APRIL - JUNE 2014

MCI (P) 125/12/2012

Empowering the Youth

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03 Chairman's Message - EMPOWERING THE YOUTH

04 Living The Good Life

05 Malaysian School Co-op Make Waves

06 Our Coopow! Winners Revealed

09 Blissful Co-op Fest Combined Sector Night Bilingual Storybooks For All Singapore Pre-schools 10 CCF Grant Framework

Co-operative Bursary for Polytechnic Studies

11 ACLC in Bandung Indonesia: Co-ops in the 21st Century

Shared Marketing Services

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.

12 SNCF Youth Guest Lectures and YESCOM

13 Celebrating Our 34th Anniversary

Co-op Hot Shots 2014 14 Learn and Network at the Asian Credit Union Forum

World Credit Union Conference 2014 Goes ‘Down Under’

15 FaceBook For Co-operatives

16 Mark Your Calendar SNCF At Your Service

Dear Co-operators

The Co-operative Movement in Singapore is abuzz with energy, life and activities.

In June, SNCF is calling on co-operative members and their families to Come Together As One to have a fun-filled day at Sentosa. There will be food, tele-matches, games, a fireworks extravaganza and more that will thrill people of all ages and races. This is the time for parents and their children to spend quality moments together and for the larger Co-operative Family to enjoy good fun as One Big Family creating visibility for the Co-operative Movement.

In July, SNCF will be celebrating its 34th Anniversary with some 500 of our affiliates joining us in this joyous occasion. The Co-operative Movement in Singapore is here to stay. For the legacy to last, all 89 years of our history, we need to build the next generation of co-operative leaders. The youths are our future. It is time to empower and engage them while experienced co-operators guide and nurture them, leading by example. This year is exceptional as SNCF will be awarding five scholarships to outstanding Youths who have done well academically while at the same time demonstrated a passion for doing good. Some are already budding social entrepreneurs.

One way to reach out to the youth is to transform the way we communicate and tap on the power and influence of social media. Co-operatives, large and small, can benefit from having a Facebook page. In this issue of Co-operator, we will read about five compelling reasons why a Facebook page can enrich a co-operative. The first thing you can do is to connect with SNCF on social media and ‘Like’ its Facebook page and ‘Follow’ on twitter.

The inaugural SNCF Coopow! Comics and Manga Design Competition unleashed a level of creativity that went beyond expectation. The quality

of the submissions was impressive as the participants went all out to spin captivating tales and compelling stories about the co-operatives’ distinctive difference. We thank those who took part in this first comic design competition and are delighted to share some of the winning entries in this issue.

Another popular contest, Co-op Hot Shots, is back. Shutterbugs are invited to submit their best interpretation of one of the five themes that characterised our Co-operative Movement – co-operation, self-help, equality, mutual help and care for others.

We welcome one of our newest affiliates, The Good Life Co-operative Ltd, whose mission is to provide quality healthcare for value so that all of its members can live long, live well, and live carefree. Let us applaud their initiative to come together to support their members’ health and build a healthier community. You can read more in this issue of Co-operator.

In the international co-operative feature, the success story of how 30 school co-ops can potentially chalk up RM1m turnover in Malaysia is inspiring. To the National Co-operative Organisation of Malaysia (ANGKASA), the best way to develop the movement is through education and providing a conducive environment for school co-operatives to thrive. Likewise, in Singapore, we take every opportunity to educate and to promote co-operative values in school campuses and youth organisations.

Let us seize every opportunity to learn, to nurture, to engage and to empower youths.

Chan Tee SengChairman, SNCF Executive Council

Empowering the Youth

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Living The Good LifeWould you want to be part of an organisation whose mission is to see its members live long, live well and live carefree? The Good Life Co-operative Ltd has this unique life purpose – to provide quality healthcare for value, and they are the first co-operative in Singapore that focuses on promoting health and wellness.

The birth of this co-op is the result of the banding together of a group of prominent professionals from varied backgrounds in 2012, who wanted to create a better healthcare system – one that was focused more on prevention rather than treatment; one that was targeted more to the uniqueness of individuals rather than a number in the patients list.

The group wanted to create a quality and affordable healthcare system that integrated healthcare providers, insurance companies and the Government. Out of this social mission, The Good Life Co-operative Ltd was registered on 1 October 2013, and subsequently added into SNCF group of affiliations on 19 December 2013.

Today, this new co-op kid on the block is timely positioned at such a season where issues like ageing population and rising healthcare costs are a concern. Led by geriatrician Dr Carol Tan from Rophi Clinic at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, the co-op plans to achieve its aim of with a member-driven co-operative model, comprising members of the public and healthcare providers.

As part of its aim to increase awareness and membership, The Good Life organised a two-day conference in partnership with NTUC Income, at Concorde Hotel Singapore on 28 and 29 March 2014. The conference had Mr Heng Chee How, Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office and Deputy Leader of the House, officiating it.

Titled “Active Ageing – A Win-Win Solution In Osteoarthritis Care For Funders & Providers”, the conference showcased a paradigm-shifting framework for healthcare and a proven model of collaboration between various parties that would improve patient care at a lower cost. The Good Life used the conference as a launching pad for a pilot model of evidence-based care for managing osteoarthritis, in which the co-op would collaborate with a group of public and private healthcare professionals from Singapore General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital in Australia to develop the new programme. The aim is to provide community aid to older workers, who typically suffer from the disease, to keep them healthy and employable.

On the public front, The Good Life partnered the People’s Association (PA) to organise four public forums – the first of which was held at Marine Parade on 3 May, and another upcoming one at Whampoa on 27 July. The forums will reach out to 1,600 residents to boost their health literacy and educate them about preventive care.

The co-op will also be introducing a network of healthcare providers that pledge to offer quality services at reasonable prices. The co-op's network of providers will be broad-based, starting with a panel of 20 private-sector doctors from specialties such as cardiology, ophthalmology, endocrinology and orthopedics, to give members access to the greatest possible number of specialties and doctors who agree to uphold The Good Life Pledge.

Ms Dolly Goh, SNCF Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are confident that there will be demand for The Good Life Co-op’s services. Their social mission, to spur Singapore residents to take responsibility for their own health and age gracefully, resonates well with the Government’s call and will complement public healthcare efforts.”

As a veteran doctor and champion for active ageing, Dr Tan sees the key role that the co-op will play in Singapore. “There is a need to relook at how we have always been approaching our healthcare so as not to be over-dependent on public resources. The Good Life Co-op’s mission is to introduce a ground-up healthcare approach involving a tripartite partnership between members of the public, healthcare providers and insurance companies.”

Interested to “Live the Good Life”, register now to enjoy wellness

screening, access to counselling, more discounts and other

future benefits, https://www.thegoodlifecoop.org/index.php/member/join-us

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Malaysian School Co- op Make Waves

The school co- operative system in Malaysia is making waves around the world.

It all started when Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kota Co- operative diversified its business operations into laundry, tourism and retail businesses. Not only was SMK Kota Co- op able to prove the perception of school co- operatives wrong in that it can only sell T- shirts or books and earn meagre sums, it became the first school Co- operative in the country to breach the RM1 million mark by earninga RM1.2 million turnover.

From then on, the SMK Kota Co- op’s success story has become the model of success for school co- operatives around the world. Even the International Co- operative Alliance (ICA), a non- governmental co- operative federation representing co- operatives and the co- operative movement worldwide, has recognised the Malaysian school co- operative system as one of the best in the world and several countries have used its model to establish school co- operatives in their own countries.

When school co- operatives were introduced in the 1960s in Malaysia, there were only nine pioneer school co- operatives. As of December 2012, there are 2,244 school co- operatives, administered by students and teachers, with 2.1 million members and a total turnover of RM285.2 million.

School co- operatives in Malaysia are now involved in three important lines of business i.e. the supplying and selling of school uniforms along with other school supplies such as shoes and bags; the selling of stationery products and other consumer products; and tourism packages.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Hasan Malek said school co- operatives had shown tremendous potential to achieveprofit. The National Co- operative Organisation of Malaysia (ANGKASA), the sole apex organisation of co- operatives in Malaysia, is expecting some 30 school co- operatives to record RM1 million turnover or more by the end of the year.

To fan the flame of success among school co- operatives, the Education Ministry is working on reward schemes such as incentive trips for school co- op management. More courses will be provided to boost the management of other school co- operatives. The co- operatives in secondary schools will continue to be used as training platform for students to learn and practise entrepreneurship.

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Our Coopow! Winners RevealedThe inaugural SNCF Coopow! Comics & Manga Design Competition winners have been announced!

SNCF launched its first comic design competition to tap on the creativity of the youth to promote the co-operative message. Participants were required to spin captivating tales of the co-operative movement and its values. SNCF’s mission formed the foundation of the storyline while co-op values such as self-help, mutual help, cooperation, equality and care for others were interwoven to inspire readers.

Open Category: 1st : James Leong, ‘The White Nights’2nd : Ray Toh, ‘World Cyber Boxing’3rd : Iylia Dhamari Zakaria, ‘Uberman’

Commendation Prizes• Teo Wei Jie Royce, ‘Red Assassions Origins’• Norhana Ahmad, ‘The Meaning of Friendship’• Teo Jin Yao Marcus, ‘Morning Stroll’• Sirrul Anwar Bin Azman, ‘Delusion’• Bay Kar Peng Alan, ‘Battle Waves’• Andrienna Chay, ‘An Ocean Apart’

Special Category: Commendation PrizeDarius Lim Wei Chen, ‘Play Together’

Lower Sec Category: Commendation PrizeMok Wen Qing, ‘Acceptance’

Upper Sec Category: Commendation PrizeVictoria Tuh, ‘Behind Ceramic Tiles’

Tertiary Category:Commendation Prize• Crystal Wong Jing Yi, ‘Cobbler’ • Terence Lim Zhi En, ‘Red Thread’

For more information, please visit www.sncf.org.sg

Open Category 2nd Prize - Ray Toh

The contest attracted overwhelming response with participants as young as seven year old Darius Lim taking part. Darius received a Commendation Prize for his submission. Coopow! judges Jerry Hinds, Isaac Yap and Johnny Lau (Mr Kiasu) shared their impressions on the entries, praising their quality and marvelling at the effort put in. SNCF CEO Ms Dolly Goh was equally impressed with the quality of the submissions which surpassed her expectations.

Here are the Coopow! winners;

Open Category - 3rd Prize - Iylia Dhamari Zakaria

Special Category - Commendation Prize - Darius Lim Wei Chen

Tertiary Category - Commendation Prize - Crystal Wong Jing Yi

Lower Sec Category - Commendation Prize - Mok Wen Qing

Upper Sec Category - Commendation Prize - Victoria Tuh

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Coopow! Open Category- 1st Prize Title : The White Nights

Synopsis : A teenager, wandering into the wilderness in search of her missing father, learns to survive on her own...

Artist : James LeongOpen Category 1st Prize - James Leong

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Coopow! Open Category - 3rd Prize Title : Uberman

Artist : Iylia Dhamari Zakaria

2 3 4

5 6 7

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Blissful Co-op Fest Combined Sector Night

The most recent Co-op Fest, held on 13 March 2014, was truly a “blissful” one in many ways. Some 77 co-operators turned up for the Combined Sector Night, hosted at the Bliss Restaurant @ Chengsan Community Centre, a social enterprise based on job integration model in collaboration with SMU-Initiatives of Social Enterprise (SMU-ISE). Bliss Restaurant and Catering Pte Ltd was recognised for outstanding business with a social mission when it won the 2013 President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award. The dinner fest brought together co-operators from all the sectors for a relaxing night of fun, feasting and friendship.

Bilingual Storybooks For All Singapore Pre-schools

SEED Institute and the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language (SCCL), with sponsorship from the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism, launched a bilingual series of picture storybooks for pre-school children. The series was translated from the English storybook series first published by the SNCF in 2012, supported by SEED Institute and written by international award winning author, Emily Lim.

This illustrated series of four book titles, A Very Big Storm, Little Otter Goes Fishing, Under the Sea Under the Sea, and The Really Really Hot Day, each evolving around a central co-operative theme encourages

character building in young children and allows them to learn English and Chinese in a fun and interactive way.

These books will be distributed to all 1,600 pre-schools in Singapore by the end of April 2014, where each pre-school will receive two sets of the picture storybooks. In addition to reading, activities such as dramatisation, rhymes and games can be designed around the themes to provide more opportunities for children to increase their use of English and Chinese. Besides being used for lessons at school, the books can be loaned to parents to read with their children at home. The books are also available in mobile devices such as iPhone, iPad and Android, and can be downloaded. Look for them at www.sncf.org.sg

“SNCF launched this Children’s Storybook series to encourage

character building, promote reading and instill positive values from

a young age. We are happy that it is now also available in Chinese,

to encourage children to pick up more vocabulary from these

stories as they learn about co-operative values of self-help, mutual

help, cooperation, and caring for the community. We hope these

stories not only touch young children, but also the parents who

read to them,” said Ms Dolly Goh, Chief Executive Office, SNCF.

Co-operators had their fingers on the pulse of the Co-operative Movement as upcoming SNCF events and updates from the Registry of Co-operative Society were shared. Besides the more serious stuff, entertainment was provided by Mr Kamsari Jalik, 2nd Runner-up of Co-ops Got Talent 2013.

Until the next fun networking night where people from different co-ops come together to celebrate as one.

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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.

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

Financial Boost for New Co-operative

What... 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 lower

2 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.

Consultancy Service (including CPA/accountant) • Up to 15% of the Co-op’s total contribution & capped at $8,000 or $15,000 depending on criteria set.

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

CCF Grant Framework

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

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ACLC in Bandung Indonesia: Co-ops in the 21st Century

This year’s highly anticipated Annual Co-operative Leaders Conference got the par t ic ipants deliberating on how co-operatives should adapt, prepare and evolve in the 21st Century.

Held in Bandung, Indonesia on 16 to 19 April 2014, the ACLC brought the co-op leaders under one roof to share ideas, strengthen relationships and learn more about ‘Co-ops in the 21st Century.’

Invited speakers highlighted how a variety of businesses were using the Co-operative model to their benefit and the current issues they were tackling to keep moving forward and staying relevant in this fast changing world.

Shared Marketing ServicesSNCF offers shared marketing services to provide affiliates a scalable way to align their marketing, social media, media relations needs while making their costs more predictable and flexible.

Scope of Services

Digital Presence PR support Content license

Target group

Co-ops without website, without domain name

Newly formed (within 2 yrs) and registered Co-operatives with or without financial resources but ready to garner publicity

Co-operatives that have stories about themselves in SPH publications

Funding Co-pay: Website: S$499 Hosting: S$150/yr Domain name: S$ 55/yrTOTAL: S$ 709(SNCF to pay 80% for 1st yr only. Subsequent yrs, co-op pays own hosting and domain name.)

FOC (one-time) up to S$6000 but based on these merits:1. Demonstrate relevance of social mission i.e. service that will create publicity for Co-op Movement.2. Increase profile of SNCF.3. Must be ready for media publicity and media engagement

agenda must be topical.

N.A.

Target group

Co-operatives with website, with domain name that need a makeover/revamp

Co-operatives that need to pitch for stories Co-operatives published SPH articles

Funding Co-pay: Website : S$ 499

SNCF to pay 80% for 1st year

Co-pay 80% by SNCF(Maximum amount for one full activation by PR agency is S$3,800)Co-op must1. Demonstrate revitalization efforts2. Demonstrate effort will enlarge membership pool.3. Be relevant to topical interest

Each SPH content license is S$26.75 per year.Subsidy: SNCF will provide 20% subsidy for each license up to 3 years only

Applications for grants include digital presence, media relations support, and resources and pricing from negotiated suppliers will be made available to affiliates of SNCF.

