Post on 23-Mar-2016
description
transcript
For Volunteers, Donors and NonprofitsNo. 8Mar-Apr 2005
Corporate Givingin Singapore
The Issues and the Top 5Corporate Philanthropists
After theTsunami
A New Spirit Rises
All My ChildrenGoh Eng Kee Shares
his Passion for Kids
Samsung’s HopeBridging the Digital Divide
HOME-ward BoundHumanitarian Organisation
for Migration Economics
Manwith a
MissionMercy Relief’s
Zulkifli Baharudin
2 LETTER FROM SALT
4 MAILBAG
6 NEWS BRIEFSA wrap-up of events, programmes
and activities in the People Sector.
PEOPLE MOVEMENTSAppointments and new postings in
the People Sector.
11 VOLUNTEER PROFILEWhen it comes to volunteering,
Jenny Goh oozes infectious energy.
13 PEOPLE SECTOR PEOPLEThere’s no such thing as too many
kids for World Vision Singapore’s
Goh Eng Kee.
19 MEASURE OF SALTSpotlight on key humanitarian
organisations.
25 WALK THE TALKTech giant Samsung brings digital
hope to the world.
28 SALT AND PEPPERCan companies do more for charity?
Professor Cham Tao Soon certainly
thinks so.
31 NEW SALTForeign workers in Singapore now
have a place called HOME.
32 SCENE AND SEEN
35 CALENDAR
36 A DASH OF SALT
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 1
contents
DEPARTMENTS
SALT No. 8 Mar-Apr 2005
14RITES OFPASSAGEA classic test casefor the nonprofitsector, the Asiantsunami crisispresentedunprecedentedchallenges for aidorganisations andindividuals. Guestwriter MONICAGWEE treads thepost-tsunamiground.
20 To Give or Not to GiveIn the second of three featureson Singapore’s philanthropiclandscape, SUZANNE LIMchecks in on the localcorporate giving scene tofind out how companies areaddressing the conundrum– to give or not to give?
ON THE COVERThe Asian tsunami crisis thrust Mercy Reliefinto the spotlight, but its Chairman ZulfikliBaharudin is on an even bigger mission.Guest writer CHEAH UI-HOON finds out.Story on page 26.
Cover photo of Zulkifli Baharudin at Ground Zero in Meulaboh.
G�VEOr Not to Give?
TO
2 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
SALT is a nonprofit magazine with a managed circulation for members of
nonprofit organisations, grant-makers 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.
EDITORSuzanne Lim
CONTRIBUTORSDaven Wu
Brenda Yeo
PUBLISHING CONSULTANT AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE
Epigram
SALT is published bi-monthly by the National Volunteer
& Philanthropy Centre7 Maxwell Road
#05-01 Annex B, MND Complex Singapore 069111
Tel: 6550 9595 Fax: 6221 0625
Website: www.nvpc.org.sgEmail: salt@nvpc.org.sg
Copyright is held by the publisher.All rights reserved.
Production in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
The views and opinions expressed or implied in SALT are those of the authors
and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.
Printed by Fabulous Printers
MITA (P) 027/11/2004
To advertise, please call Suzanne Lim at tel: 6550 9563 Email: suzanne@nvpc.org.sg
orCynthia Tay at tel: 6292 4456
Email: cynthia@epigram.com.sg
L E T T E R F R O M S A L T
The 24/7 coverage of the tsunami disaster by the media ensured that we wereall kept well informed – perhaps too well informed. The media bombardmentcarried the risk that it could end up being “newzak” – when we’ve become
numb to the news and hardly feel the loss.Yet, these constant images did not quite prepare me for what I saw with my own
eyes when I visited Meulaboh in Aceh in the second week of January. As we flewthere in the SAF Chinook, seeing mile after mile of destruction along the coast putthings firmly back in perspective for me.
But side by side with the destruction, I also saw hope, encapsulated by thecooperation between the various armed forces, the UN and relief agencies fromaround the world that had descended on Meulaboh.
I was impressed with the resoluteness and openness of the Indonesians and thesincerity of the International Red Cross that came to help. Many of the PMI(Indonesian Red Cross) officers themselves had lost their family members andfriends in the disaster, but they were able to put their personal grief aside to help inthe relief efforts to ensure that life can go on for the people of Meulaboh.
And life indeed does go on, as this issue of SALT shows.While we cover the tsunami in our lead story and feature Zulkifli Baharudin,
Chairman of Mercy Relief, a Singapore NGO that has been at the forefront ofSingapore’s response to the relief efforts, we continue with our other features.
In the second of a series on the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre’slandmark philanthropy survey, we look at just how generous companies in Singaporeare when it comes to charitable giving. Professor Cham Tao Soon lends his voice inSalt & Pepper on how he thinks corporates can do more.
Elsewhere, the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME)champions the welfare of neglected migrant workers in Singapore, while Samsungdemonstrates how the digital world can bring hope to the less fortunate in society.
During turbulent times like these, we could all do with more hope.
Ho Sun YeeChief Operating OfficerNational Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre
COO Ho Sun Yee (second from left) and CEO TanChee Koon (extreme right) with members of
the International Red Cross team in Meulaboh.
4 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
MAILBAGDO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE? We welcome your letters, news ofupcoming events and pictures. Please send them to SALT, 7 Maxwell Road, #05-01Annex B, MND Complex, Singapore 069111; or email salt@nvpc.org.sg. Pleaseinclude your name, address and daytime phone number. Letters and articles may be edited for space and clarity.
An Eye-Opening ReadDear Editor,
Congratulations to the editorial team at SALT for putting out one of the mostintelligent social publications I have come across in Singapore. Not only are the
articles full of useful information, they are eye-opening and inspirational as well.I particularly enjoyed the profile on Venerable Shi Ming Yi in the Nov-Dec 2004issue that caught the very essence of this remarkable man. It is indeed no easy taskcatering to the diverse needs and issues faced by the various groups that needsupport in our community, whether through volunteers or funds. However, SALT isdefinitely an instrument that can raise the awareness of ongoing issues and concernsto a much higher level of consciousness. I look forward to reading future issues.
Pearl Lee, Marketing Consultant
Giving to Overseas Causes
Dear Editor,
It was interesting to find out in yourstory on individual giving in Singapore
(Jan-Feb 2005 issue) that donations as apercentage of GNI for Singapore standsat 0.28%, much lower than that forUK (0.73%) and USA (1.64%).I am sure that after the tsunami reliefefforts by so many people in Singaporethat this percentage has significantlyincreased. The Singapore government’swillingness to allow organisationsinvolved in the tsunami relief efforts tohave an exemption from the rulegoverning the percentage of donationsthat can be used outside of Singaporewas indeed gratifying. However, I cannothelp but wonder if this is part of thereason that Singaporeans don’t give asmuch as other countries. Maybe in aland with so much success, they seelittle need.
In 2003, I worked with UNIFEMSingapore, PrimeTime Business andProfessional Women’s Association,ENGENDER (a Singapore organisation),and John Erdos Gallery to raise fundsfor a project called Woven Dreams:Economic Empowerment for Women inLaos. It was very difficult and timeconsuming to try and figure out how tocomply with the regulations stipulatingthe percentage of money that couldbe sent out of Singapore. PerhapsSingaporeans don’t feel the push to helpas most of the charity donations aretargeted at remaining in Singapore.I hope that the good that comes out ofthe tsunami relief efforts will includelooking at providing easy opportunitiesfor Singaporeans and expatriates livingin Singapore to donate to those lessfortunate around the world.
Leslie Swanson
Repartee with SALT’s firstShaker & MoverDear Willie,
Just got my Jan-Feb 2005 issue of SALT.Thought I should write to congratulate
you on the publication. Frankly I had mydoubts initially when you told me aboutyour intention to launch SALT.
As usual, I am wrong. It is a good read!
Jennie Chua, CEO, Raffles Holdings &Chairperson, Community Chest
Editor’s note: Jennie Chua was ourfirst Shaker & Mover (Jan-Feb 2004).She has given her kind permission forthe above letter to be published andour chairman Willie Cheng’s responseto her. He thanked her for a reallygreat compliment, and told her that inhis opinion, she is usually right –except when she disagrees with him.
The Magazine the Sector was Waiting ForDear Editor,
Kudos for featuring the movers and shakers of the growing non-governmentorganisation (NGO) and volunteer welfare organisation (VWO) scene here.
While many VWOs produce their own newsletters, SALT brings together news aboutso many different players on the scene, big and small. The way it tackles the big pictureissues in the sector eg. fundraising, transparency and most recently, individual givingin the Jan-Feb 2005 issue is commendable. This is a magazine the sector was waiting for.
Sim Chi Yin, Journalist
Suntec SingaporeG-Force ConcertDear Editor,
On behalf of the patients, staff andfamily members of the Institute of
Mental Health (IMH), a big thank youfor inviting us to the concert. It was afantastic show – all your volunteerperformers were indeed extraordinaryand commendable! Some of the residentshad not been out of the hospital for awhile, and this outing for them wouldnot have been possible if not for thegenerosity of Suntec Singapore, NVPC,and your volunteers that day who wentout of their way to make sure we werecomfortable. It was indeed a memorableday for all. Keep the volunteerismfire burning!
Chua Siew Hong Catherine,Institute of Mental Health
Ridin’HighR
iding and bladingfor a worthy causefrom 12 to 15
March 2005 will be morethan 50 avid cyclists andin-line skaters, includingMediaCorp Radio DJ RodMonteiro. Participants ofthe first-ever joint bikingand in-line skating eventto be held across Singapore and Malaysia, thisunique charity fundraiser is jointly organised bynonprofit organisation St. Andrew’s Mission Hospitaland global technology integrator Avanade Asia tohelp raise $500,000 for the new St. Andrew’sCommunity Hospital currently being built in Simei.The money will go towards defraying the operatingcosts of the new hospital. The four-day bike-and-blade journey will cover a scenic 420km route fromSingapore to Mersing in Malaysia and back.
6 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
BIG DEAL MEAL
Mainly I Love Kids (MILK)’s first Share-A-Meal
fundraiser this year involves some of the
biggest movers and shakers in town, the biggest
of them all being President S R Nathan himself!
For a minimum tender donation of $5,000,
donors can choose to have a meal with someone
from MILK’s Special Volunteers list that includes
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Law
Professor S Jayakumar; Ambassador-At-Large
Professor Tommy Koh; Nominated MP Eunice
Olsen; MediaCorp artiste Fann Wong; and President
and CEO of SMRT Cooperation Ltd Ms Saw Phaik
Hwa. And in case you’re wondering, the top bid at
press time for a meal with President S R Nathan
stood at $50,000!
Artist’s impression of St. Andrew’sCommunity Hospital.
Fancy a meal with Eunice Olsen?
Russ
el W
on
g
On the go.
Habitat for Humanity’s Chairman Yong Teck Mengpresented in his trusty building cap.
B R I E F S
N E W SA W R A P - U P O F H A P P E N I N G S A R O U N D S I N G A P O R E
NEW GIRL IN TOWN
The Singapore Girl Guides Association has a
new name – Girl Guides Singapore (GGS).
Accompanying the name change is a new-look
logo that embodies the fresh and vibrant spirit
reflecting GGS’ boldness to reinvent itself and its
determination to be relevant, focusing on the
needs of the modern girl and woman.
KEEPING THE SPIRIT ALIVE
Over 200 volunteers who had signed
up with the National Volunteer &
Philanthropy Centre’s (NVPC) Tsunami
Crisis Volunteer Hotline gathered at the
Raffles City Convention Centre on 22
January to participate in the Tsunami
Volunteer Forum organised by NVPC.
Chaired by NVPC’s CEO Mrs Tan Chee
Koon, key representatives from Singapore
Red Cross Society, Mercy Relief, Ren Ci
Hospital & Medicare Centre, Habitat for
Humanity and Singapore International
Foundation shared with the audience
their experiences of doing relief work in
the tsunami-affected regions, lending an
insight into the intricacies of relief work
that many in the audience were unaware
of. Some of the organisations also
mounted mini-exhibitions of their relief
efforts that attracted much attention from
the volunteers when the forum ended,
proving that the spirit of volunteerism is
alive and well indeed.
WALK ON WATER
Fourteen Singapore Poly-
technic students and staff,
with their feet encased in
styrofoam blocks, took to
racing a 50-metre course on
the Singapore River to help
raise $100,000 for The Salvation
Army Haven Children’s Home,
Chao Yang School, Clementi
Student Service Centre and the
Singapore Polytechnic Over-
seas Community Service
Programme on 30 January. The
event formed part of the Singapore River Raft Race for the first time; the raft race itself
was a started by the polytechnic back in 1989 to help raise awareness of environmental
issues, with the rafts being made entirely of recyclable materials.
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 7
P E O P L E M O V E M E N T S
John Cheong was appointed as
Chief Executive Officer of the
Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF)
in early 2005. Prior to joining
SHF, he was Executive Director of
the YMCA of Singapore. Before YMCA, he was
managing director of a logistics group with
operations in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.
Over the past 20 years, John has been
actively involved in community related activi-
ties, and is Chairman of the Methodist Volun-
teers. He is also an active volunteer in many
grassroots organisations and schools.
SHF operates cardiac rehabilitation
programmes and centres to encourage and
assist cardiac patients in leading a life long
heart-healthy lifestyle and also provides
professional and research grants.
Tel: 62360630; email: johncheong@shf.orh.sg
Foo Pek Hong joined the staff
of Singapore Children’s Society
in August 2004 as Director of
Fundraising. With 28 years of
experience in the banking and
asset management industry, she was also
previously a teacher and is familiar with the
all-encompassing needs of children.
The fundraising department at Singapore
Children’s Society runs several regular annual
fundraising projects and events, including Flag
Day, Charity Film Premiere,Walk For Our Children,
and Donation Draw. The department works
closely with the authorities, corporations as
well as individual donors to raise funds. The
latest programme is GIVE, which is targeted at
encouraging the staff at corporations to
pledge a monthly donation to the 12,000
children and families in need. Tel: 62732010
Prior to joining NVPC as Director
of Marketing and Community
Partnerships on 3 January 2005,
Jennifer Lim was the Executive
Director of the Singapore Asso-
ciation of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) from
May 1997 to December 2004.
Jennifer began her working career with
the Economic Development Board in 1989
where she was a Senior Creative Services Officer.
In October 1992, she joined the Singapore
International Film Festival as Director of
Marketing and Media, a position she held until
July 1993, when she was appointed by Nippon
Film Development & Finance to be its Managing
Director and to set up its Singapore-based
office. Four years and many accumulated air
miles later, she decided on a change in career
paths and joined the social service sector.
An ardent advocate for the disabilty cause,
she enjoys both culinary and travel pursuits.
Tel: 65509579; email: jennifer@nvpc.org.sg
Big Stars,BiggerHeartsF
eaturing 40 of MediaCorp’s mostpopular artistes, internationalcelebrities as well as a daredevil
stunt by Venerable Shi Ming Yi whobalanced atop a 12-metre tower on a platemeasuring 20cm by 20cm for one hourand 45 minutes, the Ren Ci Charity Show,televised on MediaCorp TV Channel Uon 9 January, raised $7.25 million for theRen Ci Hospital and Medical Centre,above its target of $5 million. The hospital,founded by Venerable Shi in 1994 tocare for chronically ill patients, donated$500,000 from the money raised to thetsunami disaster relief effort.Look ma, no hands!
Putting their best foot forward.
LEARN AND SERVE
Executives and CEOs jaded by the rat race have a new outlet – Singapore International Foundation’s
(SIF) Singapore Executive Expedition (SXX) and its CEO equivalent, CXX. Modelled after the highly
successful Youth Expedition Programme (YEP), SXX and CXX will have executives and CEOs travelling to
developing countries such as Bhutan and Cambodia to undertake a community service project that will
meet a genuine need in the local community.
Said SIF’s Executive Director, Dr Tan Tay Keong,“Basically, you learn by serving. Instead of just letting
young people benefit from service learning, why not move it up to the executive and CEO level? From our
experience, it has been shown that community work is a great antidote to discontent. Hopefully, the
programmes will rekindle in the participants compassion and respect for other people, so that when they
come back, they are renewed and have a fresh perspective of the world.”
Pho
to c
ou
rtes
y o
f SPH
– T
he
Stra
its
Tim
es
ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY TIN CAN
Chances of that tin can appearing in front of you will be
higher this year as the National Council of Social Service
(NCSS) has upped the number of flag days from 40 in 2004
to 63 for 2005. In addition to the 52 Saturdays, flags may
now be sold by charities on 11 Wednesdays during the
school holidays. This is the first time that a weekday has
been designated as a flag day. According to NCSS, a third
of the charities that applied in 2004 to hold a flag day
were unsuccessful and with the number of new charities
sprouting up, more will be looking to organise flag days,
a tried-and-tested and cost-efficient way of fundraising.
TOP OF THEIR GAME
The American Chamber of Commerce in Singa-
pore (AmCham Singapore) was awarded the
prestigious International American Chamber
Community Service Award by the US Chamber of
Commerce’s Centre for Corporate Citizenship on 2
December 2004. AmCham Singapore distinguished
itself in three areas – Corporate Community Day,
Workplace Initiative on HIV/AIDS, and the AmCham
scholarship at the Singapore Management
University. Said AmCham Singapore’s Executive
Director Mr Nicholas de Boursac,“AmCham is a
volunteer driven organisation. The work is done
by employees of AmCham members on a volun-
teer basis. Winning this award celebrates the spirit
of volunteering in Singapore.”
8 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
V POWER
NTUC FairPrice brought new meaning
to being a supermarket with a heart
when it officially launched its own volunteer
group Club V recently. Currently comprising
of some 30 FairPrice staff, the group is
confident that its numbers will grow in time
to come. One of the club’s first activities
was a charity car wash that managed to
raise $2,040 in cash and FairPrice vouchers
for a Pasir Ris family with quadruplets
who required special care. In conjunction
with the opening of FairPrice’s Tiong
Bahru Plaza outlet, Club V members also
helped to distribute bags of food items to
18 needy families in the Tiong Bahru area.
“Many of our staff work on shifts and
yet, they find the time and energy to help
the less fortunate through this club. This is
very reassuring,” said Mr Tey Lian Lee, Club
V’s team leader.
Relax Rules for Welfare GroupsThe Government needs to loosen the rules for voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs), observed MP
for Tanjong Pagar GRC, Dr Chong Weng Chiew. VWOs are already weighed down by problems like
retaining suitable staff, and the current and proposed regulatory controls, in particular the reporting of
performance indicators, can add unnecessary bureaucracy to the VWOs and distract their workers from
their main duties.“Once the Government is satisfied with the VWOs management practice, it should not
be micro-managing their day-to-day operations,” he said.
As a regulator, the Government can also do more to support VWOs which are not religiously affiliated,
he suggested.This was in response to NVPC’s recent survey that showed that 52% of the $438 million donated
by individuals between April 2003 and April 2004 went to religious organisations.“Because they’re secular
and not restricted by guidelines, they can work with all groups to reach broad-based targets and all corners,”
he added.
Hongbao DelightN
early 4,000 elderly folk received early hongbaos in January from the ShawFoundation who gave away $100 to each recipient, double the amount givenin previous years. An annual tradition started in 1948 by the founders of
Shaw Organisation – the late Tan Sri Dr Runme Shaw and Sir Run Run Shaw– the amount was doubled because “$50 cannot buy you much these days”, said MrShaw Vee Meng, Chairman of Shaw Organisation. The Foundation was assisted in itscharitable act by the People’sAssociation (PA), which helpedthe Foundation to identifybeneficiaries from its publicassistance programme.One of the happy recipientswas 80-year-old Madam MahSuet Ying, a resident of LingKwang Home for SeniorCitizens who is single, has nofamily and receives $25 amonth from the PA. “With the$100, I can buy some food forChinese New Year and savethe remainder for the rest ofthe year,” she said. Madam Mah could not hide her delight with her hongbao.
Club V members have it in the bag.
Tin can coming your way soon...
Pho
to c
ou
rtes
y o
f SPH
– T
he
Stra
its
Tim
es
Pho
to c
ou
rtes
y o
f SPH
– L
ian
he
Zao
bao
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 11
If volunteerism had a human expres-sion, it would probably be thegentle, shy smile of Jenny Goh.“These days, everyone is so busy
with their lives, they forget about familybonding,” says the mother of three.“Parents don’t really spend much timewith their kids and the kids do not evenwant to talk to their parents!”
Which helps explain her enthusiasmfor her role as School Family Education(SFE) Coordinator at her daughterJoanna’s school, CommonwealthSecondary, where she organisesparenting programmes and workshopsthat focus on family values and bondingfor parents, teachers and children alike.
“I’ve been in this role for two yearsnow,” Jenny says. “I think I can under-stand much better family dynamics andhow the young think. I know all mydaughter’s friends!”
This is not the first time that Jennyhas connected with the communitythrough her volunteer work. She recallsthat following the Ministry of Education’sappeal for more parental involvement intheir children’s schools in the late 1990s,she began helping out with wardrobe andmake-up during concerts when Joannawas in Primary 2 at Fuhua PrimarySchool. “I still help out there!” Jennysays with a bright smile.
Despite averaging around 18 hoursa week as the SFE Coordinator, over theyears, Jenny also finds time for a host ofother volunteer work, including helpingin the President’s Challenge, the costumedepartment at the Arts Theatre of Singa-pore (where her daughter is a member),as well as the library at CommonwealthSecondary School.
She has also helpedraise funds for theNational Cancer Centre,selling cookies and coordinating moviemarathons. Recently, Jenny was a volun-teer guide and usher at the tsunamimemorial service at Singapore Expo atwhich nearly 5,000 people attended.During the fearful uncertainty of SARS,she took temperatures at her localBarker Road church services and duringa jog-a-thon organised by the Malaycommunity. “We also sewed patches forthe Fabric of the Nation!” she recalls.
Together with a group of around 10friends (including her daughter Joanna),Jenny has formed an informal volunteernetwork that responds to calls for aid from
the community.“Time management is
very important,” saysJenny of the secret behindher seemingly inexhaustibleenergy. “My children areolder now, so I have moretime to volunteer.”
When asked to explainthis passion – there is noother word – for volun-teerism, Jenny’s answer isto the point and withoutartifice. “Volunteerismcreates a sense of
belonging,” she says. “I remember duringmy school days, when my family neededhelp, friends and teachers would reachout. This is something I’ve alwaysremembered and so I want to give some-thing back.”
Says Rosemary Chng, managingdirector of RCA Consultancy, a brandingand fundraising event managementsocial enterprise, “I first met Jennyduring her SARS stint and later whenI was recruiting for the President’sChallenge road show. I saw immediatelythat she had tremendous leadershipquality. She’s reliable, dependable,smart and can take the initiativeto lead and guide. These trustworthycharacteristics are very important forpeople running volunteer projects asthey create a lot of positive synergy thatis so critical to the success of a project.You can connect with her.”
It is this ability to connect that mostexemplifies the quality of Jenny Goh’scommunity work to date and, in the end,you cannot help but salute this mosthuman face of volunteerism. ✩
A Matter of PassionWhen it comes to volunteering, lack of time just isn’t in Jenny Goh’s vocabulary.
By DAVEN WU.
Cheerful countenance: Jenny (thirdfrom left) with fellow volunteers fromCommonwealth Secondary School’sParent-Teacher network at afundraising event for needy students.
“During my school days,when my family neededhelp, friends andteachers would reachout. This is somethingI’ve always rememberedand I want to givesomething back.”
V O L U N T E E R P R O F I L E
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 13
For 21 years, Goh Eng Kee haseyeballed impoverishment on aglobal scale.
Children to whom umbrellas andbath towels are luxuries. Children wholive in areas so remote and are soisolated from the world beyond theirvillages, getting into a vehicle brings onmotion sickness. Families who mustcope with drought, famine and AIDS allat one go. He’s seen it all.
The 57-year-old is the ExecutiveDirector of World Vision Singapore.Established in 1950 to care for orphansin Asia, World Vision’s raison d’être todayencompasses community developmentand advocacy for the poor across sixcontinents. Goh gave up his gig as newseditor with a local business daily to setup its Singapore outfit in 1984.
Still, in his face-off with hunger andpoverty in a damaged world, it appearsthat one of his most enduring battles isfought on home ground. And the boneof contention? Money.
“World Vision works in 100 countriesaround the world. The Singapore opera-tion has the dubious reputation of beingthe only one which can’t raise funds,”Goh grouses.
To obtain a fundraising permit inSingapore, foreign charities must under-take to channel 80% of net proceeds fromfunds raised to projects here.
While the Commissioner of Charitieshas the discretion to shift the 80% marker,it’s still a stretch for World Vision, wherethe bulk of funds go to impoverished
communities overseas.“We’ve not been able toget a single applicationapproved since 1990,” laments Goh.
So, fundraising is a no go. Goh’s daysare spent waging war for the hearts andminds of the local community instead.
“We do a lot of public awarenessrelated activities. We network with othernon-government organisations, we speakto organisations and schools when theyinvite us to, and we gladly communicatethe needs and how World Vision ishelping when asked,” he explains.
The silver lining, says Goh, is thatSingaporeans are very compassionatepeople. World Vision doesn’t solicitfunds, but, “You tell them of a need,”says Goh, “and they will give.”
“Of course, you have to have integrityin what you do. When they look at theorganisation and see that you do what yousay you will, then they have no problemgiving,” he adds.
The occupational hazards offundraising aside, Goh maintains that
his work with WorldVision rewards him withthe certainty that he’smaking a positive impacton someone else’s life.
Two years ago, Gohand his wife visitedMongolia. There, theymet a two-year old witha bad case of rickets.The couple decided tosponsor the child throughWorld Vision’s child spon-sorship scheme.
Today, the child isrunning, thanks to proper nutrition andhealthcare made possible by the sponsor-ship. “You not only see the needs, butyou see the progress being made,” statesGoh. “How many other jobs give youthat opportunity?”
Under the World Vision sponsorshipscheme, the public can sponsor childrenfrom poor communities around the worldat $45 a month. Funds are pooled andallocated to developmental programmesthat run the gamut of providing educa-tion, housing for families, healthcareand shaping economic activities – thelist goes on. Programmes typically span10 to 15 years.
Even as retirement looms, Gohreckons he will never fully leave from hiswork with World Vision. There’s simplytoo much to be done. “The mind saysyou can’t help all the kids in the world,but the heart says maybe you can try tohelp this one.
“Even if I’m not actively engaged, Iwill probably end up being a volunteer.” ✩
For more information on World VisionSingapore, visit www.worldvision.org.sg
Vision QuestThere’s no end in the fight against poverty. But Goh Eng Kee tells BRENDA YEO
he has no intention of letting up.
No kidding. Goh Eng Kee and his wifesponsor four children, among them,a four year-old from Mongolia.
“The mind says you can’t help all the kids in the world,but the heart says maybe you can try to help this one.”
P E O P L E S E C T O R P E O P L E
14 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
Rites of Pa
In a classic test case for the nonprofitsector, the Asian tsunami deliveredan unprecedented aid challenge fororganisations and individuals.Guest writer MONICA GWEE ofMeesPierson Philanthropy Servicestreads the post-tsunami ground.
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 15
ssage
Volunteers played – and will continue to play– a crucial role in rebuilding Meulaboh.
Pho
tog
rap
hy
by
Tere
nce
Teo
/Mer
cy R
elie
f
Everyone has a tsunami story. It was a naturaldisaster that leveled rich and poor, famous andunknown, infant and adult, the fit and the weak,the proud and the humble. The destruction wasindiscriminate and profound, and in many cases,
complete. And so, it would seem, was the human response.Heard the one about the rescue dog? It injured its paws
during search and rescue as it clambered over mounds ofdebris, seeking out the maimed who might still be alive. Itshandler sent out an appeal for a vet since medical relief teamsswarming into action were, understandably, for humans.
The effect of the Indonesian earthquake and the resultingtsunami that affected nine countries was so emotional that thestory has it, seven full veterinary units responded from variousparts of the world. There were only four dogs in the searchunit. And just one dog injured.
As the weeks passed, the dramatic character of theunprecedented wave of global aid flooding into the worst hittsunami areas shifted to other events. But the tragedy struck achord so intensely with its elements of loss, grief, despair andutter human vulnerability, that its hold still grips enough toloosen the purses of millions of strangers worldwide.
Headless Chickens Running Around
For Singapore, the disaster was “a real close first handpractical experience of lending a helping hand in a disaster nearthis country,” said Mr Goh Eng Kee, Executive Director of theSingapore arm of the international aid agency World Vision.
“Suddenly, there were opportunities to challenge the desiresof caring hearts, the theories expounded in innumerableconferences, workshops and seminars on emergency relief, andthe emotional strains of reaching out in person,” Mr Goh noted.
In retrospect, and even as relief work is replaced by rehabili-tation and community re-building projects, this disaster has beenalmost like a rite of passage for the nonprofit sector. And donors.
“There were so many headless chickens running around,all trying to do good, but not knowing how to go about doingit, or simply doing it any how,” said Mr Liak Teng Lit, CEO ofAlexandra Hospital, which sent a medical team to devastatedAceh in Sumatra.
Mr Yong Teck Meng, Chairman of Habitat for Humanity(HFH), a Christian nonprofit involved in building decent housesfor needy families, observed matter-of-factly how some wellmeaning volunteers arrived in Aceh without the necessarymental and emotional maturity to understand the hellish depthsof human deprivation in the early weeks of the tsunami onslaught.
For seasoned volunteers knocked into shape by hard expe-rience, the unintentional behaviour of some sheltered, urban
Singaporeans who unwittingly became “disaster tourists” was apoint of arrival in emergency relief work. Before better vettingand volunteer preparation swung into force, too many peoplearrived with good intentions for an experience, “drinking allthe good water – and worse still – bathing with it,” he added.
The Anarchy of Altruism
In the initial chaos in Aceh in Sumatra, Phuket in Thailandand in Sri Lanka, aid groups and support nonprofits poured in,each “helping” as separate entities. They faced the kind ofdestruction so complete, only armies could even begin to charta logistical start point. The ground was not unlike a Hollywoodset depicting a post-nuclear landscape. Except the stench of deathfrom decomposing bodies everywhere was nauseatingly real.
Global media – from blanket TV breaking news coverage
16 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
�������
�������
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 17
to Internet chatrooms, charity websites and entire sectionsof newspapers and magazines – transmitted the disaster intoliving rooms and workplaces around the world. Everyonewanted to help, and to be seen helping. People sought anychance to donate money. Clearly, someone had to establishsome guidelines.
“It was a kind of ‘anarchy of altruism’,” noted Mrs TanChee Koon, CEO of the National Volunteer & PhilanthropyCentre (NVPC). “Our role was to establish a first port of callfor people wanting to help.”
Partnering with NTUC Income, NVPC set up a tsumanihotline to match volunteer and donation interest with needs.In the first four weeks of the aftermath of the disaster, over2,000 volunteers registered with NVPC to help out with therelief efforts.
Together with the Ministry of Community Development,Youth & Sports (MCYS), NVPC also held weekly sharing
sessions to connect NGOs and corporate givers. HFH’s MrYong found these coordination meetings valuable as a sharedplatform in a time when overwhelming good intentions wereinadvertently adding to the chaos.
Making the Best of Good Intentions
The sheer response from people wanting to volunteer theirservices created another challenge in volunteer management,preparation and training. Here again, the unique situationencouraged pockets of civil society, including local andinternational corporations, to examine how best their goodintentions could make a genuine difference without upsettingthe fragile nature of disaster sites.
The Jurong Country Club (JCC) raised $250,000 but wasuncertain where to channel the money to. “We went to anNVPC matching session for the relief efforts, and found outthat Mercy Relief was the first to lend their helping hand inIndonesia. They had taken on tasks that would really helpvictims in North Sumatra, but they were quite depleted infunds,” said Mr KC Foong, JCC’s President.
Acknowledged Hassan Ahmad, Executive Director ofMercy Relief, “Our staff have been very much focused onproviding relief to Aceh and Sri Lanka. We have not had muchtime to think about fund raising, so we are very appreciative ofthe spontaneous support from many organisations like JCC.” Todate, Mercy Relief has received $1.8 million for its tsunamiefforts.
The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) with the support of themedia has been collecting the lion’s share of the outpouringfrom Singaporeans. At press time, its collections stood at $75million. SRC has established a Tsunami ReconstructionFacilitation Committee to help disburse the funds. It hasinvited and is processing applications from organisationsplanning reconstruction projects in the affected regions.
One of the grant applicants, HFH, indicated that they hadreceived an “in principle” grant of US$8 million out of theUS$10 million it requested for to build houses for victims nowliving in emergency camps.
“We’re overjoyed with the US$8 million. There was a verystrict criteria for due process and a code of conduct, but theseare standard procedures for us,” said HFH’s Mr Yong.
“The tsunami brought people together likenever before. Indonesia has seen manydisasters, but never anything like this.”
HE Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia
�������
Top & left: Mercy Relief volunteers get down to work rebuilding Meulaboh’sMuhammadiyah Secondary School.
Below: Bonding time.
18 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
Singapore and SRC have decided to focus relief andreconstruction efforts in Meulaboh, a war zone at best beforethe tsunami, and practically a clean slate after the tidal waves.
“The situation in Meulaboh is a tight learning curve.I would really encourage other nonprofits who want toparticipate to work with us. We can fly their flag; we don’t care.We just want to build good houses and separate groups wantingto build by themselves will not make things easier,” he added.
HFH will build 4,800 houses in the affected countries overa realistic time frame of three to four years. As a working principle,HFH volunteers pay their own way when they participate in
building missions to ensure that between 95 to 100 per cent offunding goes to materials for building decent housing.
“The whole process is going to be very good for Singapore.Before the tsunami, we had discussed an inter-faith groupfor such projects and here is a wonderful opportunity to dojust that,” Mr Yong said.
HFH will follow through on plans to mobilise Buddhisttemples and mosques to help build these homes. The issue ofreligious evangelising from Christian aid groups in strickenareas is not lost on him.
“We build houses because we are Christian, not becausepeople believe in our God. We don’t hide our Christianity, butwe don’t impose it. That has been the basis of our success.We build for everyone who needs a decent home, whatever hisreligion or race,” he said simply.
Besides Aceh, World Vision (WV) will be assisting hundredsof thousands in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailandthrough a three- to five-year strategic programme. Using localand global resources, WV’s work has moved away fromemergency response to the structured stages of communityand economic recovery.
“We’re looking at rebuilding and repairing bridges androads, water supply systems, local granaries and small foodprocessing facilities, village and community banks and a range
Top & right: The smiling faces of Meulaboh’s childrenshine hope on the future.
Above: The extent of the devastation in Meulabohcaught many off-guard.
“The situation is a tight learning curve.I would really encourage other nonprofitswho want to participate to work with us.
We can fly their flag; we don’t care.We just want to build good houses.
The whole process is going to be verygood for Singapore.”
Yong Teck Meng, Chairman, Habitat for Humanity
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 19
A M E A S U R E O F S A L T
In this issue, SALT highlights six nonprofit players in the humanitarian sector.
Humanitarian Nonprofit OrganisationsAll inputs provided by the societies and associations Operation Hope
FoundationSingapore RedCross Society
World VisionSingapore
SingaporeInternationalFoundation
Habitat forHumanity
Mercy Relief
i. Includes investment income ii. Also known as direct charitable expenses iii. Includes publicity, capital expenses and all other expenses iv. Fundraising expenses/donations (%)
GeneralDate of establishmentConstitution
Charity StatusIPC StatusWebsite
OrganisationChairman
Executive Director
No. of employeesNo. of SingaporeanvolunteersKey programme/Activity
Finances (S$’000)Income – Donations– Grants/Sponsorships– Membership fees– Other incomei
Expenditure – Programme expensesii
– Operating expenses– Fundraising expenses– Other expensesiii
Surplus/Deficit (2003)
Fundraising Ratioiv
Reserves/AccumulatedFunds (S$’000)
2001Company limitedby guarantee
YesNowww.ohf.org.sg
Robert Kee
–
15 80
Runningorphanagescum communityprojects inCambodia
(2003)213207
––6
237138954–
(24)
2%
89
1973Singapore RedCross SocietyIncorporation Act(Chapter 304)YesYeswww.redcross.org.sg
Lt Gen WinstonChoo, Retd.Geri Lau(Secretary General)
10327,100
Blood donorrecruitmentHome for theDisabledFirst Aid training Red Cross YouthmovementInternationalAssistance
(2003)5,1092,2561,867
1985
5,0564,18327039221153
17%
9,007
1981Branch Officeof World VisionInternational
YesNowww.worldvision.org.sg
Andrew Goh
Goh Eng Kee
10–
Supports World Visionprojects worldwidePromotes andpublicises WorldVision’s workDevelops its christianrelationships withchurchesServes its Singaporesupporters
(2003)4,7004,697
––3
4,7763,868908
––
(76)
NA
–
1991Company limitedby guarantee
NoYeswww.sif.org.sg
Barry Desker
Tan Tay Keong
561,586
Youth ExpeditionProjectFriends ofSingaporeOverseasSingaporeansSingaporeVolunteersOverseas
(2003)10,287
3089,579
–400
9,7844,4705,039
–275503
NA
8,310
2002Company limitedby guarantee
YesNowww.habitat.org.sg
Yong Teck Meng
Hosea Lai
3400
Global VillageBatam ProjectUnder No Roof
(2003)32616
120–
19025416094––
72
NA
72
2003Company limitedby guarantee
YesYeswww.mercyrelief.org
Zulkifli Baharudin
Hassan Ahmad
5Over 3,000
HumanitarianReliefAcute Crisis Peace timedevelopmentprojects
(2003)1,6201,140 190
–290
1,026788 22810–
594
0.09%
594
of agricultural recovery activities – it’s the local infrastructureat the micro level,” said WV Singapore’s Mr Goh.
A New Spirit Arising
Hard or soft, the recovery issues in stricken countries alsoaffect the more fortunate ones who were spared the waves. Itwas a classic lesson in peacetime interdependence in a world,increasingly, without borders.
“On the SAF Chinook flying into Meulaboh from Medan,I saw on a bench across from me three young women, profes-sional healthcare volunteers. Whether by choice or chance,they were Chinese, Malay and Indian and obviously enjoyingeach other’s company in a very special volunteering mission,”Mrs Tan of NVPC recalled.
Perhaps, from this colossal disaster, a new spirit of socialcohesion within communities, countries and conflictingagendas will be the lasting return standing fast long after thewaves have receded. ✩
�������
As part of its landmark
study in 2004 on the
philanthropy scene,
the National Volunteer
& Philanthropy Centre
commissioned
Singapore’s first ever
survey on corporate
giving. In this second
of three SALT features,
SUZANNE LIM plumbs
the depths of
corporate coffers.
20 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
NVPC’SNATIONALPHILANTHROPYSURVEY
If the recent tsunami disaster was anything to go by,it certainly appears that companies in Singaporemore than hold their own on the giving front. Take
Temasek Holdings, for instance. The group contributed$16.5 million to tsunami relief efforts, no small sum inany company’s books. Other companies in Singapore havealso demonstrated unprecedented generosity in comingforward with donations towards the relief efforts. But suchextraordinary events aside, just how generous are compa-nies in Singapore when it comes to charitable giving?
Not sufficiently, if the findings of the first ever corpo-rate giving survey commissioned by the National Volunteer& Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) in 2004 are anything to goby. Companies in Singapore donated just 0.21% of theirnet profit (pre-tax) to worthy causes in 2003. The totalcash contribution from Singapore companies to the charitypie for 2003 was $111 million, with the bulk of it (68%)going to tax-deductible causes.
Compared to their counterparts in other countries,Singapore companies need to pull up their socks if theyintend to join the league of admired corporate citizens
around the world. In the USA, companies contributed1.6% of pre-tax net profit to charity in 2003. Canadiancompanies followed with 1.03% (2000), while in the UK,the corporate giving rate stood at 0.95% (2002).
“The figure of 0.21% gives cause for serious reflec-tion. From the looks of things, companies can certainlyafford to be more generous with their giving. Think abouthow much bigger the charity pie would be if the compa-nies gave one, or even just half a per cent, of their netprofit!” says Mrs Tan Chee Koon, CEO of NVPC.
Interestingly enough, the survey also revealed thatalmost half of Singapore companies (42%) saw nohindrances whatsoever to them giving more. That beingthe case, why aren’t companies here more generous whenit comes to sharing their profits with worthy causes?
BOTTOM LINE DRIVENPerhaps the answer lies in the basic tenet of why
companies are set up in the first place, and more signifi-cantly, how much weight a company should place on thebottom line.
G�VEOr Not to Give?
TO
20 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 21
The Economist put it bluntly in “The Ethics of Business”in its 22 January 2005 issue when it stated that “Managersof public companies are employed by the firms’ owners tomaximise the long term-value of the owners’ assets. Puttingthese assets to any other use is cheating the owners” andthat “Managers who are accountable to their shareholders,should run their businesses.”
This view is shared by some local business leaders.Ms Saw Phaik Hwa, CEO of SMRT in a recent The BusinessTimes article stated that, “Companies do not have a socialresponsibility. A company is essentially an enterprise estab-lished for business and profit.”
