MDAS is a registered organisation with the Commissioner of Charities. As an approved Institution of Public Character (IPC), we are authorised to receive tax-deductible donations. We are also a Full Member of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS).
MDAS fully subscribes to and complies with the regulations of the Charities Act. In line with the Act, we have established or are in the process of establishing procedures and guidelines in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
Governance Evaluation Checklist
As good governance is becoming an increasingly important criterion to assess voluntary welfare organisations, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore) sets out to ensure that it complies with the Code of Governance as required by the Commissioner of Charities. To ensure good governance and management, the association makes annual submissions via the Governance Evaluation Checklist through the online Charity Portal (www.charities.gov.sg). The Code sets out principles and best practices in key areas of governance and management that charities are encouraged to adopt.
Conflict of Interest Policy
The Committee has implemented a Conflict of Interest policy based on the NCSS guidelines. All board members have read the policy and signed the declaration form as an acknowledgement of having understood the policy. Board members have also declared conflicts of interest situations.
Reserve Fund
MDAS aims to establish a Reserve Fund equivalent to 3 years expenses to ensure the continued running and smooth operation of the organisation.
Whistle Blowing Policy
The Whistle Blowing policy aims to ensure strong corporate governance and promotes an open and transparent culture, where employees, vendors, clients and other stakeholders are provided an avenue to express concerns on any serious wrongdoing/malpractice in particular or in relation to fraud, controls and ethics.
This Policy aims to achieve the following:
- Establish a trusted avenue for employees, vendors, members and external stakeholders to report serious wrongdoings or concerns without fear of reprisals when whistleblowing in good faith.
- Ensure arrangements are in place to facilitate independent investigation of the reported concern and appropriate follow-up actions will be taken.
- Encourage employees to raise concerns at an early stage to an internal authority so that actions could be taken immediately to resolve them.
The Policy is intended to cover serious concerns that could have a significant impact on MDAS, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Fraudulent activity which applies to any irregularity or suspected irregularity that involves all MDAS’ board members, employees (including part-time, temporary and contract employees) and volunteers.
- General malpractice such as immoral, illegal, unlawful or unethical conduct.
- Impropriety, corruption, acts of fraud, theft and/or misuse of MDAS’ properties.
- Potential infractions of Code of Conduct.
- Matters that may lead to incorrect financial reporting.
- Any other serious improper matters which may cause financial or non-financial loss to MDAS or damage MDAS’ reputation.
The Policy encourages the individuals who make the report to put their names and contact details to complaints in order to facilitate appropriate follow-up and investigation. Complaints lodged anonymously would, subject to the Policy, be investigated.
To enable investigation of the concern, the individual should provide details such as parties involved, date and time of incident, description of incident and evidence or any other information to substantiate the concern.
No employee or member of public who in good faith reports a violation shall suffer harassment, retaliation or adverse employment consequence. Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation.
All concerns raised will be independently reviewed by the Management Committee.
If employees or members of the public have cause to suspect serious concerns relating to financial reporting, unethical or illegal conduct, a report should be made through telephone, by e-mail or by postal mail to MDAS’ President and/or Vice President.
Concerns may be raised via the following channels:
Private & Confidential
For the Attention of:
President & Vice President
Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore)
9 Bishan Place #06-04 Junction 8
Singapore 579837
-
Telephone
Phone call to 62596933 will be directed to Executive Director who will take down only the caller’s name (unless anonymous) and caller’s contact number and inform President & Vice President by email (within 3 working days), who will then follow up with caller to understand the concern. -
E-mail to:
This email address will be setup to automatically forward all email messages to President and Vice President’s email address. Auto-responder will be activated to acknowledge receipt of the email. -
Postal Mail
Postal mail, upon receipt, will be hand delivered to President or Vice President within 3 working days. He/she will then follow up with the writer to understand the concern unless it is without contact details.