Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) regains IPC status

I was at a meeting with four people from SAVH last week. Their interim president Mr. Tan Guan Heng (who is Blind himself) mentioned to me that SAVH regained their Institute of Public Character (IPC) status, which would be reported in the press shortly after our meeting. They obtained the IPC status on Monday 25 Sept.

SAVH had its IPC status suspended by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) since January 2005. Now that it has its IPC status bacl, it is now trying to convince NCSS to re-support it financially. In anycase, anyone who wishes to make donations to SAVH can obtain tax-exemptions. Oh, I have to blog this too: The librarian colleague I mentioned in this post was mentioned by the SAVH reps at my meeting with them last week They remembered her name. I could tell that they were grateful that my colleague donated money to their library even when their IPC status was revoked.

Today, I emailed to NLB’s ASK! service for the references to the news report. My colleague Isaak happened to be duty and he provided reference, which I’ve reposted here.

News & Journal Articles (Full-text available via Factiva, which is accessible through the Multimedia services in NLB libraries):

Charity regains IPC status
www.todayonline.com/articles/144148.asp
TODAY (Singapore), 22 September 2006 - THE Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) has regained its right to collect tax-exempt donations after being dogged by governance and financial woes more than a year ago.

SAVH says it has improved its financial and governance systems
www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/232673/1/.html
Channel NewsAsia, 22:34, 26 September 2006 - The Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) says it has implemented better financial and governance systems. It adds that stability within the executive committee and staff has also returned.

No wrangle as rival charities share tasks
www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/232741/1/.html
Channel NewsAsia, 07:33, 27 September 2006 - SINGAPORE: Instead of crossing swords, two competing charities have joined forces to streamline and coordinate their services and programmes for the visually handicapped. The Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) will transfer its sheltered workshop programme and case management of troubled clients to the Society of Moral Charities (SOMC) by the end of next month.
[Also via www.todayonline.com/articles/145078.asp

Charity for blind getting back on track
Straits Times, 27 September 2006 - Association now plans to reapply for NCSS funding. THE Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) has crossed one major hurdle by regaining the right to collect tax-exempt donations, but another challenge lies ahead.

Charity for the blind regains IPC status
Straits Times, 22 September 2006 - It gets back right to collect tax-exempt donations with its improved governance. THE Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) is beginning to get back on its feet.

Technorati Tag: SAVH, donations