to see more of – the development and growth of meaningful ALFRED TAN, Executive Director, Singapore Children’s Society ongoing partnership arrangements that go beyond ad hoc events that typically dot the Corporation, BD Medical, Deutsche support of our major community partner corporate volunteering landscape currently. Bank, Great Eastern Life, IBM Singapore, OCBC Bank.” Lifestyle pursuits also proved to Highlights of the year for the Children’s SembCorp Utilities, Fuji Xerox, Asia be popular fundraising tools – charity Society include several successful collaboPacific Breweries and NETS – the list premieres and screenings put bums on rations for fundraising events. For instance, goes on – all of which stepped up to the seats while sports events got people to their gala charity dinner – Dim Sum Dollies plate in meaningful ways. work up a sweat in the name of various Go to Dinner – on 14 October raised half a Hundreds of employees from these worthy causes. Funds raised from the million dollars through the sale of 65 charity organisations banded together to lend charity premiere of local film Singapore tables worth between $5,000 and $10,000 their support to various causes. Over 30 Dreaming went towards the Association each, as well as the auction of six paintings Deutsche Bank staff worked alongside 80 of Women for Action and Research’s by local artist Koh Tien Gui and five exquiFocus on the Family (FOTF) volunteers (AWARE) support, research and educasite jewellery pieces donated by Bulgari. at the Narnia Sandcastles at East Coast tional programmes, while the Singapore Paolo Bulgari, chairman of the Bulgari Park event with South-East CDC for 1,500 Environment Council managed to raise Group says, “The importance of helping chilparticipants, while CapitaLand Limited $10,000 from a charity film screening of dren cannot be undervalued. I see auctioning worked with Canossaville Children’s the Al Gore-helmed environmental docuour products for the benefit of children as Home to develop the latter’s thrift shop. mentary An Inconvenient Truth to fund its a real opportunity to make a difference.” Becton Dickinson Critical Care Come 3 and 4 December, the Italian jewelSystems (BDCCS) staff helped bring cheer Climate Change Awareness Programme, aimed at helping Singaporeans underlers will be putting words to action again, to geriatric patients of Sunshine Welfare stand the implications of global warming. this time by supporting sick and underActive Mission (SWAMI) by decorating Meanwhile, a Singapore Anti-Narcotics privileged children from the MILK (Mainly their wards to create a more conducive Association (SANA) charity golf tournament I Love Kids) Fund through an auction of environment for healing and overall wellraised $106,000 for programmes aimed at more than 140 jewellery and watch pieces. being. Says Keith Lee, executive director out-of-school youths, family and children of SWAMI, “The volunteers painted the THOSE WHO CAN, DID of those incarcerated, and drug awareness; walls, sourced for furniture, put up new and a Great Eastern Women Run pledged curtains, installed new lighting and made This year, sharing Bulgari’s passion to “make $10 for every woman who signed up as a other touches to the décor. The patients a difference” were organisations such Women Make a Difference runner to the were pleasantly delighted. When you as HSBC, CapitaLand Limited, Keppel

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– they are dependant on us for their continuing survival and quality of the life regained. “We are pleased by the progress thus far as rebuilding NKF is a journey. We just do our very best, and aim for little steps DOING IT THEIR WAY forward as we strengthen the foundations of NKF. It is only The flag of volunteerism is also with a strong foundation that an flying, as indicated by NVPC’s organisation can move with ease findings from its 2006 Individual and higher speed.” Giving Survey, a biennial survey Similarly, it is heartening to on individual giving in terms of Singaporeans dug deep into their pockets for worthy causes like Children’s note that the relationship and volunteerism and philanthropy in Cancer Foundation’s Tulip Hearts Day. working collaborations between Singapore. Volunteerism hours nonprofit groups, individual have increased by an impressive “70 per cent of our service capacity donors and corporations have 10 million, up from 2004’s in 2006 was borne by our volunteers. been strengthened as a result of 35 million to 2006’s 49 million. Without their active support, we would the new regulations put in place Some charities such as the only have been able to execute 30 per Children’s Cancer Foundation cent of our events and programmes...” to provide transparency and accountability. (CCF) report that more volunteers TAN THUAN SENG, President, FOTF Says CCF executive director have come forward to help at Raphael Lim, “We have organised meetings events, while others such as FOTF and MINDS Jurong Gardens School, the involving our social workers and facilitated the Society for the Physically Disabled Community Chest and City Harvest (SPD) have been able to get assistance Community Services Association (CHCSA). visits to our family support centres to help our community partners better understand from working professionals who volunENTERING A NEW ERA the work of our organisation and the impact teer their expertise in areas such as on beneficiaries. We believe that VWOs marketing and information technology. No less notable are the efforts of the new which have aimed to adhere closely to FOFT president Tan Thuan Seng says NKF, which is well on its way to getting regulations and provide programmes that while he is grateful to corporate sponsors, back on its feet and winning back support are impacting their clients will continue his pool of “competent and committed” from the general public. Under the to do well in an environment where volunteers has been invaluable. He helm of CEO Eunice Tay and chairman donors have become more discerning.” comments, “We did a review and found Gerard Ee, the beleaguered charity that Soh Guat Hiong, Motorola’s regional that 70 per cent of our service capacity once fought for its survival has received director for environment, health and in 2006 was borne by our volunteers. backing from donors and supporters – safety adds, “NPOs are getting more Without their active support, we would to the tune of $13.33 million. proactive and professional in the way only have been able to execute 30 per The amount was received through they approach various parties, including cent of our events and programmes donations that primarily came from corporations, for support. Also, there and would have had to pay a lot of money individual givers. The Lifedrops scheme is a lot more awareness on the part of to increase our manpower capacity – a monthly donation drive that allows the companies to engage in volunteer through out-sourcing. We are deeply supporters to contribute gifts of cash and community work. The realisation grateful to them.” through GIRO – has attracted new that they can leverage their companies’ And let’s not forget the legion of donors and welcomed back 600 of those employees, resources, technologies and armchair philanthropists out there. who had opted out of it following the products to help and benefit society has Scores of generous Singaporeans dialled scandal, and a new dialysis centre has led to more proactive engagement.” 1800 hotline numbers and sent SMSes been set up in Hougang. Certainly, the outlook for the charity during the star-studded President’s Star Says its chairman Gerard Ee, and larger nonprofit sector in 2007 looks Charity 2006 show. Televised ‘live’, “The support reinforces my belief in promising. And with 2006 coming to a it raised over $4.23 million with help the generosity of Singaporeans, not just close, it is only befitting that we spotlight from performers such as Stefanie Sun, in terms of their donations but of the the year’s leading lights in volunteerism and Jenny Tseng, Dick Lee and the 12 finalists heart, led by their willingness to give us a philanthropy. Presenting the winners of of Singapore Idol. The money will go chance to prove ourselves as we continue the National Volunteerism & Philanthropy towards helping some 49 beneficiaries, with servicing the dialysis patients. Service Awards 2006... ✩ including the Singapore Autism School, to our patients cannot stop or deteriorate World Vision-Women Make a Difference School Beach Phuket Project which provides medical aid, food and shelter to hundreds of street children who are forced into child prostitution or are at risk.

