Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped

 Executive Committee Elections

 Nomination Process and Requirements

Dear Members, 

The Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) welcomes individuals (both blind and sighted) who are interested to contribute his/ her expertise to the growth and development of SAVH. If you would like to be a part of this journey, you are invited to participate in the next election for the SAVH Executive Committee.

Here is a summary of the eligibility requirements and the various roles within the Executive Committee. Candidates who are interested in joining the Executive Committee should be cognizant of the duties and expectations of Executive Committee members and the respective office bearers before submitting a nomination.

Please feel free to contact the President Mr Michael Tan (president@savh.org.sg) or the Honorary Secretary Ms Lyn Loh (HonSecretary@savh.org.sg) with any questions.

SAVH Executive Committee Eligibility Requirements

(Note: These include requirements set forth in our Constitution, the Code of Governance for IPCs by the Commissioner of Charities, and the law of the Republic of Singapore) 

  • Be of legal age of 21 and above.
  • Has been a Member of SAVH for not less than 1 year.
  • Being well known or accepted/respected as a leader/professional in his/her field of expertise;
  • Have core skills or competence/experience like general managing, accounting, finance, human resource management, organizational change and development, social service and social work, social enterprise or start-ups, law and legislation, blindness rehabilitation and treatment, or education and training.
  • Be IT-savvy, or at least have basic competence in emailing and messaging using the computer and mobile devices.
  • Not disqualified under Singapore law to be a charity trustee by virtue of the Charities Act (Chapter 37).
  • Not a staff or an individual offering paid-for service to SAVH and not related to any such person.
  • Not a subject of an ongoing criminal case or investigation and/or under a board of inquiry.
  • Preferably not a board member of a competing blindness organization;
  • Possess personal attributes like integrity, mature confidence and high standards of excellence. Possess the commitment necessary to govern the charity effectively.
  • Preferably not been a member of the Executive Committee for the past ten years or more consecutively.

Nomination Process and Important Dates to Take Note:

  • Only candidates who fulfill the above eligibility requirements and agree to perform the duties of the Executive Committee members and additional office-bearer duties stated in the next section may apply.
  • A candidate must duly complete the provided nomination form and make the required declarations if any. Incomplete nomination forms or inaccurate declarations may result in disqualification of the nominee’s candidature.
  • The nomination form must be supported by two adult members of SAVH whose membership fee is current, one proposer and one seconder. Members who have their membership privileges suspended or who are under any ongoing criminal investigation or investigation of his/her professional conduct shall not act as proposers or seconders.
  • A nomination form could be accompanied by a 2-minute video of self-introduction, a CV, and an election statement for candidature to be made available for members’ review during the campaign period of the 68th AGM. Please refer to “68TH SAVH AGM Additional Info of Nominees_NSC-AI20210728” for details of the additional information if required.
  • All nomination forms and additional information (if any) should reach the Honorary Secretary at the email address HonSecretary@savh.org.sg by the set deadline. Late submission will not be entertained.
  • The following dates for nomination shall be observed.

Nomination opens on 31 July 2021

Nomination Close on 13 August 2021, 4 pm.

Executive Committee Roles and Responsibilities
  1. Responsibilities of Executive Committee Members

All Executive committee Members need to:

  • formulate policies in line with its mission to achieve the set of organisation objectives stated in the Constitution and Exco member dossier;
  • authorise the adoption of projects recommended by the various sub-committees from time to time; and
  • execute a host of functions as stipulated in the Constitution.
  1.   All Executive committee Members are also expected to: a)Know and understand the vision, mission, objectives, programmes and the Association’s Constitution;b) Declare any potential conflict of interest(s);
    • Attend all Executive Committee meetings and relevant Sub-Committee meetings.
    • Read the minutes of meetings and supporting materials prior to Executive Committee and Sub-Committee meetings.
    • Raise timely and substantive questions and request for information whenever there is something that appears unclear or questionable, to ensure that all policy matters are thoroughly deliberated.
    • Participate in and take responsibility for making decisions on issues, policies and other matters of the Association.
    • Preserve the confidentiality of discussions at all Executive committee and Sub-Committee meetings and support the final majority decision on issues discussed by the Executive Committee;
    • Be independent-minded and not show favouritism or bias;
    • Build goodwill and team spirit among Executive Committee Members and staff for the benefit of the collective interest of the organisation and its members and clients.

On top of the above duties and responsibilities, Executive Committee Members who are appointed to the various office bearer positions are expected to fulfill further duties and responsibilities. Hence, candidates shall also be cognizant of the following duties when appointed.

  1. President:
    • Preside at all Executive Committee and General meetings to ensure the effective action of the Committee in governing and supporting the Association, and oversees board affairs.
    • Partners with the Executive Director in achieving the mission of the Association.
    • Provides leadership to the board in expediting the goals of the Association.
    • Speaks to the media and the community on behalf of the Association.
    • Recommends to the board that committees are to be established and appoint the chairpersons of sub-committees, in consultation with other Executive Committee members.
    • Serves as ex-officio as a member of sub-committees and attends their meetings when invited.
    • Reviews with the ED any issues of concern to the board and discuss issues confronting the organization.
    • Formally evaluates the performance of the ED and informally evaluates the effectiveness of the board members.
    • Evaluates annually the performance of the organisation in achieving its mission.
  2. Vice President:
    • Acts as the President in the President’s absence; assists the president on the above or other specified duties.
    • Reports to the President.
    • Works closely with the President and other staff
    • Participates closely with the President to develop and implement officer transition plans.
    • Performs other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Committee.
  3. Honorary Secretary:
    • Maintains records of the board and ensures effective management of Association’s record.
    • Manages minutes of board meetings.
    • Keeps a register of members and all records of the Association and updates it (except financial), convene, record and keep minutes of all meetings.
    • Conduct correspondence (except financial), prepare the Annual Report and perform all such duties entrusted to him by the Executive Committee.
  4. Honorary Treasurer:
    • Manages the Executive Committee’s review of, and action related to, the Association’s financials.
    • May work directly with the Finance Executive or other staff in developing and implementing financial procedures and systems.
    • Ensures that appropriate financial reports are made available to the Executive Committee.
    • Report regularly to the Executive Committee on key financial events, trends, concerns, and assessment of the financial position.
    • Ensures, through the Finance Committee, sound management and maximization of cash and investments.
    • Conducts all financial correspondence on behalf of the Association and prepares an annual statement of accounts for presentation to the Annual General Meeting.

Nomination Sub-Committee

Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped