OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2013

MCI (P) 125/12/2012

DO GOOD

make a difference.

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03 Chairman's Message - DO GOOD

04 A Movement to Stop Exploitation Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)

05 ISCOS: The co-operative that invests in ex-offenders

06 Come Together As One

08 Hot Shots Revealed! 09 World Credit Union Conference in Canada Credit Sector Night Encore!

10 Co-op Wheels Explorer: a Malaysian driving adventure First COOPOW! SNCF Comics & Manga Design Competition

11 CCF Grant Framework SNCF Bursary for ITE Students Co-operative Bursary for Polytechnic Studies

12 Mark Your Calendar & SNCF At Your Service

CONTENTS

SNCF reserves the right to select articles to be incorporated into the Co-operator for any issue. Please note that all selected articles are subject to editing by the editorial team. Such submis-sions become the property of SNCF and that all title and interest therein, including all rights of copyright, shall vest with SNCF at the time they are submitted.

The news and stories in Co-operator are made possible because of our affiliates. As such, we invite our affiliates to send in stories and photographs to continue tapping on the Co-operator to publicise co-operative updates or announce important messages. Submissions should preferably not exceed 400 words and relevant photographs are best submitted in high resolution (300dpi and above). Please email your materials and enquiries to sncf@sncf.org.sg.

Our MissionTo promote and develop co-operatives as sustainable enterprises

that address social and economic needs through the principle of

self and mutual help so as to foster a more resilient society.

Dear Co-operators

As we approach the end of the year and look forward to a new year, it is timely to take stock and reflect on what it means to Do Good.

We can do good in many ways such as taking part in food donations, presenting study awards to needy students, visiting charity homes and donating money to a good cause.

In the co-operative movement, we offer another expression and articulation of doing good. To us, the co-operative way of doing business is all about doing good.

We come together to create sustainable systems for the betterment of our own lives and the lives of others. We see a need; and we come together to fill the need by seeking self-help solutions and creating mutually beneficial, sustainable enterprises. The co-operative way makes real and lasting improvements in people’s lives. It goes beyond doing charitable works in the community we serve.

Co-ops that Do Good In this issue of the Co-operator, we feature two co-operatives that truly embody the spirit of doing good; that is coming together to create a better situation for themselves and empowering others to do the same.

In our international co-op feature, we highlight Amul of India which started off as two small village co-operatives which sought to cut out

the unscrupulous middle men in the country’s dairy trade so that the local farmers would get a fairer deal for themselves. Amul grew and became known as the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which is today India's largest food product marketing organization. The products by GCMMF are good value for money for the consumers and provide remunerative returns to the farmers.

Closer to home, in our local co-op feature, we have ISCOS, the co-operative where ex-offenders come together to promote self-esteem and economic independence. Through the social enterprise, Mister Clean Pte Ltd, the ex-offenders who are ISCOS members get on the job training and gainful employment. This ultimately impacts society as a whole as ex-offenders learn to re integrate and become productive and valued members of their community.

Celebrating together and building a future on Doing Good SNCF held its largest event of the year at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park on 1 September to strengthen the bonds in the movement that has more than 1 million members. At the event, we celebrated our long history of doing good by playing a strong social and economic role in society; and look forward to a future which will be built through the promotion of self reliance and mutual good. It is this ethos that will carry the co- operative movement in Singapore for many years to come.

Let us encourage more to come together to make a business decision to do good – the co-operative way.

Chan Tee SengChairman, SNCF Executive Council

DO GOOD

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A Movement to Stop Exploitation

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The unfair trade practices of milk in India more than 65 years ago became unbearable for the farmers, who were so angered by the manipulative processes of the local trade cartel that they started their own co-operative movement. Advised by an Indian patriot, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the farmers founded the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Pte Ltd in 1946, to stop the trade being exploited by middlemen. The co-operative started out with two co-operative societies and 247 litres of milk, and is better known as Amul by consumers today.

The co-operative business was an establishment of a direct linkage between milk producers and consumers by eliminating middlemen. This resulted in cutting down costs and gaining closer relations with consumers. The milk producers are able to control the procurement, processing and marketing of the dairy, ensuring a professional management of the products sold.

Amul grew from strength to strength. The then Prime Minister of India Lal Bahadur Shastri, decided that the Amul approach to selling dairy should become the basis of a National Dairy Development policy. He identified four important factors that contributed to Amul’s success;

• the famers owned the dairy; • their elected representatives managed the village societies and

the district union; and • they employed professionals to operate and run the business. • Most importantly, the co-operatives were sensitive to the needs

of famers and were responsive to their demands. India's National Dairy Development Board was set up in 1965, its objective was to replicate the Amul model.

Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) became the exclusive marketing organisation of 'Amul' and 'Sagar' branded products. It is India's largest exporter of dairy products and is today India's largest food product marketing organisation with annual turnover of US$2.54 billion. Besides milk, its product range comprises milk powder, health beverages, ghee, butter, cheese, pizza cheese, ice cream, paneer, chocolates, and traditional Indian sweets.

Its daily milk procurement is estimated at 13 million litres per day, coming from 16,914 village milk co-operative societies, 17 member unions covering 24 districts and 3.18 million milk producer members. The products by GCMMF are good value for money, which provides

remunerative returns to the farmers and serve the interest of consumers by being high in quality. GCMMF has bagged many awards for its consistent quality, customer focus and dependability, much thanks to quality management practices.

The Amul brand is not just a household name for dairy products, it is a movement that has signified and shown the positive results of co-operatives. The GCMMF has done well to be of benefit to many areas of Indian society. It is indeed a valuable model of going good in a sustainable way.

For more infomation please see http://www.amul.com/

Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)

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Those who have made mistakes and have paid the price with imprisonment may have the difficult task of reintegrating back into society, finding employment, providing for their families and battling self esteem issues.

The Industrial & Services Co-operative Society Pte Ltd (ISCOS), a co-operative that has ex-offenders as its members, tackles these issues head on by providing services which address these problems.

Initiated by the Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE), ISCOS was established in 1989 under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Co-operative has now over 14,000 members who have benefited from various programmes and initiatives ranging from employment and skills training to family-bonding activities.

The structure of ISCOS is unique because as a Co-operative, they can provide relevant social services to members and their families,

while having the flexibility to establish and run social enterprises such as Mister Clean Pte Ltd. They have offered extensive social services to members since 2006.

Although ISCOS is not a charity, they have, since 2013, been working closely with the Yellow Ribbon Fund (YRF) on projects such as the YRF-

ISCOS Fairy Godparent Programme (FGP), a children’s education and family support initiative which helps ex-offenders’ children achieve

their academic potential. In the long run, they envision these children becoming productive members of the community, thus averting the intergenerational offending cycle.

It is the mission of this co-operative “to promote self-esteem and economic independence in ex-offenders while guiding them towards good citizenship and good value systems”. ISCOS does that well by offering the public good quality service via its social enterprise; helps people into gainful employment; and creates effective support systems for those who need it most. ISCOS is a worthy social cause that operates as a co-operative, to help those whose lives have taken a wrong turn; and now want to get back on track.

If you wish to find out more information, offer employment opportunities, volunteer or become a member please refer to the website http://www.iscos.org.sg/en/home

ISCOS: The co-operative that invests in ex-offenders

ISCOS member opens food stall

After completing the ISCOS Entrepreneurship Training where he learned about funding and set-up requirements, ISCOS member Rahim was all ready to fulfill a long harboured dream of having his very own food stall. He now runs an Ayam Penyet (Smashed Fried Chicken), Seafood Penyet and Vegetarian Penyet stall with his wife. "I feel happy to run this stall as it is my dream to do so and I hope to better support my family,” the father of two said.

With the help of two sponsors, Mr Albert Teo and Mr Lim Teck San, the operation of the stall was made possible. Check out Rahim’s special concoction of lightly buttered rice and original Penyet recipe at Pasir Panjang Food Centre, 121 Pasir Panjang Road, #01-20 Singapore 118543.

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Come Together As One

SNCF held the largest co-operative event of the year on 1 September

2013; bringing together co-operators, their families and friends, and

members of the public for a beautiful Sunday afternoon out in the park.

The heartening attempt to form the Largest Human Formation of a

Corporate Logo was made all the more sweeter when despite the

slight drizzle, participants’ spirits were high; and the guest of honour,

Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State, Minister of Finance and

Ministry of Transport, held up the last placard, completing the logo of

SNCF. The attempt aptly symbolised the co-operative spirit, the values of

the movement and illustrated the importance of unity in the movement

and self and mutual help.

Mrs Teo also flagged off the 2.5 km Family Walk around Bishan-Ang

Mo Kio Park. She joined some 70 children aged five and six years from

the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) in a reading of SNCF Storybooks

and mass-colouring activity that taught them co-operative values such

as sharing, mutual help and co-operation.