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NONPROFIT ORGANISATION AWARD

SOCIETY FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED This Award recognises best practices in the management of volunteers, donors and resources in a nonprofit organisation.

ince its inception 42 years ago, the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) has come a long way in its work to integrate people with physical disabilities into mainstream society. From serving just 400 clients a few years ago, it now has 1,500 clients and functions as a one-stop service centre that offers a range of comprehensive services to meet the diverse needs of people with physical disabilities. Key highlights for SPD over the last three years have been its ability to improve its professional services through the setting up of key services to better serve its clients, and playing a significant part in being a voice for the disabled, says its executive director Dr Ow Chee Chung. He explains, “We’ve built up capabilities in the areas of rehabilitation, technology and employment support, and now have new facilities such as a Specialised Assistive Technology Centre and a Therapy Hub and Paediatric Rehabilitation programme. We’ve also been able to advocate for and work with government agencies on new initiatives for an inclusive society, such as the employment of disabled people and the need for wheelchair-accessible public buses.” In carrying out its work, SPD has faced its share of challenges. One big challenge – shared by almost all VWOs – faced this year was the issue of governance. In response, SPD put in place measures which included adhering to IPC guidelines for large VWOs and having a firm policy set for financial, HR and fundraising matters. The selfdisclosure of key operational information on its website also reflects SPD’s commitment to be open and transparent to the public. Another challenge lay in attracting and retaining skilled and professional staff. In their efforts to be a professional organisation that focuses on training, develop-

Joy givers: SPD volunteers at an interaction session with beneficiaries at its Day Activity Centre.

ment and organisational excellence, SPD launched WOW! Journey, an organisation excellence programme aimed at putting systems and structure in place and developing a positive work culture. In providing an increasing number of services and programmes, SPD has seen a corresponding growth in the number of volunteers – the number of volunteer sessions grew from 5,400 in 2005 to 9,800 sessions this year. “What is more important to us is not the number of volunteers but the quality of partnerships and experiences volunteers have with us,” says Dr Ow. “We hope to be able to match volunteers according to their interests and needs so that they feel ownership and a sense of belonging at SPD. “For instance, we have engineers volunteering their expertise at our Specialised Assistive Technology Centre to help modify and develop equipment to help improve the quality of life for disabled people. The members of the Freedom Adventure Club run activities independently for our clients and are given a budget to do so. Regular networking sessions and training also allow volunteers to meet and interact among themselves and the staff. On top of that, we give recognition in the form

of formal training at the Social Service Training Institute, and through nominations for special awards.” Like its volunteers, SPD is also a winner in its own right. Of the Nonprofit Organisation Award it has won, Dr Ow says, “We are indeed delighted and honoured to receive it. We are very thankful to all our donors, supporters and partners who believe in our mission. This award is also recognition of their contributions. The SPD board of management and staff have worked hard over the years to better serve our clients. “The NPO Award is certainly a bonus and a reaffirmation of our efforts to serve our clients. The Award in a sense also humbles us – we believe there are still areas we can improve on and best practices we can learn from other NPOs.” ✩

“We are very thankful to all our donors, supporters and partners who believe in our mission. This award is also recognition of their contributions.” DR OW CHEE CHUNG, Executive Director, SPD Nov-Dec 2006 S A LT •

INNOVATIVE FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE AWARD

CHILDREN’S CANCER FOUNDATION’S HAIR FOR HOPE CAMPAIGN This Award recognises creativity and innovation in fundraising programmes or methods.

n a society where advertisements to maintain one’s crowning glory run rampant in the media, Children’s Cancer Foundation’s (CCF) executive director Raphael Lim faced the uphill task of garnering support from the public for its Hair for Hope campaign which invited volunteers to have their heads shorn to represent the understanding of what a child with cancer goes through as a result of chemotherapy treatment. “We were unsure if people would want to step forward to have their heads shaved! Shaved heads have different connotations for different people. For some, it is an act of rebellion to social norms; for others, it is the loss of physical beauty; and for some even, it may mean a form of punishment,” he remarks. Thankfully, even those who were most proud of their follicles didn’t let Lim down. Men, a record number of women and even children as young as one year of age came

forward in droves to go under the razor – what began in 2003 with nine volunteers deciding to shave their heads grew to nearly 900 shorn heads (of which 130 were women’s) this year. This record number raised more than $776,000, bolstered by strong media coverage to further spread the message of childhood cancer. The response was “a pleasant surprise”, says Lim, and a heartening affirmation of CCF’s efforts in their objectives of educating, advocating and partnering to create awareness about childhood cancer. Winning the Innovative Fundraising Initiative Award is an extended pat on the back for Lim and his team. He calls the Award “the epitome of the collaboration between CCF volunteers, staff and community partners in making the Hair for Hope initiative a success” and especially commends CCF’s pool of dedicated and driven volunteers for their efforts. “Winning this award will motivate us in working even harder to inject more creativity and innovation into future fundraising events that will allow us to increase public awareness,” he adds. The man is not going to rest on his laurels. In view of the struggles and the negative news pertaining to the sector, Lim has been increasing his efforts to help community partners better understand CCF’s work and its impact on beneficiaries. This has raised CCF’s profile significantly

– Lim says an indicator of this was how CCF was the most popular choice of Singaporeans who made donations through their Progress Package in May this year. Strong support from corporate partners such as SembCorp Utilities, Fuji Xerox, Asia Pacific Breweries and NETS has also contributed to CCF’s success. In particular, Lim says, “Sembcorp Utilities was a role model in their 24-hour walk around Singapore which involved every level of staff beginning from senior management.” Lim also has other reasons to smile. His work with CCF has chalked up several unforgettable moments. For instance, the Hair for Hope event in 2005 saw a wedding proposal unfold, prompting emcee Irene Ang to quip, “So who says Singapore men are not romantic?” He also grins at the thought of “every volunteer’s conditioned reflex action of rubbing his or her bald head and smiling” following each shave. Lim is also pleased with how CCF staff continue to “provide services including casework and counselling, play therapy, financial assistance, and parent support programmes that make a difference in alleviating stress and bringing comfort to children and their parents.” In 2005, 500 families were supported via its various programmes and services, and the same number was supported this year. “With the various issues that have arisen recently in the charity scene, we observed that our potential sponsor corporations were more interested in the work of our organisation and how the funds raised will be used. This is a positive development as it represents the maturation and growing discernment of donors in making more informed choices on the selection of charities that they support,” he adds. The shearing of all those heads was certainly not in vain, not for CCF and not for Lim who himself went under the razor. ✩

“We were unsure if people would want to step forward to have their heads shaved! Shaved heads have different connotations for different people...” RAPHAEL LIM, Executive Director, CCF And baby makes three!

