No. 25 May-Aug 2008
For Volunteers, Donors and Non-profits
It Takes a Village Peace-Connect Neighbourhood Link
Game, Set and Match Sports volunteers step up
A Good Foundation
Who is this generation of givers?
“Daddy… why does mummy say your work is more important than us?” While work is a critical part of life, family happiness is something money cannot buy.
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The key lies in planning your work around the family. There’s a need to spend more quality time with your spouse and your children, especially in their vital growing up years. Glean new insights on harmonising work and family life from www.mcys.gov.sg
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SALT No. 25 May-Aug 2008
Laying the Foundation
DEPARTMENTS 2
LETTER FROM SALT SALT TIPS
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NEWS BRIEFS
of givers? generation
T newest buzzwords on the philanthropy scene are The corporate foundations, but who exactly is this new generation of givers? Michelle Bong finds out how are they different from family-linked ones.
A wrap-up of events, programmes and activities in the People Sector. PEOPLE MOVEMENTS Appointments and new postings in the People Sector.
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8 SHAKERS AND MOVERS
Ac t i ve d u t y 12 As Singapore remakes itself into a sports hub with major international events, Sakinah Manaff discovers that the opportunities for sports volunteering are boundless – and so too are its rewards.
18 A Man on a Mission
Alexandra Hospital’s Liak Teng Lit has no qualms about parking his car next to a dumpster or undergoing two days of training as a doorkeeper, so long as patients and visitors know each of them is a VIP. Michelle Bong is inspired by his example.
VOLUNTEER PROFILE Meet Peter Zhuo, a young man who’s intent on helping to change the world, one pencil stroke at a time.
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PEOPLE SECTOR PEOPLE Modern life has slowly eroded Singapore’s kampong spirit but Peace-Connect Neighbourhood Link has been quietly working to foster a sense of community.
15 WALK THE TALK With a heritage steeped in helping the community, corporate social responsibility is deeply embedded in the business and social DNA of NTUC FairPrice.
16 NEW SALT Michelle Bong takes flight with WINGS.
20 SALT AND PEPPER Shawn E O’Hara provides some handy tips for making a more effective presentation when fundseeking.
21 SALT KIT It’s risky setting up a business. But Jack Sim says all you need to do is keep your eye on the prize.
22 SCENE AND SEEN
24 CALENDAR 24 A DASH OF SALT
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SALT is a non-profit magazine with a managed circulation for members of non-profit 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.
MANAGING EDITOR Tan Chee Koon
DEPUTY EDITOR Daven Wu
CONTRIBUTORS Michelle Bong Sakinah Manaff
PUBLISHING CONSULTANT AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE Epigram SALT is published quarterly by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre 6 Eu Tong Sen Street #04-88 The Central Singapore 059817 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.
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his is my last letter from SALT as I step down from my responsibilities as NVPC CEO. I am a firm believer in those beautiful words from the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven”. After nine years on the job, I enter another season of my life where family relationships take precedence; and that, as someone once said, means time. Speaking of time, NVPC was established at the right time, back in 1999. Ten years earlier, and we might not have made much headway. As it turns out, over these years, our volunteer participation rate has steadily climbed from 9.3% to over 15.5%. My good friend, the CEO of Alexandra Hospital, Liak Teng Lit whom we highlight in this issue, was the one who introduced me to the concept of “tipping point”, where a product/movement, once it achieves a critical mass, picks up an irreversible momentum thereafter. Indications are that we are indeed gaining momentum as a volunteering nation, not just in numbers, but also in the diversity of volunteering options. Our lead article on sports volunteerism highlights one aspect. On the money giving side, one positive development in recent times has been the establishment of more corporate foundations including one that was not captured at the point of writing, the PSA Foundation. Having said that, we have only just begun. The foundations for a giving nation have been laid and I know my successor, Laurence Lien and the NVPC Board under Stanley Tan’s leadership will ably build on that. Much work lies ahead, and SALT will continue to capture the developments in this fascinating sector. May God bless all of you who contribute to the growth of giving in Singapore, for it is in giving that you truly receive.
Printed by Fabulous Printers MICA (P) 153/01/2008 ISSN No. 17933-4478
Photo courtesy of The Peak, Copyright 2007 SPH Magazines Pte Ltd
To advertise, please call Cynthia Tay at tel: 6292 4456 Email: cynthia@epigram.com.sg
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Tan Chee Koon Chief Executive Officer National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre
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Lesson on Giving
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ay I commend Willie Cheng for his timely article “The Charity Quotient: How Charitable Are You, Truly?� in your latest Jan-Apr 2008 issue. Willie provided us here at Alexandra Hospital with the framework we needed to think through why we give and also how much we are actually giving. I am a right-brainer who gives here and there without %XECUTIVE thinking too much about the process, and so it was fun and very $IRECTOR instructive to review both my reasons for giving and my actual capacityy to give.
Organisations are bombarded with direct mailers. Most end up in the bin without being read. MAL WARWICK provides some tips for getting wise about how to best use this most abused form of communication.
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DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE? We welcome your letters, news of upcoming events and pictures. Please send them to SALT, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #04-88 The Central, Singapore 059817; 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.
• Always include a letter in your direct mail pack-and be sure the letter reads like a personal communication from one individual to another. It’s not a press release. Two people don’t write letters together. And two people don’t read letters together, either. • Do not include a brochure in your direct mail pack unless it refers specifically to the immediate purpose for which you’re soliciting funds and reinforces the message in the letter. A general brochure about your organisation will reduce response. • Ask for a specific amount of money, not for “supportâ€?. Suggest to the prospective donor a gift of a specific size. If you’re writing to people unfamiliar with your organisation, suggest a range of possible gift sizes. And use the very same amounts everywhere in the pack that you mention gifts. • Write different letters to your own donors than you do to prospective donors. The latter group generally needs more information, established donors less. ✊
Erratum In our article “Flagging Support� in the Jan-Apr issue, the NCSS is said to have revised the balloting criterion in 2003 by taking into consideration an organisation’s financial reserves. In fact, the revision will take effect only for the 2009 Flag Day Balloting. This September, when the ballot opens, organisations must ensure that their financial reserves must not exceed five times their annual total operating expenditure. Those with reserves of at least five times their annual operating costs will not be allowed to participate. The exclusion is meant to benefit those with very low or no reserves, and allow them a greater chance of qualification. The article also stated that in 2008, NCSS had added a new criterion that an applicant for Flag Day must have raised at least $50,000 for the last two Flag Days. This criterion is, in fact, an existing one and has been in place for the last three years.
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A WRAP-UP OF HAPPENINGS AROUND SINGAPORE
EXPRESS DELIVERY
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n May, express and logistics giant DHL signed an MOU under the framework of its humanitarian partnership with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to provide assistance to its Disaster Response Team Asia Pacific in Myanmar. The goal is to speed the distribution of international humanitarian aid in the aftermath of the disastrous Cyclone Nargis. Said Dan McHugh, DHL’s Asia-Pacific CEO, “Time is truly critical. In these urgent situations, we are committed to making a difference and contributing the best way we know how: by helping resolve logistical bottlenecks and ensuring aid gets to people in distress as swiftly as possible.”
GOING FOR A SPIN
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n 5 April, 21 ING Singapore volunteers treated 20 children (half of whom were in wheel-chairs) from the Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore to a ride on the Singapore Flyer. Against a clear blue sky, the children soared high over the city for a thrilling ride. The spin was followed by lunch at Jalapeno’s Pepper where the entertainment included balloon sculpting and goodie bags. “Watching the joy of the kids we took out on the Flyer was very rewarding. It’s the time you spend with them that counts,” said volunteer Jeroen Plag.
Family Treats
LSH By-the-Vista children donating money to the victims of Cyclone Nargis and China Earthquake.
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his year, the organisers of The Little Skool-House By-the-Vista’s Eat with the Family Day added an extra course to the menu. The 40 participating parties raised $1,350 for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. Geraldine Teo, principal of The Little Skool-House By-the-Vista, said that Eat with the Family Day was a good opportunity to share with our children world events, and to “also remember the families in China and Myanmar who do not have families to share a meal with or even have a place to eat. Many parents came with additional cash to donate.”
TAKING FLIGHT
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roject Wings is the latest Youth Expedition Project. Supported by the National Youth Council and CampusImpact, a team of 15 Singapore Management University Students set up Sweet Tooth Café in Dali, Yunnan. The café is a social enterprise whose employees are mostly hearing impaired and was established using seed money from South Korean volunteers. For more information, visit http://wings2008. wordpress.com
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ING Bank with Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore.
PRINCELY GESTURE
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t was back to Narnia as Focus on the Family Singapore treated over 300 families to a family movie special screening of Prince Caspian on 31 May at Shaw Lido. Gracing the event was Matthias Yao Chih, Mayor of South East District. The event celebrated the theme of ‘giving’ and so members took part in a Family Service Project to brainstorm ideas to help families in need. On hand to play hosts were 30 volunteers from Deutsche Bank.
Volunteers from Deutsche Bank at the family movie special screening of Prince Caspian.