Mr Siva Devireddy, Managing Director, www.GoCoop.com which is a social marketplace for Cooperative enterprises to list and sell their products online, spoke about ‘Coops Come Together to Leverage Technology.’

Mr P Ramesh, Manager, Marketing & Events, SNCF, discussed the importance of having a Facebook page and a website with his talk ‘Social Media: Are you socializing?’

Ms Christine Low, Founder, Bliss Restaurant & Catering Pte Ltd took the opportunity to explain the concept behind the restaurant which provides employment for the disadvantaged with her talk ‘Service with a Bliss’.

Ms Agnes Eu, CEO, Home TeamNS, an association for Police & Civil Defence NSmen shared on ‘One Member at a Time – Increasing Membership.’

Mr John See Toh, Co-founder; Ms Wan Wai Yee, Commmittee Member, Runninghour chose to discuss ‘Why a Co-op and not a charity – Running for a Cause.’

Dr Carol Tan, The Good Life Co-operative Ltd, focused on her vision of a different type of healthcare system with her presentation ‘The Good Life – Why a Co-op and not a Pte Ltd?’

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SNCF Youth Guest Lectures and YESCOM

Encouraging the Youth at Nanyang Polytechnic

SNCF believes it is important to focus on nurturing the youth of today by instilling in them co-operative values. The staff of Nanyang Polytechnic (NP) in charge of its Diploma for Social Enterprise Management invited SNCF to give a lecture on the Co-operative Model and Movement

in Singapore. On 12 February, the 50 students who attended the talk were inspired as SNCF

delivered the two-hour lecture. Many youths were encouraged to embrace the values and practices that SNCF have at their

core. At the heart of it is about living a life

of doing good and doing well.

P lant ing

the Co-operative Seeds in NUS

SNCF had the opportunity to teach young and future leaders of tomorrow when they were invited as by Professor Albert Teo from the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School to give a one-hour lecture about the Co-operative Model and Movement in Singapore at its Social Enterprise Elective module. On 5 March 2014, some 60 students listened raptly as SNCF explained the organisation, values and operation of co-operatives in Singapore. Certainly a great way to spread the co-operative message with a captive audience.

Students at YESCOM Enlightened About Co-operative Model

About 100 students and teachers, participating in the Young Entrepreneurs Skills Competition (YESCOM) this year, were inspired to be future entrepreneurs with a social mission. At the launch of YESCOM 2014 held at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College East, Mr Toh Tien Boon, Campus & Youth SNCF, shared passionately the concept of the co-operative and how students could use the co-operative model as part of their business proposal. The idea of a two-pronged approach of doing business well and doing good appealed to the young.

YESCOM was first launched in 2005 by Mr Maidin Packer BPM, former MP for Kampong Ubi GRC and Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs. Its vision is to instill entrepreneurial spirit among the youth targeting students from primary school level up to tertiary level. This event has been one of the key outreach efforts of SNCF to educate and create awareness about the co-operative business model. In YESCOM, participants, in teams of 10, take part in each component of the competition which includes a seminar and workshop on entrepreneurship, followed by a business assignment where prominent business people mentor the participants. Their efforts climax at a Grand Finale where they are assigned a gazebo to display and sell their products to the public. Each team is challenged to market their products through various creative channels. The money raised on the grand finale are kept by the respective team/school and the winner awarded with cash and trophy.

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Calling all shutterbugs! Here’s your chance to capture your best interpretation of any of the five co-operative themes – Co-operation, Self-help, Equality, Mutual Help, Care for Others, for the Co-op Hot Shots 2014, a photography competition that celebrates the co-operative spirit in Singapore.

Organised by the SNCF, Co-op Hot Shots is back for the third year running. Photography enthusiasts of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels are invited to give it their best shot.

There are two categories to enter – Open Print and Open Fun, with over S$6,000 worth of cash prizes to be won. The competition is open to residents and non-residents of Singapore.

Members of the public can vote for their favourite photo in the Online Fun category, while the Open Print category will be judged by a professional panel.

Entry submission starts on 1 July 2014 and closes on 20 September 2014.

