AWARE president questions intentions of veterans unhappy over election outcome

By Cheryl Lim/Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 17 April 2009 1747 hrs

SINGAPORE: The new president of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), Josie Lau, has questioned the intentions of veteran members who are unhappy that newcomers have swept most of the executive committee (Exco) seats in the organisation's recent annual election.

In a statement to the media, she challenged these members to disclose their motives and objectives fully and honestly.

On Tuesday, 160 members had written to the new Exco to request for an extraordinary general meeting, with the apparent purpose of replacing the Exco. The much-awaited extraordinary general meeting will be held on May 2.

Meanwhile, Ms Lau pointed out that no more than five of the signatories were present at last month's annual general meeting.

She also highlighted that just-resigned president Claire Nazar had nominated six out of the 11 new Exco members with the support of veteran members.

Ms Lau also said that following the first Exco meeting on April 7, Ms Nazar unilaterally resigned by email on April 8.

The Exco then called for a second Exco meeting on April 15, the earliest possible date, as the Constitution requires at least seven days' notice.

It was at this meeting that Ms Lau was named the new president unopposed.

Ms Lau said the current committee hopes to improve the life of women in Singapore and is pro-women, pro-family and pro-Singapore.

She added that AWARE is a secular organisation - with members from different races, walks of life and belief systems.

She said that as a democratic society, they welcome diverse viewpoints.

Ms Lau added that she has full confidence in her team and that they are ready for the challenges ahead.

Meanwhile, on Friday evening, some members of the new Exco spoke to Channel NewsAsia.

The new Exco said the organisation's old guard is recruiting members to call the extraordinary general meeting.

The new guard said 120 of the 160 signatories were recruited in the last month to swell support for the requisition.

A vote of no confidence may be considered against the new committee at this meeting.

This comes just weeks after the old guard accused the new Exco of recruiting members to "muscle their way onto the Exco" in the society's annual general meeting.

When asked of their intention of joining AWARE, the new Exco said they wanted to bring fresh ideas to the organisation and improve the quality of life of women in Singapore. They are also planning programmes to help women who are suffering during the economic downturn. 

- CNA/ms

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/423051/1/.html

DBS "reviewing" employee's appointment as AWARE president

Posted: 17 April 2009 1048 hrs

SINGAPORE: As observers reacted with surprise to DBS Bank’s declaration that it did not support employee Josie Lau’s appointment as president of a local women’s advocacy group, the bank on Thursday further revealed that it was “reviewing the matter internally” - after she had "knowingly disregarded" its staff code of conduct twice. 

Said a bank spokesperson: “Such attitude is not one that DBS, or any other organisation, can condone in a leader.” 

Ms Lau, who is the bank’s vice-president of consumer banking group cards and unsecured loans, was on Wednesday night named the new Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) chief. 

Shortly after, DBS issued a statement implying that Ms Lau had gone against its wishes in taking up the post. 

Shedding more light on this on Thursday, DBS revealed that Ms Lau had informed the bank on April 13 that she had been appointed to the AWARE executive committee - more than two weeks after the deed was done on March 28. 

“She had not sought prior approval for this appointment and thereby breached the staff code of conduct. Nevertheless, DBS made a concession and agreed to support her involvement as exco member,” said the bank spokesperson. 

Then, early this week, she told the bank she was aiming for the top post. 

The bank reviewed this request and informed her that while it continued to support her involvement in AWARE, “we could not support her intent to run for president, given the demands associated with the top post of a leading advocacy group in Singapore”. 

“Banks worldwide are facing very challenging times and her role as VP in the credit card space today is even more challenging, given the environment we are in,” added the spokesperson. “We are disappointed that Josie knowingly disregarded DBS’ staff code of conduct twice.” 

Ms Lau declined to comment, with an AWARE spokesperson saying she would speak to the media once things settled down. 

The bank’s public rebuke has puzzled some. It was one thing for firms to express concern in private over employees’ involvement in external activities, and quite another to do so publicly, particularly for a senior staff, they felt. 

“At the very senior management level, there should be adequate communication about such involvements... In this case, there may be some other issues of which we may be unaware,” said Singapore Human Resource Institute executive director David Ang. 

“For DBS to issue such a statement, (the situation) must be of some gravity.” 

TODAY understands that under the Banking Act, all bank employees must declare their involvement with external organisations, such as NGOs, to avoid a potential clash of interest. 

Banks contacted confirmed the industry practice. Said OCBC spokesperson Koh Ching Ching: “Financial institutions also need to know of potential conflicts for any possible supplier-buyer situations, even for accounts held by non-profit organisations or charities with us.” 

The bank respects staff’s “own assessment of their own abilities to balance work, family and community service activities”; still, they are encouraged to discuss their external commitments “if they need advice”. 

Within the NGO sector, Ms Lau – who joined DBS in 2004 after 15 years of developing and marketing events with the Singapore Tourism Board – is not alone in incurring employers’ dissatisfaction. 

One NGO veteran who declined to be named told TODAY, his employers have from time to time “pressured” him to give up his commitments. 

Dr Geh Min, who stepped down last year as Nature Society president, said it ultimately boils down to the trust between employer and staff. 

“It’s right for a company to expect commitment and loyalty... it’s up to the employee to convince the company he can juggle (the demands),” said the ophthalmologist who runs her own clinic. 

Mr Ang said that even among companies with a policy against staff holding external appointments, most are flexible on the matter. 

Citing his own experience as president of the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation, Singapore Cable Manufacturer chairman Renny Yeo feels such involvement would further hone a person’s leadership and organisational skills, which would in turn benefit the company. 

But the bottomline, said Mr Yeo, is whether the company feels the staff is up to the balancing act. 

The mantra at DBS, it seems, is no different. 

Stressing that the bank “takes pride in” the many DBS employees who are involved in community, charity or volunteer groups in their personal capacity, the spokesperson reiterated that these staff “had sought and obtained prior approval to do so”. 

Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis, “depending on the demands of the proposed external appointment and the job responsibilities the individual holds in the bank”. 

- TODAY/yb

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/422969/1/.html

Exco opens up, but old guard still want EGM

Today Online - Friday, April 17, 2009

Zul Othman

zul@mediacorp.com.sg

 

A STATEMENT on Wednesday outlining the new-guard leadership’s plans, followed yesterday by detailed CVs of the 11 members —mostly unknown faces — may have gone a tiny way towards mending the rift with older members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware).

Long-time member Corrine Lim called the statement “a step in the right direction”, after two-and-a-half weeks of silence from the executive committee. Still, Aware veterans remain sceptical until a date for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) is set.

“They said they would honour the values and work Aware has done, but so far, their actions don’t really match the statement issued,” Ms Lim said. There remain “a lot of question marks among members”.

Founding member Margaret Thomas said a meeting would give the new leaders a chance “to be transparent” and “convince us (the old guard) that there is no hidden agenda” behind the leadership change.

The new exco, which came to power in a surprise election result on March 28, on Wednesday night appointed a new president. Yesterday, biodata of the exco members were released to the media — including, for the first time, the nine new faces who come from diverse professional backgrounds in the business, banking, finance, legal, education, human resource and social service sectors.

But the exco could yet face a no-confidence motion at the EGM that 150 members like Ms Lim are calling for.

As of press time, the exco had not replied to Today’s queries about whether an EGM would be held, how it might go about reconciliation efforts, or if it would take Aware in any new directions.

In its statement, however, the new leaders had said they intend to “build on the solid foundations laid by the founders” and would “remember and honour the work of past Aware members”.

In particular, new president Josie Lau said the team would “seek to collaborate and align Aware with other women’s organisations” in outreach to girls and women hit by the recession, such as equipping those retrenched with new skills.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/314337.asp

Aware chief falls foul of employer DBS

The Business Times - Fri, Apr 17, 2009

Siow Li Sen

(SINGAPORE) The new president of women's advocacy group Aware may have to negotiate some tricky obstacles at her workplace, as her employer DBS Bank Holdings has gone public with its misgivings about her conduct.