PEOPLE MOVEMENTS
Building Blocks
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his past May, 200 staff from property giants the CDL Group of Companies staged a charity fun day for Assisi Hospice at the SJI International School. CDL Staff put up a resounding The event raised $600,000 for the hospice’s expansion and show of support for Assisi Hospice Charity Fun Day on 18 May 2008. improvement of its core services. CBM Pte Ltd was roped in to help with carpark management, security and cleaning, while the group’s five Singaporean hotels sponsored delicious specialties at the 37-metre CDL Pavilion which housed a variety of food and games stalls for the young and old alike.
MORNING CALL
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n 1 March, Singapore’s less fortunate in Singapore woke up to a sunnier Saturday than usual. 400 staff from Teckwah Industrial Corporation fanned out across the island with the goal of carrying out 400 minutes of community work at 40 welfare organisations. Touted as Singapore’s largest mass volunteer exercise, the one-day event, code-named Racing Hearts, was organised as part of Teckwah’s 40th anniversary celebrations, and reached out to 3,000 beneficiaries including the disabled, needy families, youth, children and the elderly. The morning’s activities included gardening duties, game playing, cleaning and waxing of ambulances, and general cleaning of potential mosquito breeding grounds.
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n 30 May, around 40 children enjoyed a day out in a CapitaLand serviced residence. The event was organised by the Somerset Bencoolen chapter for PEEK (Providing Educational Exposure for Kids). PEEK is an ongoing initiative under the CapitaLand Kids Programme that provides children of CapitaLand staff and beneficiaries of the CapitaLand Hope Foundation with a chance to mingle while learning about the real estate industry. The children were given a special tour of how a CapitaLand serviced residence is run, from making beds to operating security cameras.
Abdullah Tarmugi, Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC (back row) officiating the launch of Singapore Children’s Society Children Service Centre with Koh Choon Hui (extreme right), Chairman of Singapore Children’s Society and the children.
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Thomas Chua, Chairman and Managing Director of TeckWah, enjoying a quiet chat after helping an elderly lady with a wood block game at the All Saints Home, one of the 40 Welfare Organisations that 400 Teckwah staff helped out at the event.
ingapore Children’s Society’s latest centre was officially opened on 15 March by guest-of-honour, Abdullah Tarmugi, Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC. Located at Block 529, Bedok North Street 3, the newly minted centre is the first to be located in east Singapore and offers programmes targeted at helping children aged between 5 and 12 years old. The location was chosen
With effect from 1 April, Euleen Goh is the new chairman of the Singapore International Foundation. She is a nonexecutive board member of Singapore Airlines, Singapore Exchange, MediaCorp and CapitaLand Financial. She is also chairman of the Accounting Standards Council and the Financial Industry Competency Standards Committee; a council member of the Singapore Institute of Banking and Finance and adviser to the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. Khoo Chow Huat joined Assisi Hospice as its CEO in March. Before this, he was the Group Director (Policy) in People’s Association and oversaw its various planning functions as well as the Community Development Councils. He also had stints with the Ministries of Health and Home Affairs, and the then Ministry of Information and the Arts. He is currently also the CEO of Mount Alvernia Hospital. After spending five years as Deputy Director (Programmes) and another three years as Executive Director of Methodist Welfare Services, Christine Wong joined Samaritans of Singapore as its executive director on 20 May. A former volunteer with Samaritans for many years, her current role sees her working closely with her team to provide 24-hour emotional support to people in critical emotional crisis. She brings 23 years of experience in social services. Jenny Bong joined Methodist Welfare Services as its executive director on 2 June. She brings 15 years of leadership experience as the former head of Lakeside Family Centre. She has contributed to the social service and non-profit sector for 25 years, having previously worked with the National Council of Social Service and as a trainer in private organisations. She will oversee 12 centres and outreach, and over 330 staff.
for its high number of children from lowerincome families. With both parents working, many unsupervised children are at risk of idling away their time away or dropping out of school. The centre’s programmes therefore aim to impart positive values and encourage children to develop healthy self-esteem.
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A Stroke of Genius Meet Peter Zhuo, a young man who’s intent on helping to change the world, one pencil stroke at a time. MICHELLE BONG joins in.
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s a child, all Peter Zhuo wanted to do was draw. Little did he know that he would one day turn it into a vocation. His peers may be busy drawing up proposals, business plans, or agendas, but for the 23 year old caricaturist, the only drawing he’s interested in is the kind that will change lives. No small goal. And not bad for a self-taught artist who couldn’t even hold a pencil correctly till he was eight. Now, it seems he just can’t let go of it. “Peter Draw”, as Zhuo is known affectionately by his young fans, is the young man behind the Guinness World Book of Records entry for the world’s largest caricature (one of Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan that measures the approximate size of a tennis court). He achieved this feat last October, and just three months later, he underwent a 24-hour drawing marathon which yielded a whopping 952 caricatures. Both feats have been a labour of love for children in Singapore, around the region and beyond.
“ What I aim to do is to excite and inspire more children to use their drawings to help other children.” His philanthropy work began in 2006 when he held drawing classes as a volunteer at the Spastic Children’s Association. “I wanted to share the happiness and excitement of drawings with the children. There, I met Daniel, a boy with cerebral palsy who, despite his obvious limitations in his hands and legs movement, pushed himself to complete every single drawing he started off. He made me realise that
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there is so much more to drawing. And that is when I started to draw with a bigger purpose – to help children.” A 24-hour caricature-drawing event in support of Habitat for Humanity followed, during which he created 40 caricatures per hour, without food or rest breaks in between. His subjects? Young children who stood in line with pocket money in their hands to donate to the cause. He recalls how at the 12-hour mark, his hand went numb and it hurt just to hold a pen, but he was spurred on by the excitement of the children waiting to be drawn. “I feel that we are all part of a bigger world, and there are so many children suffering in situations that are beyond their own decisions. As adults, we are the ones who can really make a difference for them. I wanted to do something that would capture their imagination, and drawing for 24 hours seemed to be the perfect challenge,” he says. “Some people commented that they
couldn’t even imagine themselves writing for six hours non-stop, let alone draw, which is more technically difficult. But I had said I would do the challenge, and that spurred me to keep going. I guess that is the Singapore way! I wanted the children to know that no matter how big or small their donation was, their contribution was going to make a big difference for the family in Batam we are helping to build a home for.” His efforts helped raise more than $8,000, more than the target amount. Peter, who’s at his happiest when he lets his art do the talking, works with various groups including the Make A Wish Foundation. Most recently, he was on a 10-country tour of countries like Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia as part of the ASEAN Children’s Happy Drawing event supported by Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There are tentative plans for him to head to the Philippines and Myanmar. On his website, he’s declared that he wants to “change the world”. When asked how he intends to do that, he offers: “Every time I draw, children somewhere, somehow, will benefit in some way. But I know that there is only so much I can do as an individual to change the world, and at one stage, there will be more yesterdays than tomorrows. What I aim to do is to excite and inspire more children to use their drawings to help other children through the tour. When I do that, it won’t be me changing the world one stroke at a time, but millions of children. Then, and only then, I will tell myself I have done my part for this world.” ✩
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It Takes a Village
Modern life has slowly eroded Singapore’s kampong spirit but Peace-Connect Neighbourhood Link has been quietly working to foster a sense of community – and with encouraging success too as SAKINAH MANAFF discovers.
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ometimes, all it takes to galvanise a community is a worthy cause. In the case of Peace-Connect Neighbourhood Link, it started out with the elderly. Launched in November 1995 as an extension of the Shalom Activity Centre and with the support of the then Ministry of Community Development and the Holy Trinity Church in Jalan Besar, PeaceConnect’s primary focus was to serve the elderly in two blocks at Beach Road, and to manage an Alert:Alarm System for these blocks. Subsequently, its purview was extended to 21 blocks in the Beach Road and Crawford areas, and it began to reach out to the entire community – both young and old. Today, it helps 600 elderly and 120 youths with various initiatives that range from work therapy, volunteer-supported house cleaning services, monthly food rations and house visits for the former, and, for the latter, soccer club, art programmes, weekly reading and activity sessions. Additionally, to bring the young and old together, Peace-Connect offers inter-generational programmes including weekly Nintendo Wii games, drama club and sporting activities.
