1/27/2006
charity organisations: top exec salaries no need to disclose
the inter ministry committee has introduced a series of measures to improve corporate governance in charitable organisations. and these include not insisting on the disclosure of the salaries of the top 3 executives. why is it that the salaries of the president of singapore, the prime minister of singapore and the top civil servants are disclosed but not charitable organisations whose income comes from donations?
practically all civil servants or public officers' salaries are known to the public. there is no reason why the top executives of charitable organisations be an exception. there is every reason for this to be transparent. it is not tax payers' money. it is money given by the public for a generous activity and accountability in the use of such funds is that more important and necessary.
why should the top executives of these organisations be uneasy in disclosing their salaries? is it because they are ashamed that they are overpaid? or they are ashamed that they are underpaid? if the former, then more it should be disclosed. if the latter, then don't call it salary. call it an honorarium, if that makes them feel more comfortable. people working in charitable organisations must expect their salaries to be reasonable, maybe competitive but definitely not excessive or be paid very well compare to money making organisations. their organisation does not make money and are not supposed to make money.
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22 comments:
I too cannot think of any good reason why the salaries of the top 3 executives of charitable organisations cannot be disclosed. This is very unlike Singapore where transparency is the key issue these days. Could it be because they are expected to be paid more than peanuts?
you may be right. now that overpaying using donors' money is an embarassment and the intent is to continue to over pay, then better to keep it in the dark.
and now that nkf has taken the role of a charity rather than a hospital, there is no real need to put a top notch medical professional there and be paid a high salary when all they need is an administrator.
release the medical doctor to do what he is best in medicine and save the donors money to benefit the patients.
with all due respect to goh chee liat, his skills and expertise should be in medicine and in not administrative functions in nkf.
Crooks rogues everywhere...
Nor can you kiss them to hell, nor can you go to heaven.
If the government allows the 30% on expenditures for collection of donations on yearly basis instead... it's even worse than declaring what pay.
the 30% becomes meaningless when the sum collected goes into the millions. the percentage becomes ridiculous. only blind people cannot see the difference.
a 5% salary increment to $1,000 or $1,000,000 means $50 or $50,000. a 30% expenditure means a lot when the collection is in several millions. the same proportiona cannot be applied across the board.
Nay. The issue is this, if you use annual basis for indefinite number of fund raising efforts, this opens a big loop holes for further creative accounting. The person who suggests this would invite my attention and... investigation on his organization.
For instance, if X charity decides to incur a overall $4m expenses due to whatever reason even if it only has $100,000 in its coffer, then he'd have one entire year to put in more shows and start adjusting show dates and match accounting periods which would make it even tougher to trace.
This would be a great opportunity to promote window-dressings... And I wonder which minister would approve it.
If you promote a can of worms, you rightfully only get worms. What else?
you are right elfred. there are many ways to cheat. it is a matter of whether they are allowed to cheat and continue to cheat.
there are times when people pretend or intentionally act blur and like all the cheatings to go on. not that people did not know. these are signs of the beginning or a rot.
Cheat small and you are a criminal, Cheat Big and you rule the world... Ever heard of that?
But no matter cheat or no cheat, know how to govern why need to cheat?
Sigh...
I don't like the 'If MM dies article'. His passing away will mean nothing but problems... Look at our state of politics and governance... Get real. Once the MM's gone, the hunt begins half year after.
Redbean, consider to join me. It's better to try to stay in the white than join the dark.
i will consider elfred.
but things will go on as it is. no difference. the frog has been cooked to 90 degree centigrade and still feeling very comfortable.
I am a frog then which has the glasses on... and read the readings.
Ultimately, I am hoping to locate a couple of good lieutenants as well. The thought of having lousy oppositions rising on the back og vengence towards PAP isn't delightful...
It's as if Durai is kicked but to be replaced by another Durai... :D
You understand that sentiment?
BTW, I am thinking of going out, say, to Vietnam or Cambodia or wherever you may recommend... Maybe I'd find a career out there.
Any advice?
when i mentioned frog, i wasn't referring to you. think deeper.
wherever you go, elfred, you need some time to settle down and to start off small unless you have someone to back you up. then you can buy over anything you one.
so, one step at a time. i think other than china, vietnam is a better choice.
Nay, I never said you refer to me. Read carefully.
I also think so. Vietnam... can you email me the likely expenses for a 3 months' hunting at Vietnam?
My New Year Wish: Got established outside LOO...
Starting small is ok provided you can afford to. It should be taken as a norm. I tried a couple of times... but sorry, being small means I'd lose my wife without being able to cope the already BIG expenses...
And there will have to be a backup... what's the government given all the power for? To take millions and sit down there helping those who already rich, and condemning those who needed help... Hahahahaha...
You see... Singapore is such a low cultured place. If I'd be in control, I'd make sure each and every minister and MP go for a good political cultural education.
If there is any better place than Vietnam... I'd like to know. It's so interesting that citizens of LOO must find their places outside LOO... Hahahahahahahaha...
Start small... as if the cost is also very small... yeah rite.
i got a friend who travels to vietnam quite often. if you are really keen, i can put you in touch with him.
Good. Please do liase with him, and my email is teckguan76@yahoo.com.
Just leave out mentioning my blog. Thanx. He reliable or not???
elfred,
send you his contact to your email. he may know you as he is also in the grassroot organisations.
or you might have met before.
I am not really active in the grassroots. I got my own info source before and after joining the party...
In a way, I am one of those who are wary of the grassroots. They ain't one of the best thinking people around... and definitely not certainly the less naughty types...
I have gotten some info on Vietnam. I was informed that prospect there isn't that great...
It's still China being suggested. Well... ... But I have no doubt I'm quite luckless in this LOO, so... But I still need to find myself a place in this world. I won't mind to even assist Gusmao if he is seriously thinking of progress for this nation. :D
vietnam or china, or even singapore, you need to find your own niche.
sometimes it is the timing.
My niche... in this can of worms? :D
There are certain people who can't tahan cans of worms... and this doesn't apply to those as Lao Tsu...
Go Vietnam or China, find a simple job, maybe change name, hide identity, buy a cheap but good accomodation, and if possible have a family and pass everything to my descendants should their time require what niche their ancestor (me lah) got.
I don't suppose any ki-xiao will expect me to raise a family in Singapore with $2000... Ya rite. :D
come on elfred,
you are not going to be getting $2000 all your life. it is just the first step. get off your arse and take the gamble. between taking a plunge in china or vietnam, i think taking a plunge with chiam is safer and with a higher chance of success and lower cost.
That's where you are going wrong... In Singapore, once you deal with meritocracy the wrong way, the system makes sure you have high risk of up and down pay... mostly below $2000.
Ths is not refering to certain... jobs, such as selling backsides. :D
Singapore today isn't the same anymore. To thrive in a can of worms, you can't afford to be like me... which is why I expect so.
elfred,
take your life one step at a time. you do not know what is going to happen tomorrow.
who knows, elfred becomes pm of singapore 10,15 years down the road.
I'd definitely reject the PM post. I rather be another Dr Tony and retire. But unlike him, I'd rather disappear from the scene altogether.
There is a good reason, political thinkers who really know politics and power will also know that the best of dream is to withdraw after a great accomplishment and settle for the sunset. Which explains why Zhuge had little need for huge lands and wealth.
I know you are mocking me...
In any case, if you guys and gals can help me out without me entering politics, I'd be glad.
elfred,
how can you say we are mocking you?
take life as it comes. you would not know whether what you are doing or not doing is good or bad for your future.
nike said it right and good. just do it. don't worry about success or failure. if it succeeds, good. if it doesn't, also good. you did it your way.
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