The following are the full answers to the questions put to Tan Joo Hymn by I-S Magazine for their June 12 article.
Joo Hymn is the Honorary Treasurer of Aware
What are the more immediate tasks you face as honorary treasurer for the new exco?
Review of the financial SOPs, to make sure that all processes for good governance are in place, and procedures are all clearly spelt out.
What are the main financial concerns faced by the organization in the short run?
To raise enough money for this year and the next.
As treasurer what are your short-term, mid-term and long-term goals for the organization?
By year end: To ensure that there is a comprehensive set of policies and guidelines in place for financial management that is clearly communicated to all staff and volunteers; and to hound the fundraising sub-comm to ensure there is sufficient money for next year.
How does Aware prioritize which of its program needs the most funding?
The Helpline and Direct services have recurring expenses, for which funds need to be raised every year. Some of our projects carry over from previous years. For other projects, the sub-committee responsible submits an estimated budget, and Exco approves the budget and raises the funds needed before the sub-committee can incur expenses.
Which program is the costliest to run?
Helpline and direct services.
The ousted exco spent over $90,000 in a month. How has this set the organization back and will there be any cutbacks because of this reckless spending?
We are still reviewing this expenditure, but it does look as if the increased membership subscription has not covered this amount (unlike what one of the ousted Exco’s supporters said at the EGM). We would like to raise more money to continue with our programmes, rather than cutting back.
Personally, what have you learnt from the recent Aware saga and how will you be putting those lessons to use in the next 12 months?
To ensure that there are sufficient checks and balances in place for large expenditures.
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