DBS said Josie Lau, who heads marketing for credit cards and unsecured loans, had not sought the bank's approval before she was appointed to Aware's exco on March 28.

This breached the staff code of conduct, but the bank nevertheless agreed to let her take up the appointment as a concession.

Later, when she wanted to run for the post of president, the bank made it clear that it could not support her move, given the demands of the post and her own responsibilities. She ignored its advice.

'We are disappointed that Josie knowingly disregarded DBS' staff code of conduct twice,' said a DBS spokesperson.

'Such attitude is not one that DBS, or any other organisation, can condone in a leader. We are now reviewing the matter internally.'

With this blunt assessment, DBS added a corporate twist to what has been seen as a change of guard at Aware.

Incidentally, Ms Lau's department was behind a DBS credit card campaign last November which landed the bank in hot water with the gay community.

In the current case, DBS was at pains to spell out its stand on staff involvement in matters outside the workplace. It said it takes pride in the fact that many DBS employees are involved with various community/ charity/volunteer organisations in their personal capacity.

'These employees had sought and obtained prior approval to do so, in accordance with the bank's staff code of conduct,' it said.

Approval is granted depending on the demands of the external appointment as well as the job responsibilities that the individual holds in the bank, it said.

Ms Lau informed the bank of her appointment as Aware exco member on April 13, more than two weeks after she was appointed on March 28.

'She had not sought prior approval for this appointment and thereby breached the staff code of conduct. Nevertheless, DBS made a concession and agreed to support her involvement as exco member,' said the bank.

This week, when Ms Lau told DBS of her intention to run for president of Aware, the bank said it could not support her, given the demands associated with the top post of a leading advocacy group in Singapore.

'Banks worldwide are facing very challenging times and her role as vice- president in the credit card space today is even more challenging, given the environment we are in,' DBS said.

'Every year, all employees are required to acknowledge that they will abide by the bank's policies.' But Ms Lau knowingly disregarded the staff code of conduct twice, it said.

Ms Lau and a group of new Aware members have been making regular headlines following their coup at last month's annual general meeting when they ousted the old guard. Nine of the 12 seats on the society's executive committee went to the new faces.

Attempts to contact Ms Lau for comments last night were not successful. In her resume she says she is responsible for driving retail usage on DBS credit/ debit cards, through partnerships with retail merchants for offers and privileges for its base of more than one million card members.

Last November, Ms Lau led the marketing team in a DBS credit card campaign which supported the evangelical Christian organisation Focus On The Family (FOTF).

That credit card promotion where DBS said that it would donate money to FOTF, 'a charity dedicated to helping children and families thrive', led to calls to boycott the bank from members of the gay and lesbian community.

FOTF in Singapore is an affiliate of a US-based organisation of the same name founded in 1977 by evangelical Christian James Dobson who campaigns against gay rights.

Jean Chong, a gay activist told BT that she decided to move the majority of her money out of DBS after that incident.

Margaret Thomas, former Aware vice-president said it's not unusual for companies to require staff to get permission before taking on external appointments.

'The Aware president's role is quite time consuming, with many meetings and events to attend, and DBS appears to be concerned that this will affect Josie's work performance,' said Ms Thomas.

'However it is most unusual for a company to issue a press statement along these lines.'

http://news.asiaone.com/News/The%2BBusiness%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20090417-135948.html

She did it not once, but twice

Today Online - Friday, April 17, 2009

Loh Chee Kong

cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg

 

AS OBSERVERS reacted with surprise to DBS Bank’s declaration that it did not support employee Josie Lau’s appointment as president of a local women’s advocacy group, the bank yesterday further revealed that it was “reviewing the matter internally” — after she had “knowingly disregarded” its staff code of conduct twice.

Said a bank spokesperson: “Such attitude is not one that DBS, or any other organisation, can condone in a leader.”

Ms Lau, who is the bank’s vice-president of consumer banking group cards and unsecured loans, was on Wednesday night named the new Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) chief. Shortly after, DBS issued a statement implying that Ms Lau had gone against its wishes in taking up the post.