For further details log on to our website: http://www.sncf.org.sg/hot-shots/

Email us at: sncf@sncf.org.sg

Co-op Hot Shots 2014

SNCF Anniversary Dinner Celebration

When : 5 July 2014

Where : Fond Garden Restaurant (Qian Xi Group of Restaurants) Kallang Theatre Leve 1, 1 Stadium Walk Singapore 397688

Event theme : Kampong and the City

Dress Code : Nostalgia-themed attire

Celebrating Our 34th Anniversary

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During last year’s event held in Ottawa, the credit union movement's premier global event brought together 2,376 credit union leaders from 61 countries. This year, members of the credit union world will head to the Gold Coast Australia from 27 to 30 July 2014 where they will network and learn from the best.

Speakers include global heads of credit unions who will share their thoughts in plenary sessions and on a range of topics in breakout sessions such as Governance Best Practices, Global Regulatory Trends and Membership Growth Success Studies; Small Credit Union Sustainability; Building System Payment Platforms; Best Practices in Membership Growth Strategy; Global Regulatory Trends; Consumer Expectations in Payment Trends; Refining the Future of Financial Services; Demystifying Innovation; Membership Growth Success Studies; New Trends in Customer Segmentation; Fighting Cyberfraud and many more.

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU)World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organisations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programmes introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

Participants will be able to register separately for the Global Women’s Leadership Network Forum or attend the World Council Young Credit Union People and Emerging Leaders Forum. In addition there is a full-day of golf and networking at the Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club as the Worldwide Foundation Golf Tournament takes place on 26 July. SNCF will be leading the Singapore delegation of 25 credit union representatives. It hopes to be an informative and valuable experience with many of learning and networking opportunities.

Since 2005, the World Credit Union Conference, organised by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) has been hailed as the premier credit union global event, bringing together credit union leaders and decision makers from the largest credit unions around the globe.

World Credit Union Conference 2014 Goes ‘Down Under’

Learn and Network at the Asian Credit Union Forum

As one of the most valued credit union gatherings in Asia, the Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU) will be organising the Asian credit Union Forum in Bali from 18 to 20 September 2014.

Entitled ‘Wayforward: Unification of Asian Credit Union Networks’, the forum’s focus will be on a developing a framework of agreements to ensure that the systems and processes result in the creation of a strong credit union system in Asia.

For three days, participants will network and learn from credit union experts about Network Management; Human Resources and Market Differentiation.

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In the past few years social media websites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have emerged as important tools for companies globally. Companies today use social media sites such as Facebook to enhance their communications; better engage their ‘fans’; and build their brand in new ways to new audiences. Facebook pages aren’t just for large corporations. Co-operatives, small organisations, even entrepreneurs can benefit from having a Facebook page.

If you do not have a Facebook page, you could be missing out on traffic to your website and cutting out communication to your target audience, especially the young and IT-savvy.

SNCF encourages its affiliates to start establishing their presence in social media by creating a Facebook page to engage a young and a wider audience. This is the way of the 21st century – this is the way co-operatives can reach out to a new generation, to nurture the youth with co-operative values, develop future leaders and increase membership growth.

Different from personal Facebook profile, a Facebook page is a public profile for professional or official use. The Facebook page allows you to share information about your co-operative, its products and services, with other Facebook users.

Let’s look at five compelling reasons why you need a Facebook page and why you need it RIGHT NOW!

1 It’s Free Creating a Facebook page does not cost you a single cent.

According to the Social Media Statistics for Singapore, there are 3.22 million Facebook users in Singapore, and 46.2% of Singaporeans do their research on social media first before they make a purchasing decision. Creating a Facebook page opens you to a wider audience, and it’s free!

2 Co-operative Awareness You can use Facebook to build your brand in new ways to a new

audience. Share moving stories about your co-operative in various

mediums through video clips, pictures or write-ups on a social scale e.g. how the co-op was formed, what makes you different, and what is your brand. The best part about social media is if ‘fans’ like your posting, they will share it with their friends. If the messages catch the interest of individuals with high social networking potential, they have the probability of being spread like wildfire, without you doing anything. That’s free viral marketing for you.