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reduces the immediate threat that global warming brings. Nevertheless, the company remains committed to being an advocate for environment conservation, and continues to do its best to influence employees, business partners, associates, suppliers, customers and the community at large through environmental, health and safety policy programmes that spread the environmental sustainability message further. On winning the award for Ray of light: CDL’s City Sunshine Club volunteers with beneficiaries from Assisi Home & Hospice. active corporate citizenry, Kwek says, “We are very encouraged by CORPORATE CITIZEN AWARD The success of CDL’s programmes the recognition accorded to CDL. Over the can be attributed to how they are varied to past four decades, CDL has been firmly CITY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED suit the interests of volunteers. Activities committed to caring for and giving back are planned such that employees can to the community we operate in, and we easily participate in them despite work This Award recognises will continue in this meaningful journey active corporate citizenship and family commitments. Family, friends for many years to come. Such Awards and even employees who have left the through corporate giving by NVPC are meaningful in showcasing programmes encompassing company are also welcome to join in. examples of CSR, which will certainly help What’s more, new employees are employee volunteering, encourage more companies to follow suit. acquainted with the volunteer programmes fundraising and donations “Amongst many CSR areas, we have from the very beginning, during staff (in money or in-kind). identified four main causes where we are orientation. Regular updates on CDL’s able to leverage on our resources and make community involvement are provided ore than just an international significant contributions. They are the needy, through the company’s external and internal property and hotel conglomerate the arts, youth development and environcommunication platforms, to inspire and and one of Singapore’s leading mental conservation. We have established motivate. CDL also has ambassadors, real estate developers with luxury residenlong-term and sustainable programmes in comprising representatives from various tial properties and hotels to its name, City each area and we will continue to focus departments within the company, to rally Developments Limited (CDL) is also a our support on these worthy causes. We and encourage participation among shining beacon of example when it comes are committed to growing our initiatives, colleagues. A wide range of programmes to Corporate Social Responsibility. such as the City Sunshine Club volunteer is available for volunteers to choose from, Their commitment to an extensive programmes that befriend lonely old folks be it caring for the elderly, befriending range of social responsibility programmes and guide disadvantaged youth; the CDL youths or bringing cheer to children. for the environment, arts and youth develSingapore Sculpture Award to nurture Says Kwek, “We believe that volunopment is an open secret. “Over the years, young artists; Project Eco-Office and teerism has a ripple effect – the more one we have nurtured a strong corporate culture Let’s Live Green! programmes for envidoes, the more inspired they are as they of giving in CDL,” says managing director ronmental conservation.” see how their contributions have made Kwek Leng Joo. Here’s to more City Sunshine days a difference.” Examples of initiatives that have been to come! ✩ Through such a collective effort, a put in place include an employee volunteer total of 3,384 hours of voluntary work were programme called City Sunshine Club, chalked up in 2005 despite challenges which facilitates and encourages staff and which came in the form of raising public their families to participate in voluntary “We believe that awareness and changing the mindset of the work; community outreach programmes volunteerism has a ripple community to be more environmentally such as Project Eco-Office which is targeted effect – the more one does, conscious, and encouraging the community at the business community to promote the more inspired they to adopt eco-friendly habits at work and the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) in are as they see how their at home. the work place; and the Let’s Live Green! contributions have made CDL also believes that these challenges campaign which encourages CDL’s homea difference.” are perhaps due to Singapore’s relatively owners to adopt useful eco-tips that can clean and green environment, which be practiced at home. KWEK LENG JOO, Managing Director, CDL

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SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

GERARD EE This Award recognises exceptionally, an individual, group, organisation, programme or campaign for outstanding and exemplary contributions to the nonprofit sector and to society that is not recognised in the other award categories.

erard Ee is a name that is synonymous with Singapore’s charity sector, and needs virtually no introduction. Like his late father, Community Chest chairman and indefatigable humanitarian Dr Ee Peng Liang, Ee has lent much time and effort to various charitable causes over the years. In fact, Ee, who is an accountant by training and a former partner at Ernst & Young, has been active in the field of social service throughout his professional life. Formerly the president of the National Council of Social Service and the Automobile Association of Singapore, he is also the chairman of the Public Transport Council and the Medifund Advisory Council, a member of the National Medical Ethics Committee and a Justice of the Peace who visits the prisons and conducts criminal procedure mediation sessions. In addition, Ee has also chaired a whole range of social service organisations and programmes including juvenile rehabilitative centres, grassroots organisations, schools, and programmes for the elderly and youth. More recently, Ee has taken on yet another role – that of establishing a new organisation that will champion issues affecting senior citizens. Following the National Kidney Foundation mismanagement scandal in July, the recently retired Ee was approached by Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan to be the interim chairman of the NKF. Since then, Ee has stayed on to be the new NKF’s chairman and he has been instrumental in helping the organisation pick itself up again. “For me, one of the highlights of the year was receiving a personal donation for NKF from the Straits Times’ Bertha

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updates on happenings and progress of NKF on our website, and other little initiatives to create a sense of belonging and ownership by the stakeholders.” Ee won’t have to stay the course alone, not when he has the able assistance of NKF’s new board members, each of whom brings special skills and experience in the fields of investment, accounting and corporate governance, renal care, law, and media. In addition, they bring with them networks of friends from various fields of expertise, reassurance of the fact that NKF is gaining back its credibility. As for winning the Special Recognition Award for his outstanding contributions to the sector and to society, Ee is characteristically unassuming. “The Award came as a surprise as I never expected it,” he says. “People like All smiles: Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges me do what we enjoy and move and a hectic schedule, Ee is seldom ever seen without his. on. We rarely dwell on the past and focus only on the present and Henson and feeling that all the hard work look to the future. Receiving an award is has paid off. Each and every donation always a pleasant experience but as one received, from individuals, temples and says in Singlish ‘Shy only!’ other organisations, has also been a high“As a volunteer, I always feel that light. My most satisfying experiences are there is so much to do and that I would the many instances when strangers thank choose to do only what I believe in and me for taking on the task or say ‘Well enjoy doing. I will not continue with any done!’ because these represent affirmations service which I find meaningless or where that I am making a difference.” I do not feel I can make a difference.” Ee adds that the time will come when And what of his hopes and aspirations he should move on. Till then, he will no for 2007? doubt be committed to what he sees as the most important goal – the re-establishment “A more peaceful world, the graviof support from as many people and tation of more Singaporeans towards organisations as is possible. He concedes building a values-centred community, that major challenges include gaining and putting the past events of NKF trust and changing mindsets, but adds totally behind us so we can focus entirely that way to deal with them is to lead by on servicing our patients and carrying out example, be transparent and be steadfast. effective preventive work to help reduce For the next few years, Ee will have the number of new renal cases.” ✩ lots on his plate. He says a major change is “to make NKF a community owned project. “People like me do what We open our doors to all and operate on an we enjoy and move on... open book basis. This vision has already Receiving an award is led to many other changes such as the always commencement of a Befrienders scheme, a pleasant experience but a corporate supporter for job placements as of our patients, the training of staff to be one says in Singlish ‘Shy service orientated, the posting of regular only!’”

The Simple Life

Kampung Senang Charity & Education Foundation shows that getting the most out of life has nothing to do with worldly pleasures, as MICHELLE BONG finds out.

n a society where most people are largely defined by materialistic concerns and a constant effort to keep up with the Joneses, Kampung Senang Charity & Education Foundation is proof that a life lived simply and with contentment is no less beautiful. Set up by the husband-and-wife team of Low Kim On and Joyce Lye, Kampung Senang is known for programmes such as an integrated Elderly Care and Student Care service that helps single-parent families and lower income groups, and the farming of vegetables and herbs in gardens that function as living classrooms for children while supplying vegetables for meals. This year, it rolled out two new initiatives in their bid to reach out to more needy groups. A Mobility Aids Services and Training Centre was set up in July at their Blk 245, Tampines St 21, #01-464 premises, making Kampung Senang the only nonprofit centre which specialises in recycling and providing repair training to volunteers for mobility aids. The idea was mooted by Lye, who extended an invitation to Eugene Tan – the self-taught founder of independent