Shedding more light on this yesterday, DBS revealed that Ms Lau had informed the bank on April 13 that she had been appointed to the Aware executive committee — more than two weeks after the deed was done on March 28.

“She had not sought prior approval for this appointment and thereby breached the staff code of conduct. Nevertheless, DBS made a concession and agreed to support her involvement as exco member,” said the bank spokesperson.

Then, early this week, she told the bank she was aiming for the top post. The bank reviewed this request and informed her that while it continued to support her involvement in Aware, “we could not support her intent to run for president, given the demands associated with the top post of a leading advocacy group in Singapore”.

“Banks worldwide are facing very challenging times and her role as VP in the credit card space today is even more challenging, given the environment we are in,” added the spokesperson. “We are disappointed that Josie knowingly disregarded DBS’ staff code of conduct twice.”

Ms Lau declined to comment, with an Aware spokesperson saying she would speak to the media once things settled down.

The bank’s public rebuke has puzzled some. It was one thing for firms to express concern in private over employees’ involvement in external activities, and quite another to do so publicly, particularly for a senior staff, they felt.

“At the very senior management level, there should be adequate communication about such involvements ... In this case, there may be some other issues of which we may be unaware,” said Singapore Human Resource Institute executive director David Ang.

“For DBS to issue such a statement, (the situation) must be of some gravity,”

TODAY understands that under the Banking Act, all bank employees must declare their involvement with external organisations, such as NGOs, to avoid a potential clash of interest.

Banks contacted confirmed the industry practice. Said OCBC spokesperson Koh Ching Ching: “Financial institutions also need to know of potential conflicts for any possible supplier-buyer situations, even for accounts held by non-profit organisations or charities with us.”

The bank respects staff’s “own assessment of their own abilities to balance work, family and community service activities”; still, they are encouraged to discuss their external commitments “if they need advice”.

SUBHD:

Within the NGO sector, Ms Lau – who joined DBS in 2004 after 15 years of developing and marketing events with the Singapore Tourism Board – is not alone in incurring employers’ dissatisfaction. One NGO veteran who declined to be named told TODAY, his employers have from time to time “pressured” him to give up his commitments.

Dr Geh Min, who stepped down last year as Nature Society president, said it ultimately boils down to the trust between employer and staff. “It’s right for a company to expect commitment and loyalty ... it’s up to the employee to convince the company he can juggle (the demands),” said the ophthalmologist who runs her own clinic.

Mr Ang said that even among companies with a policy against staff holding external appointments, most are flexible on the matter.

Citing his own experience as president of the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation, Singapore Cable Manufacturer chairman Renny Yeo feels such involvement would further hone a person’s leadership and organisational skills, which would in turn benefit the company. But the bottomline, said Mr Yeo, is whether the company feels the staff is up to the balancing act.

The mantra at DBS, it seems, is no different.

Stressing that the bank “takes pride in” the many DBS employees who are involved in community, charity or volunteer groups in their personal capacity, the spokesperson reiterated that these staff “had sought and obtained prior approval to do so”. Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis, “depending on the demands of the proposed external appointment and the job responsiblities the individual holds in the bank”.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/314331.asp

What’s good for the goose ... Isn’t for the gander?

Today Online - Friday, April 17, 2009

What’s good for the goose ... Isn’t for the gander? DBS has other multi-taskers too, besides Aware’s president

 

Conrad Raj

editor-at-large | conrad@mediacorp.com.sg

 

ONE might wonder if there is more than meets the eye, in DBS Bank’s disapproval of Ms Josie Lau Meng Lee’s appointment as president of Aware.

The bank said on Wednesday that although it supported her involvement in Aware as a council member in her own personal capacity, it was “not supportive” of her running for presidency of the women’s advocacy group.

“We believe that as a VP (vice-president) in DBS, she already has a challenging job with many responsibilities and the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy,” the bank said in a media statement.

If it is the case that Ms Lau’s new post at Aware would take up too much of her time, then what about the various external groups that the bank’s senior management are involved in?