“Our vision is to create a community that is empowered to help each other.” Terence Thaver, Peace-Connect’s manager explains the demographics of its beneficiaries: “The elderly members are generally singles living alone in oneroom flats, usually on public assistance with very little savings or support from their families. The youths come from low
stronger and more empowered,” Thaver says. The efforts have clearly paid off. At a recent celebration event, the volunteer youths took the initiative and helped out with tasks without being told or directed. When one of the elderly women returned from hospital Staff teaching the elderly to make after a fall, her neighbourhood income and dysfunc- cards with pressed leaves in the art and craft club. friends rallied around her and tional households.” took turns to support and care for her. But Thaver is quick to add that PeaceThaver believes that having creative and Connect wants to help the community unique programmes go a long way towards become more self-reliant by evoking the attracting people to support Peace-Connect’s kampong spirit of yore, where neighbours cause. One of its successful initiatives is would pitch together to solve problems and the upcoming Arts Festival in September. work for the betterment of the community As a way of letting the public know more as a whole. “Our vision is to create a about Peace-Connect, its members from all community that is empowered to help ages will be presenting drama and music each other with the support and direction performances as well as staging arts and from Peace-Connect and our partners,” crafts events during the festival. The he says. “This means creating structures organisation has also started an initiative and developing programmes that will to match companies and elderly looking for help bring the community closer and jobs. “Our ability to place our elderly in strengthen people’s relationships.” jobs and also to assist them with the Some of these structures include a interview process help us serve our members work therapy centre to provide employment with specific needs,” Thaver believes. opportunities for the elderly and needy, Clearly, Peace-Connect’s vision and and a youth centre to nurture and guide work have struck a chord with corporations the neighbourhood’s young people to volunlike Frost and Sullivan, the Public Utilities teer their time serving their community. Board and Avaya as they offer support in With only four full-time staff, volunthe form of donations, sponsorships, teerism is an important aspect for Peaceresources and volunteers with varied skills. Connect. While it already has volunteers from outside the community, its challenge Thaver says, “We have now become more inclusive in our activities, programmes lies in encouraging those living in the and services. This allows us to impact neighbourhood to come forward to help out. “By creating pockets of opportunity where the community in a positive way. We are one big family, and together we will walk our members can help out and be seen through good and bad times.” by their peers doing so, we hope that we Just like in the good old kampong can create in them a desire to serve each days. ✩ other. This would make the community
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A Good Foun
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These corporate foundations are linked to Temasek Holdings, home-grown supermarket retailer NTUC Fairprice and real estate multinational corporation CapitaLand Group respectively. Over the last two years or so, they have been steadily involved in various projects and initiatives, in Singapore or overseas, to do their philanthropic part in a world where communities big and small could do with a little help.
OPTIONS APLENTY
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The newest buzzwords on the philanthropy scene are corporate foundations, especially those that were set up over the last few years to give back to communities both here and in the Asian region. Why does this new generation of foundations do what they do, and how are they different from family-linked ones? MICHELLE BONG finds out more.
Illustrated by Michelle Wan
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n boardrooms, around water coolers and at dinner tables across the island, casual talk or intense discussions about foundations invariably throw up names like Lee, Shaw or Lien. These family foundations that have consistently made the news when it comes to helping their various beneficiaries ranging from undergraduates of educational institutions like the National University of Singapore to local elderly hospice care patients – will probably continue to be top-of-mind for the average Singaporean asked to name a foundation. But now, the likes of Temasek Foundation, NTUC FairPrice Foundation and CapitaLand Hope Foundation are also part of a changing philanthropic landscape.
In Singapore, the different foundations have various mandates, structures and agendas. Perhaps most recognisable are foundations like the Lee Foundation and Shaw Foundations; they are family-run and fund a range of initiatives related to education, welfare, the arts, and medicine. Meanwhile, the Lien and Tsao Foundations, also family-linked ones headed by a board comprising at least one family member, proactively seek partners and disburse monies to launch programmes and use donations made to run programmes respectively. Meanwhile, another family foundation, the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation (TCTF), the first family-run foundation to have a full-time CEO Eric Teng, who is not a blood relation. TCTF has a specialist team (with programme director, and operations director) dedicated to look into appeals, monitor outcomes, conceive and execute programmes involving beneficiary groups, share best practices with the sector and run the operations of TCT mansion, which functions as a “hub”, a platform for philanthropic activities, such as gatherings involving our supported charities, scholars and alumni scholars. Then there are foundations like the Singapore International Foundation and the Singapore Labour Foundation; the latter runs programmes like education and grant-making schemes to benefit lowerincome union members and their families, while the former carries out international networking and international volunteerism efforts via capacity-building projects funded by corporate partners such as Asia Pacific Breweries. For these foundations, funds also come from the government via the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts or the Ministry of Home Affairs.
And finally, there are the corporate foundations like Temasek, CapitaLand Hope and NTUC FairPrice that are reaching out to communities both locally and regionally as a way of giving back based on economic success or a track record of philanthropy. Part of a new generation of foundations, their mandates run the gamut of education provision, improving the lot of the socially disadvantaged, and raising the standards of bilateral policy-making. CapitaLand Hope and NTUC FairPrice are funded by a percentage of net profits while the Temasek Foundation is funded by the Temasek Trust which independently oversees the management of and gives approval for the disbursement of funds received from Temasek Holdings, which in turn are culled from business profits. All three foundations have carried out many programmes both in Singapore and as far away as in China.
SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT Whatever their parentage, foundations start from a common point: determining a sustainable mandate. But for family foundations and corporate foundations in particular, that’s where the similarities stop and differences begin to emerge in terms of funding and even communications strategies. Says Benedict Cheong, Temasek Foundation’s CEO, “In terms of funding for corporate foundations, the principal corporate organisation or other corporate organisations are the donors who set aside money, so spending is accountable to shareholders. Corporate foundations are also accountable to the organisation and the board, who may act not in the direct interests of the organisation, but in terms of sustainability. In contrast, family foundations may face less complexity; accountability is to key family members, rather than an institution or shareholders. “In terms of communication strategies, I think there is a slight difference as well. Corporate foundations are tied to business strategy and may or may not want to give too much information about what they are doing. Meanwhile, my sense is that appreciation and acknowledgement is expressed by the recipient beneficiaries of family foundations.” May-Aug 2008 S A LT •
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Laurence Lien, one of five board governors of the Lien Foundation and the grandson of founder Dr Lien Ying Chow believes speed and flexibility are inherent advantages of family foundations. “I’d like to think that in a family foundation, things are a little more simply structured when it comes to decision-making, and there is very little hierarchy and bureaucracy, so we can change directions or move very quickly. I would imagine that for a corporate foundation, flexibility is limited because its mission has to be somewhat aligned to the corporate agenda for accountability to the shareholders.”
foundation’s philanthropic objectives which are usually an extension of their corporate social responsibilities. The landscape is therefore not necessarily enlarged, and NPOs cannot take for granted that their work or causes is cut out for them.”
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Today’s corporate foundations, be they grant-makers or a vehicle for community outreach, have already been involved in commendable projects qualitatively and quantitatively.
ROOM TO MOVE How do family foundations feel about the entry of their corporate-linked peers into the world of philanthropy? Lien says that while these new foundations are very young and it is uncertain how they will change the landscape, “there is room for all. I think the level of philanthropy in Singapore still can increase quite a bit. If you look at the United States for example, the number of foundations they have is about 2000; that’s 24 per 100,000 people. I think in Singapore right now, it’s only 1 or 2 per 100,000 people. “The entry of corporate foundations, I think, will create a vibrant system; with more organisations and foundations in the field, you will have more talent and more ideas generated. We certainly welcome them and Singapore can only be a philanthropy hub, as outlined by the government, if there is a good critical mass of foundations.” And while several CEOs SALT spoke to agree that all foundations have a general objective of providing aid to the community and are viable avenues for charity organisations to obtain funding, Tan Chin Tuan Foundation CEO Eric Teng offers a slightly different take. “The addition of corporate-based philanthropic organisations is certainly good for the sector,” Tan says, “but this does not mean more choices or options for NPOs to approach for help as these foundations are quite clear and defined in the nature or type of community projects they would support. An NPO project or programme must still be aligned to the
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voluntary service leave. Temasek Foundation also spent some $16 million over 14 programmes last year – with the bulk of it dedicated to developing people through healthcare, education and research – and it is busy with plans to embark on more projects in the pipeline. The foundation has also just started to fund and build up a Centre for Trade and Negotiations, which will be housed at Nanyang Technological University’s Rajaratnam School of International Studies. A variety of long and short courses will be available to officials who lead trade ministries and trade departments or senior officials, to help them fine-tune the art of negotiating bilateral trade agreements and even agreements at World Trade Organisation level, so that their communities can enjoy more benefits.