Co-operative members, their families and the public had instant photos

taken, participated in games stalls, bouncy castles, stage trivia games

and watched a free movie screening of mega blockbuster, Madagascar

3: Europe's Most Wanted, under the stars while enjoying dinner.

Ms Dolly Goh, Chief Executive Officer of SNCF, said that co-operatives

have always played a strong social role in Singapore’s development,

with members coming together to provide services that help themselves

and a broad swathe of Singapore’s population over the years.

“Co-operatives have always played an important role as a social

catalyst, improving the lives of many Singaporeans. As Singapore

moves into the future, there will be an increasing importance placed

on Singapore’s social needs through self-reliance. That’s where the

movement will be able to play a critical role to support Singapore

by promoting mutual and self-help to build resilience,” she said.

“To meet the challenges of the future, the movement will need to build

and establish stronger bonds among its members. Come Together

as One is aimed at precisely achieving this objective.”

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In Search of Catch

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Hot Shots Revealed!This year’s Hot Shots photography competition which attracted 888 entries saw an incredible display of talents. Photography enthusiasts of all ages and nationalities captured poignant scenes which best revealed the five themes:• Co-operation • Mutual Help and• Self-help • Care for Others.• Equality

Everyone Needs Help and Everyone Can Care

Helping Hands Helpful Worker

A deep meditation above a deep lake

Unity is Strength

Put a smile on others' face Conjoint FishingOne Hand...One Goal... Save the Earth, Plant a Tree

Smile & Care

For the Online Fun Category, judging was done through online voting on SNCF’s Facebook. After having sifted out irrelevant & unqualified entries, the photos with the most votes won. The 6 Judges’ Choice Awards (3 Singapore & 3 international) were selected by a panel of judges comprising of Mr Joseph K S Tan, Mr Harry Lee and Ms Dolly Goh.

In the Open Print Category, the 3 judges individually selected their preferred photos in the first round. This was followed by a second round of consolidation where, the judges mutually discussed and agreed upon the final winners.

Congratulations to all the winners!

All affiliates of SNCF can have access to these photos for use by logging onto http://www.sncf.org.sg/sncfgallery/.

Open Print Category

Online Fun Category

Singapore 1st Prize : Wilfred Goh, Put a smile on others' face

Theme: Care for Others

Judges’ Choice : Kalan Madrasmail, Smile & Care Theme: Care for Others

International 1st Prize : Lany Cestona (Philippines),

One Hand... One Goal... Save the Earth, Plant a Tree Theme: Co-operation

Judges’ Choice : Rabin Chakrabarti (India), Conjoint Fishing Theme: Co-operation

Singapore Award1st Prize : Cheah Kin Wai, Helping Hands Theme: Mutual Help

2nd Prize : Ong Yi Chao, Helpful Worker Theme: Care for Others

3rd Prize : Bernard Poh Lye Kiat, Unity is Strength Theme: Co-operation

International Award1st Prize : Joel C. Forte (Philippines), Everyone Needs Help and Everyone Can Care Theme: Care for Others

2nd Prize : Gowtham (India), A deep meditation above a deep lake Theme: Self Help

3rd Prize : Sudipto Das (India), In Search of Catch Theme: Equality

More than 2,300 credit union leaders from 61 countries were in Ottawa, Canada for the credit union movement’s foremost global event, the World Credit Union Conference 2013.

The four-day conference, organised by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), provided the excellent platform for the participants to network and learn from top industry experts.

Kicked off on 14 July, the conference featured the sharing on Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action author Simon Sinek, World Council's annual awards ceremony and a closing night reception at the state-of-the-art Canadian Museum of Civilization. Shoba Gunasekaran, General Manager of TCC Credit Co-operative Ltd, was a panelist for the topic “Leadership Challenges and Solutions among Emerging Credit Union Systems”.

It was a night of bonding, catching up with old friends, laughter and entertainment. Some of our Credit Co-operators who had attended the 2013 World Credit Union Conference held in Ottawa in July, presented a topic each from the conference. This sharing session allowed them to pass knowledge and experience gained to the rest of the Credit

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Credit Sector Night Encore!

Grzegorz Bierecki, president and CEO of the National Association of Co-operative Savings and Credit Unions (NACSCU), Poland's credit union trade group, has been named chair of World Council of Credit Unions' board of directors. Bierecki, succeeded outgoing chair Manuel Rabines, general manager of Federación Nacional de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito del Perú (FENACREP).