Nevertheless, many companies here do give, and somequite generously too (see box story on Singapore’s Top 5Corporate Donors). After all, says Mr Peter Heng, Director ofCorporate Communications at SingTel, one of Singapore’s topcorporate givers, “Developing sound corporate social responsi-bility policies promotes business excellence and ultimately,enhances organisational reputation. These are vital ingredientsin increasing shareholder value and sustaining growth.”
But how do shareholders view this? Surprisingly,Mr David Gerald, President and CEO of the SecuritiesInvestors Association of Singapore (SIAS), the watchdogbody for shareholders here remarks that “Shareholdersshould support companies when they decide to donateto worthy charitable causes.”
“Objection is in order only if the company spends onan unauthorised item or unreasonably pays its directorsremuneration not commensurate with their performance.It’s sad if we have to even object to charity,” he adds.
Listed companies with the greater pressure on bottomlines will likely have less flexibility than private companies.
Findings showed that while listed companies formed the
majority of corporate givers in Singapore (53%) comparedto unlisted companies (33%), the percentage of net profit(pre-tax) that listed companies contributed to charity was only0.21%; unlisted companies fared better at 0.33%. However,given the larger sizes of the listed companies, the averagedonation amount (in cash and in-kind) stood at $171,530,while that for unlisted companies was $96,030.
“When you are listed, your whole approach to businessis different. The CEO will look at his quarterly results andshareholders will look at bottom line returns,” commentsMr Chandra Das, Chairman of unlisted NTUC FairPrice,one of Singapore’s top five corporate givers.
COMMITMENT ISSUESListed or unlisted, the survey shows there is definitely
room for improvement by local companies. Entrenchingcorporate charitable giving into the company’s agenda maybe one way that can help to beef up the giving percentagesin the future. The recent launch of Singapore Compactfor Corporate Social Responsibility could go some way ineducating companies here about being more sociallyresponsible and as a result, more open to the idea ofcharitable giving, whether in cash, in-kind or time.
“Singapore performed remarkably well in the recent Asiantsunami. Not only the people but also the corporate sectorwas very vibrant in responding and mobilising the resourcesto help. We want to continue to harness this spirit,” saysMs Claire Chiang, President of Singapore Compact.
Members of Singapore Compact include founders theSingapore National Employers Federation, National TradesUnion Congress, Consumers Association of Singapore andNVPC, as well as listed and unlisted bigwigs such as SingTel,Singapore Airlines, NTUC FairPrice, Shell, Standard Char-tered, Raffles Medical Group and Union Bank of Switzerland.
But ultimately, it’s not about belonging to a societyof socially responsible companies or even about one’s statusas a listed or unlisted company.
“It’s really about making a commitment and honouring it.We decided in 1999 to set aside 1% of our trading profit forworthy arts, educational, community and charitable causesand we have made good on this pledge over the years,”declares Ms Irene Ngoo, Vice President of corporaterelations at media giant Singapore Press Holdings (SPH),a publicly listed company that is Singapore’s top corporategiver and not a member of Singapore Compact.
“Companies do nothave a socialresponsibility.A company isessentially anenterprise estab-lished for businessand profit.”Ms Saw Phaik Hwa, CEO, SMRT
“Shareholders should support companieswhen they decide to donate to worthycharitable causes. It’s sad if we have toeven object to charity.”Mr David Gerald, President and CEO, SIAS
HSBC (above) and SingHealth (left)do their bit for charity.
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 21
22 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
SINGAPORE’S TOP 5 CORPORATE DONORS
Amedia company. A telco. A
retailer. A bank – make that two.
The top corporate givers in
Singapore come from very different
industries. While others debate about
whether the business of business is
only business, these companies do
more than their bit for the community,
even as they successfully discharge
their core business missions. Industry
leaders in more ways than one, they all
have one thing in common – formal
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
policies and programmes.
Our winner by more than a mile was
media giant Singapore Press Holdings
(SPH), with total contributions of nearly
$8.1 million. Our survey was based on
the company’s financials for fiscal year
2004 – if it had taken place a year
earlier, when SPH established its Press
Foundation of Singapore with an
injection of $20 million, it would easily
have led by a hundred miles!
NTUC FairPrice, Singapore’s super-
market with a heart, was no surprise.
After all, part of its vision is to be “the
best corporate citizen”. Over the last 20
years, it has ploughed back surpluses
of more than half a billion dollars to
Singaporeans in the form of dividends,
patronage rebates and bonuses.
“We do not hesitate to place people’s
welfare above commercial considera-
tions – especially when it comes to the
crunch, like during last year’s egg crisis
and SARS the year before,” declared
Mr Chandra Das, Chairman of FairPrice.
In the eyes of many, SingTel has
come a long way from its image of a
staid monopoly to a telco that touches
the lives of citizens beyond mere
telephone calls. Since the launch of the
SingTel Touching Lives Fund in 2002,
over $5.8 million has been raised for
more than 10 children’s charities.
But it’s not just the large locals
who are big corporate givers.
Most multinationals embrace a giving
culture, and a shining example among
them is Hongkong & Shanghai
Banking Corporation. Its support for
the environment and other causes,
its strong employee volunteer
programme with 60% participation
from its 1,800 employees here, and
other initiatives raise the bar for local
companies in CSR.
Over at DBS, the focus has been
on the arts and education. Thanks to
its patron sponsorship of the Singa-
pore Repertory Theatre (SRT) since its
founding in 1993, SRT has blossomed
from a small theatre group into Singa-
pore’s leading theatre company today.
A founding donor of the Arts House,
DBS has also generously supported
investor education programmes
conducted by the Securities Investors
Association (Singapore).
So how were our above Top 5
identified? It was certainly no easy
task. First came the definitions. What
constitutes monetary contribution
exactly? We concluded that we should
distinguish between direct donations to
charity (in cash or in-kind), community
related sponsorships (eg. an arts or
sporting event), and fund raising, where
the money collected comes not from the
company itself, but from its staff,
customers and business partners. Only
actual contributions were considered,
not pledges.These were then weighted.
Subsequently, based on our first
survey, we identified the leading
corporate givers and asked them for
their detailed financial information.
Most responded; a few declined on
the basis that they did not measure
(or want to measure) their contribu-
tions. We hope this list will encourage
others to be more forthcoming in
the future. After all, the business of
business must include the community
it operates in.
Who gave the most among Singapore’s corporates?For the first time ever, NVPC surveyed corporate
donors in Singapore to bring you the Top 5.
THE TOP 5 (S$’000)DONATIONS COMMUNITY FUNDS RAISED
COMPANY TO CHARITY* SPONSORSHIPS FOR CHARITY TOTAL
1 Singapore Press Holdings $3,290 $986 $3,820 $8,096
2 NTUC FairPrice $2,571 $1,485 $210 $4,266
3 Singapore Telecommunications $2,289 $396 $1,290 $3,975
4 Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation $1,352 $867 $219 $2,438
5 DBS Bank $415 $1,105 $1,850 $3,370
Source: NVPC’s Survey * In cash and in-kind
ONLY BROAD COMMUNITYAPPEAL CAUSES NEED APPLY
The majority of giving companies seem to be socialdo-gooders, with 65% wanting to give something back tothe community and 14% simply desiring to do good. Only9% admitted that their giving was to enhance the company’simage or reputation. It comes as no surprise then thatsectors with broad community appeal such as the socialservices (66%), education (30%) and health (25%) are thetop beneficiaries of corporate giving.
“People can relate to the visible signs of sicknessand physical handicap because they may have affected uspersonally or our families and friends. The problems aremore immediately recognised and touch people instantlyto move them to give,” notes Ms Ng Siew Eng, GeneralManager of not-for-profit Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT).
“The arts is not viewed as a necessity or crucial. MostSingaporeans therefore do not see the arts as ‘needy’ and itis even more challenging to raise funds and find sponsorship.A complete change of mindset is required before we’re likelyto see any marked increase in giving to the sector,” she adds.
President of Netball Singapore Mrs Ivy Singh-Lim hasa more cynical view of the situation.
“Despite the fact that netball is the largest women’s sportin Singapore and our team is second in Asia, it is still anuphill battle for us to garner sponsorship. Luckily, we havebeen able to find companies that have taken the time andtrouble to look at our proposals and decided to sponsor us,but they are few and far between. The biggest problem isthat most large companies support events or causes thatare politically connected – they should be looking at thecauses rather than apple polishing!”
The challenge then, it appears, is to convince companiesthat the less popular sectors are just as deserving of the charitydollar than the established ones. The question is “How?”
STRATEGIC ASKING IS KEYAccording to the survey, 47% of companies cited the
alignment between the cause of the charity or NPO withthe company’s core values as the main determining factorin their decision whether or not to give. The reliability andtrack record of the charity or NPO is also important – 40%of the companies highlighted this as the deal clincher.
“The charity or NPO needs to be run professionallyand be able to make a sales pitch for their particularproduct, be it a sport or a hospice, and at the same time,offer a platform which appeals to the donating company, “advises Mrs Singh-Lim.
Knowing which companies to approach is equallyimportant. Out of the existing pool of givers from Singapore’stop 1000 companies (S1000) and top 500 small and mediumenterprises (SME500), 24% of S1000 and 12% of SME500companies were likely to increase their giving in the nextthree years. Over half of these companies (S1000 – 52%;SME500 – 62%) were likely to maintain their giving overthe same period, while only 7% of S1000 and 10% ofSME500 companies were likely to reduce their giving.
In comparison, only 5% of existing non-giving companieswere likely to start giving in the next 12 months.
“It is certainly encouraging to see that companies are morelikely to increase rather than decrease their giving,” observesMrs Tan. “What we need to do is to convert the unconverted.For the charities and NPOs, the immediate task ahead is tostrategically target their asking at companies that are alreadygiving as they are the ones who are more likely to say yes.”
MORE THAN MONEYThe survey findings also point to other aspects of corporate
giving that can be improved, such as employee volunteering, forstarters. Only 17% of companies have employee volunteeringprogrammes. This is an area that would not require muchby way of financial support from the company, and thebenefits to the company can be significant.
What is needed, says Singapore Compact’s Ms Chiang,is to convince companies, especially the small and mediumenterprises, that the deep pockets of big businesses are notnecessary before they can contribute. “It’s about doing better,not more.”
The bottom line, then, is that Singapore companies canafford to do better and do more. And for 2005, the spike intsunami giving has been a good start. ✩
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 23
“The biggest problem is that most largecompanies support events or causes that arepolitically connected – they should be lookingat the causes rather than apple polishing!”Mrs Ivy Singh-Lim, President, Netball Singapore
“When you are listed,your whole approachto business is different.The CEO will look athis quarterly resultsand shareholderswill look at bottomline returns.”Mr Chandra Das, Chairman,NTUC FairPrice
Staff of NTUC FairPrice (left) are activelyencouraged to get involved in theco-op’s numerous charity programmes.