“ It is not easy to work with someone as close as one’s spouse everyday... our common goals in life and our work here have held us together.” society Mobility and Repair Services Centre – to start a second division for its operations. Under its new moniker, the Centre operates at Kampung Senang, where Tan is now a full-time mobility aids manager instead of a volunteer. Ande Soh, another full-time staff who works with Tan, explains, “We obtain

groups to facilitate sharing and discussions among cancer patients and their families. To date, the organisation has some 90 active volunteers and 40 coworkers. Collectively, they do their bit during workshops, activity sessions and ad-hoc fundraising activities such as street donation drives and weekend marts to finance the organisation’s annual expenditure of over $1 million. Working in the Foundation has also strengthened Lye and Low’s 29-year marriage. Lye says, “It is indeed not easy to work with someone as close as one’s spouse everyday. Kim Aid rendered: A Mobility On and I have completely different mobility aids such as wheel- Aids volunteer with a grateful beneficiary. working styles and characters. chairs, crutches, walking However, our common goals in life and frames and hospital beds through donations our work here have held us together.” and recycling from hospitals and homes. Lye’s devotion drives her to work They are refurbished to good working up to 16 hours a day, travelling to the condition before being farmed out at no various centres to spearhead more cost to those with financial difficulties. activities through discussions with staff, People who have just been discharged from volunteers and beneficiaries. Last year, hospital following a stroke or Transient her efforts were acknowledged with a Ischemic Attack (TIA) form a number of Good Samaritan Award. users, as do the elderly who live alone. She insists, “It belongs to all my “The setting up of the Mobility Aids co-workers and volunteers of Kampung Services and Training Centre has been Senang. I am just a representative to receive a win-win situation. Eugene and I now have a place from which to operate, while the award. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge our president Dr Swee Yong Peng who through us, Joyce is able to contribute has been our most supportive co-worker towards Kampung Senang’s objectives. since our founding, and Brother Seah We also provide six-week training workBoon Keng, who also contributed greatly shops to youths who are interested in to our mission between 2001 and 2004. mobility aids repair work, and trainees “And I am proud and happy to see include walk-ins and members of VWOs.” that my two children fully understand In addition, Kampung Senang has also what their parents are doing and are a Holistic Support for People Affected by very supportive. Without the team effort Cancer (HSPC) project, which provides of everyone involved, I could not have support and assistance to cancer patients, achieved the good results alone.” survivors and families, and helps improve The kampung spirit is alive and cancer patients’ total wellbeing. Activities well indeed. ✩ carried out include monthly support

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SALTS HAK ERS&M OVERS

Generally Speaking Head of the Singapore Red Cross Society since 1996, former military top gun Lt-Gen Winston Choo has quietly gone about the work of transforming the organisation from that of providing first aid training to a humanitarian organisation with an international role. TAN HWEE HWEE checks in with the general for a de-brief of his last decade in office.

“I

would dare say I stumbled into this,” recalls Lt-Gen Winston Choo, chairman of the Singapore Red Cross Society, a position that he has held since 1996. George Yeo, then-Minister of Health, had suggested that he take up the position. “I said to him ‘Let me think about it’ but before I had time to think about it, I had a warrant from the President saying ‘You are duly appointed’!” Lt-Gen Choo says he was “apprehensive” at first about taking the job. “I was not born a volunteer, but I’ve found great fulfillment in the past 10 years in the role that I am doing.” Lt-Gen Choo’s distinguished military and diplomatic background certainly seems to make him the ideal candidate for the top job at the Singapore Red Cross. After serving as a Brigade Commander with the rank of Colonel in 1972, he was posted to

“ Singapore Red Cross might be small but we are punching beyond our weight and we have put ourselves on the map.” the Ministry of Defence where he held several head of department appointments before becoming the Chief of the General Staff in 1974. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1976, Major General in 1978, and Lieutenant General in 1988. His post was given the new title of Chief of Defence Force in May 1990, and he retired from service in 1992.

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He went on to serve as Singapore’s High Commissioner to Australia, from March 1994 to June 1997. Following his stint Down Under, he was Singapore’s High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, resident in Singapore, from July 2001 to October 2005 and subsequently, Singapore’s High Commissioner to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, resident in Singapore, from March 2000 to March 2006. Currently, he is Singapore’s non-resident ambassador to the State of Israel. The decades of military and diplomatic experience have undoubtedly come in useful at the Singapore Red Cross. Remarks Lt-Gen Choo, “I have used my military background and my own personal

ethos in so much that I will give of the best that I can to whatever I do. “I am proud of turning the Singapore Red Cross from an organisation that was mainly known for running first aid training into a humanitarian organisation with an international role. So what we are doing is actually positioning Singapore’s place in the overall global structure of the international Red Cross. Singapore Red Cross might be small but we are punching beyond The general and our weight and we have his Mrs with their four “bosses”. put ourselves on the map.” There’s no better example of Singapore Red Cross making an impact than in the impressive fashion they mobilised into action during the tsunami crisis of 2004. The Tidal Waves Asia Fund spearheaded by them raised an astonishing $88 million for tsunami relief projects. Projects funded by the Fund are subject to approval from the Tsunami Reconstruction Facilitation Committee which Lt-Gen Choo heads. At times, Singapore Red Cross’ fundraising power might seem like Goliath quashing the ability of other charities to raise funds, but Lt-Gen Choo defends this vehemently. “Why the Red Cross was getting most

of the money, I don’t think it’s by default; it’s by reputation. Red Cross has existed in the world for many years because we’ve been doing this and we’ve been seen to be responsible in the funds that we’ve raised. There’s confidence in the organisation.” That aside, he does feel that relief work should be a collaborative effort among all the charities in Singapore. “This idea of Team Singapore going together has been something that I promoted long before the tsunami. I have always gone on the basis that whenever we try to do relief work overseas, whoever has the best contacts in that place leads because what is important is the ability to have a partner in the area of the disaster who can host you so that you can be doing useful work there and not be a hindrance. Then the rest of the Singapore group can actually ride on your ability to operate. You can fly many little flags – SIF, Mercy Relief, Red Cross – but we fly one major flag and that is the Singapore flag. “For us, it does not matter who is there,” says Lt-Gen Choo. “What is important is to reach out to the people who are the victims of disaster. We should look not at the interests of the volunteer organisation, but the interests of the victims of the disaster.” One of the problems that came out during the tsunami crisis was that there were many different charities vying to help the victims of the tsunami. He recalls, “You had one disaster victim being chased after to be treated by four international groups! They were sent there by their respective countries or the respective organisations from their countries, so they had to be seen to be doing something – meeting their KPIs – otherwise they would get criticised.” Lt-Gen Choo was wary about the Singapore Red Cross making the same mistake. “I was very concerned about our volunteers rushing into Aceh and getting into trouble there. There were a lot of people who were hunting around for

work and this is where it gets counterproductive. While we want to encourage our volunteers and not dampen their enthusiasm, at the same time, we must not let them be reckless and get into trouble and be counter-productive.”

“ You can fly many little flags – SIF, Mercy Relief, Red Cross – but we fly one major flag and that is the Singapore flag.”

To that end, the Singapore Red Cross took great pains to ensure that only volunteers with the necessary much needed skills such as medical and evacuation were deployed to Aceh while reassuring those who wanted to help that they could do so once reconstruction efforts began. In his past decade as chairman, one of Lt-Gen Choo’s self-confessed most memorable achievements include enhancing the standing of the Singapore Red Cross in the international Red Cross Movement. This has helped raise the level of Singapore’s image globally as a responsible and compassionate society and was achieved through reaching out to provide humanitarian relief to countries affected by natural and man-made disasters, and playing an active role in meeting the objectives of the Red Cross movement. “There seems to have been a never-

ending series of such calamities ever since I took office in 1996!” he jokes, albeit seriously. “We rendered assistance to Indonesia when it was hit by the Asian financial crisis, to earthquakes in Turkey, Gujarat, and Iran as well as war torn situations in Afghanistan and Iraq. More recently, there have been the Asian tsunami and the earthquakes in Pakistan and Central Java.” In his opinion, being chairman of the Singapore Red Cross is not that different from leading a corporate organisation. “However, there are diverse nuances when you work with volunteers to serve the less fortunate. An important aspect is to appreciate the passion and needs of the volunteers and to motivate them to contribute towards a common cause. You must be a good listener and yet be firm and On the field in Aceh during the tsunami crisis. focused in all that the organisation undertakes. You also need thick skin and tenacity as you often have to appeal to various contacts for support, both financially and in-kind, for the many causes the Singapore Red Cross champions. “What is important is to have a good programme working within the fundamentals of the Red Cross movement whilst ensuring the trust of the donors as well as the people you serve. The key is good governance and accountability,” he adds. With all that he has on his plate at the Singapore Red Cross, there’s precious little time for his other passions such as golf and reading. But there’s one passion the general, married with two grown children, always makes time for. “My other four ‘bosses’ – my four grandchildren!” ✩

