Corporate Governance

The Board has the overall responsibility for setting the direction and strategy of aLife to ensure proper stewardship and the fulfilment of its vision and mission. The vision, mission and strategic plans are regularly reviewed at Board meetings and communicated to its stakeholders through meetings, website, annual report, social media and community networking. The Board ensures the programmes and services provided are aligned with the vision and mission of aLife.

aLife has established guidelines for donations and fundraising based on guidelines issued by the Charity Council. Donations collected are properly recorded on the IPC Link System (IRAS), our accounting system and promptly deposited. Donations received, fundraising expenses and the Financial Efficiency Ratio are disclosed in the audited financial statements. 

Donor's intent with regards to donations made for specific or identified designated purposes are observed and used accordingly.

aLife Board, management & staff are required to be vigilant;  be committed to strong governance and financial transparency; know our key donors and beneficiaries; conduct transactions via regulated financial channels; ensure that funds are applied in a consistent way to our mission and objectives; and report suspicious transactions to the authorities.

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The aim of AML compliance is to identify and respond accordingly to inherent and residual money laundering, terrorist financing and fraud related risks. Hence, aLife has put in place internal policy, procedures and controls to detect money laundering and risks posed by activities of donors (both individual as well as corporate).

aLife board, management & staff are required in their respective capacities to act at all times in the best interest of the society. All are required to make full disclosure of any interests, relationships, and holdings that could potentially result in a conflict of interest. Every Board/staff member are required to declare conflict of interest annually, or as soon as such conflict or the possibility of such conflict arises. When a conflict of interest situation arises, the Board/staff member shall abstain from participating in the discussion, decision-making and voting on the matter.

aLife employs paid staff. No staff is involved in setting his or her own remuneration. There is a HR policy, including a Code of Conduct for Board members, staff and volunteers.

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As a charity, aLife recognises the importance of volunteers and they are our key partners in our service delivery and fulfilment of programme requirements. aLife has a Volunteer Management policy that provides guidelines for recruitment, placement, induction, training, retention and review of volunteers.​

aLife strives to preserve its integrity and credibility with the public and within its organisation. aLife is equally committed to create a safe and positive environment for its staff, volunteers and clients.

aLife has zero tolerance with regards to harm, abuse or neglect of vulnerable individuals under its care and will act to ensure that the conduct of its Board, staff and volunteers are consistent with its core values of respect, collaboration and impartiality. For more information, please see aLife's Code of Conduct for Board, Staff and Volunteers.

We are committed to good governance and financial transparency. We comply with the code of governance for Charities and Institutions of Public Character. The Board regularly reviews and updates its internal policies and processes to provide clarity and guidance on our operations.

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Risk Management: aLife Board has completed Enterprise Risk Management framework as well as the Organisational Health Framework for Social Services self-assessments. The Board intends to study the results and aims to further reduce and mitigate identified risks as far as possible.

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Leadership: aLife plans to renew and strengthen its leadership by inviting professionals with diverse and relevant expertise to join the Board.

Please refer to our Governance Evaluation Checklist found in our Annual Reports.

aLife aims to build a reserve that is equivalent of 2 years of its operating expenses, to support continuity in services to our clients. During the Board meetings, the Directors assess aLife’s financial status to determine it has a healthy reserve to ensure financial sustainability and continuity of its charitable programmes.

Funds are held in bank fixed deposits with sufficient cash balances for operational expenses. For more information on the charity’s reserves policy, please refer to Note 16 of aLife’s latest Financial Statements.

The Board has put in place internal control systems for financial matters with documented procedures. All Board & staff members have to adhere to the policies and procedures in key areas such as procurements, donations, payments, delegation of authority, approval limits.

These policies and procedures are reviewed regularly to ensure its effectiveness and compliance.

aLife Board adheres to regular evaluation of its performance and effectiveness, and ensures compliance with requirements in the Code of Governance. The annual report includes information on its corporate governance, programmes, activities, services, audited financial statements, Board members and Management. The annual report is also published on its website.

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For the financial year, Board Members did not receive any remuneration. None of the staff members serves on the Board and none receives more than $100,000 in annual remuneration each.

aLife's Data Protection Policy provides information about how it collects, uses and discloses personal data about individuals while recognising both individuals’ right to protect personal data and our need to collect, use or disclose it for purposes that we believe are reasonable and appropriate in the context of our charitable work in the community. It applies to the personal data of all individuals who are clients or potential clients of aLife as well as donors, employees, volunteers and online users of our websites and online platforms. The Data Protection Policy will apply consistently to all personal data collected. For more information, please see aLife's Data Protection Notice.

aLife is committed to strong corporate governance and promotes an open and transparent culture, where employees, vendors, clients and other stakeholders are provided an avenue to express concerns on any serious wrongdoing/malpractice in particular in relation to fraud, controls and ethics.

Concerns (in writing) may be raised with or information (see Whistleblower Report Form)  to:

Private & Confidential
For the Attention of Audit Committee Chairman
aLife Ltd
Blk 308 Shunfu Road #01-165
Singapore 570308
OR
Email Address: whistleblowing@alife.org.sg

All concerns raised will be independently reviewed by the Audit Committee and all information provided will be kept strictly confidential.

Our Board and staff are environmentally conscious and have implemented measures during the year to reduce our carbon footprint through:

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Reduce by using eco-efficient appliances, replacing our office lights with LED and turning off electricity when not in use. Our utilities bills fell by 27% despite increased headcount. We’re also moving towards digitalization of information and paper recycling, reducing paper usage, with a 40% drop in stationery expenses.

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Recycle by connecting donors of pre-loved furniture, toys and clothes to our clients who need them. A recycling bin was also placed in our office to encourage recycling efforts.

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Reuse by re-using Ikea carrier bags for our monthly milk and diapers distribution instead of plastic bags. We also try to reduce the usage of disposable items when providing refreshments.

We are working on person-centric approach and collaborating with our community partners to provide holistic support for our staff and clients.

People: Being a small charity, we believe that people capital is very important. People capital include not only our Board & staff members but also our volunteers and donors. In the medium term, aLife plans to do a review of our policies and practices to attract and retain talent.

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Community Engagement & Impact: As a charity providing assistance to needy women and children, aLife works closely with all its partners (social service agencies, volunteers, clients, donors and other stakeholders) to maximize its impact of assistance and reduce duplication of services.