World Council has done much good by implementing more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 56,000 credit unions in 101 countries serve 200 million people.

Sector Co-operators. The topics ranged from ‘Understanding Fraud’ to ‘Reaching Out Through Social Media’. Kamsari, from Sembawang Co-operative Thrift & Loan Society Ltd and the winner for Co-op Got Talent 2013, entertained with a medley of songs, from oldies to current top hits, to loud applause and shouts of Encore!

World Credit Union Conference in Canada

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The three-day Co-op Wheels Explorer took 33 fun loving co-operators on an adventure to the Malaysian coast. Along the way they built camaraderie, had fabulous food and traded colourful stories of their co-op experiences.

The convoy of 11 cars travelled to Port Dickson and Malacca to soak in the sights and delights the places have to offer. Highlights included a visit to an ostrich farm in Port Dickson and feasting on an ostrich egg omelette. Over in Malacca, ornately decorated trishaws brought the co-operators on an exciting Trishaw Treasure Hunt.

Co-op Wheels Explorer: a Malaysian driving adventure

First COOPOW! SNCF Comics & Manga Design Competition

Members from seven Co-ops, namely Premier Security Co-op, Singapore Statutory Board Employees’ Co-op, AUPE Multi-purpose Co-op, Customs Credit Co-operative Society, TCC Credit Co-operative, Singapore Government Staff and SASCO, took part in Co-op Wheels Explorer for fun and came home with stronger bonds and deeper friendship.

SNCF is all set to launch its very first comic design competition to tap on the creativity of the visual medium to promote the co-operative message.

Participants are encouraged to spin captivating tales and create compelling stories to speak of the goodness of the co-operative movement and how co-operative values make a difference.

The storyline can be anything from a superhero character that saves the world to gadget characters that connect everyone together. SNCF’s mission will form the foundation of the storyline while co-op values such as self help, mutual help, co-operation, equality and care for others are to be interwoven to inspire.

The competition will open from 11 November to 6 December 2013 and prizes will be presented to the top 10 winners from the Lower Secondary; Upper Secondary and Open category at the SNCF New Year Reception on 9 January 2014.

The participants’ entries must be based on any one of the three given scenarios:

Co-operation

Co-operativeness

in Unity

Resilience/Self-

Reliance

Mutual Help

Equality

Caring for others

1) Superhero(es) displaying at least 1 of the co-operative values2) Animals/insects displaying at least 1 of the co-operative value3) Real-life experiences/situations displaying at least 1 of the

co-operative value

Check out www.sncf.org.sg for submission criteria and more information.

Coopow! Cosplay CompetitionDate : Finals is on 16 November 2013

Time : 9.30am - 1pm

Venue : Goodman Arts Centre

Coopow! Comics Pre Event WorkshopDate : 16 November 2013

Time : 9.30am - 1pm

Venue : Goodman Arts Centre

*There only 50 seats available up for grabs...** Only for people who currently reside in Singapore

Eligibility Criteria• The applicant must be one of the following: ‣ Member of any locally registered co-operative

‣ Staff of Co-operatives ‣ Immediate family members of the staff of Co-operatives

• First priority will be given to staff and immediate family members of the staff of the co-operative;• Gross monthly household per capita income does not exceed S$2,500/-;• Is not in receipt of any scholarship/ bursary/ financial assistance except subsidies from the Government;• Is not a sponsored student;• Applicable for full-time & part-time courses which are relevant to the business of co-operatives;• Recipient of award may apply in subsequent years, subject to good academic performance.

For further clarifications, please contact the Relationship Managers of your respective sector.

Calling all staff and members of SNCF affiliates.The Co-op Bursary is available for those seeking higher education or those wishing to upgrade their skills at the Polytechnics.The bursary, valued at 50% of the nett course fee (after government subsidies) subject to a maximum cap of $1,000, will be awarded to the successful applicant.

Co-operative Bursary for Polytechnic Studies

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This scheme is intended to provide financial assistance to the deserving ITE students who are Members of ITE Co-op, or who are staff of a locally registered co-op or the immediate family members of the staff of a locally registered co-op.

Approach your Student Affairs Division in ITE for the bursary application form today!

Financial Boost for New Co-operativeWhat... The Central Co-operative Fund Committee (CCFC) established the Grant for New Co-operatives in 2008. Co-operatives with approved funding will be subject to quarterly follow-up evaluation, where they will be assessed based on their business objectives and their progress in social mission.