ALL FOR MULTIPLICATION
“ I would imagine that for a corporate foundation, flexibility is limited because its mission has to be somewhat aligned to the corporate agenda for accountability to the shareholders.” Notably, over the last two and a half years since its inception, CapitaLand Hope Foundation, which is a public company limited by guarantee, has donated over S$3 million to more than 30 children’s charities and helped more than 4,000 children in Singapore and overseas. It also proactively designs programmes that create opportunities for CapitaLand staff, family members, business partners, tenants, shoppers and other stakeholders to be involved in helping underprivileged children, whether financially or in kind, while encouraging the spirit of volunteerism among staff by allowing up to three days of annual
Most foundations SALT spoke to for this article also mentioned the “multiplier effect”, a long standing economic phenomenon that refers the effect that an increase in spending produces, specifically, an increase in income. In the case of foundations, this term generally signifies the snowballing of positive outcomes via a single form of action. Tan Chin Tuan Foundation’s programme director Yap Su-Yin speaks of how such an effect was triggered by the foundation’s presentation of their Centennial Concert, featuring the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and held at ACS’ Mrs Lee Choon Guan Concert Hall this past May. Over 600 people, including more than 500 elderly folks and caregivers from charities supported by the foundation charities, were treated to a one-hour performance by some 70 musicians, led by the renowned Lim Yau, from all over the world. This was followed by a Thank You tea reception for the musicians and volunteers. Says Yap: “It was an extremely meaningful partnership, and there was multiplier effect in that the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation organised, paid for transporting old folks, and sponsored the event. ACS Barker Road provided the venue; charities transported their old folks (who would otherwise be bored and lonely in the homes) to the concert venue for an unforgettable
afternoon; the SSO performed; and student volunteers from Temasek Junior College, St Nicholas Girls’, ACS Independent and our staff pitched in to help. There was so much happiness spread by generating synergy among partners and groups supported by our foundation, and being a driver and catalyst for the event. All these are key tenets the foundation practises.” Similarly, in line with one its principal objectives to develop human capital, Temasek Foundation collaborates with the National Institute of Education to train master nurses and master teachers in Quezon City in the Philippines. The result of such efforts is the creation of a ripple effect as these successful trainees go on to share their knowledge with more and more of their peers. Explains Temasek’s Cheong, “We’re reluctant to give individual scholarships, preferring to provide training instead. Rather than train one teacher, we train a master-teacher and a master-principal.” And in ensuring that the work of CapitaLand Hope Foundation has a multiplier effect that lasts many generations, its general manager and Member of Parliament Baey Yam Keng says the foundation supports underprivileged children in their education, healthcare and living expenses, in the hopes that the young ones will “have the opportunity to lead a normal life, receive proper education and ultimately become good and responsible members of society and contribute to their own communities”. This vision is not limited by geography. Adds Baey, “The Foundation has reached out to many children in Singapore and overseas since its founding on 21 Nov 2005. In Singapore alone, we have supported more than 20 children’s programmes and charities. As CapitaLand continues to expand overseas, we will also devote more resources to countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand and India.” Most recently, in response to the Sichuan earthquake disaster, CapitaLand Hope donated S$600,000 to build 40 temporary relief classrooms for 2,000 students and more CapitaLand Hope Schools to join the existing three in Yunnan, China. There is a commitment to build three more schools in Guangdong and Sichuan.
DOING GOOD WELL It remains to be seen if these new kids on the foundation block can give their family-run predecessors a run for their money. But Baey already stresses that one thing his foundation will be able to do in that respect is leverage on the strengths and resources of CapitaLand to help the less fortunate in society. “For example,” he says, “CapitaLand Hope could tap into the vast network of tenants, shoppers and residents in CapitaLand’s global real estate footprint
“ The entry of corporate foundations, I think, will create a vibrant system; with more organisations and foundations in the field, you will have more talent and more ideas generated.” to reach out to the public to spread the message of philanthropy and volunteerism.” But one thing’s for sure, there is plenty of opportunity for the exchange of information and ideas, not to mention useful contacts and the birth of collaborations, among these two types of foundations. Lien Foundation, in particular, notes that it has introduced people from Temasek Foundation to some of its Asian contacts, culled from “being a more established foundation with contacts at ground-level”. There is also a confirmed project collaboration slated for this year between both foundations.
“I think we welcome collaborations – in almost all projects we need that, because we don’t have a lot of the expertise that would reside in the non-profit organisations and other foundations as well. And in solving complex problems, collaborations are extremely important,” Baey adds. Tan Chin Tuan Foundation’s Teng also says family foundations and corporate foundations can work together to harness more successful projects. “Opportunities exist for family-based and corporate foundations to collaborate together which would be for the good the sector as a whole. And NPOs that they may partner with can ensure sustainability for their causes.” Perhaps the different foundations can come together via informal networking sessions or casual lunches, where the brainstorming of ideas, the sharing of useful contacts or discussions about possible tie-ups can be facilitated over a cup of tea, or two. After all, by leveraging on each others’ strengths, foundations can better serve the community, inextricably bound by a common commitment despite being governed by their respective set of regulatory frameworks. And above all, the evolving foundation landscape is a positive sign of the times. Says Temasek Foundation’s Cheong, “I think the way people have been giving, over time, has changed. I’m not so sure that old is bad and new is good, it’s just different. There was always a desire from the point of the early givers like the Lees and the Shaws to contribute to causes they could identify with and understand. By sheer gut feel or eyeballing, the programmes were successful. “Today, based on all the research done, particularly in America where philanthropy is very advanced, you find that there are handbooks and material about how to give well and more discerningly. These tools coming on stream are used by traditional givers and newer foundations alike. So it’s a question of moving with the times, and using the best practices available. There have been best practices all the while, at different points in time; when new ones emerge, you adopt them. That’s how I see the trend of giving developing.” ✩ May-Aug 2008 S A LT •
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AS SINGAPORE REMAKES ITSELF INTO A SPORTS HUB WITH MAJOR EVENTS LIKE FORMULA ONE AND YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES, SAKINAH MANAFF DISCOVERS THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPORTS VOLUNTEERING ARE BOUNDLESS – SO TOO ARE ITS REWARDS.
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n 2006, Karen Loke ran in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, clocking a respectable four hours and 32 minutes. Then, last year, a hamstring injury prevented her from competing. So she did the next best thing – she volunteered her time at the event, manning the drinks station for runners. “Because I was not competing, I did not expect it to be such an exhilarating experience, but it was,” she admits. “It was the closest I could get to the action without actually being in it.” Loke is part of a new and burgeoning breed of volunteers which has found a way to marry passion for sports with philanthropy. Increasingly, volunteers are contributing their time and skills at sporting events, and even with national
sports associations on a sustained basis – all for the sheer love of the sport. Although there are no official figures, industry watchers and experts agree that sports volunteerism has increased over the past few years. However, this represents just the tip of the iceberg, and there is huge potential for volunteer engagement to grow in this sector. Embracing a Sporting Culture A crucial factor in this growth is the number of sports events and programmes that have cropped up in Singapore. Five years ago, only a handful sporting events dotted our calendar and hardly anyone would have mistaken Singapore for a sporting nation. Today, there are over 60
Volunteers helping out at the 2007 OSIM Singapore International Triathlon.
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sporting events a year – from highly popular ones like Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon’s to those with a niche following such as Samsung Inline Skating Festival. To up the excitement ante, there are a number of high profile international sporting events to look forward to: the Formula One in September and the Youth Olympic Games in 2010 (both a first for the Republic), and the Southeast Asian Games in 2013. But this heightened profile of and interest in sports events in Singapore did not happen by chance; rather, it was a part of a grand plan by the government. Says Lam Moy Yin, a trainer and consultant specialising in volunteer management, “The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports has been actively promoting Singapore as a sporting nation and bringing in international marquee events. Given the global popularity of some of these events, naturally more Singaporeans are drawn to volunteering with them.” In May 2008, the Singapore Sports
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Council launched “Let’s Play”, a nationwide movement to promote a sporting culture in Singapore through participation and enjoyment. “Sports participation rates are at an all time high [48 percent in 2005], but there is also opportunity for enjoying sports in more ways than one. Instead of just playing a sport, one can also watch, cheer, spectate and volunteer,” says Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development Youth and Sports. A Smorgasbord of Volunteer Opportunities For sports enthusiasts, there has never been a better time to volunteer. Many opportunities are available at different stages of an event – before, during and post. At the pre-event stage, volunteers can help in everything from planning, providing coaching for athletes, packing participants’ race pack and administrative work to deployment, manning road shows, organising sports clinics, liaising with sponsors and managing hospitality. On the event day, various small but crucial roles need to be filled: sector manager, timekeepers, referees, road marshals, first-aider, luggage crew, drink station volunteers, ushers, crowdcontrollers, customer relations, athlete liaison officers, and many more. Postevent involves administration work such collating volunteer feedback, organising volunteer appreciation events and so on. One of the biggest attractions of sports volunteering is its ad hoc nature. “It’s great for people who can only volunteer for a short period of time,” says Lam. But for those with more time and deep passion can make a sustained commitment as volunteer board members in a national sports association of their choice. In these management roles, they will be responsible for promoting the sports, policy-making, fundraising, sponsorship and organising its events. The recent developments in the sports sector – among them the Youth Olympic
Volunteers helping out at the 2007 OSIM Singapore International Triathlon registration held at the Expo.