Mr Koh Boon Hwee already has a full time job as executive director of MediaRing. Yet he chairs DBS Holdings, since the late chief executive Richard Stanley became ill with cancer, where he has been involved in the daily running of Singapore’s largest commercial bank.

Furthermore, Mr Koh is a director of Sunningdale Tech, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Nanyang Technological University, a director at Temasek Holdings, and on the boards of Agilent Technologies and the Hewlett Foundation. Is that not more onerous than being a VP of DBS’ credit card division and president of Aware?

Mr Koh is not the only one multi-tasking at the bank; most of its other directors sit on other boards besides having full-time jobs.

Take Dr Bart Broadman, 47, for example. He is not only managing director of Singapore-based Alphadyne Asset Management which he founded, but is also a board member of the Central Provident Fund Board, serving on its Investment Committee; as well as vice-chairman of the Board of Governors at the Singapore American School.

Board member Kwa Chong Seng, 62, is not only chairman and managing director of oil giant ExxonMobil Asia Pacific and the lead manager of the company’s subsidiaries in Singapore, but also deputy chairman of Temasek Holdings, a director of Sinopec SenMei (Fujian) Petroleum Company and a member of the Public Service and Legal Service commissions.

Mr Wong Ngit Liong, 67, is not only a member of DBS’ Board and its Audit committee, the Nominating and Compensation committee and the Management Development committee — but also runs one of the biggest contract manufacturing plants in Singapore, the Venture Group of companies. He is also chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees and a member of the Research Innovation and Enterprise Council.

All this aside, several of Singapore’s Ministers and top civil servants hold more than one portfolio. In fact, many permanent secretaries sit on various boards of statutory boards and private companies, besides running their respective ministries.

Yet, Ms Lau is considered not capable of handling the presidency of Aware and her job at DBS. Is the bank that demanding an employer? Also, she was given approval to be a council member but not take on the higher-profile appointment at Aware: One would have thought, it would be a feather in DBS’ cap to have a staff member gaining the presidency of a prominent organisation.

In any case, DBS should be judging Ms Lau on her performance at the bank. If she is not able to perform adequately as a VP, there are various measures the bank can take to improve her performance, including cutting her bonus or stagnating her pay.

Unless there are other factors at play here?

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/314291.asp

Conrad Raj

editor-at-large | conrad@mediacorp.com.sg

 

ONE might wonder if there is more than meets the eye, in DBS Bank’s disapproval of Ms Josie Lau Meng Lee’s appointment as president of Aware.

The bank said on Wednesday that although it supported her involvement in Aware as a council member in her own personal capacity, it was “not supportive” of her running for presidency of the women’s advocacy group.

“We believe that as a VP (vice-president) in DBS, she already has a challenging job with many responsibilities and the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy,” the bank said in a media statement.

If it is the case that Ms Lau’s new post at Aware would take up too much of her time, then what about the various external groups that the bank’s senior management are involved in?

Mr Koh Boon Hwee already has a full time job as executive director of MediaRing. Yet he chairs DBS Holdings, since the late chief executive Richard Stanley became ill with cancer, where he has been involved in the daily running of Singapore’s largest commercial bank.

Furthermore, Mr Koh is a director of Sunningdale Tech, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Nanyang Technological University, a director at Temasek Holdings, and on the boards of Agilent Technologies and the Hewlett Foundation. Is that not more onerous than being a VP of DBS’ credit card division and president of Aware?

Mr Koh is not the only one multi-tasking at the bank; most of its other directors sit on other boards besides having full-time jobs.

Take Dr Bart Broadman, 47, for example. He is not only managing director of Singapore-based Alphadyne Asset Management which he founded, but is also a board member of the Central Provident Fund Board, serving on its Investment Committee; as well as vice-chairman of the Board of Governors at the Singapore American School.

Board member Kwa Chong Seng, 62, is not only chairman and managing director of oil giant ExxonMobil Asia Pacific and the lead manager of the company’s subsidiaries in Singapore, but also deputy chairman of Temasek Holdings, a director of Sinopec SenMei (Fujian) Petroleum Company and a member of the Public Service and Legal Service commissions.

