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  • Corporate Governance

Registration and Compliance

The National St. John Council of Singapore (“NSJCS” in short) is the governing body of St John Singapore ("SJS" in short), a voluntary welfare Organisation and registered as a society under the Societies Act on 28 July 1970. It is also registered as a Charity and is recognized as an Institution of Public Character (IPC) which allows our donors to enjoy tax deductions. SJS is governed by the Constitution of St John Singapore and in compliance with the Code of Governance for Charities and Institutions of Public Character.

Members of the Council

Members of the Council NSJCS comprises the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Assistant Honorary Treasurer, Council Members with voting rights, Advisors and Associate Members without voting rights, whose members are elected/appointed according to the SJS Constitution. Being the highest policy and decision-making body, the NSJCS has the ultimate responsibility of ensuring that SJS and its Divisions are properly governed, managed, responsible and prudent to ensure the effectiveness, credibility, and sustainability of the organization.

NSJCS charts the overall direction of SJS and is responsible for the governance, compliances and audit of its policies, management, and financial prudence of SJS activities and programmes. NSJCS members serve a three-year term and can stand for re-election after their tenure during the Annual General Meeting. The Honorary Treasurer and Assistant Honorary Treasurer serve a maximum of two two-year term and can only be eligible for re-election to the same post after a lapse of one term.

Election of Office Bearers

The Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and of the Council are elected/appointed from amongst its members. Other members of the Council are appointed by the Chairman after consultation with such other persons, if any, as he may deemed fit to consult.

Sub Committees

At the first meeting immediately following the Annual General Meeting, the Chairman shall appoint such committees as may be deemed necessary.

The Sub Committees (Sub-Com) are responsible for overseeing the Divisional matters under their purview and provide recommendations, propose policy directions (if any) and advice to the Council. The Sub-Coms are also resource and information to the Division Management Committees.

The Chairman and the CEO shall be ex-officio members of the committees.

Honorary Treasurer and Assistant Honorary Treasurer

The Honorary Treasurer, in his/her absence shall be the Assistant Honorary Treasurer, are duly appointed under the St John Singapore Constitution and shall be responsible and accountable for the proper functioning of the management and administration of St John Singapore’s financial matters.

Chief Executive Officer

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) supervises the work of all employees and oversee all operations and business activities to ensure they produce the desired results and are consistent with the overall strategy and mission of St John Singapore; to enforce adherence to legal guidelines and in-house policies to maintain the Organisation’s legality, operations, and business ethics; and enforce financial controls and prudence in accordance with laid down policies. The CEO is in-attendance at all meetings of the Council as a resource person and provide Secretariat support to the Council.

Auditor

The accounts of SJS are audited annually by a public accountant appointed by NSJCS and approved by the Sector Administrator.

Financial Management

The financial statements of SJS are drawn up in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Accounting Practice (RAP 6) and the Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (FRS).

Fund Raising and Donations

NSJCS has established internal guidelines on SJS fundraising activities that are to be adhered to for all fundraising events. These guidelines are based on the best practices set out by the National Council of Social Service and the Charity Council in accordance with the Charities (Fund-Raising Appeals for Local and Foreign Charitable Purposes) Regulations. Fundraising activities may be conducted at Divisional level on behalf of NSJCS.

The appointed organiser for each SJS fundraising event may consists of volunteers and supported by staff. The donors shall be informed of its objectives and targets. The funds raised are for supporting SJS programmes and activities which shall be listed and made known, for the “Benefits of the Local Communities’.

Outsourcing of Fundraising is not permitted under the St John Singapore’s Constitutions.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Every person who has been or will be in any way, whether directly or indirectly, faced with a conflict situation (actual, potential, or perceived) are required to make a full and frank disclosure to the parties responsible for making the decision and are excluded from the decision-making process relating to that matter.

Immediate family members are treated as an interest of that person, and include the spouse, siblings, parents, and children. All interested person transactions pertaining to staff of NSJC must have obtained the prior approval of the Chairman.

Interested person’s transaction pertaining to the Council Members, must obtain the prior approval of the Chairman, NSJCS and any transaction that the Chairman is an interested person, prior approval of the NSJCS Internal Audit Sub-Committee is mandatory. All Council Members are required to made annual declaration at the beginning of the term.

Reserves Policy

NSJCS targets to keep about 3 months of operational expenses as cash in the bank. The rest of the money shall be kept as investment in the following form of Fixed Deposits in the bank that offered the best interest rate for the time deposit.

Internal Audit Sub-Committee

The Internal Audit Committee is appointed by the NSJCS Chairman to assist NSJCS in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities for the financial reporting process, the system of internal control, the audit process, and NSJCS’ process for monitoring compliance with the laws and regulations and the code of conduct.

Whistle Blowing Policy

NSJCS whistle blowing policy aims to provide an avenue for staff, volunteers and external parties to raise concerns and offer reassurance that they will be protected from victimization for whistle blowing in good faith.

This policy covers issues where the following may be suspected:

  1. Corruption
  2. Acts of fraud
  3. Theft and misuse of NSJCS's properties, assets, or resources
  4. Breach of laws