“ TO A LARGE EXTENT, SPORTS VOLUNTEERISM IN SINGAPORE IS STILL IN ITS INFANCY. THERE ARE SOME INDUSTRY OBSERVERS WHO BELIEVE THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE VOLUNTEER FOR PURELY ALTRUISTIC REASONS OR TO BOOST THE GROWTH OF THE SPORT.” Games and the Sports Hub in Kallang which will be completed in 2011 to host more sports events – mean that many more volunteers will be required to organise and manage. And as Singapore continues to remake itself into a sporting nation, more volunteers will be engaged to promote this movement. Many Events, Myriad Motivations With the growing number of sports events, motivations for volunteering are equally manifold. David Tay, the former secretary general of Triathlon Association of Singapore, believes that most volunteers do so because they genuinely enjoy it and want to support and see the sport grow. A good number of volunteers are people from the fraternity itself who help out when they are not participating as competitors. “It’s their way of giving back to the
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sport what they have gained through their active involvement,” Tay says. “It is also about encouraging its growth and setting an example for others to be involved – be it as an athlete, supporter or volunteer.” But Tay is quick to add that the younger volunteers from tertiary schools tend to do so for a variety of reasons from chalking up community involvement project points to learning about sports event management. Others enjoy the camaraderie that comes with being part of a sporting community. As Yazed Osman, the deputy director of Sports Events Department, Sports Marketing Group, with Singapore Sports Council points out, “Sports volunteerism provides the opportunity for passionate fans to contribute their time for the good of the sporting community, meet new friends, get involved in the sport that they love and also be part of something special.” For those who can’t participate in the event, of course, the next best option is to volunteer for them. “Most of us will not get the opportunity to represent Singapore as athletes, so the best alternative is to get into the thick of the action with a sports organisation,” Tay says. Unsurprisingly, high profile and popular sporting events find it easier to attract volunteers. World-class events like F1 have fans tripping over themselves to volunteer. For the race marshal position alone, which is the hottest volunteer gig, 2700 applicants wrote in, more than three times the vacancies available. And this despite the fact that volunteers had to take time off from work to spend five days training full-time in Adelaide. It cannot be overstated that the decision to host the F1 here, coupled with the excitement of a night race, which will be the first in the history of the sport, affords regular Singaporeans a rare opportunity to go behind-the-scenes as volunteers, and get a trackside view of the race. Lam says, “You can’t deny that there is a huge glam factor involved and people want to soak in the atmosphere, and see their May-Aug 2008 S A LT •
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favourite athletes in action. For most, it will be a once-a-lifetime experience, where they get to take home limited-edition volunteer collaterals and first-hand anecdotes of the event.” Challenges of the Sports Industry To a large extent, sports volunteerism in Singapore is still in its infancy. There are some industry observers who believe that not many people volunteer for purely altruistic reasons or to boost the growth of the sport. “Most of them are there to personally benefit in one way or another. Even some volunteers in management committees come with personal agendas,” Tay says. Does this necessarily make it a bad thing, or make them less of a volunteer? Perhaps not, but Tay believes that as society starts to mature, people will volunteer for the sheer joy of giving itself, rather than an attitude of “what’s in it for me”. “Active involvement in sports, or anything other than academic and economic pursuits, for that matter, is a reflection of our evolution to a greater awareness and sensitivity to the needs of others. This benefits not only the sporting fraternity, but also the rest of the community,” he adds. While volunteer engagement in sports is directly related to the popularity of the sport and the support it receives from enthusiasts, its current recruitment strategy is mostly organic and, to an extent, haphazard. For example, the OSIM Singapore International Triathlon, managed by the Triathlon Association of Singapore, attracts about 200 volunteers. “Volunteers first started coming in with the help of NVPC and eventually, when word got around, people started volunteering directly to our association and through their respective tertiary institutions,” reveals Tay. On a structural level, the consensus is that sporting event organisers need to provide a meaningful volunteering experience throughout, from pre- to post-event, and manage volunteers more professionally. The point is, volunteers today are more sophisticated and expect organisations to thoughtfully engage them in interesting and rewarding work. Provisions must also be made to train volunteers properly to
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Volunteers briefing held at the 2007 OSIM Singapore International Triathlon.
“ BY THE VERY AD HOC NATURE OF SPORTS VOLUNTEERING, IT IS EPISODIC, WHICH MAKES VOLUNTEERS’ RELATIONSHIPS WITH SPORTS ORGANISATIONS TENUOUS AND TRANSACTIONAL AT BEST.” carry out certain specialised duties. The Singapore Sports Council has a database of volunteers and at each event, they are encouraged to bring along new friends and family members to get involved. “The key to attracting volunteers is to make them an integral part of the organisation,” Osman says. “They should not be treated any different from paid staff. In fact, they should be empowered and given challenges.” Towards a Structured Volunteer Management System The ad hoc nature of sports volunteering means volunteers’ relationships with sports organisations are tenuous and
transactional at best. To sustain volunteer engagement in the long run, Lam suggests devising an engagement plan with volunteers during the post-event period and maintaining a close relationship with them. “As there are more sports events on the calendar, organisations are starting to compete to attract volunteers, but if volunteers feel a sense of belonging to the organisations, they are more likely to return to volunteer,” she says. To this end, NVPC has worked with the Singapore Sports Council, which supports all large-scale sporting events in Singapore, to create a volunteer management system for Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon that can be used as a template of sorts for recruiting, retaining and rewarding sports volunteers. The objective is to engage volunteers in a meaningful way, and give them a sense of fulfillment. With this system in place, the number of volunteers for the marathon rose from 600, when it first started, to 3000. Year after year, the volunteers return to contribute their time. Lam, who worked on the system while working at NVPC, says, “Essentially, it’s a framework to manage sports volunteers more professionally, and it includes volunteer management practices such as crafting an involvement mission statement, writing job descriptions, creating policies and procedures, designing the volunteer handbook, leader screening, orientation and training, risk management and appreciation programmes,” she says. Ultimately, the scope for sports volunteering is large and fans have a gamut of events and sports associations to choose from. For whatever reasons they decide to volunteer, most of them will take away a wealth of experience and knowledge as a result of their involvement with the event. At the same time, with better management infrastructure and programmes to recruit, retain and reward volunteers, especially at the level of national sports association, one can only hope that volunteers will be able to share their (positive) experiences with others and, in this way, create a multiplying effect of volunteerism among their friends and peers. Only then can Singapore be a true sporting nation. ✩
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Talking Shop
With a heritage steeped in helping the community, corporate social responsibility is deeply embedded in the business and social DNA of NTUC FairPrice. SAKINAH MANAFF fills up her shopping basket.
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ou could say that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the raison d’etre of leading supermarket cooperative chain, NTUC FairPrice. Its first supermarket, known back then as Welcome, was launched in 1973 amid the first oil crisis, to help ordinary Singaporeans cope with rising prices due to inflation. Over the next thirty five years, it has evolved into a network of more than 200 FairPrice supermarkets and Cheers convenience stores. Today, it is known as the “people’s supermarket” because it has stayed true to its original mission of assisting ordinary folks by regulating the prices of essential consumer goods. Tan Kian Chew, group CEO and director of NTUC FairPrice Foundation, believes that as a social enterprise, FairPrice has to remain commercially viable to be able to do good works for the general public. “Doing well allows us to be able to better contribute to, and assist, our community,” he says.
“ Having our staff participate in socially beneficial activities also makes it a meaningful way to build teamwork and boost staff morale, while caring and sharing with the community.” This mantra of helping the community extends beyond its business model. One of its efforts is the Used Textbooks Project. For the past 25 years, it has collected more than 1.5 million books from the public and distributed them to children from disadvantaged families. To date, the project
vouchers to financially disadvantaged Singaporeans cope with the GST hike. One of the many positive results of the company’s CSR efforts is how it has inspired its staff to get in with its programmes. In 2004, a group of employees FairPrice gave $1million worth passionate about volunteer work has benefited about of vouchers to help needy Singacope with the GST hike started Club V. Through Club V, 116,000 students and poreans in July last year. From left: MP helped the community Inderjit Singh, Prime Minister Lee FairPrice staff have been distribHsien Loong, FairPrice Chairman save more than $7 Ng Ser Miang and FairPrice Group uting goodie bags to needy families and helping out at the Used Textmillion. As testament toCEO Tan Kian Chew. books Project collection centres. Members its success, in September 2006, Global have also participated in various commuCompact, a United Nations organisation nity programmes such as putting together which champions corporate social responfood relief packages for the victims of sibility, hailed the Used Textbook Project the 2004 Asian tsunami, taking part in as a “Best Practice” from Singapore for the Heartstrings Walk to raise funds promoting environmental friendliness for Community Chest, and helping out and human rights. at the National Day party at Haven Philanthropy is yet another important Children’s Home. pillar of FairPrice’s CSR programme. According to Tan, FairPrice staff Since 1985, the company has donated have always been quick to render their more than $6 million in study grants to help and support for the company’s CSR needy students and, in the last five years, programmes. “They’re a natural extension it has given away $15 million to various of our company mantra. Having our staff charitable causes. But its biggest effort participate in socially beneficial activities towards a more systematic and sustained also makes it a meaningful way to build approach to philanthropy came with the teamwork and boost staff morale, while launch, this March, of NTUC FairPrice caring and sharing with the community,” Foundation. Through the Foundation, Tan explains. It comes as no surprise the company has pledged to contribute then that FairPrice was awarded the $50 million over the next 10 years for its President’s Social Service Award in 2005 beneficiaries and causes. for exceptional voluntary contributions But FairPrice is also keenly aware made to the social service sector. of the importance of being in touch with “We believe that the business success the needs and travails of average Singaof a company is measured not only by poreans. Last December, it introduced a its bottom line, but also by the impact it five percent discount on 500 house brand has on the environment, community and items to help consumers mitigate the society it operates in,” Tan says. And that rising cost of living. In addition, last year, is a cause worth shopping for. ✩ FairPrice gave away $1 million worth of
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Winging It Female babyboomers are flocking to WINGS, a non-profit centre that aims to teach women how to live more fulfilling lives. MICHELLE BONG prepares for lift off.