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You Can Partner Anyone When it comes to creating synergies with others, JACK SIM believes that anyone can be your partner.

ome years ago, the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre’s annual conference theme was It Takes 2 to Tango. The idea was to ask NGOs to partner one another for synergies. I found the concept fascinating and it has become the World Toilet Organisation’s (WTO) key to growth. PARTNERSHIP VS OWNERSHIP Who can we partner? We have our mission and whatever we do is towards fulfilling that mission. Often, our resources are limited, so it makes good sense to cooperate with others. If we create a project and look for all the right pieces to make it happen, it can be quite taxing. I’ve found that it is easier if we build a programme around talents, resources or potential partners we’ve encountered first. I’ve also found it is easier to “give away” projects rather than to own them. DREAMING AND IMPROVISING My method is to keep dreaming of new ideas and I record them in my Blackberry. They stay there until I find partners to help me realise them. Sometimes, I find someone who doesn’t fit into any existing ideas but I don’t want to lose the opportunity to work with them. So I design a new programme around their capabilities so that they will like it and take ownership of it. THE POWER OF EMPOWERMENT I always make it fun and non-threatening for a partner to take ownership of a project. Once a partner agrees to drive it, I trust him fully. If he needs help, I assist by bringing others to help him. But he makes the decisions. This empowerment applies not just to local partners but also international partners as well as our own staff who are treated as internal partners.

“ The objectives of our partners need not be the same as ours, but they need to benefit from the partnership just like us.” ALIGNMENT OF OBJECTIVES A partner can be almost anyone. Take the conferences we organise as an example. Academics speak to publish their research; journalists get their latest interesting stories; governments get an opportunity to rally their bureaucrats and community leaders to improve their local toilet conditions; politicians get visibility for being caring; show organisers bet on making profits; companies learn about the latest trends and research; and delegates get both knowledge, networking and potential partnerships. UN agencies and multilateral aid funders support our humanitarian programmes. The whole exercise provides legitimacy for toilet discussions and improvements that was absent before.

The aim is to create win-win-win situations for all partners. The objectives of our partners need not be the same as ours, but they need to benefit from the partnership just like us. With this kind of self-organising mechanism, we get organised at zero costs. The demand continues to be strong – in six years, we have organised eight international meetings in Singapore, Seoul, Taipei, Beijing, Belfast, Moscow, Bangkok and Shanghai. Each year, our profile grows larger. We intend to embark on full global outreach next to India, Africa, the Middle East, Japan, the Pacific Islands, South America and North America, and Australia eventually, all using similar partnership models. The keys to WTO’s success? • A simple organisational structure. We trust our partners fully and this facilitates fast decision-making by giving them ownership of the project. • We identify their needs and give them what they are looking for at every level. Once their motivational points are satisfied, our success becomes their success. • We work with the media to generate legitimacy for their work. This builds support which in turn breeds success. • We breach cross-cultural differences by adopting the foreign partner’s culture from day one. Where there are multi-cultures, we facilitate harmony among the multiple partners by maintaining a friendly atmosphere. Our mission is our objective and when our partners benefit, we are happy. And people are always happy to work with partners who understand and care for their interests. ✩ Jack Sim is the founder of the World Toilet Organisation, World Toilet Congress and the Restroom Association of Singapore. He was also Singapore’s inaugural Schwab Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005.

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Charity Without Borders As charity goes global, it faces roadblocks from governments. WILLIE CHENG looks at international giving and international charities, and argues for a relaxation of some of the restrictive rules around fundraising for overseas purposes in Singapore.

n our increasingly globalised world, social causes and giving are also going global. An inaugural study by Hudson Institute found that in 2003, private donations from the US to developing countries exceeded US$62 billion or over 3.5 times that of US Official Development Assistance (ODA). The recent NVPC survey shows that the number of donors giving to overseas humanitarian effort is four times that of two years ago. The Asian tsunami of 2004 gave rise to a tsunami of international giving. To date, more than US$13 billion has been pledged as governments, organisations and individuals around the world opened their hearts and their wallets. The Singapore Red Cross started the Tidal Waves Asian Fund with a fundraising target of S$1 million. It ended up with S$88 million. More than just money, people are giving their time across borders. The NUS Students Union Volunteer Action Committee was started in 1990 to serve the local community. As it matured, it went on overseas expeditions from 2002 and recently won the 2006 Singapore International Foundation (SIF) award. Certainly, there are more choices now for overseas missions with the likes of SIF, Habitat for Humanity, Mercy Relief and others. The percentage of volunteers going on overseas humanitarian work has jumped eight fold over the last two years.

Why International Giving There are a few reasons for the increase in international giving. Much of charity is about the well-off giving to those less well-off. So it has been

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with international giving â&#x20AC;&#x201C; aid has been flowing mainly from the North to the South, from the developed to the developing nations. Many of the volunteers with SIF say they do so because they feel that

Singapore is affluent and the contrast in living standards is stark. They see a greater need for help in these countries than back home. Giving back can also be given a push by immigrants from poorer nations

who make it in their new communities and want to make a difference to their home countries. In some respects international giving has a certain glamour to it. When high profile entertainers (Bono, Oprah Winfrey) and public figures (Bill Clinton, Nelson

“ The Asian tsunami of 2004 gave rise to a tsunami of international giving.” Mandela) get involved in publicising the needs of the developing world, they bring with it their reach and their sizzle. International NGO Growth Much of the private giving across borders is being funneled through global civil society groups, also referred to variously as international NGOS (non-government organisations) or CSOs (civil society organisations) to beneficiaries and causes in the host countries. These CSOs tend to focus on humanitarian issues, sustainable development and developmental aid. The number of such international organisations has grown rapidly to over 59,000 in 2003, with the level and scale of CSO activity growing in tandem. A standout example is the World Social Forum held as a rival convention to the annual World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland. The fifth World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in January 2005 saw 155,000 participants from 135 countries. Border Checks However, borders are not easily crossed as many international CSOs have found out. Pursuing causes across borders is often fraught with complexities and governmental hurdles. A basic factor lies in the nature of civil society. Civil society actors identify social issues and gaps, and then either campaign for governments to resolve them or seek to provide their own solutions to them. Enlightened governments, especially those from the developed world, view civil

Money Laundering (FATF), established by the G8 countries, has set the international standard for anti-money laundering measures and combating the financing of terrorism. Its recommendations noted that nonprofit organisations are particularly vulnerable to abuse for the financing of terrorism. Very soon after September 11, 2001, several governments came up with guidelines and regulations on how charities should manage their operations, especially internationally. The Charity Commission in the UK published Operational Guidance: Charities and Terrorism. Canada enacted the Charities Registration (Security Information) Act and published Charities in the International Context. The US issued AntiTerrorism Financing Guidelines: Voluntary Best Practices for US Based Charities.

society, government and private enterprise as three integral and interdependent pillars of a modern nation. However, some governments see CSOs as undermining the role of the state, and highlighting the inadequacies of the government of the day. More so when these civil society actors are foreign. The common argument against international CSOs is that they do not represent the constituents of the country they are operating in, while governments represent their people and have to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. The CSOs’ counter argument is that their legitimacy does not rest on representation but on expertise, popular support (e.g. transparency) or moral imperatives that transcend national borders (such as human rights). Critics argue that international CSOs walk a fine line between help and imperialism. Russia, which has a limited culture of civil society, may have felt that sense of imperialism. It saw an explosion of CSOs with foreign funding, following the introduction of glasnost and perestroika in the 1990s. It seems to be now trying to rein that in with a recently enacted “NGO law” that is viewed as burdensome and even crippling, especially to foreign CSOs. For example, all CSOs now have to submit bi-annual reports detailing their daily activities.

