Consolidated NKF Thread
- Thread starter reachme2003
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Interesting...
http://www.nkfs.org/utilisation_of_funds.htm
....the NKFS efforts are predicated on one principle to get the best return on investment. In other words, we try to get the best return on every dollar we spend...We do not want to be lavish or ostentatious. We want to be effective.
When producing collateral materials such as newsletters and brochures, careful consideration is taken in sourcing and selecting materials that are inexpensive, yet ensures good quality, presentation and readability.
Continuous marketing tests and data analysis is carried out on the materials used to ensure the best return on investment. In other words, we ensure the best return on every dollar we spend.
:dunno:
http://www.nkfs.org/utilisation_of_funds.htm
....the NKFS efforts are predicated on one principle to get the best return on investment. In other words, we try to get the best return on every dollar we spend...We do not want to be lavish or ostentatious. We want to be effective.
When producing collateral materials such as newsletters and brochures, careful consideration is taken in sourcing and selecting materials that are inexpensive, yet ensures good quality, presentation and readability.
Continuous marketing tests and data analysis is carried out on the materials used to ensure the best return on investment. In other words, we ensure the best return on every dollar we spend.
:dunno:
For me I won't be withdrawing my monthly donation because I still want to help those who are benefitting from NKF. Whether there's any foul play, I'll leave it to justice, either in the lifetime or when they meet their maker. The management will have to answer to the donors, the government and also their clients.
I hope this will pave the way for a more transparent structure to be put in place, a more responsible and accountable team of people in the management and getting back to basics ...
I hope this will pave the way for a more transparent structure to be put in place, a more responsible and accountable team of people in the management and getting back to basics ...
ness96 said:Buried among the post is a link to this :
http://www.livejournal.com/users/angeliatay/246524.html
that is well written by Angelia Tay and says:
As an ex-staff of NKF and (and ironically now a staff at SPH), I can't help but be bothered by the lawsuit news. I've written about my work experience at NKF before and I stayed away from the 'controversial issues' on purpose because I was trying to focus more on the plight of the patients whom I had to deal with on a regular basis and the difficulties I faced then.
My first thoughts were..what was Durai thinking of when he decided to sue SPH? Did he not know what this media giant can do to him and his beloved organisation? Or was he thinking he was beyond reproach and that no one could touch him? I've always thought that NKF's cause is good.. Its aim has always been and I believe still is, to help the dialysis patients and they went a different route from the other non-profit organisation by engaging the media and public in a big way. There was a time when NKF was like those other organisation, had to scrimp and watch their spendings & overheads..But as it became more successful in it's fundraising, it became more lax and I'm sure Durai's sense of importance and ego also grew accordingly. He'd assumed he would come out victorious again and boy was he wrong.
I have no issues with TT Durai's pay. I feel that he is entitled to his 25k per month salary (even though i was paid pittance when i was working there). And to be fair, he has earned every penny of it. He is one of the most hands-on & hardworking CEO ard and those who'd worked at NKF will acknowledge that. But, like many..I think the bonus paid out to him is way too much. And he isn't the only one getting that kind of bonus..so are many of his senior management staff, some of whom, are probably earning more than 150k per year. But the fact of the matter was that he lied. He lied about how long the reserves can last for, about the first class airfares (which we all knew abt) and deceived many people along the way.
I've also always felt that more could have been done for the patients especially since NKF has so much reserve. Having worked in the department that was in charge of the welfare of the patients, I had problems with many of the practices of the organisation especially with regards to patients. I don't want to go to much into it but it was mainly to do with how the fees was determined. One of my main gripe then were patients who had insurance coverage, either by their company or through Medishield. In such cases, NKF would charge the maximum of $2400 for their fees. However, such coverage usually has a cap of up to a certain amt and by charging them such fees, it would mean that the insurance money would run dry soon. This disturbed me because dialysis is a lifelong treatment and by doing so, the patients would lose out in the long run.
During my stinct there, I was asked to terminate a patient dialysis treatment because he was didn't pay his fees for 6 months. It was an order made from the top and I had no choice but to pen the letter informing him of his last date of dialysis. Before that, I was like a debt collector, calling him and his family every other day to chase for payment. Also, I'd been trying in vain to find suitable jobs for the patient and his wife but they turned down all jobs offered to them. There was nothing much I could do then but to request for their fees to be lowered and debt to be waived but it was rejected. The case was soon brought to the press knowledge and the public soon came to know abt the patient's 'dismissal' from NKF. And this was what happened..
(from TNP, Aug 5, 2000)
NKF: We're sorry, it was our mistake
PROCEDURES not followed.
A bad error. And the National Kidney Foundation is sorry for making a mistake. And for sending Mr Yap a letter informing him that his dialysis sessions were being terminated.
"In this particular incident, the staff involved did not follow the procedure and the staff have been severely reprimanded," Mr Alwyn Lim, vice-chairman of the NKF, told The New Paper.
He added: "It was a human error on the part of the staff and I have asked for a review of the department because it's essential that serious mistakes like this not be repeated."
More importantly, the NKF has amended its termination procedures.Now, Mr Lim will serve as the final check. He explained: "Whatever the staff recommends comes to me for final assessment before it goes to the termination stage. It automatically triggers off the appeals panel."
I was freaking pissed that my dept was sorta made a scapegoat as a result even though I was merely following instruction to terminate the patient's dialysis. It wasn't me alone. My HOD was 'blamed' too..and she'd served NKF faithfully for 8 years. It was after this incident that I knew I had to leave the organisation soon as I'd became disillusioned and didn't like what I was doing anymore. So no one was surprised when I finally left the company. Anyway, I'm digressing here..
I don't know how NKF can ever survive this PR disaster. I'm sure many organisations and donors will be withdrawing their support soon and people would be demanding that NKF's licence as a profit organisation be revoked. But what then of the patients? And what's worse is that the other charities may lose out too as people becomes more cynical and refuses to donate as a result..
Edit : There's now an online petition asking for the removal of TT Durai as CEO of NKF
After reading this, your blood pressure goes up.
btw this article has just been removed from angelia's blog site.
song dedication for TT Durai:
And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
Ill state my case, of which Im certain.
Ive lived a life thats full.
Ive traveled each and evry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets, Ive had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, Im sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.
Ive loved, Ive laughed and cried.
Ive had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!
And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
Ill state my case, of which Im certain.
Ive lived a life thats full.
Ive traveled each and evry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets, Ive had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, Im sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.
Ive loved, Ive laughed and cried.
Ive had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!
In a lecture by NKF CEO Mr. TT Durai on Saturday, 19th March 2005, Lecture Theatre 5, NUS Business School on the Social Services Sector : The Next Pillar Of Growth.
"He discussed on the myths about the social services sector.
These perennially poor organisations survive on the vagaries of human compassion. There are no structures or business models in the sector.
No good salaries, no career growth, and no scope for specialists. In fact, philanthropy and career just does not go together. It is the place to be if you are an industry reject, or if you are benevolent and compassionate, but not interested in success.
In his talk, he addressed these issues and discussed a lot more on the business of charity, about career prospects in the sector, volunteerism, and regarding the importance of growth of the sector. He discussed how you can earn a good living and, at the same time, do your bit in supporting humanity.
He gave you an opportunity to make an informed choice about your outlook towards the sector.
The NKF is the pioneer in introducing the concept of for-profit business model in the non-profit sector, and with phenomenal success, the Foundation generates over $100 million in revenues and has reserves in excess of $260 million. Its business model is so successful that the Economic Development Board of Singapore is working to export its model to other countries."
On hindsight, now we know what he meant by "You can earn a good living and, at the same time, do your bit in supporting humanity".
After reading this, will you still donate to NKF?
If so, pick the best reason to donate to NKF :
"He discussed on the myths about the social services sector.
These perennially poor organisations survive on the vagaries of human compassion. There are no structures or business models in the sector.
No good salaries, no career growth, and no scope for specialists. In fact, philanthropy and career just does not go together. It is the place to be if you are an industry reject, or if you are benevolent and compassionate, but not interested in success.
In his talk, he addressed these issues and discussed a lot more on the business of charity, about career prospects in the sector, volunteerism, and regarding the importance of growth of the sector. He discussed how you can earn a good living and, at the same time, do your bit in supporting humanity.
He gave you an opportunity to make an informed choice about your outlook towards the sector.
The NKF is the pioneer in introducing the concept of for-profit business model in the non-profit sector, and with phenomenal success, the Foundation generates over $100 million in revenues and has reserves in excess of $260 million. Its business model is so successful that the Economic Development Board of Singapore is working to export its model to other countries."
On hindsight, now we know what he meant by "You can earn a good living and, at the same time, do your bit in supporting humanity".
After reading this, will you still donate to NKF?
If so, pick the best reason to donate to NKF :
Adam Goi said:
if i were you, i will donate to another organisation instead.
look at it this way, NKF have enough money in the bank, why still need to put in more money?
Another organisation may be able to make the most out of each dollar you give, and use the money wisely & immediately, instead of accumulate inside the bank (or someone else pocket).
looking at the reserve, NKF is rich enough at the moment, so why help the rich and make them richer, while the poor become poorer? shouldn't you help the poorer organisation first when the richer one can take care of themselves already?
since we have limited freedom of speech here, instead of ranting in the forum, we should all take action and divert the donation elsewhere to show our disapproval. hopefully they will wake up their ideas and do something about the way they are spending $$
Belle&Sebastain
Senior Member
Adam Goi said:
if you want to paved away, you should STOP supporting these type of charity in the first place, make them open their eyes and see what is so WRONG about their actions...
there are other charties in greater need, that do not perform shows and force donation cards to your face every now and then...
swampthing
New Member
Wai said:
Standard PR crap.
reachme2003
Senior Member
i feel that with reserves to last 30 or more years, they do not need more $ in the forseeable future. no patients need suffer as a result of withdrawing donations now. one's $ could be put to better and deserving use in another charity/ies. anyway, it is your $.
Adam Goi said:
kweehonjin
Member
Stopped my Giro donation to NKF after hearing about CEO's "testimony" in court. Not just the money issue, but how he is obviously trying to "siam" the questions! :thumbsd:
Everyone needs to make living lah, but as CEO/leader of a charity organization, think one should 'lead by example'. As in be a bit more frugal lah...
Realised he never mentioned anywhere (maybe got but I missed it), how much he donated (back) to NKF!?!
Everyone needs to make living lah, but as CEO/leader of a charity organization, think one should 'lead by example'. As in be a bit more frugal lah...
Realised he never mentioned anywhere (maybe got but I missed it), how much he donated (back) to NKF!?!
I hate to say this.
I am amazed by what I consider to be a really remarkable attitude bordering on naviety and even stupidity!
The desire to help is noble and should be encouraged.
But there are many ways to help, and many organisations that do similar things. I have many friends familiar with issues of kidney diseases, and practically ALL do not contribute to NKF. These are people who deals with medicine. These are people who know what is going on in NKF.
I wonder if there is a lesson somewhere.
I am amazed by what I consider to be a really remarkable attitude bordering on naviety and even stupidity!
The desire to help is noble and should be encouraged.
But there are many ways to help, and many organisations that do similar things. I have many friends familiar with issues of kidney diseases, and practically ALL do not contribute to NKF. These are people who deals with medicine. These are people who know what is going on in NKF.
I wonder if there is a lesson somewhere.
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