Mr Wong Ngit Liong, 67, is not only a member of DBS’ Board and its Audit committee, the Nominating and Compensation committee and the Management Development committee — but also runs one of the biggest contract manufacturing plants in Singapore, the Venture Group of companies. He is also chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees and a member of the Research Innovation and Enterprise Council.

All this aside, several of Singapore’s Ministers and top civil servants hold more than one portfolio. In fact, many permanent secretaries sit on various boards of statutory boards and private companies, besides running their respective ministries.

Yet, Ms Lau is considered not capable of handling the presidency of Aware and her job at DBS. Is the bank that demanding an employer? Also, she was given approval to be a council member but not take on the higher-profile appointment at Aware: One would have thought, it would be a feather in DBS’ cap to have a staff member gaining the presidency of a prominent organisation.

In any case, DBS should be judgingMs Lau on her performance at the bank. If she is not able to perform adequately as a VP, there are various measures the bank can take to improve her performance, including cutting her bonus or stagnating her pay.

Unless there are other factors at play here?

Isn’t for the gander? DBS has other multi-taskers too, besides Aware’s president

 

Conrad Raj

editor-at-large | conrad@mediacorp.com.sg

 

ONE might wonder if there is more than meets the eye, in DBS Bank’s disapproval of Ms Josie Lau Meng Lee’s appointment as president of Aware.

The bank said on Wednesday that although it supported her involvement in Aware as a council member in her own personal capacity, it was “not supportive” of her running for presidency of the women’s advocacy group.

“We believe that as a VP (vice-president) in DBS, she already has a challenging job with many responsibilities and the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy,” the bank said in a media statement.

If it is the case that Ms Lau’s new post at Aware would take up too much of her time, then what about the various external groups that the bank’s senior management are involved in?

Mr Koh Boon Hwee already has a full time job as executive director of MediaRing. Yet he chairs DBS Holdings, since the late chief executive Richard Stanley became ill with cancer, where he has been involved in the daily running of Singapore’s largest commercial bank.

Furthermore, Mr Koh is a director of Sunningdale Tech, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Nanyang Technological University, a director at Temasek Holdings, and on the boards of Agilent Technologies and the Hewlett Foundation. Is that not more onerous than being a VP of DBS’ credit card division and president of Aware?

Mr Koh is not the only one multi-tasking at the bank; most of its other directors sit on other boards besides having full-time jobs.

Take Dr Bart Broadman, 47, for example. He is not only managing director of Singapore-based Alphadyne Asset Management which he founded, but is also a board member of the Central Provident Fund Board, serving on its Investment Committee; as well as vice-chairman of the Board of Governors at the Singapore American School.

Board member Kwa Chong Seng, 62, is not only chairman and managing director of oil giant ExxonMobil Asia Pacific and the lead manager of the company’s subsidiaries in Singapore, but also deputy chairman of Temasek Holdings, a director of Sinopec SenMei (Fujian) Petroleum Company and a member of the Public Service and Legal Service commissions.

Mr Wong Ngit Liong, 67, is not only a member of DBS’ Board and its Audit committee, the Nominating and Compensation committee and the Management Development committee — but also runs one of the biggest contract manufacturing plants in Singapore, the Venture Group of companies. He is also chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees and a member of the Research Innovation and Enterprise Council.

All this aside, several of Singapore’s Ministers and top civil servants hold more than one portfolio. In fact, many permanent secretaries sit on various boards of statutory boards and private companies, besides running their respective ministries.

Yet, Ms Lau is considered not capable of handling the presidency of Aware and her job at DBS. Is the bank that demanding an employer? Also, she was given approval to be a council member but not take on the higher-profile appointment at Aware: One would have thought, it would be a feather in DBS’ cap to have a staff member gaining the presidency of a prominent organisation.

In any case, DBS should be judgingMs Lau on her performance at the bank. If she is not able to perform adequately as a VP, there are various measures the bank can take to improve her performance, including cutting her bonus or stagnating her pay.