24 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
CORPORATE GIVING AT A GLANCE1
1 Survey conducted by AC Nielsen Research (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Taylor Nelson SofresSingapore Pte Ltd, based on the responses of 2,450 business entities. Surveys covered theperiod between June and October 2004.
Total: S$111m
TaxDeductible
68%(S$75.5m)
Non-taxdeductible
32%(S$35.5m)
Giving Incidence
AverageDonation
Donation as % to Net Profit Before Tax
TheCorporateGivingPie*
Donors’ Behaviour
Country Comparisons% Giving to Net Profit Before Tax
0.0USA
(2003)UK
(2002)Singapore
(2003)Canada(2000)
1.6%
0.95%
0.21%
1.03%
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0%
0Listed SME500 S1000 AllUnlisted
53%
28% 29%
48%
33%
10
20
40
30
50
60%
SME500 + S1000
0Listed SME500 S1000 AllUnlisted
$171,530
$30,830$4,860
$171,920
$96,030100,000
50,000
150,000
200,000S$
SME500 + S1000
SME500 + S1000
Where are they giving?% among donors
Social services
Education
Health
Community/Grassroots
Youth
66%
25%
30%
21%
18%
65%% among donors
9%
14%
Why do they give?
Give something backto the community
Simply to do good
Improve companyʼsimage/reputation
What stops them from giving more?% among donors
None
Profitability
Lack of time
No budget allocated
42%
19%
20%
13%
62%
What are donors’ giving trends?*% among donors
* For the next three years
24%
52%
S1000SME500
S1000SME500
S1000SME500
S1000SME500
Increase
Stay the same
Decrease
Not sure
12%
7%10%
18%16%
% among non-donors
*In the next 12 months
74%67%
Very unlikely/not likely
Not sure
Quite likely/very likely
Are corporate non-donors likely to donate?*
S1000SME500
S1000SME500
S1000SME500
21%28%
5%5%
How do they give?% among donors
Corporate foundations
Employee volunteer programme
Partnership with charity/NPO
Multi-company initiative
SHARE
5%
28%
17%
32%
37%
0.00Listed S1000 SME500 +
S1000Unlisted
0.21% 0.21% 0.21%
0.33%0.35%
0.05
0.10
0.20
0.15
0.30
0.25
* Cash and in-kind donations only, excludes sponsorship and fundraising.
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 25
W A L K T H E T A L K
TLC All AroundSamsung is geared up to spread TLC to the world – technology-linked care, that is.
BRENDA YEO taps into the technology giant’s digital hopes for community improvement.
“Alot of companies are not verystrategic about CorporateSocial Responsibility (CSR)
and what they are associating theirbrand with,” declares Allison Curran,who heads up Samsung’s Southeast Asiamarketing division.
Not the case with Samsung. Thecompany’s community programmes areunapologetically linked to their corecompetency. “We’re a tech company andwe want to invest in technology forimproving lives,” maintains Curran.
On a more modest scale, localsubsidiaries do give to charities outsideof the tech box. Samsung in Singapore,for instance, has in the past supportedthe Singapore Council of Women’sOrganisations and high profile fundraiserslike the Million Dollar Duck Race.
Last year, however, the companylaunched what is to be its star programmefor the region – DigitAll Hope. Thescheme rolled out in seven countries:Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia,Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.
Essentially a grant scheme, fundswere disbursed to initiatives that“improve lives with technology”. InSingapore and Thailand, Samsungsupported technology driven initiativesthat benefit the disabled. In Malaysia,Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam and thePhilippines, grants were made to projectsthat help young people “achieve theirdreams through the use of technology”.
In all, over US$550,000 in grantmoney was awarded in 2004, with Singa-pore’s share of the kitty coming in at alittle over S$190,000. Company estimatespeg the number of youths and people withdisabilities across the region benefitingfrom these projects at around 200,000.
To hear her tell it, acompany’s CSR strategyshould ideally marrybusiness and benevolence. Samsung’scommunity programmes, says Curran,are both a means to “enhance our brandimage and build stronger relationshipswith the local communities.”
Still, some situations defy pragmatism.And Samsung’s heartware kicked intohigh gear with the tsunami tragedy thatclosed 2004. Over 10,000 employees,many from the company’s medical centrein Korea, volunteered in the relief effortand in fundraising.
In all, Samsung pledged aroundUS$3 million to both relief and recon-struction efforts and sponsored MTVAsia Aid, an awards and benefit concertto raise funds for tsunami victims.
In a spin-off effort, Samsung auctioned
celebrity-autographed mobile phones toraise US$100,000 for charities inSingapore, Thailand, Philippines andMalaysia as well as UNICEF.
This year, Samsung plans to pumpup its community support using itsDigitAll Hope platform.
Staff volunteerism, for instance,is high on the agenda. “We have novolunteer committee within the SEAregion right now. But it is somethingthat we are looking into and particu-larly through DigitAll Hope.
“We see a lot of opportunity toincrease employee participation, notonly on the fundraising front, but interms of spending time with the bene-ficiaries. This kind of activity is very
important to put a face on what ourcompany is doing. It’s going to be amajor objective for us,” enthuses Curran.
There are also plans to rope inSamsung’s channel partners to bringdifferent facets to the programme.“We’re not certain of the details, butperhaps a portion of sales could go toDigitAll Hope charities. We could alsobring our channel partners in onemployee volunteerism programmes.”
The key to stepping up andsustaining programmes over the longterm will be senior managementsupport. Fortunately, that’s in amplesupply. Asia CEO Mr S J Park is a firmsupporter of corporate social responsi-bility programmes, says Curran.
Yes, he turns up for events to showhis support. But ever the pragmatist,Curran observes: “In the end, coming toan event is nice. But making sure that wecan continue to have such events is veryimportant. And he [Mr Park] has alwayscommitted the resources to do so.” ✩
Funny business. Samsungstaff spread cheer atSociety for the PhysicallyDisabled, one of twowinners of DigitAll Hopegrants in 2004.
“We’re a tech companyand we want to investin technology forimproving lives.”
26 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
S A L T S H A K E R S & M O V E R S
The Heart of the LionWhere Zulkifli Baharudin, Chairman of Mercy Relief, is concerned, success for the humanitarian
organisation isn’t about the number of projects or the amount of funds raised. It’s all aboutengaging the heart and soul, he tells guest writer CHEAH UI-HOON of The Business Times.
It’s Sunday morning, but that was thebest time available to catch ZulkifliBaharudin: at the spacious oasis of his
home, in between his multiple regionaltravels and domestic appointments. Takethis interview, for example. It took placejust before his appearance that afternoonat the recently concluded Caltex SingaporeMasters golf tournament to receive acheque on behalf of Mercy Relief.
As chairman of the humanitarianaid organisation Mercy Relief, Zulkifli’sschedule – as one can imagine – has beenthrown into a busier loop than usual dueto the Asian tsunami disaster. Mercy Reliefhas been propelled to the frontline of aidefforts, despite the fact that the organi-sation is less than two years old!
Zulkifli, however, is taking it all inhis stride. In his relaxed Sunday mode,the 45-year-old shows no evidence ofbeing out of his depth at a time like this,when he has to keep a handle on bothfundraising and volunteer coordinationin Singapore, as well as the distributionof aid in Sumatra and Sri Lanka.
To have a better idea of what and howMercy Relief will feature in Singapore inthe next few years is to get a handle onits Chairman.
“I discovered you can’t have a veryfulfilling life if you live apart from acommunity; and the community can’t
thrive if people don’t contribute to it,”declares Zulkifli. This point neatly sumsup his ethos towards Mercy Relief andhis life in general – as a logistics man, abusinessman with regional concerns, aMuslim, and former NMP (not in anyorder of importance or preference).
Appointed as the first chairman ofMercy Relief in 2003, Zulkifli lays outhis vision for the “truly Singaporean”operation. “I’ve always been ‘colour-blind’where race is concerned, and a firm
advocate of the ideals of Singapore,” hestates unequivocally. His own life is anexample: Zulkifli has a Chinese-Muslimwife and a Hokkien-Peranakan father.
Founded by Perdaus (Adult IslamicReligious Students’ Association ofSingapore), Mercy Relief later becamean independent body and separate fromPerdaus. Today, its main supportersreflect an inter-religious and inter-racialbackground, such as the Singapore SokaAssociation, the Young Sikh Association,the Singapore Catholic Archdioceseand The Islamic Religious Council ofSingapore.
Once Mercy Relief threw open itsdoors to volunteers from all walks of life,
“You can’t have a very fulfilling life if you live apartfrom a community; and the community can’t thriveif people don’t contribute to it.”
Pho
to c
ou
rtes
y o
f SPH
– T
he
Stra
its
Tim
es
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 27
Specialists in Philanthropy ManagementSTRUCTURING • FINANCING • TRUST AND CORPORATE SERVICES • INVESTMENTS • INSURANCE • REAL ESTATE
it became a neutral platform to bringSingaporeans together with three goalsin mind: to galvanise them into having asense of responsibility for our neighbours;to lend a helping hand in times of need;and last but not least, to show that there’sa real heart in the lion city.
For example, one of Mercy Relief ’sfirst projects was to build orphanagesin China, Cambodia and Indonesia.“We chose to build orphanages becausewe wanted to involve young Singaporeansin these missions, and also to have themwork on something which will touchtheir lives,” he recalls. But why physicallabour instead of raising money?
“Because we wanted the youth to workwith the local people and live the waythey lived,” he answers swiftly. But whileMercy Relief has rendered plenty of aidsince it was set up, it isn’t trying to projecta “political Singapore”, says Zulkifli.
“We don’t have any other agenda –Mercy Relief isn’t meant to be a PR thing.But it’s good to remember that when wehelp others, we’re also helping ourselves.We learn more when we give,” he says.
It’s an even pay-off: Singaporeansbecome better people and neighbours,and we also become better appreciated.This conviction stems from his frequentbusiness trips around the region. Heshares: “We’re often respected for theway we do things, for our efficiency and
progress. But I’m notsure whether we’readmired as a people anda society. We’re oftenthan not envied, butbeing admired is some-thing else.”