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n his speech themed “Living a Long and Happy Life” at a Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports event in March this year, Minister for the Prime Minister’s Office Lim Boon Heng challenged his audience to “be committed to a long and happy life” and for families and communities to “provide the social care and bonds that make life worth living”. As a young non-profit centre, Women’s Initiative for Ageing Successfully (WINGS) certainly shares Lim’s conviction. Catering to women aged 40 and beyond, the organisation provides a range of activities, services and programmes aimed at promoting education in the areas of health, wealth and happiness. The only non-profit education, referral and counselling centre of its kind, WINGS was launched in June 2006 as an initiative of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisation and the Tsao Foundation; the latter is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Mrs Tsao Ng Yu Shun to foster a society for all ages that supports active ageing and values the contributions of older people. WINGS became autonomous last December and is formally registered as Society for WINGS, a charity with IPC status.
“ Not only are these initiatives crucial in view of Singapore’s evolving maturity as a developing nation, they also address today’s many social issues.” It operates from an office at Junction 8’s Office Tower, helmed by centre manager Selina Gan, one of six staff members. Bolstered by a 12 member-strong board of women including lawyers, homemakers, a financial professional and movers and
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living longer (by 2030, one in five residents will be more than 65 years old), how women are likely to outlive men and how they will have to deal with extended periods of widowhood. WINGS has been warmly received by the community. Gan says that she expects membership Keeping the mind alert and the fingers shakers in the nimble, members of WINGS’ handicraft to grow from strength to strength group try their hand at weaving. because “there is a continuous need people sector, for the services we provide, and we get WINGS services over 3,500 members new members every month, with 107 in from all walks of life, encouraging particiApril alone.” To date, WINGS has 389 pation in a wide range of activities for the volunteers who can sign up online to offer mind, body and soul. their help and expertise in areas like Members can either pay an annual administration, IT and events coordination. membership of $10 or a lifetime memberPresident of WINGS’ Board Dr ship of $100. Privileges include access to Kanwaljit Soin – an orthopaedic surgeon in health screening, vaccination packages at private practice as well as a wife, mother the National University Hospital, special and grandmother – is a shining example of rates for the use of the Singapore Heart what the organisation espouses. The 66Foundation’s gym and discounts at various year-old puts in time for WINGS-related food and beverage outlets. activities whenever required: she chairs Among its many aims, WINGS endeavboard meetings, attends sub-committee ours to educate members on preventive meetings, pops into WINGS’ office two or health management techniques, financial three times a week, gives talks and even safety, basic computer skills and the imporfacilitates Chair Yoga classes, after undertance of healthy self-esteem. In addition, going six weeks of training to do so. counselling services spanning various areas “If you want to do something in life, such as human emotions and legal rights, you just find the time to do it,” she says. talks and workshops on relationships and “There is so much to do, and the staff are contributing to society and the community already working themselves to the bone. are offered. Being the chairperson, I have to be At the same time, members are also especially hands-on!” given the opportunity to cultivate closer And when it comes to ageing, Dr Soin’s social ties with each other via interest groups personal philosophy is one of gratitude. (handicrafts or bridge), support groups She explains: “To be able to live to an old (menopause, homemakers, and mothers) age is to be lucky. People can’t want to live and exercise classes (tai chi, bellydancing, a long life and yet not want to grow old. Chair Yoga). Personally, I am happy to grow old, keep Not only are these initiatives crucial in as healthy as I can, and live the WINGS view of Singapore’s evolving maturity as a mission: to live with health, security developing nation, they also address today’s many social issues such as how people are and dignity.” ✩
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A Man on a Mission
He may be the CEO of one of today’s most successful hospitals, but Alexandra Hospital’s LIAK TENG LIT has no qualms about parking his car next to a dumpster or undergoing two days of training as a doorkeeper, so long as patients and visitors know each of them is a VIP.
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nyone who’s been to Liak Teng Lit’s office in Alexandra Hospital would think it was fairly typical of a typical CEO’s. Huge desk with papers, files and other stationery? Check. Book cases crammed to bursting with framed photographs, awards, books and bric-a-brac? Check. A small sitting area for entertaining visitors? Check. But if you did a 360-degree peripheral survey of the area, your gaze would inevitably land upon his office door. Sturdy and cherry wood-coloured, its surface is varnished to perfection but it is surprisingly... well, empty. Then it hits you: conspicuously missing is a name plate in large letters that says “Liak Teng Lit, CEO”. That is just one of many indicators, you quickly realise, that Liak is not your typical CEO. As if reading your thoughts, he tells you off the bat that he’s “very uncomfortable” about being featured in this column as a “so-called mover and shaker”.
“ If you’re clever, you realise that a hospital’s functions are similar to a hotel’s. Keep the toilet clean, turnover the bed, change the sheets and provide food.” “I always tell people that being a CEO is no big deal,” he says matter-of-factly. “When a patient walks into a doctor’s room, I have no control over how the latter behaves. That will depend on factors such as his family upbringing, his educa-
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tion, and guess what – whether he had a quarrel with his wife the night before! So, a CEO is not in control. The truth is, if a CEO thinks he has power and control, it’s all an illusion.” Living By His Rules This conviction is very much in line with his philosophy – actually, make that philosophies – in life, which has shaped the man that he is and the way he oversees 1,700 staff, manages the hospital and lives a lifestyle that is as sporty as it is community-serving. His personal credos are telling of how he’s an unconventional individual who not only knows who he is, but celebrates that knowledge every day. Descriptions such as “articulate”, “sharp”, “witty” and “full of candour”, while ringing true, do little justice in capturing the essence of this pharmacistturned-CEO, who has been involved in
hospital restructuring and governance since 1992, beginning with his appointment at the age of just 38 to the post of CEO of the nowdefunct Toa Payoh Hospital and Changi Hospital. Following that, he became CEO at Alexandra Hospital in 2000, revitalising what used to be “an old, tired and a little disheartened hospital” into an award-winning medical institution that truly puts its patients above everything else. To remove that air of sterility and coldness that is often associated with hospitals, the hospital grounds almost resemble a holiday resort or a visit to the Singapore Zoological Gardens, what with the nurturing of abundant, lush foliage and fish ponds. To serve the hospital’s patients (Liak prefers to call them “customers”) better, all the car park lots nearest to the hospital entrances are reserved for them, while employees “park near the garbage dump”. Similarly, to provide better service, the hospital’s staff are trained alongside those of five-star hotel the Ritz-Carlton Millennia Singapore, emulating good service protocols such as using a 45-degree, open palm to offer directions instead of pointing. To constantly ensure that service excellence is pursued, teams of medical staff present findings and research into how the turnaround time for a laboratory test can be achieved in 60 minutes or less. Feedback forms are also given out daily to patients (sorry, customers) and “scolding sessions” are scheduled monthly, inviting those who
gave feedback to come in and personally air their grievances in front of the staff. Either way, good service is highlighted along with errant bedside manners, and steps are taken to encourage improvement. Of these changes, Liak says: “All you need to do is be open-minded enough to look for similarities, and not differences. If you’re clever, you realise that a hospital’s functions are similar to a hotel’s. Keep the toilet clean, turnover the bed, change the sheets and provide food. Our food catering is similar to an airline’s. Actually, if you think about it, our hospital is the same as the A380.”
“ So, a CEO is not in control. The truth is, if a CEO thinks he has power and control, it’s all an illusion.” “All of us are not only short of talent, but of time. So it helps to concentrate on areas where you have a bit of passion and talent, and then learn how to depend on other people and respect their different talents. The problem with human beings is that they like people just like them. But that is a fatal flaw – you have to like people who are not like you, so that together as a team, you get something meaningful done.” Never Wrestle With Pigs In the same vein, Liak has another credo he stands by. “Never wrestle with pigs – you will get dirty and they will enjoy it,” he quips, before explaining that “the moaners and groaners of the world, and people who are negative all the time” should be avoided like the plague. When asked about what happens when there are such people in his staff, Liak does not mince his words. “We get rid of them,” he says simply. “At orientation, I usually tell my staff there are three types of people in this world: out of 10, one or two make the world go round, two or three watch the world go round, and three or four are
totally ‘blur’, they don’t even know the world is going round. We don’t want the latter on our team, we won’t tolerate it.” Indeed, it is with his go-getting team that he has brought about much change – topping the Ministry of Health’s Patient Satisfaction list for four consecutive years, winning the Public Service Organisation Excellence award a few years ago, and helping staff feel a renewed, proud association with the hospital as its dedicated employees. And Liak wants to set the record straight. “People think it was I who came up with all the ideas that transformed the hospital, but it is nothing like that. We all came together with similar ideals. Collectively, we had many discussions and meetings, and through many of these, we built a reasonable consensus on where to go, what to do and how to do it,” he insists. “And frankly, we’re not excited about awards. More useful is the act of identifying problems and solving them, and recognising the good our staff do and commending them. It’s not about standing on a stage and getting a medal, but being stopped along the hall to be congratulated.”
education, do your job well and accumulate your wealth should be the same one that makes you have the discipline not to overeat and if you do, to exercise.” At the same time, it is his view that the industry should move towards a whole person care model. If you break your arm, an orthopaedic surgeon should not see you after, say, six days from the time the A&E department patches you up; instead, the goal is for the surgeon to fix your arm on the same day. For chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure, it is also better that patients are trained and hopefully have the discipline to take care of themselves , instead of being “walking time bombs that go off, causing us to swing into action.”