“ The guidelines generally include rigorous financial oversight, high levels of disclosure and transparency, and significant new due diligence practices for charities with regards to the identity and certification of grantees.”

Money Laundering and Terrorism A legitimate concern that governments have of charities is their use as a conduit for money laundering and terrorist financing The Economist reported in its 15 March 2003 issue that “people trying to track down al-Qaeda’s money believe that charities are the terrorists’ biggest source of money.” According to the National Bureau of Asian Research, which published an analysis paper on Funding Terrorism in SE Asia, “Much of Jemaah Islamiyah’s funding is thought to come from charities, either unwittingly or intentionally siphoned off.” The Financial Action Task Force on

The latter received protests from charity representatives for some of its provisions and how the government was effectively mandating the implementation of what was supposed to be “voluntary guidelines”. The various guidelines generally include rigorous financial oversight, high levels of disclosure and transparency, and significant new due diligence practices for charities with regards to the identity and certification of grantees. Aside from having to comply with these new measures, nonprofit organisations that receive funding and grants from the US government are finding that they are being asked to be “an arm of the US government” to protect US national

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event of noncompliance. This concern is ameliorated by the fact that the international charity would be registered and present here for monitoring and accountability purposes. The second set of argument follows “the principle that proceeds raised from Singaporeans should primarily be used to fund charitable activities that benefit the local community”. In other words, charity begins at home. This could have been appropriate at a time when Singapore

security and foreign policy goals. This recalibration of US ODA appears to be part of a broader reform of the nonprofit sector by the US government. Of significance is the launch of NGO Watch in 2004 by two of the most influential and well-funded think tanks serving the current US Administration. The focus of the initiative is stated as “to bring clarity and accountability to the burgeoning world of NGOs” and “to expose funding, operations and agendas of international NGOs and particularly their alleged efforts to constrain US freedom of action in international affairs and influence the behavior of corporations abroad”. The launch of the website was marked by a conference entitled NGOs: The Growing Power of an Unelected Few. The Singapore Heartbeat Singapore is not always seen to be welcoming of international charity efforts. Our stance and handling of the CSO protestors at the recent IMF/World Bank Conference aside, our current charity regulations discriminate against international charities and international giving. Any registered charity which wishes to raise funds that flow out of Singapore needs to get a permit from the Commissioner of Charity (CoC) for each fundraising exercise. In addition, charities generally have to spend at least 80 per cent of their funds raised here in Singapore – which about defeats the purpose of fundraising for overseas projects. However, waivers may be given as it was done for the tsunami, on an exceptional basis. Moreover, funds raised for overseas do not qualify for tax exemption to the donors. These are major limitations for an international CSO. The Economic Development Board’s stated strategy of having international organisations and NGOs based in Singapore is being achieved through trade associations and the few CSOs who do not need the fundraising capability. Serving to highlight this, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) registered a branch in Singapore in 2000, only to decide two years later not to continue when it

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“ As First World citizens, one of our positionings must be that we are kind, giving back to the international community.”

concluded that it was unable to overcome the restrictive fundraising conditions. MSF, also known as Doctors without Borders, provides emergency medical relief to more than 70 countries and its Asian operations are currently supported out of Japan, Australia and Hong Kong. There seems to be two sets of arguments for these rules that differentiate local and international giving. The first relates to the ability to follow up on the donations. The concern is that local donors are not able to check that overseas donations are used for the intended purposes and also that the CoC has no jurisdiction over foreign charities in the

was struggling to survive but less so in our current state of relative abundance. The government has been soliciting industry feedback for several months, and indications are that some of the restrictive fundraising rules may be tweaked. Apart from the question of whether the basis for these rules is still relevant today, a major point worth recognising is the public relations (PR) benefit of removing them. We are about to undertake a national branding and positioning exercise. Successful brands will tells us that in the long run, you have to deliver on the promise. Good PR comes from good deeds. As First World citizens, one of our positionings must be that we are kind, giving back to the international community. Singaporeans who are giving and doing good in our neighbouring countries is probably some of the best PR we will get collectively as a country. A nonprofit colleague, Jennifer Yin, once said to me that “Singapore has great marketing, but poor PR. Our image is that of being measured and calculating, even in our generosity.” These discriminatory rules against international charities and international giving reinforce that image. It is time to let the Singapore heartbeat beat unfettered. ✩

Philanthropy – A Competitive Sport? There’s nothing new about the recent displays of philanthropic largesse by Warren Buffett and Li Ka-Shing – or is there? MAL WARWICK ponders. BY

MAL WARWICK

Salt and pepper shakers from a private collection.

aybe Ted Turner started the game. Or perhaps it was Andrew Carnegie, nearly a century earlier. In any case, by now you know the first-string players: • Ted Turner, whose 1997 pledge of US$1 billion from his CNN fortune to the United Nations Foundation grabbed the attention of America’s high-tech billionaires. • Gordon Moore, whose accumulated wealth from chipmaker Intel went into his own new US$5 billion foundation three years later. • William Hewlett and David Packard, whose immensely wealthy family foundations have long hogged spots near the top of America’s biggest philanthropic ventures. • Pierre Omidyar and Jeffrey Skoll of eBay fame, whose high-profile foundations are fueled by their own billions. • And Bill Gates himself, reputedly the world’s richest man, who has already managed to give nearly US$30 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – with US$51 billion more still to come. This, then, is the team that Warren Buffett joined when he took the stage recently with Bill and Melinda Gates for his surprise announcement that he was dedicating 85 per cent of his US$44 billion fortune to philanthropy, with US$31 billion of it going to Gates’ foundation. Not long after, Li Ka-Shing – Asia’s richest man and the world’s tenth richest, with a fortune estimated at US$18.6

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billion – startled the world of philanthropy by announcing his plans to devote onethird of his wealth to his own charitable foundation. These are the headline-grabbers, today’s philanthropic leaders. Viewed from a short-term perspective, they’re continuing a trend established a decade ago by the biggest winners of the New Economy