Getting Singaporeansinvolved in hands-onwork, he feels, is oneway to show that there’sa heart in this lion.The tsunami has shownup Singapore’s “heart-ware’” very clearly, headds, referring to thevolunteers who steppedup and the outpouringof donations. He was inJapan when the tsunamihit, and flew almostimmediately to Medanto assess the needssituation there.
“I knew we neededto go to the groundimmediately to establisha logistical network. Wewere able to establishthe entire linkage veryquickly – that’s the kindof resources we have,”he says with a hint of pride.
Setting up these linkages are hisforte, having been vice-president of amultinational logistics firm beforestarting his own business in the region.“I feel very connected to the region,because of my business and also becauseof friends I’ve made,” he elaborates.
When not caught up with MercyRelief and work, Zulkifli is angling – forfish. He used to play football (he’s stillpart of the Singapore Sports Council),and tries to squeeze in skiing holidays acouple of times every year.
Mercy Relief is a young organisationand in the process of growing, he notes,and he hopes the organisation will stay
relevant to the typeof work it was set upto do. Visits to teams sent out onmissions allow him to get an up closeand personal look at whether the organi-sation is “doing the right thing”. Like hisrecent visit to Sumatra, for instance.
“When we saw the bond that hadformed between the Singaporeans andthe children they built the orphanagefor, we felt that we had ‘arrived’.”
In Zulkifli’s record books, the “desti-nation” isn’t how many projects MercyRelief has undertaken, nor even how muchfunds it has raised. It’s about whetherSingaporeans are engaged, heart andsoul, with the people around them. ✩
“We don’t have any otheragenda – Mercy Reliefisn’t meant to be a PRthing. But it’s goodto remember thatwhen we help others,we’re also helpingourselves. We learnmore when we give.”
Hands on. Zulfiklihelped distribute playpacks to Meulaboh’schildren.
28 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
For most companies in Singapore,corporate philanthropy does notappear to be a topic important
enough to warrant much attention(my definition of philanthropy includesvolunteerism). The dictionary meaningof philanthropy is love for mankind asshown in acts to promote its well-beingby donating to worthy causes or benevo-lent activities. Anecdotally, it appearsthat this apathy is less common incompanies in the first world.
Of course, I am not saying there areno good examples in Singapore – manycompanies do donate to the underprivi-leged, civic and cultural organisations.The recent response to the tidal wavetragedy is proof that companies can(and do) rise to the occasion when theneed arises. Indeed, some companies,such as the Hongkong and ShanghaiBank, have entrenched employee volun-teer programmes like their GreenVolunteers. However, they represent avery small percentage of companies inSingapore, and their total contribution isnot large in comparison with theirmarket capitalisation.
The benefits of corporate philan-thropy extend beyond the mentalsatisfaction of fulfilling the desire forshouldering social responsibility.
Such acts enhance the corporate imageof the company, which can lead to alarger market share. The strong positiveeffect on the consumer psyche of acompany’s philanthropic acts also cannotbe discounted.
A company can also view under-taking philanthropic acts as one way ofgiving back to the society from which ithas gained its success. Employee prideat belonging to such an organisation canalso translate to higher employee motiva-tion levels, and it has been observedthat working together for a noble causeoften helps to inculcate team spiritin a company.
Some people are of the opinion thatthe government should provide thesupport for worthy organisations andphilanthropic activities. The government
does play this role to some extent – itgives funding to charitable organisations(though not much), and grants taxconcessions on corporate profits fordonations. But that is not enough. It isup to the citizens (corporate and indi-vidual) to supplement these charitableacts of the government.
It’s been said that the corporate tax
rate of 20 per cent in Singapore doesnot encourage philanthropic inclina-tions. Although double tax deductionsare enjoyed if donations are given toInstitutions of Public Character, therules are rather complex and restrictive.Arguments have been made for arelaxation of the rules, but it must beunderstood that the government’s policyis to impose a lighter burden on thecompanies and to leave them to choosewhat to do with their surpluses.
Companies, especially those withhealthy profits, should play their role. Inan article in Newsweek in January 2004,it was suggested that the way companiescan truly help the communities in whichthey do business is if they donated oneper cent of their revenue, stock andemployee’s time to improve the lives ofthose around them. In many cases, thesecompanies would be even more powerfulthan some of the largest governments inthe world today!
In Singapore, the above suggestionis probably too bold for many companiesto adopt. Dedicating one per cent or atleast half a percent of profits (as opposedto revenue) to corporate philanthropymay be a much easier pill to swallow.When that becomes a corporate policyadopted widely by companies, the busi-ness world in Singapore will likely beviewed as among the best corporatecitizens in the world – a worthwhile goalto aim at in line with all the otheraccolades given to Singapore. ✩
CHAIRMANSINGAPORE SYMPHONIA
PROF CHAM TAO SOON
BY
Of Profit and PhilanthropyAside from spurring the economy on, profitable companies need to do moreto boost corporate philanthropy in Singapore, says Professor Cham Tao Soon,
Chairman of Singapore Symphonia.
S A L T A N D P E P P E R
“The strong positiveeffect on the consumerpsyche of a company’sphilanthropic actscannot be discounted.”
Some 500,000 semi-skilled andunskilled foreigners live and workin Singapore. They tend our homes,
help build our roads, clean our streetsand more. Still, every so often, saysBridget Lew, “They are like a foreignbody in our tissue that gets rejected.”
“Lower skilled foreign workers inSingapore are a marginalised group,” sheobserves. “They don’t have the compe-tencies – language for instance – to helpthem understand the rules of the game.They get cheated by unscrupulous peopleas a result. We feel we have to help.”
Refusing to simply stand by, Lewset up and is now President of theHumanitarian Organisation for Migra-tion Economics (HOME).
Registered as a society in September2004, HOME opens its doors to migrantworkers in need – hopefuls who havecome to Singapore on promises of workand plumper wages, but end up joblessand destitute, cheated by employmentagents; domestic helpers who haven’tbeen paid in months, don’t get days offor enough to eat – the list goes on.
Out of a shop house on VeerasamyRoad in Little India, HOME plays advo-cate to these migrant workers on thornyissues like trafficking, exploitation, evenabuse. It runs two shelters, one for menand another for women, and also providesfinancial assistance when needed.
The staff estimate that some 50 menhave sought help from HOME since itopened its doors. The number is higherfor women – HOME’s shelter for womenhouses about 18 women at any given time.
Of necessity, the society works with abroader network that includes governmentbodies like the Ministry of Manpower
(MOM), SingaporeImmigration andCheckpoint Authorities,legal firms and civic and religious groups.
It’s been no walk in the park. Forinstance, Lew drew deep from her personalfunds, her CPF included, to bankrollHOME’s two staff, its programmes,services and facilities. “I feel like I’mbleeding everyday,” says Lew.
But the financial front looks sunnier oflate. HOME received a leg up recently witha $100,000 New Initiative Grant from theNational Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre.
Over the longer term, Lew is lookingto a handful of social enterprises to keepthem going. The society operates a thriftshop and an Internet café from itspremises. It offers catering services,where the multinational residents of its
women’s shelter plate upregional favourites. It’sbegun work on anemployment agency andthere are plans to set up ahostel on HOME premises.
Do they have theirfingers in too many pies?“We have to make a runfor the money. Opportunitylost is cost,” responds Lew.By her calculations, thevarious social enterprisesshould generate $100,000a year for HOME – a
target Lew is confident they can reachwithin six months.
Still, it’s early days yet, and HOME,Lew concedes, is finding its feet. “Thereare so many challenges, so many thingsto do,” she says. “What we’re doing nowis fire fighting. Our advocacy, welfare andempowerment programmes, and servicesare yet to be really established. We’d liketo have the luxury not to just fire-fight,but to be proactive and work ahead.”
With their work cut out, volunteers willbe a critical resource. HOME volunteerspitch in as translators, help collect oddsand ends for the thrift shop and lend ahand at HOME’s various enterprises.HOME’s volunteer pool swelled in recentmonths when HOME put out the call inits tsunami crisis response. The societywas working with MOM to provide assis-tance to foreign workers affected by thedisaster. “We hope to engage the localcommunity more in what we’re doingand get more talented people whobelieve in the cause to help us.” ✩
For more information on HOME, logonto www.home.org.sg.
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 31
N E W S A L T
HOME Is Where The Heart IsMarginalised foreign workers in Singapore now have a place to call their own,
thanks to a place called HOME. BRENDA YEO drops in for a visit.
“Lower skilled foreignworkers in Singapore area marginalised group.They are like a foreignbody in our tissue thatgets rejected.”
Bridget Lew of HOME (left) and JeanetteHar of Ministry of Manpower. HOME wasofficially launched on 18 December 2004,International Migrants’ Day.
May the ForceBe With You12 December 2004, The Suntec Singapore G-ForceConcert, Suntec Singapore Convention Centre Theatre
Three hundred beneficiaries from different welfare
organisations such as The Tent and The Institute of
Mental Health were treated to an exhilarating afternoon of song and dance by volunteer
performers eager to spread the message that the arts is an avenue for giving. Jointly
organised by Suntec Singapore and the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre
(NVPC), the performers included
girl group CCCrush, Chinese rap
outfit Chou Pi Jiang, taikoo
drummers from the Movement
for the Intellectually Disabled of
Singapore (MINDS), the kids
from childcare centre Child At
Street 11, and sign/dance group
Xtomic from the Singapore
Association for the Deaf.
Spreadingthe Joy18 December 2004, HSBC Children’sChristmas Party, Raffles House,Fort Canning Park
An 80-strong team of volunteers from the
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corpora-
tion (HSBC) treated 70 children and youths
from the Singapore Association for the
Deaf and the Singapore Children’s Society
Convalescent Home to an evening of
merry-making and a sumptuous Christmas
feast at their annual Children’s Christmas
Party. To top off the festivities, the children were treated to a tour of the Christmas light-
up along Orchard Road in specially chartered buses that had a balloon sculpture artist, a
glitter tattoo artist, a caricaturist and a face painter on board!
32 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
VolunteerPower5 December 2004, The Standard CharteredSingapore Marathon, The Padang
It was apt indeed that the Standard
Chartered Singapore Marathon was held
on 5 December, which also happened to
be International Volunteer Day. Some
700 volunteers were mobilised for the
marathon to help as time chip collectors,
water distributors, road marshals and first
aiders, some from as early as 3am that day!
Among the volunteers was NMP Eunice
Olsen, who was also appointed the NVPC’s
Youth Volunteerism Ambassador that day,
and performed her duties as a medal
presentation volunteer with utmost
professionalism, despite the sweltering 35
degree Celsius temperature!
Her smile says it all.