Making A Difference Through his work, Liak aims to achieve one goal: to help people relook at how the industry currently operates. To him, hospitals should not function merely as the “repair centres” they are now; rather, they should mobilise patients be more disciplined about their health and to be their own doctors. Healthcare, he stresses, should not just be about repairing, but working with people to let them know that what doctors can do to you and for you is very little – mostly prescribe a pill or give an injection. Today, it is the responsibility of everyone to have knowledge and discipline to make health choices, minute by minute, day by day. “Health is a matter of discipline,” adds Liak. “The attitude that makes you get an
“ Frankly, we’re not excited about awards. More useful is the act of identifying problems and solving them, and recognising the good our staff do and commending them.”
Doing His Part Ultimately, Liak walks the talk as a healthcare professional. He is someone who is content to “be used to get something meaningful done”. The father of two boys and a girl aged 19, 171/2 and 10 may lament that his sons are at an age where “they are embarrassed to be with their parents”, but at the same time, he does not take himself too seriously.
He feels that in this world of seven billion people, where all of us are like a grain of sand, no one is indispensable – himself included. “I’m only here temporarily. I can pack my things tomorrow and leave, and I won’t miss a thing. I don’t have a reserved car park lot, a sign on my door, or anything special. And that’s fine.” ✩
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Stage Presence
SHAWN E O’HARA provides some handy tips for making a more effective presentation when fundseeking. BY
SHAWN E O’HARA INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT B R AK ELE Y F U N DR AISI NG AN D M ANAG EM ENT C ONSU LTANTS
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ll too often we wonder how to get good at making presentations. It takes practice and more practice to make effective presentations that result in large, sustained gifts. Here are six easy ways to practise your way to perfection in presentations.
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Know what you want. All too often we get the opportunity to ask for support and all we are prepared to ask for is some random amount of money. Potential donors would rather have you make a presentation that includes what you will use the funds for if they become a donor and how the funds will be used.
Salt and pepper shakers from a private collection.
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Be positive. In an effort to make a passionate plea about your organisation, often we paint a depressing picture of the problem we are addressing in our work. Yes, we do want to show the urgent need but your presentation needs to be done in an inspirational manner. For example, this is not very inspirational: “We hope you will support us because too many children are drowning in the swimming pool!” A more inspirational presentation would be: “Each year many children drown in the swimming pool. But we have a tremendous track record of preventing such deaths by helping children become excellent swimmers. Support us, and help many children and families live longer, happier lives.”
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“ Resist telling the prospect everything there is to know about your mission in one big, airless, neverending speech. Instead, ask questions and get to know your prospect and why they might support your organisation..” 3.
Be a professional. The most effective presenters have a polished professional appearance that instills confidence in the prospect. Think in terms of dressing one step better than your prospect. This shows respect for the prospect, that you cared enough to wear your best. When you meet the prospect you need to lead with a warm smile and a firm handshake. This is not the time to be shy. You are on a mission to help your organisation. Have information about your organisation including marketing materials, annual reports and programme brochures packaged in a nice folder.
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Make your presentations customer focused. Donor prospects have their own needs and it is your job to find out what those needs are and present how your programmes are matched to their needs. Resist telling the prospect everything there is to know about your mission in
one big, airless, never-ending speech. Instead, ask questions and get to know your prospect and why they might support your organisation. Find out which of their needs would be met by supporting your organisation. By matching the prospect’s interests, they will naturally want to learn more and give more. 5.
Start with the vision in mind. It is important for the prospect to understand, early in the discussion, just how much impact, from a visionary perspective, your organisation has in the community. Set the prospect’s sights high in understanding how you are impacting the world and then do the same thing with the gift request. It is more difficult to go back and ask for more from a donor, when the request has been too small than it is to just ask for a large gift straight off. 6.
Overcome objections. Rarely will a prospect just say “yes!” It takes some effort to show them how truly important your organisation is in the community. To effectively overcome objections you first must understand the objection. Ask the prospect questions about the objection and try to get at the root of the issue. Often the first objection isn’t the real reason. Repeat or re-state the objection and ask if you heard clearly. The prospect will then give you more information and a reason much closer to what they are thinking. Only when you have the real reasons for the objections can you begin to overcome them by presenting the benefits of your organisation. ✩
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Risky Business
Starting a business is a matter of faith. Just as long as you keep your eye on the prize, says JACK SIM.
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here are many people who want to start a business but they fear the unknown. And though there are already countless books and theories written about what it takes to build a successful business, I offer the lessons I learnt from my mother. These lessons helped me attain my financial independence before I was 40 and they continue to inspire me to excel in my work at the World Toilet Organization and to make many dreams become realities. When I was growing up, my family was very poor. But we always got by. Dad worked as a provision shop assistant delivering groceries door to door. I relied on the Ministry of Education’s free-textbook scheme. In those days, the government was not so efficient and for the first three months of each school year, I had no books, and had to look over the shoulder of my classmate during lessons till the free books arrived in April. Mum never had proper school education, but she was a very innovative survivor. Here are some examples of her spirit of enterprise:
1. Smocking School Each Monday, she’d pay $1 per lesson to learn Smocking Embroidery from the Jalan Tenteram community centre a kilometre and a half away from our flat. On Tuesdays, she would teach the same lesson to six students in our HDB block for $1. This made her $5 profit per week! And she actually took bookings to teach students before she took lessons to learn the contents. After just five lessons, she understood the logic in each pattern, quit attending classes and created hundreds of new patterns herself. Eventually, she attracted more students than the community centre and her business extended into haberdashery selling cloths, buttons, needles and thread, and cotton fillings. The students,
“ Stay calm and focus on your self-belief. You are good enough to succeed because you are the one in the driver’s seat.” in turn, produced and sold the cushions to customers, to help their family income. Though this micro-business lasted only till the fashion for smocks faded away a few years later, this is her lesson: Her investment: $1 Her innovation: Geography. Bringing the service closer to customers. Scalability of services into products, as well as one-stop convenience. Her tool: The audacity to take pre-bookings of lessons so that her $1 investment was secured. 2. Marriage Business One day, while inside a shopping centre, my mother volunteered at a Shiseido cosmetic make-up demonstration. She observed and remembered each step of the beautician’s work process: cleansing, foundation, powder, eye-lining/shadows, lipsticks and so on. At the end, she bought a full make-up set and went home to practise on my sister. In those days, most girls only got made-up on their wedding day. Her first client liked her work and her service quickly spread by word of mouth.
This was how she became the most popular low-cost make-up artist in Singapore in the 1970s. She started a beautician school and placed students on jobs as her business grew. Some became competitors and I learned early that these were just normal market forces at work and there was nothing to be upset about. Her business extended into cosmetic retailing – she bought from a wholesaler in Chulia Street. Her business eventually included a fullservice wedding organiser that arranged for a master of ceremony, the wedding car, dinner, jewellery and even match-making. She started this business at 32. By the time she retired at 59, she’d overseen more than 3000 weddings. Lessons: • No qualifications are needed to start a business. • Stay energised by your own spirit. • Keep a great reputation. • Serve and keep the customer for life. • There are no guarantees for success, but your self-belief will be enough to see you through. • There are many lessons you can learn for free. • Innovate continuously. The business sustained our family and also taught me there was no problem that we could not overcome. To start, you need a simple plan and plenty of self-belief. Immerse yourself positively and deeply into your business, let it take you forward and the answers will await you at every junction. As your business grows, there may be doomsayers, doubters, critics, competition and even jealousy. Avoid all negative forces disguised as “interested people”. They can distract, confuse, discourage and reduce your energy. One last point: Enjoy the whole process. Lady Luck always favours happy, smiling people. ✩
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SCENE&SEEN
Green Light
Launch of ‘SMRT Is Green’, University Culture Centre, National University of Singapore, 30 April
SMRT went green as it launched the next stage in its commitment to be an environmentally-friendly organisation. Over 1,000 guests and staff applauded the unveiling of Southeast Asia’s first Euro V bus which emits less harmful nitrous oxides. The company also launched the “Better By Bus/Better By Train” public education programme which aims to encourage the public to take more public transport and thus reduce their carbon footprint.