“ Philanthropy isn’t just about money... It remains to be seen what transpires as a result of the generosity of the world’s newest billionaires.” (software, microprocessors, media, investments). Given the degree of media interest in such announcements, it’s hard not to conclude that there’s an element of competition playing out among these latter-day princes of commerce. But it’s always a mistake to take too short-term a view. In fact, the recent rash of blockbuster announcements in the world of philanthropy merely continues a century-long trend. Andrew Carnegie – the Warren Buffett of his age – is widely considered to have established the philanthropic trend as the 19th century turned into the 20th. Between 1881 and 1917, he funded the building of some 2,000 public libraries across the US, not forgetting the other 800 he funded outside the US as well. But if Andrew Carnegie stirred up the waters, it was John D Rockefeller – America’s first billionaire and the Bill Gates of his era – who did even more to move philanthropy into the mainstream of American culture. The Rockefeller Foun-

dation set the precedent for large-scale, visionary philanthropy, and today, John D’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom do not bear the Rockefeller name, are loyally continuing the tradition. Still, philanthropy isn’t just about money. Even more important is how the money is used. Carnegie’s and Rockefeller’s billions helped to shape the destiny of what has become the world’s richest nation. It remains to be seen what transpires as a result of the generosity of the world’s newest billionaires. Will much of this largesse be squandered on capital projects, resulting in landmark buildings bearing the givers’ names? Or will it be put to productive use, fostering social change to help the nearly three billion poor people emerge from poverty and addressing humanity’s biggest challenge yet, the specter of catastrophic global climate change? It’s far too early to tell. But there are very encouraging signs, the most encouraging of which comes from Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett themselves. The work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – focused on global health, secondary education, and public access to information through libraries, particularly in Africa – creates hope for the future of philanthropy because its priorities are clear, its approach entrepreneurial, and its commitment to fostering opportunity for billions of poor people unmistakable. We’d be hard pressed to find better role models for philanthropy today. ✩ Mal Warwick is a US-based fundraising consultant, public speaker, and business leader. The most recent of his 18 books is Values-Driven Business: How to Change the World, Make Money, and Have Fun, coauthored with Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen. For more information, visit www.malwarwick.com.

CALENDAR D A T E S

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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.

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25 November – 1st December 2006 Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC Games) 2006 Venue: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia FESPIC Games – equivalent to the Asian Games for the able-bodied – is the biggest multi-sports and multi-disability event for athletes with disabilities in Asia and Oceania, and the second largest Games in the world, after the Paralympics Games. It is held every four years. For the upcoming 9th FESPIC Games 2006 to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 25 November to 1 December, the Singapore Disability Sports Council will be sending a contingent of 41 athletes to participate in athletics, bowling, sailing, lawn bowl and swimming. For more information, log on to www.sdsc.org.sg.

2 December 2006 Walk the Extra Mile with Me Carnival 2006 Time: 8.30am to 10.30am Venue: Orchard Road Every year, Children’s Charities Association (CCA) organises a fair to raise funds to help the less fortunate children under the care of its six member charities. This year, CCA will continue its successful Walk The Extra Mile With Me campaign. Individuals and organisations are invited to sponsor a child to walk with them at $20, $80 or $1,000 for individual, group or corporate participation respectively. The route for the 2km walk is along Orchard Road, passing by major landmarks such as Wisma Atria, Wheelock Place, Forum the Shopping Mall, Tanglin Mall, the Thai embassy and finally ending at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza where the carnival is. Carnival coupons at $10 per book are available at the carnival venue or from CCA. Contact Ms Mariati at 67732561 or email ccassn@pacific.net.sg for more details.

9 December 2006 & 20 January 2007 Safe Sex Starts with Me Time: 10am – 12.30pm Venue: TMC Training Centre, Capitol Centre (Opposite City Hall MRT) Fee/Registration: Free Organised by AWARE in partnership with Action for Aids, this workshop aims to equip participants with factual information about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STI) and facts related to transmission, detection and prevention while dispelling myths in a fun, hands-on and interactive way. To register, call 6779 7137 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) or email events@aware.org.sg.

2 December 2006 SingTel Touching Lives Fund Charity Carnival Venue: Comcentre, 31 Exeter Road, Singapore 239732 Time: 10am to 6pm SingTel is holding its first ever Charity Carnival to raise funds for the beneficiaries of the SingTel Touching Lives Fund 2006. The theme for the Carnival is Be One in Caring and Giving. Carnival-goers can expect a wide variety of stalls offering food, games, and attractively priced second-hand items and other merchandise. All funds raised will go towards helping the APSN Tanglin School; Autism Resource Centre; Fei Yue Community Services; Singapore Children’s Society; and Students Care Service. For more information or to buy carnival coupons, email contact@singtel.com or call Angie or Shaliza at 68383070.

16 – 25 December 2006 Singapore Garden Festival Venue: Suntec Convention Centre, Level 4 & 6 Time: 11am – 9pm (weekdays); 10am – 9pm (weekends and public holidays) The first international garden and flower show on the equator, the Singapore Garden Festival is designed to showcase Singapore’s passion for greenery, and to inspire and generate interest in greenery and gardening. Organised by NParks, visitors can look forward seeing spectacular displays created by top international and local awardwinning garden and floral designers, all under one roof. In addition, there will be entertainment, talks, demonstrations, and a garden marketplace. If you would like to volunteer for the Singapore Garden Festival, please contact Benjamin at 64651834 or Jaseca at 64717134.

6 – 8 December 2006 NVPC’s Giving Month Venue: Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre Time: 10am to 8.00pm Organised by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, this three-day event features a series of fun and interactive activities, performances and an exhibition on how you can make a difference with your giving. For more information, log on to www.nvpc.org.sg.

sculpture and portrait of the Home’s founder will be unveiled by guest-ofhonour President S R Nathan at the lunch. In addition, President Nathan will launch the book A Life for Others, inspired by the life of Venerable Ho. Twenty copies will be autographed by President Nathan and will be sold at $2,000 each as part of the fundraising drive. Another 250 leather bound copies will be sold at $300 each. Donation tables of $1,000, $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000 are available for booking. For more information, call 63683301.

28 January 2007 “Remembering Venerable Ho…” Charity Lunch Venue: Meritus Mandarin Hotel Ballroom A charity fundraising lunch in aid of the Man Fut Tong Nursing Home founded by the late Venerable Ho Yuen Hoe, a specially commissioned

30 January – 11 February 2007 M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2007 Venue: Various theatres, auditoriums and galleries The M1 Singapore Fringe Festival is an annual festival of theatre, performance arts, film, dance, visual arts, mixed media, music and forum created and presented by Singaporean and international artists. The Festival aims to bring the best of contemporary, cuttingedge and socially-engaged works to the Singapore audience. The theme for 2007 is Art and Disability, throwing the spotlight on aspects of contemporary dysfunctional living, dystopia, disenchantment, disengagement, disconnect, disaffection, disappointment and disbelief. Looking beyond physical incapacitation, equally disabling issues like censorship, social discrimination and marginalisation will be addressed in the festival as well. For more information, log on to www.singaporefringe.com.

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SCENE&SEEN

Cuppa Goodness Opening of Barista Express, 12 October, Clifford Centre

Dignity Links Limited, the social enterprise arm of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), officially opened Barista Express recently, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State, a café situated in the heart of MCYS (extreme left), and Leong Yew Meng, CEO, IMH (with tie), share the joy the Central Business District at in popping the confetti to officially open Barista Express. Clifford Centre catering to the lunch crowd. A café that provides people with psychiatric disabilities supportive employment, this first-of-its-kind café serving delectable lunch meals and aromatic coffees also aims to bring home the fact that persons with mental illnesses can be contributing members of our society when given the support and opportunity.

Ex-Miss Singapore/Universe and vet Dr Cheryl Tay with her dog Joey.

Paws for a Cause SPCA World Animal Day – Paws in the Park, 8 October, Bishan Park

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) celebrated World Animal Day recently with Paws in the Park at Bishan Park on 8 October. Apart from exhibitions on the work of SPCA, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) and stage games, Truth Theatre staged an endearing play entitled Paw Pals to teach the children valuable lessons on what it takes to be a responsible pet owner. Hill’s Science Diet’s Pound for Pound food drive was also a big success, with Hill’s matching every pound of animal food visitors bought for the animals at the SPCA. The very first SPCA rabbit grooming session was held, with all proceeds going towards the upkeep of SPCA’s shelter animals.

