The Commissioner of
Charities (COC) has completed his inquiry on Sri Siva Krishna Temple (the
"Temple") and found financial irregularities and serious lapses in
the governance and management of the Temple. The inquiry on the Temple was
launched in late February 2010. The COC has since lodged a report with the
Commercial Affairs Department.
See the Press Release for more details.
(Updated:
22 Jul 2010)
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Charity
Council Seminar: Towards Engaged Giving
The Charity Council and the Social Service
Training Institute are organising the 3rd Networking Seminar for charity Board
members and management staff. With the theme of "Towards Engaged Giving -
Connecting with the Hearts & Minds of your Donors and Volunteers",
charities can exchange practical advice with experts and peers on engaged
giving.
Date:
23rd
September 2010 (Thursday)
Time: 5:30pm
- 8:00pm
Venue: STI
Auditorium, Capital Tower (Level 9)
(Admission is free.)
For
more details and registration, please refer to http://www.ssti.org.sg/Events/CU/2010/3/Homepage.htm
(Updated:
25 August 2010)
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Commissioner of Charities Annual Report
The Commissioner of
Charities (COC) has released its annual report for the year ending 31 December
2009. The report provides an overview of
the charity sector and activities which the COC Office has undertaken in 2009
to improve charity governance and regulatory compliance and maintain public
confidence in charitable giving. It also outlined some new initiatives
introduced this year, including a Short
Messaging Service (SMS) facility for the public to verify the authenticity of fundraising
activities.
See
the Press
Release for more details. The
annual report can be found here.
(Updated:
10 August 2010)
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Shared Services in Finance &
Accounting
The Charity Council has launched a shared
services programme for charities, IPCs and National Sports Associations. iServe or Integrated Shared
Services for Excellence, provides finance and accounting shared services so
that charities and IPCs can focus on delivering their core programmes.
Charities and IPCs can receive up to 75% VCF subsidy on the monthly service charges.
For enquiries about iServe, please contact
the appointed shared services provider, ST Electronics (e-Services) Pte Ltd at
8139 3332 or email: iserve_eserv@stee.stengg.com.
(Updated:
30 Jun 2010)
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Joint Statement by the Commissioner of Charities
and the Singapore Police Force
The Office of the Commissioner of Charities
(COC) and the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the Singapore Police Force
(SPF) have commenced investigations into some financial transactions involving
several individuals and companies, related or connected to the City Harvest
Church.
2 The COC received complaints of misuse of
church funds and informed the CAD, when it assessed that some of these
financial transactions may need to be investigated by the CAD.
3 CAD officers visited the offices of the
individuals and the companies under investigation this morning and have secured
records and accounts for the purpose of the investigations.
4 The COC and CAD have assured that
notwithstanding the on-going investigations, the normal services and religious
activities of the City Harvest Church need not be disrupted and can continue
for its congregation.
(Updated: 31 May 2010)
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SMS Facility on Fundraising
The Charities Unit has implemented a pilot Short Messaging Service (SMS)
facility to help members of the public verify the authenticity of the
fundraising activities they encounter on public streets. These activities
require either a House-to-House and Street Collection license issued by the
Singapore Police Force or a Collector's Certificate of Authority issued by the
National Council of Social Service.
You can send a SMS query to 74688 (i.e. SGOVT), using the following
format "FR<space><license/certificate number or organisation name>". The
facility will then send you a SMS reply indicating whether the organisation has a valid license or
certificate.
(Updated: 17 May 2010)
