Lessons from the AWARE sagaMarch 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.