Aim... The funding aims to defray initial set-up costs and operating expenses to create financially and economically sustainable Co-operatives. This aligns with SNCF’s goals of developing a dynamic, vibrant, and innovative Co-operative movement in Singapore.

$210,000 The funding is on a cost-sharing basis that will be seeded for up to 3 years.

1st Year up to 85% or $90,000, whichever is lower2nd Year up to 70% or $75,000, whichever is lower3rd Year up to 55% or $45,000, whichever is lower

Areas of Aid... Eligible funding items are: •Capital Expenditure, e.g. Office equipment •Operating expenses, e.g. Staff cost related to start the Co-operative

Other areas of support: •Areas of expertise and knowledge •Endorsement •Referral aspects of the business

Individual items are subject to SNCF’s approval.

Who can apply... Newly registered Co-operatives (Within 24 months of registration)

Contact... For more details, please contact Mike Chian, Business Developer Manager, mikechian@sncf.org.sg

Enhancing Productivity, Innovation, Efficiency, Capability & Governance of Existing Co-operative What... The CCFC launched the Capacity and Capability Development (CCD) grant with the objective of encouraging existing co-operatives in Singapore to better themselves. The grant supports co-operatives in capacity development, capability training, and consultancy services.

Capacity Development •Facilities Enhancement •Info-Comm Technology (Hardware) •Software & Systems

1 Category Only: •1st Tier: Up to 50% of cost incurred but capped at $8,000 whichever is lower •2nd Tier: Up to 50% of cost incurred but capped at $15,000 whichever is lower2 or More Categories: •1st Tier: Capped at $10,000 per year •2nd Tier: Capped at $20,000 per year

*Tier refers to CCF Levy contributors.

NEW! Capability TrainingMay apply every year & funding will be on reimbursement basis and claim period is within the Training year.

SNCF Courses •up to 80% of the local course fees/overseas (Local/Overseas) registration fees & capped at $1,000 per pax and max. of 2 pax per co-op per course. SNCF’s Approved •up to 30% of the fees & capped at $500 Courses per co-op, whichever is lower

Consultancy Services To comply with regulatory requirements through hiring a CPA or a qualiified accountant. Only 2nd Tier levy contributors may apply annually.

Consultancy Service (including CPA/accountant) •up to 15% of the Co-op’s total contribution & capped at $15,000, whichever is lower

Contact... For more details, please contact your respective sector’s Relationship Manager.

AWARD: $500 per award per annum.WHO CAN APPLY?a) Member of the ITE Co-operative; orb) Staff of any locally registered co-operatives and their

immediate family members. (Immediate family refers to children, spouse and parents and if single, siblings)

c) Gross monthly household per capita income do not exceed $1,500/-d) Is not in receipt of any scholarship / bursary except MOE Bursarye) Is not a sponsored studentf) Has at least 3 months’ study to undertake until the end of the academic yearFor further clarifications and/or enquiries, please see www.sncf.org.sg

SNCF Bursary for ITE students

CCF Grant Framework

Rozi “Knowledge Champion”

DID: 6602 0757

miKe “Growth

Champion” DID: 6602 0752

may linG youth & Campus

DID: 6602 0744

Sheela “Right-hand lady” DID: 6602 0741

Dolly “Chief inspiration officer”

maRia “infocomm Champion”

DID: 6602 0753

Soo lenG “Credit Guru”

DID: 6602 0745

Bee Bee “Wonder lady”

DID: 6602 0742

mooi ChenG “accounts & hR Samurai”

DID: 6602 0756

helen “numbers Guru” DID: 6602 0743

may linG“Relationship & iT Guru”

DID: 6602 0744

BelinDa Social media

DID: 6602 0240

haWa “Digital Samurai”

DID: 6602 0749

BelinDa“Brand & marketing Guru”

DID: 6602 0240

RameSh “events

Champion”DID: 6602 0746

Daniel “Credit Samurai”

DID: 6602 0750

MARK Your Calendar!Be informed of events, programme updates and more at www.sncf.org.sg

October 2013

COOPOW! SNCF Comics & Manga Design Competition

Competition Period (11 Nov – 11 Dec)

01 Oct-09 Jan 2014

January 2014

09 SNCF New Year Reception

SNCF At Your ServiceSTAFF DIRECTORY

National PushCart Challenge at Causeway Point16-17

November 2013

ICA General Assembly & Election of ICA Board01-05

ICE Challenge09-10

31 COOP ROCKS Learning Camp