Kids Stuff
Cathay Kids Challenge: Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister-of-State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, giving out worksheets to students of the NTUC Childcare Bright Horizons Trust Fund, Shermine Koh and Danish Hakim.
Launch of Cathay Kids’ Challenge, 10 June, Cathay Cineplexes Downtown East
160 beneficiaries of the NTUC Childcare Bright Horizons Trust Fund attended a free screening of Kung Fu Panda to commemorate the launch of the Cathay Kids’ Challenge. The children and their families also attended a popcorn-making workshop and a phototaking session with Po, the movie’s black-eyed titular character.
Neat File ‘IRAS e-Filing Service @ The Community’ Appreciation Ceremony 2008, 31 May, Revenue House Auditorium
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore held a ceremony to thank the 300 volunteers and 31 organisations who had contributed to this year’s e-Filing @ the Community. The initiative Commissioner of Inland Revenue, helped nearly 20,000 taxpayers Moses Lee, presenting one of the 3 Top VES Centre Awards to Low Peng Kit from Yew Tee Community Club. at 26 community centres and clubs with the e-filing of their tax forms. This year, both adult fulltime and student part-time volunteers took part. The Commissioner of Inland Revenue presented appreciation plaques; while 17 volunteers were singled out for outstanding and commendation awards by Quek Bin Hwee, NVPC’s vice-chairman.
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Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Ministry of Youth, Community Development and Sports & Ministry of Transport) (centre) launches “SMRT Is Green”, while SMRT Board Member Paul Ma (left) and President and CEO of SMRT Corporation Saw Phaik Hwa (right), look on.
Financial Powerhouses Launch of ‘Citi-TSAO Foundation Financial Education Programme for Mature Women’, 16 April
Citi Singapore and the Tsao Foundation launched South-East Asia’s first financial education programme for women aged between 40 and 59 from the lower-income bracket. The programme aims to equip participants with basic money management skills to help them to become more financially stable and secure as they grow older. Speaking at the launch, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, applauded the organisers of this programme for envisaging and conceptualising the need for such assistance. From left: Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, with Professor Chua Beng Huat, Asia Research Institute and Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore; Dr Mary Ann Tsao, President of Tsao Foundation and Board Member; and Piyush Gupta, Citi Country Officer for Singapore and Head of Markets & Banking, ASEAN.
Cross The Line ‘Singapore Red Cross Benefit Gala 2008’, Island Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel, 28 March
This year’s Singapore Red Cross’ Benefit Gala was attended by over 600 guests, including its patron President S R Nathan. Over $650,000 was raised for the organisation’s local humani-tarian services and beneficiaries like the Red Cross Home for the Disabled, Red Cross Non-Emergency Ambulance Service and Red Cross Training Centre. Guests were entertained by jazz veterans Sylvia Howard and Marina Xavier and ballroom dancers Vasily & Pris. Genevieve Peggy Jeffs, Chairperson of the Organising Committee of the gala, introducing the Committee members to President S R Nathan.
Water Thrills
‘Enchantment of the Sea’, Paragon Atrium, 22-24 February
What began as a hobby fueled by a love for the underwater world became a philanthropy cause for local amateur underwater photographer, Margaret Pang. Fans of her work were treated to her solo underwater photography exhibition which raised over $100,000 for the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped. Guests-ofhonour were Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and His Excellency, Marc Calcoen, Ambassador of Belgium.
Dinner Treats
‘Beyond Dinner 2008’, Meritus Mandarin Singapore, 25 April
More than 600 guests gathered to raise funds for Beyond Social Services’ programmes. With guest-of-honour Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development gracing the occasion, the charity dinner helped raise not just $1.4 million, but also awareness of Beyond’s work in child protection, residential services, pregnancy crisis and the guidance of young offenders. During the evening, the inaugural MILK-Standard Chartered SME Banking Scholarships were awarded to three deserving youths from Beyond. Cheque presentation at the Beyond Dinner 2008: (From left) Stanley Tan, President, Beyond Social Services, Gerard Ee, Executive Director, Beyond Social Services, Guest-ofhonour Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, and Fock Siew Wah, Group Chairman, PSA International.
Walk Away ‘Walk the World’, Pasir Ris Park, 1 June
Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Guest-of-Honour, cutting the ribbon to launch the underwater photography exhibition. Mrs Yu-Foo is flanked by organiser, Margaret Pang, and Marc Calcoen, Ambassador of Belgium.
‘Walk the World’ is a global charity event where participants around the world walk over a 24-hour period in each of the From left: TNT SG MD Damien Tan; Mrs Foo, Clariant; Divyesh Vithlani, world’s time zones to deliver a Credit Suisse ; Teo Yeo Hwa, Spring; Berna Wake, Unilever, TNT SEA MD Onno Boots, Anthony Ong, Lions Club Sentosa; Cynthia Jones, WFP simple message: child hunger has no place in this world. In Singapore, TNT collected over $60,000 from the event and aimed to raise another $100,000 for the United Nations World Food Programme. More than 1,000 walkers, comprising employees and business partners from TNT and corporate partners like Unilever, Clariant and Credit Suisse took part.
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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, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #04-88 The Central, Singapore 059817; 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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23-24 August Carnival & Heartstrings Walk 2008 – A Caring Community Venue: Esplanade Park Time: 10am–9.30pm and 9.30am– 1.30pm Join the National Council of Social Service for a day of learning, fun and games. There will be stalls set up by local voluntary welfare organisations as well as a 2.5km fun walk to raise funds for the needy. Other highlights include handicraft sales and Uncle Ringo rides. The guest-of-honour is Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. For more information, call NCSS at 62102500.
13 September No Goodbye...The Impact of Suicide on Survivors Venue: York Hotel, Carlton Hall (Level 2), 21 Mount Elizabeth Time: 2–5pm The forum will examine the impact of suicide on those left behind and include a case video. Panellists include Dr Alex Su (Consultant Psychiatrist at Institute of Mental Health), Juliana Toh
(Clinical Director at Counselling and Care Centre) and Yeo Seok Tin (Principal Medical Social Worker at CGH). The facilitator will be Anthony Yeo (SOS Vice-Chairman and Consultant Therapist at Counselling and Care Centre). will be facilitating the forum and opening the discussion to the audience. For more information, visit www. samaritans.org.sg. To register, call 62212122.
13 September Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital’s Mid-Autumn Festival Venue: Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital,705 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328127 Time: 6.30pm–8.30pm The Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital is organising a Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations for it’s 330 over patients on the 13th September, Saturday. For this event, we invite the public and corporation for sponsorship of lanterns, moon-cakes and food for patients; schools to assist in providing performances for patients; and volunteers to wheel patients
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“It must have been ten years ago that I figured out for myself that doing volunteer work at Sungei Buloh would match my criteria for an ideal retirement activity – sun, fresh air, exercise, something interesting every time and no end to the learning.” Keith Hillier, Shipping Consultant, SBWR volunteer of ten years
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from wards and the main hall. For more information, call Fundraising Department at 62946592 or email fund_raising@kwsh.org.sg
20 September Surviving & Beyond Venue: Samaritans of Singapore, Block 10, Cantonment Close, #01-01 Time: 2pm–4pm Part of Suicide Awareness Week, this talk/forum asks, among other questions,“How long does suicide grief last? How do the surviving family and friends cope?” If you are a survivor who has lost a loved one to suicide, a panel of survivors will share their grief journey and answer your questions. This event is suitable for suicide survivors only. For more information, call Fern or Mei Lin at 62212122.
25 September Swing for Charity 2008 Venue: Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) Time: 1.30pm Tee off for charity with this event organised by TOUCH Community
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Jason Wong, Director, Rehabilitation, Protection & Residential Services, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, in a workshop held at NVPC.
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25–26 October ‘Share the Care’ 3rd Annual Caregivers Fair 2008 Venue: Toa Payoh HDB Hub Mall Time: 11am to 6pm Learn how to be a better caregiver at the Annual Caregivers Week organised by AWWA Centre for Caregivers. The event will showcase over 20 organisations providing support services to caregivers and their family and many games and exciting stage performances, and participants will stand a chance to win some prizes! AWWA will also be honouring a Model Caregiver and a Model Caregiving Family for their outstanding contributions. For more information, email awwacfc@awwa.org.sg or call 65115318.
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“Fame is nothing unless you know how to create an impact”. Jack Sim, Founder, World Toilet Organisation
“It is not enough to have an ideology. You have to be able to pass it on, to infect others with your ideas”. Gary Hamel, the professor-turned-strategy-guru author of Leading the Revolution
“If you can fix men, you can fix the world”
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Services. TOUCH hopes to raise $170,000 to help it continue its work with the deaf in the community. Corporate tickets are available from $2,500 onwards. For more information, call Elysia Tan at 6377 0122 or email elysia.tan @touch.org.sg, or visit www.tcs.org.sg
“ I wanted to try something new, and this is for a good cause. So it’s a win-win situation.” Volunteer Jovan Lim, 16 year-old, “Hair for Hope” event
“Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds.” President Bill Clinton
“When you share, you will be happier and healthier.” Madam Alice Sim, volunteer for the sick and elderly
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