3 Drive Traffic to your Website Facebook pages are publicly accessible to people who are not

members of Facebook so it can become a powerful web presence for your organisation that shows up from search engines such as Google and Yahoo. This adds to your overall search engine optimisation (SEO) strategy to increase traffic and rankings to your existing website. You can share new and interesting website updates on your Facebook page e.g. if you have a new video upload or latest press release, you can post on your Facebook wall and provide a link for ‘fans’ to view videos or read articles. The advantage of using a Facebook page is that it’s interactive. ‘Fans’ can comment or share with their Facebook friends and you can in turn engage them.

4 Get Feedback Due to the interactive nature of the Facebook platform, it can be

an avenue for the gathering of feedback on processes, services, products. In the social networking world, customers have more power than ever. A satisfied customer may share their good experience, whereas an angry one has the potential to tell a thousand over friends in social networks and communities. Research has shown that customers with issues that are resolved quickly are likely to turn into loyal customers and even advocates. Simply put, a customer complaint can become very profitable when handled properly and promptly. One of the advantages of Facebook is that you can keep a record of customer feedback, both positive and negative. While you can use positive feedback to your advantage to attract new customers, you can leverage on negative feedback to fix any processes, services or products and make your customers happy.

FaceBook For Co-operatives

5 Promote Events A Facebook page is an

excellent place to promote your events. You can post teasers to generate publicity leading up to an event, encourage sign-ups, direct ‘fans’ to your website, post photos of your event, and even conduct quizzes and contests!

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

December

14 Dec SNCF Bowling Tournament

WOCCU (Gold Coast)27 - 30 Jul

July

September

October

November

June

SNCF Anniversary Dinner

ACCU (Bali)

Quebec International Summit of Co-operatives

SNCF Comics & Manga Design Competition

05

18 - 20 Sep

06 - 09 Oct

10 Nov - 12 Jan 2015

Come Together As One (mini Co-opaliciouz)15

SNCF Co-op Hot Shots

Triennial General Assembly

01 Jul -19 Sep

25 Sep

SNCF Events

ICA-Asia Pacific and Pacific Regional Assembly (Bali)

15 - 20 Sep

May

July

October

June

Pierce Secondary School Assembly Talk I

Meridien Junior College Scholarship Fair (Talk & Booth)

01

06

SCOOP Trail 15

Jurong Junior College Scholarship Fair (Talk & Booth)

07

Campus & Youth Events

Dunman High School Scholarship Fair (Talk & Booth)

16

Pierce Secondary School Assembly Talk II 08

Hwa Chong Institution Scholarship Fair (Talk & Booth)

16

National Junior College Scholarship Fair (Talk & Booth)

23

Victoria Junior College Scholarship Fair (Talk & Booth)

30

ShEEla “Right-hand lady” DID: 6602 0741

DollY “Chief of Inspiration”

MaRIa “Infocomm Champion”

DID: 6602 0753

MaY lIng“IT guru”

DID: 6602 0744

RaMESh “Events

Champion”DID: 6602 0759

SNCF At Your ServiceSTAFF DIRECTORY

MIKE“Campus guru”

DID: 6602 0752

TIEn boon “Campus Samurai”

DID: 6602 0245

MEIRlIn“Knowledge Champion”

DID: 6602 0757

alICE“branding guru” DID: 6602 0240

Soo lEng “Relationship guru” DID: 6602 0745

hElEn “numbers guru” DID: 6602 0743

WEnDY "Social Media

Whiz" DID: 6602 0241

haWa “Design Samurai”

DID: 6602 0749

December

13-14 Dec Youth Debate Open Tournament

NovemberRepublic Polytechnic’s National Pushcart Challenge

15 - 16 Nov

KUM hong “Service

Champion”DID: 6602 0758

DanIEl “Credit Samurai”

DID: 6602 0750

bEE bEE “Wonder lady”

DID: 6602 0742

MooI ChEng “assets lady”

DID: 6602 0756

alEX “Credit

Champion”DID: 6602 0746