NVPC’s Youth Volunteerism Ambassador Eunice Olsendoing her bit for the marathon.
We’re almost there...
CCCrush sang their hearts out for thebeneficiaries.
Hit that perfect beat – MINDS taikoo drummers.
SCENE&SEEN
Faster, Higher, Stronger20 November 2004,State Street Children’s Olympics, Woodlands Sports Hall
Joyous sounds of running feet and laughter filled Woodlands Sports Hall on a Saturday
morning when kids from Life Community Services, En Community Services and Galilee
Centre participated in the inaugural State Street Children’s Olympics, organised by volun-
teers from State Street Bank. The children competed in six challenges for a chance to walk
away with a commemorative trophy and gift vouchers sponsored by State Street Bank.
Boy, did they sing with gusto!
On your mark, get set, go!
Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 33
Happy 75th, BB!10 January 2005, Boys’ Brigade Jubilee Reception, The Istana
As part of a year-long celebration of its 75th year in Singapore, the Boys’ Brigade
Singapore (BB) held a special jubilee reception at the Istana to honour outstanding BB
volunteers. The Old Boys’ Band showed that the passage of time had not dulled their
passion for music as they entertained the guests with familiar BB favourites. Guest-of-
Honour President S R Nathan hosted the reception and presented appreciation awards
to long-serving BB volunteers.Surf’s Up!4 December 2004, The Great SingaporeVolunteer Surf, Singapore Polytechnic
Some 200 senior citizens got their first taste
of surfing the Internet at the Great Singa-
pore Volunteer Surf, thanks to guidance from
20 student volunteers from the Overseas
Family School. The participants not only
learnt how to familiarise themselves with
using the Net, but also discovered online
about volunteering opportunities available
as well as how to make an online donation,
proving that you’re never too old to get
Net savvy and to start giving.
The BB Old Boys’ Bandstrike a pose.
Volunteer cyber guides show the way forward.
Poolside Fun10 December 2004, St. Luke’s Hospital DayOut, Police Academy
Volunteers from the Police Academy and
the National Council of Social Service (NCSS)
organised a poolside party for 30 residents
from St. Luke’s Hospital Day Rehabilitation
Centre, fulfilling a wish that St. Luke’s
Hospital had submitted to NCSS for the
President’s Challenge last year. Most of the
residents were stroke survivors, but the
volunteers came up with interesting
games that suited different mobility levels
and also educated the residents on basic
safety measures such as how to ward off
pickpockets and conmen. To round off the
day, residents and volunteers sang their
hearts out during the karaoke session.
9 – 12 MarchWhite Men With WeaponsTime: 8.00pmVenue: The Necessary StageBlack Box
Part of nonprofit drama group
The Necessary Stage’s annual M1
Theatre Connect series, this award-
winning South African play explores
what happens to the minds of men
who are forced to fight a senseless
war in a foreign land. Written and
performed by Greig Coetzee, this
play is by turns funny, poignant and
harrowing, and has won acclaim for
its hilarious but clear-sighted exami-
nation of masculinity, militarism and
what happens when you realise
you’ve been fighting the wrong war.
Tickets are priced at $19 and $24 and
are available from SISTIC outlets
island-wide or call 63485555 or visit
www.sistic.com.sg.
13 March KDF Patients’ Family DayVenue: Fort Canning Park
The Kidney Dialysis Foundation
(KDF) is organising a Family Day for
patients and their families to provide
patients with some recreational
time away from their regular treat-
ment regimes and to enhance
interaction amongst patients and
their family members. Help from
corporate and individual donors and
volunteers are needed to help make
this event a success.
To donate or volunteer, please call
Ms Janice Soon at 62253133 ext. 18 or
email janice.soon@kdf.org.sg.
16 MarchRediscovering Resources WithinTime: 6.30pm – 8.30pmVenue: Patient Care Services Lobby,Level 2, National Cancer Centre
A group for self-rediscovery of
one’s inner strengths that are often
lost when illness strikes. All about
regaining energies and strengths
that once worked, this workshop
helps you to find your resilience in
the midst of uncertainties.
To register, please call 62255655
during office hours.
6 – 24 AprilBoeing BoeingTime: 8.00pmVenue: Victoria Theatre
Back by popular demand after
its sold out run in 2002, not-for-
profit theatre company Wild Rice
brings back this hilarious comedy
about a bachelor and his three air
stewardess girlfriends, each blissfully
unaware of the others’ existence!
Just how long can he keep this act
up? Guaranteed to lift your spirits,
bust your stress and take you on a
mile-high adventure, this play is
directed by Glen Goei and features
the acting talents of Lim Yu-Beng,
Emma Yong, Pam Oei, Chermaine
Ang and Brendon Fernandez.
Tickets are priced from $18 – $58
and are available from all SISTIC
outlets island-wide or call 63485555 or
visit www.sistic.com.sg.
23 AprilSt. Luke’s Hospital and St.Luke’s Eldercare Joint Flag DayVenue: Island-wide
Volunteers and staff of St. Luke’s
will be all around Singapore selling
flags to raise funds for the operations
of St. Luke’s Hospital and St. Luke’s
Eldercare. A voluntary welfare organ-
isation, St. Luke’s relies heavily on
donations to run its programmes
and day care centres for the elderly
that seek to provide quality and
affordable healthcare, so donate
generously when you are approached!
Volunteers are also needed to help
sell flags on that day.
To volunteer, please call Mr Sitoh
of St. Luke’s Hospital at 65632281 or
email sitohtc@slh.org.sg.
34 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
CALENDARD A T E S T O N O T E
8 – 11 MarchSusan EllisVolunteer Management SeminarsA highly sought after international speakerfor volunteer management, Susan Ellis isthe president of Energize, Inc., an interna-tional training, consulting and publishingfirm specialising in volunteerism. Authorof 11 books on volunteerism and
numerous articles, Susan is also co-publisher of the internationalonline journal, e-Volunteerism (www.e-volunteerism.com).
8 & 9 MarchBeyond the Basics: Advanced Trainingfor Volunteer CoordinatorsTime: 9am – 5pmVenue: Amara Singapore, 165 Tanjong Pagar Road
On 8 and 9 March, Susan will be conducting an intensive two-day
seminar on Beyond the Basics: Advanced Training for Volunteer Coordinators,
designed to offer the opportunity to explore in depth several key elements
of volunteer management. This seminar is meant for those who have
completed the course An Overview to Volunteer Management Systems
conducted by NVPC or experienced volunteer coordinators who have
been in the field for at least three years. The seminar fee is $350, inclusive
of course materials and refreshments.
11 MarchVolunteer Management for Employee Volunteer ProgrammesTime: 9am – 5pmVenue: National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre,7 Maxwell Road, MND Complex Annex B, #05-01
On 11 March, Susan will be conducting a one-day seminar on Volun-
teer Management for Employee Volunteer Programmes, aimed at
teaching companies how to put in place and manage effective Employee
Volunteering Programmes (EVP). It is targeted at staff managing corpo-
rate volunteers in an EVP or companies intending to start an EVP. The
seminar fee is $157.50, inclusive of course materials and refreshments.
To register, visit www.nvpc.org.sg to download the registration form. For
more information on the seminars, please call Ms Lam Moy Yin at 65509566.
The Nonprofit Sector Training Grant (NTG) is applicable for the seminar fees.
For more information on NTG, please call Ms Gim Ong at 65509583.
9academic and
research institutions
100UN and international
organisations
Largest internationalcommunity
donation to date:
Germany
S$522million
(approximately)
“This was a natural phenomenonso brutally destructive, it almostseems evil.”Jonathan Head, BBC correspondent reporting from Banda Aceh, Indonesia
“This disaster seems like a nightmare fromwhich we are still hoping to awake.Except that for millions, this nightmareis devastatingly real.” Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General
“It hurts my heart.”Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai Prime Minister on the tsunami disaster that haskilled scores of Thais and tourists
“Actually, I just struck the lottery.”Response from an anonymous donor who, together with his friend, droppedoff $200,000 in cash for the tsunami victims at Singapore Press Holdings’headquarters in Toa Payoh North on 31 December 2004
“We are encountering a second wave oftsunamis, bigger and more powerfulthan the first. It is the tsunami ofcompassion and care we have receivedfrom the international community.” Surasak Chuasukonthip, Thai Charges d’Affaires at the memorial servicefor tsunami victims held at the Singapore Expo on 9 January 2005
“People who sincerely wantto do good deeds don’t needpublicity. It’s from the heart.”A Singaporean businessman based in Bangkok who supplied 20 four-wheeldrive trucks from Bangkok to Phuket to help search for survivors. He wantedonly to be known as Mr Soh.
36 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005
A D A S H O F S A L T
All information accurate at time of print. Sources: www.cnn.com, The UK Telegraph,www.timesonline.co.uk, Channel News Asia Singapore, www.newsscientist.com, www.glob-alissues.com, www.un.org, www.reliefweb.int, www.cbcnews.ca, www.alertnet.org,www.cbsnews.com, www.nationmaster.com, www.abcnews.go.com
TSUNAMI DISASTER IN NUMBERS
S$11.9 billionTotal aid contributions pledged bygovernments and the World Bank:
Number of deaths:(approximately)
297,000
Highest death toll:Indonesia(approximately)
243,000
Number of peopledisplaced:
1,675,000
Number of childrenorphaned:
Between 6,000and 35,000
Amount raisedby the
Singapore RedCross Society:
S$75million
Country thatpledged the most
money:
USAS$1.6 billion
19news and media
organisations
200non-governmental
organisations
60government
bodies
Number ofworld heritagesites destroyedor damaged:
(Including the Old Town ofGalle in Sri Lanka, the tropicalrainforest in Indonesia and theSun Temples of Konarak in India)5
Compiled by Michelle Bong
S$316 million(approximately)
Amount needed to providefood to tsunami survivorsfor the next six months:
S$61 million(approximately)
Amount needed by the World HealthOrganisation (WHO) for psycho-social trauma support for survivors:
Number of groups involved in worldwide relief aid:
Pho
to c
ou
rtes
y o
f Sin
gap
ore
Red
Cro
ss S
oci
ety
A NATURAL DISASTER OFNIGHTMARISH PROPORTIONSALSO AWAKENS OUR MOST VITALTRAITS AS HUMAN BEINGS.
BY SHOWING COMPASSION,YOU GIVE OTHERSTHE HOPE TO CARRY ON.
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU FROM NVPCTO ALL WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED
TO KEEPING THAT HOPE ALIVE
This advertisement space is sponsored by HSBC.