The Commissioner of Charities (COC) and the Charity Council co-organised the seventh run of the ‘In Conversation with the COC’ series on 4 April 2024. This series serves as a platform for charities to glean insights on effective governance and management practices from both industry experts and fellow charities.
Together with Pro Bono SG (PBSG) and the Centre for Non-Profit Leadership (CNPL), this event was conducted in a hybrid format and was attended by about 1,000 charity representatives. The full event recording can be found on the
Charity Council YouTube Channel.
Opening Address by Mr Desmond Chin, Commissioner of Charities
| In the Commissioner’s opening address, he shared on the work of the COC’s Office and his observations of the gaps in the charity sector over the last few years. He stressed the need for charities to prioritise and uphold robust governance practices as fundamental to their operations and public trust, which once lost, would be difficult to regain. Commissioner also highlighted the significance of board renewal and succession planning as a guard against overfamiliarity and a strength in ensuring the continued effectiveness of a charity.
Please refer to his full speech
here.
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Sharing by Mr Lenard Pattiselanno - National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)
In Mr Lenard’s presentation, he focused on the critical role of effective leadership in navigating the evolving landscape of the non-profit sector and how the revamped CNPL is positioned to better support charities on this journey. CNPL offers a suite of programs and networks through the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) (e.g.
BoardPulse, BoardMatch, Board Advisory), providing valuable resources and support to charities.
Sharing by Ms Vivienne Lim, Board Member, Pro Bono SG
Ms Vivienne Lim delivered a presentation on the topic “Legal Liabilities of Board Members and Management”, providing the audience with comprehensive insights into various types of legal liabilities and the overarching duties incumbent upon board members. Her presentation served as an important resource for improving governance practices, enabling board members and management to navigate legal complexities effectively while upholding their fiduciary duties and safeguarding the interests of their charities.
Panel Discussion
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Following the presentations, the event transitioned into a dynamic panel discussion, providing an interactive platform for participants to share feedback, raise questions, and engage in dialogue with the speakers.
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Moderator – Mr Lenard Pattiselanno, Director of CNPL
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Mr Desmond Chin – Commissioner of Charities
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Ms Theresa Goh – Chairperson, Charity Council
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Mr Tony Soh, CEO- National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre
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Ms Vivienne Lim – Founding Director, Genesis Law Corporation & Board Member, Pro Bono SG
Conclusion
The charity sector plays an essential role in our society. The Office of the Commission of Charities and Charity Council stand committed to support charities on their journey to success and fulfil their mission in serving the communities effectively. Together, we can continue to build a well-governed and thriving charity sector.
List of resources available:
The event is recorded and uploaded on the
Charity Portal.
For more videos from Charity Council events and initiatives, please subscribe to the Charity Council's
YouTube Channel.
