Lessons from the AWARE saga

Lessons from the AWARE saga

March 28 2009 will be a date many people will now remember. That was the Saturday when a majority of "unknown new faces" brushed aside the existing old guards and incumbents at AWARE's AGM to set themselves up as a new Exco.
A chain of dramatic incidents and events developed fast and furiously over several days and weeks in the life of this new committee.
The newly elected president resigned as she was sidelined by the newcomers...who became bolder day by day, sacking long-time staff, redoing office security systems, etc..etc. And when confronted by the members of the press and media gave conflicting accounts to simple questions asked viz...their background, their agenda for action, their inter-connectedness, their links, what they stand for etc.
Much later, on Tv, the public were shocked to discover they all along had a "feminist mentor" in the person of Dr Thio Su Mien who was the coach and shadow behind the "takeover" ploy. [ Photos: Source S T Breaking News, 3 May 2009 ]


Much has since been revealed about the background of at least 6 key members of that new Exco plus their coach. They all belong to COOS, an Anglican church at Margaret Drive whose senior pastor Derek Hong had himself "crossed the thin red line" when he openly urged his flock to support this new Exco in the great face off with the old guards.

It is not too difficult sometimes, to mount a "takeover" of an association, especially when the constitution is not strong on who can vote. Newly registered members can immediately vote too! Unbelievable!
That was what happened at AWARE.
Many organisations will now be having more than a serious re-look at their own constitutions in the light of what had transpired recently.
But really, I consider it shameful for any group of people who did not put in any ounce of effort when the organisation was formed and slowly developed to the success it has become and attempting to hijack the organisation for their own ulterior purposes.
If they are so capable and so outspoken on specific issues...then go found your own association.
What is there to stop them?
Leave the original association alone.
Otherwise there will be another great showdown...and the public will win again, handsdown.
The so-called new Exco may be well-meaning people but truly they have much to learn about
doing such James Bond stuff.

AWARE EGM...Bravo to 1414 brave women!

So...it really was as I had described it to be " the mother of all women battles" in Singapore. Starting at 2pm and it went on until after 10 pm [ the venue was booked from 2-5 pm for the EGM]. At around 7+ pm, I had finished my swim with my grandkids and all and were settling down to a nice dinner at my club when my daughter D4 updated me "live" on the latest happenings at the Showdown in Suntec City.
D4 was receiving sms or twitter updates from her close friend who was a participant there.
" They are counting the votes ", she said.
"And who won?"I asked.
" Looks like the new committee will be kicked out according to the votes tallied so far...by a big margin!"
After dinner, we all went home and I left my TV set on to CNA news channel for updates. The coverage and "live" reports were quite extensive. I was particularly impressed by the large turnout, the long queues of mainly women who had to wait a mighty long time just to register themselves for the EGM. The scenes reminded me of those good old days when we were still in the Malaysia Cup soccer competition and long queues formed during ticket sales at the National stadium. Except that this was no soccer match and this was no way a game. Something unusual and historic has taken place at this event.
This was and still is serious business concerning the alleged hijacking of an association by a group of fundamentalist people from a particular church and imposing their self-righteous views on others. There is basically nothing wrong with having your own views. But using those views as a springboard to "capture" a secular organisation and then to use that same captured body to further propagate your beliefs and views to the exclusion of others....well, that is simply unacceptable in a multi-racial, multi-religious Singapore.
It may even be dangerous had it gone unchecked!
Unk Dicko salutes all those who turned up to make their voice heard loudly and clearly.
Unk Dicko salutes the 1414 who posted a no confidence vote in the new Exco.
To all others who may be planning similar hijackings...take notice.
The backlash and anger of normal, sane, sober, rational Singaporeans are greater than any misguided group or individuals.

Breaking News > Singapore > Story
May 2, 2009
AWARE SHOWDOWN
Josie's team quits

Josie Lau (left) and the new executive committee of the beleagured Association of Women and Research (Aware) has decided to step down, while the Ex-Aware president Dana Lam (far left) was nominated the new leader. --ST PHOTO: MOHD ISHAK, MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN
THE new executive committee of the beleagured Association of Women and Research (Aware) has decided to step down.
Said its president Josie Lau, after a marathon extraordinary general meeting lasting over seven hours on Saturday:' We have decided to graciously step down. We wish Aware all the best.'
The announcement came after members at the EGM passed a vote of no confidence on the new exco by a margin of 1,414 to 761.
Ex-Aware president Dana Lam was nominated the new leader, and Ms Chew i Jin the vice-president. The honorary secretary is Ms Yap Chang Wi, assistant honorary secretary is Ms Corrina Lim, treasurer is Ms Tan Ju Hin, and assistant treasurer is Ms Lim Xiaoyun.
The EGM was attended by some 2,000 members.
Read also:New Aware team grilled Consider stepping down No confidence on new team New exco spent $90k
Read LIVE blog updates by Teo Wan Gek and Elizabeth Soh on the Aware EGM at the Suntec City Convention Centre here.


[ Source: Straits Times Breaking News 9.29 pm, 2 May 2009 ]