Rising to the Challenge Siemens – President’s Challenge Charity Golf 2006 28 August, Singapore Island Country Club

In aid of President’s Challenge 2006, Siemens organised the Siemens – President’s Challenge Charity Golf 2006 which saw some 130 golfers teeing off at the New Course of the Singapore Island Country Club. A total of $130,000 was raised through the golf event and several company-wide activities. This is the fourth year that Siemens is participating in the President’s Challenge and the second that a charity golf event has been organised to raise funds. All for one, one for all – Hans-Dieter Bott, MD of Siemens Pte Ltd (second from left) prepares to tee off with his golfing party.

Retail Therapy for Charity CapitaLand Charity Bazaar in aid of Canossaville Children’s Home, 30 July, Plaza Singapura

Happy faces all around at the bazaar.

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Hand-made accessories made from crystals and beads, brand new teddy bears in specially designed garb, branded neckties, CDs autographed by original artistes, clothes and books – these were just some of the items that were found at a public jumble sale held on 30 July 2006, organised by CapitaLand at Plaza Singapura in aid of the Canossaville Children’s Home. The jumble sale was part of CapitaLand’s initiatives to aid the Canossaville Children’s Home, to which CapitaLand was matched with under the government’s ComCare Connection programme.

Lighting the Way Launch of Halogen Foundation, 25 October, The Chambers @ The Arts House

From left: Halogen Foundation ED Martin Tan; co-founder Jeff Yip; guest-of-honour Teo Ser Luck, Parliamentary Secretary, MCYS; chairperson Melissa Kwee; and director Dr Andrew Goh.

After 10 years of work among more than 150,000 young people in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, Young Leaders Foundation Singapore re-launched itself recently with a new name to better capture the organisation’s mission of developing proactive and positive change-makers amongst the young people of Singapore. Now known as Halogen Foundation, the new name comes with it a fresh vision to inspire a generation of young people to lead themselves and others well. With the first National Young Leaders Day held in Singapore exactly three years ago, Halogen Foundation has touched the lives of some 11,000 students through its various events and programmes.

Just NETS It Colour My World Launch of NETS’ Helping Hands, Touching Hearts Programme, 29 September, POP@Central

Christmas came early for nine child beneficiaries from the Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) at the launch of NETS’ Helping Hands, Touching Hearts programme at POP@Central on 29 September. They were presented with a CashCard each for an on-site shopping spree by CCF Patron and Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, Assoc Prof Ho Peng Kee, who officiated at the event. For every eNETS or Combi CashCard retail transaction made from 1 October 2006 to 31 December 2007, NETS will donate one cent to CCF. It hopes to raise $250,000 through this programme, which is 10 per cent of CCF’s required funding each year.

Opening of Colors of Life Photo Exhibition in aid of the Saigon Children’s Charity and the Business Times Budding Artist Fund 15 September, The Arts House

As part of a fundraising project that benefited two charities – Saigon Children’s Charity (SCC) and the Business Times Budding Artist Fund (BTBAF) – The Arts House recently hosted Colors of Life, a photo exhibition by the Saigon Children’s Charity at its photo gallery. Featuring 45 photographs produced by the disadvantaged children from the Photography Project in the Thang Long Vocational Training School – one of the beneficiaries of the Saigon Children’s Charity – the proceeds from the sale of the photographs raised nearly $4,000, excluding Two paintings from Colors of Life: generous financial sponsorship from Waiting for the Kettle by Truong Le Uyen, aged 19; and Credit Suisse and Prudential. Crossing the Monkey Bridge by Truong Le Minh Chau, aged 17.

Bravo, Toyota! Toyota Classics Fundraising Concert for The Salvation Army 21 October, Esplanade Concert Hall

(From left to right, with CCF child beneficiaries) NETS CEO Poh Mui Hoon; Assoc Prof Ho Peng Kee; CCF ED Raphael Lim; eNETS GM Raj Lorenz; NETS GM (CashCard & Financial Transaction Processing) Jocelyn Ang.

Under the banner of the 17th Annual Toyota Classics, the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, led by award-winning conductor Tatsuya Shimono and featuring acclaimed flautist Ayako Choong, MD, Borneo Motors (extreme left) and Takagi, performed recently at the Esplanade Mark Hiroshi Takada, senior MD, Toyota Motor Corporation presented the $120,000 cheque to Lt-Col Gillian Concert Hall, raising $120,000 from ticket sales Downer, chief secretary, The Salvation Army (right), to benefit The Salvation Army Bedok Multibefore the evening’s concert began. service and Rehabilitation Centre. This fundraising classical concert series was first introduced in Singapore in 1990 and the distributors of Toyota in Singapore, Borneo Motors, has constantly strived to use the series as an opportunity to bring world-class orchestras here for the enjoyment of classical music buffs and to do their bit for charity at the same time.

Nov-Dec 2006 S A LT •

Photo courtesy of SPH – The Straits Times

“Happiness means you do what you can to help other people.” Elizabeth Choy (1910 – 2006)

“My abiding memory of her was a woman who, despite having met monarchs and politicians and lived a life beyond extraordinary, personified grace and humility, and had kindness that was almost palpable. Her grace, dignity and courage stayed with her in her final days.” Straits Times journalist Wong Kim Hoh

“She was truly a Girl Guide who lived her promise of serving the country and the people, right to the end.” Girl Guides Singapore’s deputy chief commissioner Jessie Tan. Elizabeth Choy was one of the very first Girl Guides in Singapore.

“She showed us that teaching was not just a job, that it was a calling. Students found her very approachable and even at recess time, her desk was always crowded.” Mrs Mary Yee, a teacher at St Andrews Junior School, recalling Elizabeth Choy’s patience and how she used to sit and read with each child who was not good in English

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orn Yong Su-Moi in Sabah in 1910, Elizabeth Choy came to Singapore to study in 1929, and started teaching in 1933, first at St Margaret’s School and later, St Andrew’s School. A volunteer nurse during World War II, she secretly passed food, medicines and messages to British prisoners-of-war during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore and Malaya, which led to her being jailed and tortured by the Japanese for 193 days. In recognition of her war-time efforts, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) following the end of the Occupation in 1945. Asked to name those who tortured her, she refused to. Years later, she was to explain: “It is not people who are wicked. War is a wicked thing.” In 1951, Choy was nominated to the Legislative Council and became Singapore’s first woman legislator, giving voice to issues related to the welfare of women and children. She retired from politics in 1955 and returned to teaching, helping to set up the School for the Blind in 1956 and serving as its first principal. A fervent volunteer throughout her life, Choy passed away on 14 September 2006, at the age of 96. Tributes flowed in for the woman widely acknowledged as a true Singaporean heroine.

“Goodbye Mrs Choy. You were a real inspiration. When I read about how you were tortured for your country, I ask myself if I can be strong. The answer? I don’t know, but you make me want to be. We have lost a true hero.” Muscato, writing on the Straits Times interactive platform Stomp

“She was a pillar of strength and a great inspiration to all Singaporeans. She will always be a part of our history and our hearts.” Minister of Defence Teo Chee Hean

“This is not goodbye. This is till we meet again. She had told us not to cry when she goes to heaven, but to celebrate her life. She would have been very happy and proud of us. She was something like Singapore’s Mother Teresa.” Daughter Bridget Bay, raising a glass of pink champagne to about 100 family members and friends gathered at the Mandai Crematorium for their final farewell to Elizabeth Choy