YMCA of Singapore (UEN: S61SS0045E) is registered with the Registry of Societies since 12 April 1961. The Association is a registered charity under the Charities Act since 26 November 1985 and recognised as an Institution of a Public Character by the Commissioner of Charities.
Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) are exempt or registered charities which are able to issue tax deductible receipts for qualifying donations to donors. In other words, donors are able to claim tax relief from their assessable income based on the amount donated, at prevailing deduction rate.
As this makes IPCs generally more appealing to donors in attracting donations, these organisations are rightfully held to a higher standard, both in terms of regulatory compliance as well as governance.
A) Objectives of Policy The YMCA Whistle Blowing policy aims to provide an avenue for employees, members, volunteers, donors, vendors and those who engaged with the Association to raise concerns and offer reassurance that they will be protected from victimization for whistle blowing in good faith. Employees are often the first to realize that there may be irregularities within the Association. However, they may not express their concerns because they feel that by speaking up they would be disloyal to their colleagues. They may also fear harassment or victimization. In such cases, employees may feel that it is best to ignore the concern rather than report. Anyone who has concerns about suspected serious misconduct such as corruption, acts of fraud, theft and breach of laws and regulation that may adversely impact the Association may channel their concerns to the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) via this policy.
B) Scope of Policy This policy is for persons employed or engaged with the Association for the purposes of the Association. This policy provides an avenue for YMCA employees in situations where there are concerns that the supervisor and/or management of the YMCA:
1. Is/are Involved directly or indirectly in the matter of concern; or
2. Will not be impartial in handling the matter. This policy covers issues where the following may be suspected:
Existing procedures are in place to enable the staff to lodge a grievance relating to his/her own employment, and in situations where the staff is able to bring his/her concerns directly to the Management of the Association as per the HR Handbook.
C) Confidentiality and Protection
YMCA Singapore’s whistleblowing email address ARCChair@ymca.org.sg
Whistle Blowing Process In matters relating to Fraud, Theft and/or breach of regulations, a whistle blower may raise a concern directly to YMCA’s Audit and Risk Committee (ARC). This email account will be accessed by the ARC Chairman and up to 2 other Committee Members who are also directors of the YMCA of Singapore. Upon investigation, the ARC will report the findings to the Board and other further channels, if necessary.
Established HR staff channels also exist for concerns not relating to the above, which are normally routed through the respective Division Heads or Head of Departments to the General Secretary & CEO. Should the whistle blower not be comfortable with the above channels due to the nature of the complaint, he/she can also go through the HOD, Human Resources Department to investigate the concern.
To enable YMCA Singapore to effectively investigate your concerns, the following information should be provided, where possible: