Saturday, May 2, 2009

Josie Lau's exco resigned "for the sake of AWARE"

Josie Lau's exco resigned "for the sake of AWARE"
By Alicia Wong, TODAY | Posted: 03 May 2009 0037 hrs

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AWARE EGM on Saturday, May 2
Special Report
AWARE Dispute

SINGAPORE : They decided to "graciously resign" from the exco although they were not legally bound to do so, said the AWARE exco which lost a no-confidence vote at its extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Saturday.

"We need not step down, but we considered it and came to the conclusion that for the sake of AWARE, we would step down," said Ms Maureen Ong who had been the honorary treasurer.

Wishing the new exco "all the best," AWARE president of less than two months Ms Josie Lau said she hopes AWARE will return to its original roots in accordance to its constitution and continue to contribute to the advancement of women.

The bitter leadership tussle between the two groups - made up of the old guards including those who were AWARE's founding members, and the new guards - had led to the no-confidence vote at the EGM.

At a post-EGM news conference, Ms Lau also responded to criticisms raised over the S$90,000 spent in the past month under her watch, of which S$23,000 went to renting the exhibition halls at the Suntec convention centre for Saturday's meeting.

Ms Lau said: "I am sure we are very above board in those expenditures, given the circumstances surrounding events in the last few days. We had to spend what was spent."

Going forward, Ms Charlotte Wong Hock Soon who stepped down as vice-president said she would be happy to contribute to AWARE in the area of education if invited to do so by the newly elected exco.

Ms Wong is a former sociology lecturer at the National University of Singapore. - TODAY


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Newly-elected AWARE Exco to amend constitution

Newly-elected AWARE Exco to amend constitution
By Loh Chee Kong, TODAY | Posted: 02 May 2009 2250 hrs

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Special Report
AWARE Dispute

SINGAPORE : Future candidates seeking office on the executive committee (Exco) of AWARE may have to be a volunteer with the women's group for at least year before they are eligible to do so.

The newly-elected president of AWARE, Ms Dana Lam, said this is one of several more stringent criteria in the constitutional amendments her Exco will be looking into.

This is to prevent another leadership grab similar to the one that happened on March 28, when a group of unknown faces who had joined the women's organisation in recent months, gathered enough votes to take over the leadership at AWARE.

Ms Lam, 56, was speaking to the media after a marathon six-hour extraordinary general meeting on Saturday which saw that Exco resign, and Ms Lam's Exco elected.

The most immediate tasks, said Ms Lam, are to reclaim ownership of its Dover Crescent premises, including removing the CCTVs put in place by the new guard and to revive the work of the sub-committees which had stalled as a result of the saga.

"The biggest challenge is to restore confidence within AWARE itself and the people outside. We will have to do a lot of work to reassure our supporters, members and staff that things are just not going to be the same, that we are moving forward," Ms Lam said.

The new Exco - hailed by Ms Lam for its diversity of races and religions - sees the return of several Old Guards to the helm, but half the 12-women line-up were new faces, including fresh graduate Joanna D'Cruz, doctorate student Martha Lee and new media practitioner, Hafizah Osman.

Meanehile, the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) said it is pleased to note that AWARE has reached a resolution in a democratic manner.

In a statement, President of SCWO, Dr Ann Tan said SCWO would like to underscore once again the need for civil societies to function as and remain as secular organisations so that all will stand to benefit from their good works. And that it trusts that AWARE will fulfil the mandate that they have been given to carry on with their work.

SCWO looks forward to working with AWARE to achieve their common goals for the well being of the women of Singapore. - TODAY/ms/ls

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AWARE's new Exco has spent some S$90,000 since taking office

AWARE's new Exco has spent some S$90,000 since taking office
Posted: 02 May 2009 2050 hrs

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Josie Lau at the AWARE press conference
Special Report
AWARE Dispute

SINGAPORE : The President of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) Josie Lau has said the new executive commitee (Exco) of AWARE has spent some S$90,000 since it took office in March.

It spent some S$20,000 hosting the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) at Suntec on Saturday.

Ms Lau disclosed these figures after members asked the new Exco to explain the expense of hosting the meeting at Suntec.

Under AWARE's constitution, the organisation can spend up to S$20,000 a month.

Members said their approval was not given to allow the Exco to spend beyond the capped amount.

The Old Guard said the new Exco had refused to meet them to discuss the logistics of hosting the EGM.

The new Exco's legal counsel said the new EXCO has to be accountable for the money spent if it is members' request. - CNA/ms


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New Exco of AWARE given vote of no confidence

New Exco of AWARE given vote of no confidence
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 02 May 2009 2015 hrs

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New Exco of AWARE given vote of no confidence
Our reporters tell us more about AWARE's EGM
Special Report
AWARE Dispute

SINGAPORE: The new executive committee (Exco) of Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) has been given a vote of no confidence, almost six hours after the extraordinary general meeting at Suntec City started.

The vote of no confidence was passed against the new Exco with 1414 votes to 761 votes.

Later, the motion to remove the new Exco from office was passed, and the motion to elect a new president was also passed.

Ms Josie Lau and her exco have stepped down.

Former president Dana Lam was elected as the new President.

The old guard of AWARE had tabled a vote of no confidence in the new Exco after the new Exco was voted in at an annual general meeting at the end of March amid much controversy.

Auditing firm Deloitte was tasked to count the votes at Saturday's meeting.

Only ordinary members are allowed to vote. AWARE has 3,000 members, up from some 300 members a month ago.

The new Exco said it wanted to bring AWARE back to its "original cause", as it alleged that the Old Guard was steering AWARE into becoming a single purpose organisation, overly concerned with promoting lesbianism.

It was dramatic marathon session which started at 2.40pm.

One Malay Muslim woman said she was not comfortable with an-all Christian and all-Chinese group representing a secular group like AWARE. And members of the Christian faith stood up and said the action of the new Exco set back constructive dialogue between Christians and secularists in Singapore.

Over 90 per cent of the people who spoke up said they were against the encroachment of religious values on a secular space.

"Race, religion were never an issue. We welcome women of all races, culture, religion and come and serve on the subcommittee," said former AWARE president Lau.

But clearly, the crowd was not won over.

"We are here because we were deeply troubled by how this executive committee came to power. We are here because we are deeply troubled by the usurpation of civic space, and the lack of respect for the values of pluralism, democracy that this new executive committee has demonstrated," said one member of the audience.

"AWARE is about inclusiveness, AWARE in helping women help everybody, male and female. And whatever their sexual orientation can be, it does not matter, because they are first and foremost a person. A human being and that's what AWARE is about," said another.

Emotions ran high and at times, Ms Lau called on security guards to escort members of the Old Guard out, though the order was not eventually carried out.

The new Exco had disallowed Channel NewsAsia from bringing its cameras in when the meeting started, but at 4pm, Channel NewsAsia's reporter managed to walk in unopposed as security guards were busy trying to control agitated members of the crowd.

And many members of AWARE were also twittering and updating their blogs from the venue.

One member said: "We are here because we were deeply troubled by how this Exco came to power. We are here because we are troubled for the usurpation of civic space and the lack of respect for the values of pluralism, democracy that this new Exco has demonstrated."

Another member noted: "AWARE is about inclusiveness. AWARE helps everybody, male, female, and whatever their sexual orientation is, it does not matter because they are first and foremost a human being. That is what AWARE is about."

Meanwhile, there may also be a financial dispute at issue.

Under the constitution, the exco is not allowed to spend more than S$20,000 and if they do, they must consult members.

The exco that was voted out declared they had spent S$90,000 in the last month since they took power some two months ago.

An outraged members of AWARE said the money could be put to better use.

"I am concerned, in fact saddened, to see the amount of money spent on this event that could have been directed to better causes," said one AWARE member.

They said such "cheque book" mentality is unacceptable in a non-governmental organisation (NGO), where every cent counts.

Members said the new Exco has to be individually accountable for that money spent, so there is a high chance there could be a lawsuit coming up. - CNA/ms/ls

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Some 3,000 people turn up for AWARE EGM

Some 3,000 people turn up for AWARE EGM
By Cheryl Lim/Tan Yew Guan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 02 May 2009 1833 hrs

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Some 3,000 people turn up for AWARE EGM
Special Report
AWARE Dispute

SINGAPORE : There was an overwhelming turnout for the extraordinary general meeting of Association of Women for Action and Research on Saturday.

As a result, the meeting venue at Suntec City had to be expanded to accommodate some 3,000 people.

Most people turned up to have their voices heard.

One person said: "I have a stand, I am here to voice it."

Another added: "I just find that AWARE is an all-inclusive group and they should stay as such."

A third commented: "I don't like what I am seeing. So I am here to vote."

Queues started forming as early as three hours before the meeting was supposed to start.

It is a members-only meeting. Just about a month ago, AWARE's membership stood at just 300. But on Saturday, almost 3,000 people turned up.

The meeting has been dubbed a showdown between the Old Guard and the New Exco.

Supporters of the new Exco, wearing red shirts, had accused the Old Guard of straying from women's issues and promoting homosexuality.

Supporters of the Old Guard, wearing white T-shirts, had alleged that the new Exco members have brought the issue of religion into the secular organisation.

The meeting started about half hour late. But everyone who turned up was admitted. - CNA/ms

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AWARE SHOWDOWN: Josie's team quits

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.


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AWARE SHOWDOWN: No confidence on new team

May 2, 2009
AWARE SHOWDOWN
No confidence on new team
Vote of no confidence in new executive committee member was passed by Aware members at extraordinary general meeting. --ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN
VOTE of no confidence in new executive committee member was passed by Aware members at extraordinary general meeting, which ran over five hours on Saturday.

The vote was passed by a margin of 1,414 to 761.

The EGM, attended by some 2,000 members, called on new exco, which came into office on March 28, to quit on bloc.


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Newly elected Aware exco at EGM on 2 May 2009

Newly elected Aware exco at EGM on 2 May 2009

President: Dana Lam

Vice-President: Chew I Jin

Hononary Secretary: Yap Chin Hwee

Assistant secretary: Corrina Lim

Honorary treasurer: Tan Joo Hym

Assistant treasurer: Lim Seow Yuin

Committee members:

Joanne D’ Cruz

Hafizah Osman

Margaret Lee

Margaret Thomas

Nancy Griffths

Nicole Tan

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AWARE SHOWDOWN: Josie's team quits

May 2, 2009
AWARE SHOWDOWN
Josie's team quits

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 executive committee member 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.

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AWARE SHOWDOWN: New exco spent $90k

May 2, 2009
AWARE SHOWDOWN
New exco spent $90k
By Teo Wan Gek
The new executive committee of the Association of Women and Research (Aware), which took office on March 28, has spent about $90,000 so far. --ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN
THE new executive committee of the Association of Women and Research (Aware), which took office on March 28, has spent about $90,000 so far, an exco member disclosed on Saturday at its extraordinary general meeting, which is still going on at the Suntec City Convention Centre on Saturday.

Fielding questions from members at the EGM to debate and vote on the proposed constitutional amendments to give voting rights to associate members and to table a vote of no confidence in the new team, Ms Maureen Ong, a committee member said the booking of the venue for Saturday's EGM alone cost more than $20,000.

She said the new exco, whose new president is Josie Lau, has spent about $90,000 since it came into office just barely a month ago.

A new member, who called herself a 'devout Christian', pointedly asked Ms Lau if helping all women would include helping lesbians, and would the new team be 'less or more gay'.

Responding, Ms Lau said she will stand up for 'discriminated lesbians'.


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LIVE from Suntec: AWARE EGM, 2 May 2009

LIVE from Suntec: AWARE EGM, 2 May 2009

May 2, 2009 by Field Reporter

From The Field Report Team

Our team of freelance reporters will be bringing you the EGM LIVE from Suntec City.

This page will be updated along the way to bring you the latest developments.

9.20pm: Constance Singam thanked everybody present for their support. There is joy and ebullience in the air.

9.16pm: Constance Singam asked the audience to give the outgoing exco a round of applause which they gamely obliged.

9.15pm: New exco appeared. Josie Lau: “The exco has graciously decided to step down and we wish Aware all the best in its future endeavors.”

9.01pm: Nomination for President: Dana Lam nominated by Constance Singam and seconded by Lena Lim as President. No other nominations. Dana Lam elected as new Aware President. Vice-President is Chew I Jin. Hononary Secretary is Yap Chin Hwee, assistant secretary is Corrina Lim, honorary treasurer is Tan Joo Hym, assistant treasurer is Lim Seow Yuin, committee members - Joanne D’ Cruz, Hafizah Osman, Margaret Lee, Margaret Thomas, Nancy Griffths, Nicole Tan.

9.00pm: “We hereby agree that voting from now on will be by show of hands. Anybody who object, please stand up. Nobody. So we will vote by hand.”

8.50pm: “Tbe motion is: the entire exco is removed from office and a new exco elected. Those who are against this motion, please raised your hands now. One lady in red at her back raised her hand. All right, only two objections, the motion is passed!”

8.45pm: New exco nowhere to be seen. “We hereby declare that the new exco has resigned!” Aware moving into next stage to elect new office holders by show of hands.

8.40pm: “We are now calling for Ms Josie Lau, President of Aware to assume her position at her chair now.”

8.25pm: Old guards moving into next phase to file motion of no confidence in the new exco to remove them should they decide not to resign. An election will be held later to select new office bears after the motion is passed.

8.20pm: Constance Singam gives the new exco 5 minutes to consider resigning.

8.16pm: Siew Kum Hong: “From Article 9 of Aware Constitution, the members of the general assembly have the right to remove Aware today.”

8.15pm: Legal counsel: “Though the vote of confidence is not legal binding, the new exco should consider resigning. It is only courtesy and common sense to resign after losing in a vote of confidence.”

8.14pm: “You have not lost in the court of law, but in the court of opinion, so please GO!!”

8.12pm: New Aware exco voted out during EGM, but still refuse to resign! Crowd refused and kept chanting: “resign, resign, resign!”

8.11pm: Margaret Thomas asked the new exco to resign graciously which they say they will consider.

8.10pm: The new exco has LOST the mandate and confidence of its members!!

8.05pm: Results are out for resolution no 3: 1414 for yes and 761 for no!! Vote of no confidence passed by a margin of 1,414 to 761 votes.

8.04pm: I just sign up for Aware at 9am today. As a leadership team, I expect you to be familiar with the Constitution, if every single thing you have to refer to the legal counsel who is an outsider, how are you going to lead?

8.02pm: “Would you Ms Josie Lau respect my regime if I just take over your Aware one day like what you did?”

8pm: “Leadership is not by position only, leadership has to earn respect. If you have no prior experience in Aware, how are you going to earn respect? Is there now a basis in the takeover now that COOS has openly said it did not support your actions, wouldn’t it better to step down now?

7.56pm: “I have always followed Aware. Aware is not about gay issues, it is about working for women, it was started in 1986 when there were alot of battered wives. Aware is an intelligent organization who does research on how to improve its work. We cannot help alone, we have to work with the men to help women. Aware is about inclusiveness, to help everybody, male or female, regardless of their sexual orientation. I am always have deep respect of Aware, but never feel the need to join Aware because I trust it in the hands of intelligent women who have put Singapore on the international map, but until recently, I felt I have to join Aware because I was alarmed that Aware should fall into the hands of a group of women which I have absolutely no confidence at all. I listened to how they talked, they can’t even answer my questions in completeness and I asked myself what is going to happen to the good work of Aware to land in a group like this? This is worrying, so I decided to pay $40, line up for 2 hours just for one purpose - to cast my vote of NO CONFIDENCE, and I ask them, after this meeting, how do you carry on? Dr Thio, you said you are a feminist mentor to women in Singapore. With due respect to you, I would not like you to be my mentor.”

7.55pm: We are not here because we are avaricious, we are not here because we are gay or lesbians, we are not here because we are sexual perverts. We are here because we are deeply troubled how this exco came into power and the lack of respect for the values of pluralism, democracy that this new exco has demonstrated. We are here because we believe woman are intelligent and rational enough to make our own choices on how a good life is. We are here to protect the rights and integrity of women everywhere.”

7.50pm: “I am a life member of Aware. I speak as a life member and also a Christian. I observe with alarm how this new excp have gained leadership through ?dirty means though constitutional, how this new exco has displayed its leadership through conflicting accounts of aware and immediate dismissal of staff, a particular narrow Christian interpretation regarding sex education. This exco’s leadership sets a dangerous precedent for Aware, civil society and Singapore society in general, there is total disregard for the process of trust, respect and transparency which others have worked so hard to develop. This exco’s leadship has tarnished the good name of Christianity. It is also a setback to the constructive processes of dialogue between Christians, secularists and other religion which takes time to develop in Singapore, as such, I have no confidence in your leadership to be a good example to Singaporeans.

7.45pm: “I am a teacher and a minority. Does the panel know what it is like to be marginalized? We have to give a voice to the marginalized. I was so disturbed so much so I came up. Aware was formed a quarter of a century ago, so much hsa been done. Do you want your daughter to be treated less of a person because she isn’t sure of her sexuality?”

7.36pm: “You have sent us an email to dissolve the committee. It becomes the actions of the volunteers what they want to do and the exco have not shown interest in the work of the committee. As a member of civil society, we debate openly, we do not shut the doors on anybody. You need to be taught how to debate in a civil society.You have not shown us that when you took over the organization.”

7.35pm: “I think the previous exco is perfectly capable of manning its own Constitution and if we ever flouted it, all it does is for a member to write in to ROS and action will follow suit. It is impossible to understand that what you have been trying to do when from the first day, you are reluctant to tell us and now you said you want to follow what the old committee is doing.”

7.30pm: “1st point to Dr Thio Su Mien, she said in the press that she disagreed with the old aware point that homosexuality is neutral, in Buddhism, heterosexuality = homosexuality. Even HPB says that being a lesbian doesn’t make you less normal. The new exco kept saying that they are legally and constitutionally elected, but as leaders of NGO, you also need respect and trust and from what you see here, the trust is not there, the best option is for the new Aware exco to resign on their own accord. Fine, if you want to go by the Constitution, let us talk about the $90,000 spent!”

7.25pm: “I joined AWARE in 2004 - 2006….I am observing, sorry no offence, there is no leadership in the new exco, it doesn’t make sense at all to spend $90,000.”

7.22pm: “I am a Christian and the Lord asks us to embrace all! As a NGO, we struggled hard to get money. Now $90,000 is gone in an instance. This is SHAMEFUL!!!”

7.20pm: “You have misappropriated funds as far as I see. What’s wrong of reaching out first? You are in a position of power….You wondered why we are so angry, but at the beginning, you are the ones who erased our voices and we are not the ones going around to remove people. We are not causing any physical harm and you are calling your guards to remove us, is this fair? How can I respect you when you are treating me like a child? And you are so rude to us! How can I believe that you are going to campaign for equality for women when you don’t treat us equally.”

7.15pm: “I am a Muslim with 3 daughter. I was a criminal investigator. In the course of my work, I have seen so much fear of women that they are not worthy of men. I support the work done by the old Aware…We need to have evidence, the spirit of inquiry to enable our ladies to make informed choices and because of that, I would be very proud of my daughter to go through the CSE programme. And I have one regret being a father, I regret that my daughters are not here today to witness the spirit of the women at Aware today.”

7.10pm: Clarie Nazar: “I resigned on 30 April 2009. The reason for my resignation is that if you have been more inclusive, I would not have resigned in the first place. I have been excluded from exco meetings and sidelined.”

7.05pm: Braema Mathi: “My reputation is being put on the line and I don’t like it, but I will not follow the examples of leaders and launch defamation lawsuits against you!”

6.55pm: “We have told you that the report is in the process of being prepared, why are you still badgering Braema when she is overseas? When you removed Braema, all of us at CEDAW wrote in a letter of protest, but you didn’t even have the courtesy to give us a reply!”

6.51pm: “We do not have a draft report to give to you because the volunteers are still conducting their research. Braema Mathi is willing to give you a verbal update, but you refuse.”

6.50pm: Braema: “I replied two days later apologizing for the delay and explaining for the delay and asked for a meeting to discuss the CEDAW report.”

6.47pm: “The reason why Braema Mathi is removed because she had not sent us the report in spite of the numerous reminders.”

6.43pm: “As a NGO, money is a big thing! We have to build networks to reach out to everybody. This corporate culture clashes with Aware as a NGO which alot is about consensus, inclusiveness and working for nothing.”

6.41pm: “I feel very sad to come to a woman’s organization where its President asked us to ’shut up and sit down’. Today is the time to speak out, not shut up and sit down, never!” (applause broke out)

6.40pm: Dr Alan Chin: “I am from COOS and I am not ashamed to admit that. I would like to clarify that COOS did not ask its members to come here to promote Christianity. Please be rational, although $90,000 is spent, but we have recouped it by the new membership fees of $120,000.”

6.34pm: “I am a trainer in the CSE. The three words - anal sex, homosexuality and lesbianism are only mentioned in one and a half minute out of 3 hours of the programme of which half is spent on promoting abstinence - how to refuse sex. The material is meant to be private and confidential and for the person to put it online is downright irresponsible.”

6.32pm: “I am a Christian and I have sex in secondary school. I am for a system which enabled people to make informed choices and not to make judgement on others. We need to give that choice.”

6.30pm: Josie quoted some study from Utah that abstinence is important to help reduce sexual activity amongst adolescents much to the chagrin of the audience.

6.26pm: “I would like to clarify about the CSE, if you not aware, 15 years of research showed that CSE is inclusive and appropriate in its teaching of use of condoms and to discuss a wide range of sexual techniques and study have shown that such a programme will delay onset of sexual activity and promote safer sexual activity and behavior leading to decrease in HIV infection rates at later life, so I don’t understand why you are discrediting this programme. As a parent myself, I would like my child to go through this programme. Just discussing a wide range of sexual behavior does not make one a homosexual. Your child won’t come back and say ‘Hey, I want to marry a person of same sex!”

6.25pm: “You have destroyed Aware, an organization with 25 years of proud history. Go and start another organization of your own!”

6.22pm: “The new exco has used such a large sum of money without approval from its members. Can we report it to the Commissioner of Charities?” [legal counsel refused to answer, claimed it is outside his purview]

6.20pm: Constance Singam appealed to the audience to accept the result of the ballot, whichever it turns out, in good spirit.

6.16pm: “I am a legal advisor of the old guard. I would offer legal advice to Aware pro bono. If you have asked for help from the old guards, you would have to be able to obtain free legal advice. Did you ask?

6.15pm: Legal counsel: “Under Article 18 of the Constitution, it is stipulated that the exco is not authoritzed to spend more than $20,000 for purposes of the society without approval of its members via a secret ballot.

6.12pm: “I would like to ask the legal counsel for opinion about the new exco spending $70,000 more that the legal limits set by Aware’s constitution (applause broke out).

6.06pm: “I am an academic in Singapore and I would like to clarify something about feminism. You can cannot speak out for a marginalized group like women without speaking up for all marginalized groups regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. I have traveled all over the world and everybody I spoke to has high regards for Aware. Today, Aware has an international profile which is respected by human rights activists, please don’t undermine the international credibility of aware by your thoughtless actions.

6.05pm: Results will be out in 10 minutes.

6.02pm: “This is ABSOLUTELY HORRIFYING. You have spent $70,000 above the accepted limit!!!”

6.00pm: Josie Lau: “The estimate cost of the legal counsel is NINTY THOUSAND or $90,000!!!” (no joke, you are not hearing wrongly.

5.55pm: ”I understand that a legal counsel cost ten of thousands. Please give me an estimate on how much Aware has spent on the legal counsel even if you cannot give me an accurate figure.

5.51pm: “It is very bizzare to say that just because we propose allowing associate male members to vote, we are promoting homosexuality. This shows you are not ready to lead the organization at all.”

5.50pm: Josie said she will send lesbians who are discriminated for counselling. Somebody from the crowd shouted: “but we don’t trust you!!”

5.45pm: “I am gay and I am concerned about the new exco saying homosexuality is not okay. I feel terribly insulted. Please do not impose your values on everybody. Sorry, this is not personal.”

5.40pm: I am Chiang, an event organizer. I am surprised you spent so much money on the event. Renting a place at $18,000 and paying for an event organizer should not have happened. You should be asking around for people to help, to ask for somebody to offer a free stage, if you have called me, I would have organized it for free. I am SHOCKED, I don’t know where my $40 is going. If, IF you survive this no-confidence vote, please put a lawyer on the exco and you won’t need a legal counsel, every single cent should go to the people you wanted to help!!

5.36pm: What is your stance on the male chapter of men? I am very worried about that.

5.31pm: Josie explained that the costs are being compounded and urged the audience to be patient. She pleaded for understanding that the new exco has very little time to handle the matter.

5.30pm: I Jin, the assistant treasurer claimed she has not been consulted on all maters proper by the new exco.

5.26pm: Josie explained that she has to outsource the event organizing to the Boardroom due to the short notice the EGM was called.

5.25pm: “To Josie, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I emailed you asking to meet so that we can work out the organization of the EGM together, but you are reluctant to do so.”

5.22pm: “The point is not whether you have spent over the $20,000. The point is you need to seek the members’ approval. You are NOT ABOVE THE LAW, you cannot change the Constitution to serve your own personal purpose.

5.21pm: Josie: “tell me how you will handle this situation.”

5.20pm: “I am a practising lawyer and you have breached ?ultra vibes the constitution by spending over the limit! The maximum amount you are allowed to spend is $20,000 and anything above, we the members reserve the legal right to…”

5.17pm: Questioner pressed on why new exco spent more than $20,000. Maureen explained that she had no choice as the membership has exceeded 3,000 this week and she has to get Hall 403 as well which cost $5,000. (crowd booed).

5.16pm:Maureen revealed that the Suntec venue cost $18,000, so the new exco has most likely over-spent the $20,000 limit.

5.15pm: Maureen Goh explained that Singapore EXPO venue was cancelled because police is concerned about law and order issues.

5.10pm: Josie Lau refused to answer the question directly, asked lady to sit down as she has asked more than 1 question, lady refused to go away, Josie asked security to “escort” her off.

5.07pm: Question asked about Aware’s spending. Under Aware’s constitution, Aware only allowed to spend no more than $20,000 a month.

5.05pm: Question raised about why new exco asked Constance Singam to leave the meeting. Josie replied that she was asked to leave because “sensitive issues” are being discussed.

5.01pm: Josie explained that Shultz Lee was sacked for insubordination and that the interim manager was recruited from COOS because she was immediately available.

4.55pm: Josie claimed she was given no opportunity to explain herself to members and was “played out” by the media.

4.51pm: Josie explained that she did not know Sally, Jenica or Maureen before the Aware AGM. She reiterated that she was invited by Claire Nazar to join Aware to help out in the marketing.

4.50pm: The crowd is fielding questions at the new exco who kept pleading to give them a right of reply.

4.45pm: New exco referred to legal counsel again if constitutional amendments should proceed.

4.40pm: Legal counsel asked for show of hand who oppose continuing the debate on the constitutional amendments. The majority of the crowd raise up their hands.

4.35pm: New members protest against the constitutional amendments as many have not read it here. One proposed it to be postponed to the next AGM.

4.32pm: Thio Su Mien? called the crowd hooligans. “You should be ashamed of yourself!”

4.31pm: Josie Lau wants to go through the constitutional amendments, somebody from the crowd asked her to step down till the vote count is completed as she may not be the President anymore.

4.30pm: Voting has been completed. Votes are being tabulated now.

4.25pm: The red shirts are leaving droves after casting their votes, this is obviously a wayang.

4.15pm: Voting now in process.

4.11pm: Siew Kum Hong speaking. I ask the legal counsel what the legal option should be to monitor the voting process.

4.10pm: The voting begins. Ballot boxes are being passed around.

4.07pm: Thio Su Mien forced to stop her speech. Crowd kept chanting - “We are Aware! We are Aware! We are Aware!!”

4.02pm: Thio Su Mien going to speak, crowd BOOED!!! “I believe I am a feminist mentor because…, please show some civility” (crowd kept interrupting). “Listen to me, I was….you have NO RESPECT FOR THE ELDERS” (BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!) “I was the first female law dean..”…ORDER, ORDER, please listen!!

4.01pm: Thio Su Mien going to speak, crowd BOOED!!! “I believe I am a feminist mentor because…”

4.00pm: I am a new member and previously unaware of aware and not I am aware of aware after today. You have shown no respect to others, this is not God’s follower. It is totally deceptive.

3.57pm: I join AWARE only 3 weeks ago and I support a vote of vote against the new exco. For those of you sitting out there supporting the new exco, they are all of the same race, the same faith and worship in the same place.

3.56pm: As a non-Christian, I am suspicious of your insidious motives to take over Aware and for the first time of my life, I am afraid of Christians.

3.55pm: Is it not true that you (Josie) have been not open and honest with us from the very beginning? I am worried that if you stay on in Aware, you may change the fundamental mission of Aware! You and your team are not qualified to lead this organization.

3.50pm: New exco request for the right of reply, crowd won’t allow.

3.46pm: Constance Singam speaking. You have to trust and honor the achievements of the old guards over the last few years. Where were you when women are abused and battered in their homes? Where were you when women are denied equal medical benefits? Where were you??? Crowd chanted “Where were you??”

3.45pm: I am Irene Ng, a Christian and I do not support the new exco. Josie said she wanted to help women tide over this economic downturn, but the first thing she did as Aware president is to fire the center’s manager, a woman!

3.45pm: I am a new member and I would like to highlight to you that you have not heard from the new members because the mikes are off. If you know the Singapore pledge…to build a democratic society built on justic and equality..where is the equality when you deliberately left out exco members from the old guards from your meeting, one more point, congratulations on the increase in your membership, but it is not because of you guys, but because of the old guards of aware who built it up all these years. I would remain as a member if the old guards returned (crowd went into frenzy).

3.41pm: Josie Lau invited legal counsel yet again to explain about the sacking of the subcommittees.

3.40pm: Braema Mathi speaking. I struggle over what is your (Josie) character….,but today is even more disappointing. We have written to the members of the exco, can we have a civil discussion on how to run this meeting and today we are being treated like children (crowd stand up and wave!!!) On that alone, 1 100% convinced that you are not the right representative for this association.

3.35pm: Dana Lam speaking. She said Josie’s actions and words during the last 2 weeks have shown she is not a suitable leader for Aware, crowd burst into applause. Dana castigates Josie for dismissing long-serving staff and volunteers of AWARE and paid for sophisticated CCTV for the center for a woman center which is meant to be a safe place for women. This act of yours alone shows that you are in the wrong seat for our association (crowd erupted into applause). I propose now…I support the vote of non-confidence.

3.30pm: Voting going to commence soon, instructions being given to members.

3.25pm: Haji Mohamad, a practising lawyer stands up to rebut legal counsel’s opinion that no-confidence motion has no legal binding under the Aware constitution.

3.21pm: Legal counsel speaking now to clarify certain matters.

3.20pm: ?Constance called for vote of no confidence in the exco, too far to see face clearly, crowd stood up and applauded, think about 60% of the crowd. Josie ignored demands and moved on to list the agenda.

3.15pm: Josie showing membership statistics, AGM in 2008 shows AWARE is losing membership of younger women, since the media publicity, there is a surge in membership to over 3,000 as of yesterday.

3.10pm: Josie talking about the controversial CSE, claimed she will be talking to MOE shorting about it.

3.04pm: Sally Ang to crowd: “NO DISRUPTION, SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN!” crowd went beserk!!! “OUT! OUT! OUT!” Josie apologized for her “outburst”, more boos from the crowd.

3.01pm: Josie still continuing, the crowd is getting agitated and restless. Josie talked about her plans for AWARE and the history of AWARE over the years. Josie stopped by Constance?, “Sorry Josie, you are over your 3 minutes”, crowd cheering!!

3.00pm: Josie finally began her President’s address, essentially what she said in the media on how she came to become the President because Nazar resigned halfway and nobody wants to take up the position. She reminded audience that her exco is legally elected and is based on nomination and proper electoral process not on any religion. (somebody shouted from the crowd, can’t hear what). “I would like to state categorically that COOS is not INVOLVED” (boos from crowd)

2.59pm: Josie asked security to remove those who are jeering!!!

2.57pm: Josie Lau’s speech kept getting interrupted by the crowd who demanded the mike to be turned on and questions allowed to the floor. Josie Lau asked legal counsel to ‘advise’ again

2.53pm: Security ignore Josie, audience ignore Josie, continued CLAPPING !!!

2.51pm: Josie: “I am the President and I preside over the meeting!!! SIT DOWN!!! Security, please escort anybody disrupting the meeting OUT NOW!!!”

2.50pm: For a second time, Josie Lau called on the security to stop unruly behavior. Crowd now shouting “turn on the mike”!!! Maureen Ong - “Please escort anybody caught making noise OUT!!! Security PLEASE NOW immediately!!”

2.47pm: Legal Counsel asked crowd to give Josie Lau opportunity to address the members.

2.45pm: Josie Lau clarifying - “I join AWARE because I am interested in women issues, education and gender equality. I was keen to join as EXCO member, unfortunately on April 8, Ms Nazar resigned…Crowd keep shouting, she stopped.

2.43pm: a new guard supporter speaks, somebody from the crowd ask her to SHUT UP!! OMG, when did Singaporean women become so politically active??

2.40pm: Josie cut short her President’s speech, (damned malu), legal counsel speaking now.

2.38pm: Now President’s Address: ‘never expect such a huge turnout, AGM in 2006 atended by only 30 members, today we have over 2,000 people. Thanks for registration to support AWARE. Crowd is shouting, interrupting Josie…ORDER PLEASE!! Let me get past with my president’s speech. Crowd won’t allow, keep interfering.

2.37pm: Josie Lau introduces herself, round of BOOOOO goes from the crowd!!!

2.36pm: Constance Singam fired the first question - why seats allocated for associate members, crowd erupted into a frenzy, CLAP……..!!! The atmosphere is ELECTRIFYING!!

2.35pm: The battle begins!! Many qauestions being fielded at the same time, macham cat-fight! Josie Lau getting irriated, crowd is SHOUTING!!! Josie Lau called security to step in…HUSH..

2.35pm: the new exco arrived, EGM started proper, no flash photography or video recording, voting via secret ballot, Rajah and Tan to present point ?3 over. Josie Lau as Chairwoman of the EGM shall preside over the entire meeting. Each individual is only allowed to ask one question, please observe meeting etiquette, do not use crude language.

2.30pm: Our server is getting loaded, may crash later, for those of you with twitter account, follow us at http://www.twitter.com/wayangparty.

2.25pm: You are tuning in to The Wayang Party, Singapore’s No 1 socio-political blog. The queue is getting longer. For those of you who wants to support the old guard, registration is still ON, go to level 4 outside exhibition hall 402 and ask for the counter.

2.20pm: video-recording not permited, DO NOT FILM secretly, we will not be responsible for any mishaps, change to Plan 3 as outlined.

2.11pm: Latest announcment - meeting ‘delayed’ as there are still many people outside.

2.10pm: T4 in already, guys can skip the main queue, go straight to level 4 to register as associate members.

2.00pm: WHAT THE……..The BIGGEST congregation of Singapore women, beats even the big Singapore sale, truly AMAZING!! Since when did our ladies become so siao ON???

1.35pm: all sectors take note, no obligation to provide particulars when asked, just smile and keep quiet when probed.

1.30pm: somebody get hold of the bus-driver and company, documentary proof who pay for the buses, $50 for the invoice.

1.25pm: tape conversation to prove red shirts from COOS, $25 per mp3 clip.

1.20pm: anybody out there take a photo of the red shirts bus number, will pay $10 per photo.

1.1opm: the red shirts are arriving by busloads, was going to take a pic when stopped, wtf.Q!

12.55PM: the queue too long, now at level 3, don’t think they will be able to register all by 2pm.

12.25pm: the registration is too slow, too many people crowding.

12.20pm: admin: the server is very slow….please rectify it, cannot log in at all.

12.10pm: Somebody should come and see this man, how can the old guards win, impossible lah! better pack up and balek kampung.

12.05pm: No red-shirts want to be interviewed, under instruction not to talk to media.

12.00pm: WOW, what an atmosphere!! The entire place is swarmed with white and red shirts….seemed like got a bit more red shirts.

11.50pm: Readers are welcome to join us by posting comments here about the event.

11.40pm: Registration commences earlier, more than 500 people now…the sever is very slow, please do something about it.

11.30am: hey boss, the network is not good here, can’t log in after a few tries, will have to conserve battery.

11.15am: AWARE members who are attending the EGM and wishes to contribute to this field report, please email us at wayangparty@hotmail.com for your account name and password. For new members who have not been in touch with us before, you will need to furnish us with proof of your membership. Roger over.11am: Nothing unusual about Suntec today, the crowd is slightly lesser than normal though, will go for a quick bite first.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=28274.62

AWARE SHOWDOWN: Consider stepping down

May 2, 2009
AWARE SHOWDOWN
Consider stepping down
Following a raucous opening, during which new exco president Josie Lau was booed and jeered by supporters of the old guard, and punctuated by angry outbursts which prompted security guards to step in to control the unruly members, members proceeded to vote. --ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
THE new executive committee of the Association of Women and Research (Aware) should consider stepping down if members cast a vote of no confidence against them, said Aware legal counsel at its extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Saturday.

Mr Gregory Vijayendran said although a no confidence vote does not mean the exco has to step them, they should consider giving up.

The EGM, which got off to a rowdy start at about 2pm on Saturday in a function hall on the 4th floor of Suntec City Convention Centre, is being attended by some 2,000 members, a number of them who have just registered so that they could vote at the meeting.

The male members, who are associate members, cannot vote but a number of them turned up for the EGM.

Following a raucous opening, during which new exco president Josie Lau was booed and jeered by supporters of the old guard, and punctuated by angry outbursts which prompted security guards to step in to control the unruly members, members proceeded to vote.

The votes are being tallied.


http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=28274.56

LIVE: Aware showdown

May 2, 2009 Straits Times
LIVE: Aware showdown

8.59pm: Old exco proposed motion to remove Ms Josie Lau's exco. This was passed with two objections. It now wants to elect a new exco - position for position.

8.51pm: Event organiser said new exco president Josie Lau and committee members are coming back shortly. Old guard exco says demand they return by 8.50pm or assembly will pass motion to remove the new team.

8.47pm: "I declare by their conduct they have resigned," declared former president of Aware, Ms Braema Mathi. New exco has made no appearance since vote count was made known.

8.43pm: Audience waiting for new exco president Josie Lau and team to come back on stage to respond whether they will resign or not, following no confidence vote on them.

8.15pm: Legally the new exco is allowed to stay in office even though vote of no confidence has been passed, said Aware's legal counsel Gregory Vijayendran.

8.10pm: Vote of no confidence on new Aware Exco passed with votes of 2 to 1. The assembly calls for mass resignation of exco.

6.38pm: A sex education trainer from the Aware's comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programme said that materials that were supposed to be privy only to trainers were posted on Aware's website. She says homosexuality takes up only 1.5 minutes of the three-hour lesson, compared to 30 minutes on abstinance.

5.59pm: Ms Maureen Ong said in an answer to a member,that they have spent about $90,000 in the one month the new exco has been in office.

5.52pm: A new member asks the new exco if helping all women include helping lesbians. Will it be less or more pro-gay? She says she is a devout Christian and sends her kids to Aware programme. Ms Lau says she will stand up for 'discriminated' lesbians.

5.32pm: An associate member steps up to speak. Said Mrs Constance Singam reminded him of his dead mother. The three-time former Aware president gave him a 'motherly smile'.

5.27pm: Ms Chew I-Jin reveals she stepped down as assistant treasurer due to a lack of transparency, as she was not given the infomatiion on costs incurred for EGM and security.

5.21pm: The old guard supporters question new exco on money spent on booking location, which has cost more than $20,000.

5.06pm: In her right to reply, Ms Lau said former Aware President Constance Singam was asked to step out of a recent meeting after the March 28 AGM as sensitive matters were discussed. Ms Lau also said Ms Schutz Lee, Aware's ex-centre manager, was fired for 'insurbordination'.

4.46pm: There is now a 10-minute break. Proposed constitution amendments adjourned for a while.

4.28pm: Votes are now being counted. New exco discusses proposed constitutional amendments.

4.10pm: NMP Siew Kum Hong asks for their team of scrutineers to monitor the vote counting process. New exco's legal counsel has agreed. Votes are being cast now.

4.02pm: Feminist mentor Thio Su Mien has now stepped up to the mike, asks people to 'show respect to their elders'. She says she is charmed to appear in a book celebrating women.

4pm: Several new members step out to express their displeasure at the new exco. 'You have not shown the grace of god at all,' said one.

3.47pm: Crowd chants 'where were you' after Mrs Singam asks where new exco were in the past 24 years. Ms Lau asks for right to reply from old guard supporters.

3.43pm: Irene Ang speaks at mike. She says, "I'm a Christian and i love God as much as you do. But I don't agree with what the new exco is doing."

3.42pm: A new member recites part of the pledge, stressing justice and equality, that the old guard has not been treated equally. The crowd is exuberant and cheers as she attributes increase in membership to old guard. It is now chaotic as the new and old supporters shout at the mike.

3.30pm: Voters are now briefed on voting procedure. Each ordinary member is entitled to one vote. Men are not allowed to vote.

3.25pm: They have skipped to agenda items 3 and 4. Mr Gregory, the legal counsel said: "Whilst a vote of no confidence does not mean the new exco has to step down, they should consider doing so."

3.13pm: Ms Lau introduces her new exco members' profiles to boos from crowd.

3.04pm: Ms Sally Ang from the new exco shouted to the crowd: 'shut up and sit down'. The crowd boos and asks for her to be escorted out. Ms Lau apologises for Ms Ang's outburst. Ms Ang has just once again admonished the crowd sternly to let Ms Lau continue.

2.56pm: Ms Lau's legal counsel, Greg, has asked for the microphones to be left switched on, to cheers from supporters. Before, when old guard members tried to speak, the mikes were not switched on. All photographers are now asked to leave as some used flash photography. All those jeering are asked to leave too.

2.30pm: Ms Lau is interrupted repeatedly in her president's address by the audience. She has asked security to ask unruly people out.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=28274.55

LIVE from Suntec: AWARE EGM, 2 May 2009

LIVE from Suntec, AWARE EGM

9.16pm: Constance Singam asked the audience to give the outgoing exco a round of applause which they gamely obliged.

9.15pm: New exco appeared. Josie Lau: “The exco has graciously decided to step down and we wish Aware all the best in its future endeavors.”

9.01pm: Nomination for President: Dana Lam nominted by Constance Singam and seconded by Lena Lim as President. No other nominations. Dana Lam elected as new Aware President. Vice-President is Chew I Jin. Hononary Secretary is Yap Chin Hwee, assistant secretary is Corrina Lim, honorary treasurer is Tan Joo Hym, assistant treasurer is Lim Seow Yuin, committee members - Joanne D’ Cruz, Hafizah Osman, Margaret Lee, Margaret Thomas, Nancy Griffths, Nicole Tan.

9.00pm: “We hereby agree that voting from now on will be by show of hands. Anybody who object, please stand up. Nobody. So we will vote by hand.”

8.50pm: “Tbe motion is: the entire exco is removed from office and a new exco elected. Those who are against this motion, please raised your hands now. One lady in red at her back raised her hand. All right, only two objections, the motion is passed!”

8.45pm: New exco nowhere to be seen. “We hereby declare that the new exco has resigned!” Aware moving into next stage to elect new office holders by show of hands.

8.40pm: “We are now calling for Ms Josie Lau, President of Aware to assume her position at her chair now.”

8.25pm: Old guards moving into next phase to file motion of no confidence in the new exco to remove them should they decide not to resign. An election will be held to select the new office holders.

8.20pm: Constance Singam gives the new exco 5 minutes to consider resigning.

8.16pm: Siew Kum Hong: “From Article 9 of Aware Constitution, the members of the general assembly have the right to remove Aware today.”

8.15pm: Legal counsel: “Though the vote of confidence is not legal binding, the new exco should consider resigning. It is only courtesy and common sense to resign after losing in a vote of confidence.”

8.14pm: “You have not lost in the court of law, but in the court of opinion, so please GO!!”

8.12pm: New Aware exco voted out during EGM, but still refuse to resign! Crowd refused and kept chanting: “resign, resign, resign!”

8.11pm: Margaret Thomas asked the new exco to resign graciously which they say they will consider.

8.10pm: The new exco has LOST the mandate and confidence of its members!!

8.05pm: Results are out for resolution no 3: 1414 for yes and 761 for no!! Vote of no confidence passed!!

8.04pm: I just sign up for Aware at 9am today. As a leadership team, I expect you to be familiar with the Constitution, if every single thing you have to refer to the legal counsel who is an outsider, how are you going to lead?

8.02pm: “Would you Ms Josie Lau respect my regime if I just take over your Aware one day like what you did?”

8pm: “Leadership is not by position only, leadership has to earn respect. If you have no prior experience in Aware, how are you going to earn respect? Is there now a basis in the takeover now that COOS has openly said it did not support your actions, wouldn’t it better to step down now?

7.56pm: “I have always followed Aware. Aware is not about gay issues, it is about working for women, it was started in 1986 when there were alot of battered wives. Aware is an intelligent organization who does research on how to improve its work. We cannot help alone, we have to work with the men to help women. Aware is about inclusiveness, to help everybody, male or female, regardless of their sexual orientation. I am always have deep respect of Aware, but never feel the need to join Aware because I trust it in the hands of intelligent women who have put Singapore on the international map, but until recently, I felt I have to join Aware because I was alarmed that Aware should fall into the hands of a group of women which I have absolutely no confidence at all. I listened to how they talked, they can’t even answer my questions in completeness and I asked myself what is going to happen to the good work of Aware to land in a group like this? This is worrying, so I decided to pay $40, line up for 2 hours just for one purpose - to cast my vote of NO CONFIDENCE, and I ask them, after this meeting, how do you carry on? Dr Thio, you said you are a feminist mentor to women in Singapore. With due respect to you, I would not like you to be my mentor.”

7.55pm: We are not here because we are avaricious, we are not here because we are gay or lesbians, we are not here because we are sexual perverts. We are here because we are deeply troubled how this exco came into power and the lack of respect for the values of pluralism, democracy that this new exco has demonstrated. We are here because we believe woman are intelligent and rational enough to make our own choices on how a good life is. We are here to protect the rights and integrity of women everywhere.”

7.50pm: “I am a life member of Aware. I speak as a life member and also a Christian. I observe with alarm how this new excp have gained leadership through ?dirty means though constitutional, how this new exco has displayed its leadership through conflicting accounts of aware and immediate dismissal of staff, a particular narrow Christian interpretation regarding sex education. This exco’s leadership sets a dangerous precedent for Aware, civil society and Singapore society in general, there is total disregard for the process of trust, respect and transparency which others have worked so hard to develop. This exco’s leadship has tarnished the good name of Christianity. It is also a setback to the constructive processes of dialogue between Christians, secularists and other religion which takes time to develop in Singapore, as such, I have no confidence in your leadership to be a good example to Singaporeans.

7.45pm: “I am a teacher and a minority. Does the panel know what it is like to be marginalized? We have to give a voice to the marginalized. I was so disturbed so much so I came up. Aware was formed a quarter of a century ago, so much hsa been done. Do you want your daughter to be treated less of a person because she isn’t sure of her sexuality?”

7.36pm: “You have sent us an email to dissolve the committee. It becomes the actions of the volunteers what they want to do and the exco have not shown interest in the work of the committee. As a member of civil society, we debate openly, we do not shut the doors on anybody. You need to be taught how to debate in a civil society.You have not shown us that when you took over the organization.”

7.35pm: “I think the previous exco is perfectly capable of manning its own Constitution and if we ever flouted it, all it does is for a member to write in to ROS and action will follow suit. It is impossible to understand that what you have been trying to do when from the first day, you are reluctant to tell us and now you said you want to follow what the old committee is doing.”

7.30pm: “1st point to Dr Thio Su Mien, she said in the press that she disagreed with the old aware point that homosexuality is neutral, in Buddhism, heterosexuality = homosexuality. Even HPB says that being a lesbian doesn’t make you less normal. The new exco kept saying that they are legally and constitutionally elected, but as leaders of NGO, you also need respect and trust and from what you see here, the trust is not there, the best option is for the new Aware exco to resign on their own accord. Fine, if you want to go by the Constitution, let us talk about the $90,000 spent!”

7.22pm: “I am a Christian and the Lord asks us to embrace all! As a NGO, we struggled hard to get money. Now $90,000 is gone in an instance. This is SHAMEFUL!!!”

7.20pm: “You have misappropriated funds as far as I see. What’s wrong of reaching out first? You are in a position of power….You wondered why we are so angry, but at the beginning, you are the ones who erased our voices and we are not the ones going around to remove people. We are not causing any physical harm and you are calling your guards to remove us, is this fair? How can I respect you when you are treating me like a child? And you are so rude to us! How can I believe that you are going to campaign for equality for women when you don’t treat us equally.”

7.15pm: “I am a Muslim with 3 daughter. I was a criminal investigator. In the course of my work, I have seen so much fear of women that they are not worthy of men. I support the work done by the old Aware…We need to have evidence, the spirit of inquiry to enable our ladies to make informed choices and because of that, I would be very proud of my daughter to go through the CSE programme. And I have one regret being a father, I regret that my daughters are not here today to witness the spirit of the women at Aware today.”

7.10pm: Clarie Nazar: “I resigned on 30 April 2009. The reason for my resignation is that if you have been more inclusive, I would not have resigned in the first place. I have been excluded from exco meetings and sidelined.”

7.05pm: Braema Mathi: “My reputation is being put on the line and I don’t like it, but I will not follow the examples of leaders and launch defamation lawsuits against you!”

6.55pm: “We have told you that the report is in the process of being prepared, why are you still badgering Braema when she is overseas? When you removed Braema, all of us at CEDAW wrote in a letter of protest, but you didn’t even have the courtesy to give us a reply!”

6.51pm: “We do not have a draft report to give to you because the volunteers are still conducting their research. Braema Mathi is willing to give you a verbal update, but you refuse.”

6.50pm: Braema: “I replied two days later apologizing for the delay and explaining for the delay and asked for a meeting to discuss the CEDAW report.”

6.47pm: “The reason why Braema Mathi is removed because she had not sent us the report in spite of the numerous reminders.”

6.43pm: “As a NGO, money is a big thing! We have to build networks to reach out to everybody. This corporate culture clashes with Aware as a NGO which alot is about consensus, inclusiveness and working for nothing.”

6.41pm: “I feel very sad to come to a woman’s organization where its President asked us to ’shut up and sit down’. Today is the time to speak out, not shut up and sit down, never!” (applause broke out)

6.40pm: Dr Alan Chin: “I am from COOS and I am not ashamed to admit that. I would like to clarify that COOS did not ask its members to come here to promote Christianity. Please be rational, although $90,000 is spent, but we have recouped it by the new membership fees of $120,000.”

6.34pm: “I am a trainer in the CSE. The three words - anal sex, homosexuality and lesbianism are only mentioned in one and a half minute out of 3 hours of the programme of which half is spent on promoting abstinence - how to refuse sex. The material is meant to be private and confidential and for the person to put it online is downright irresponsible.”

6.32pm: “I am a Christian and I have sex in secondary school. I am for a system which enabled people to make informed choices and not to make judgement on others. We need to give that choice.”

6.30pm: Josie quoted some study from Utah that abstinence is important to help reduce sexual activity amongst adolescents much to the chagrin of the audience.

6.26pm: “I would like to clarify about the CSE, if you not aware, 15 years of research showed that CSE is inclusive and appropriate in its teaching of use of condoms and to discuss a wide range of sexual techniques and study have shown that such a programme will delay onset of sexual activity and promote safer sexual activity and behavior leading to decrease in HIV infection rates at later life, so I don’t understand why you are discrediting this programme. As a parent myself, I would like my child to go through this programme. Just discussing a wide range of sexual behavior does not make one a homosexual. Your child won’t come back and say ‘Hey, I want to marry a person of same sex!”

6.25pm: “You have destroyed Aware, an organization with 25 years of proud history. Go and start another organization of your own!”

6.22pm: “The new exco has used such a large sum of money without approval from its members. Can we report it to the Commissioner of Charities?” [legal counsel refused to answer, claimed it is outside his purview]

6.20pm: Constance Singam appealed to the audience to accept the result of the ballot, whichever it turns out, in good spirit.

6.16pm: “I am a legal advisor of the old guard. I would offer legal advice to Aware pro bono. If you have asked for help from the old guards, you would have to be able to obtain free legal advice. Did you ask?

6.15pm: Legal counsel: “Under Article 18 of the Constitution, it is stipulated that the exco is not authoritzed to spend more than $20,000 for purposes of the society without approval of its members via a secret ballot.

6.12pm: “I would like to ask the legal counsel for opinion about the new exco spending $70,000 more that the legal limits set by Aware’s constitution (applause broke out).

6.06pm: “I am an academic in Singapore and I would like to clarify something about feminism. You can cannot speak out for a marginalized group like women without speaking up for all marginalized groups regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. I have traveled all over the world and everybody I spoke to has high regards for Aware. Today, Aware has an international profile which is respected by human rights activists, please don’t undermine the international credibility of aware by your thoughtless actions.

6.05pm: Results will be out in 10 minutes.

6.02pm: “This is ABSOLUTELY HORRIFYING. You have spent $70,000 above the accepted limit!!!”

6.00pm: Josie Lau: “The estimate cost of the legal counsel is NINTY THOUSAND or $90,000!!!” (no joke, you are not hearing wrongly.

5.55pm: ”I understand that a legal counsel cost ten of thousands. Please give me an estimate on how much Aware has spent on the legal counsel even if you cannot give me an accurate figure.

5.51pm: “It is very bizzare to say that just because we propose allowing associate male members to vote, we are promoting homosexuality. This shows you are not ready to lead the organization at all.”

5.50pm: Josie said she will send lesbians who are discriminated for counselling. Somebody from the crowd shouted: “but we don’t trust you!!”

5.45pm: “I am gay and I am concerned about the new exco saying homosexuality is not okay. I feel terribly insulted. Please do not impose your values on everybody. Sorry, this is not personal.”

5.40pm: I am Chiang, an event organizer. I am surprised you spent so much money on the event. Renting a place at $18,000 and paying for an event organizer should not have happened. You should be asking around for people to help, to ask for somebody to offer a free stage, if you have called me, I would have organized it for free. I am SHOCKED, I don’t know where my $40 is going. If, IF you survive this no-confidence vote, please put a lawyer on the exco and you won’t need a legal counsel, every single cent should go to the people you wanted to help!!

5.36pm: What is your stance on the male chapter of men? I am very worried about that.

5.31pm: Josie explained that the costs are being compounded and urged the audience to be patient. She pleaded for understanding that the new exco has very little time to handle the matter.

5.30pm: I Jin, the assistant treasurer claimed she has not been consulted on all maters proper by the new exco.

5.26pm: Josie explained that she has to outsource the event organizing to the Boardroom due to the short notice the EGM was called.

5.25pm: “To Josie, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I emailed you asking to meet so that we can work out the organization of the EGM together, but you are reluctant to do so.”

5.22pm: “The point is not whether you have spent over the $20,000. The point is you need to seek the members’ approval. You are NOT ABOVE THE LAW, you cannot change the Constitution to serve your own personal purpose.

5.21pm: Josie: “tell me how you will handle this situation.”

5.20pm: “I am a practising lawyer and you have breached ?ultra vibes the constitution by spending over the limit! The maximum amount you are allowed to spend is $20,000 and anything above, we the members reserve the legal right to…”

5.17pm: Questioner pressed on why new exco spent more than $20,000. Maureen explained that she had no choice as the membership has exceeded 3,000 this week and she has to get Hall 403 as well which cost $5,000. (crowd booed).

5.16pm:Maureen revealed that the Suntec venue cost $18,000, so the new exco has most likely over-spent the $20,000 limit.

5.15pm: Maureen Goh explained that Singapore EXPO venue was cancelled because police is concerned about law and order issues.

5.10pm: Josie Lau refused to answer the question directly, asked lady to sit down as she has asked more than 1 question, lady refused to go away, Josie asked security to “escort” her off.

5.07pm: Question asked about Aware’s spending. Under Aware’s constitution, Aware only allowed to spend no more than $20,000 a month.

5.05pm: Question raised about why new exco asked Constance Singam to leave the meeting. Josie replied that she was asked to leave because “sensitive issues” are being discussed.

5.01pm: Josie explained that Shultz Lee was sacked for insubordination and that the interim manager was recruited from COOS because she was immediately available.

4.55pm: Josie claimed she was given no opportunity to explain herself to members and was “played out” by the media.

4.51pm: Josie explained that she did not know Sally, Jenica or Maureen before the Aware AGM. She reiterated that she was invited by Claire Nazar to join Aware to help out in the marketing.

4.50pm: The crowd is fielding questions at the new exco who kept pleading to give them a right of reply.

4.45pm: New exco referred to legal counsel again if constitutional amendments should proceed.

4.40pm: Legal counsel asked for show of hand who oppose continuing the debate on the constitutional amendments. The majority of the crowd raise up their hands.

4.35pm: New members protest against the constitutional amendments as many have not read it here. One proposed it to be postponed to the next AGM.

4.32pm: Thio Su Mien? called the crowd hooligans. “You should be ashamed of yourself!”

4.31pm: Josie Lau wants to go through the constitutional amendments, somebody from the crowd asked her to step down till the vote count is completed as she may not be the President anymore.

4.15pm: Voting now in process.

4.11pm: Siew Kum Hong speaking. I ask the legal counsel what the legal option should be to monitor the voting process.

4.10pm: The voting begins. Ballot boxes are being passed around.

4.07pm: Thio Su Mien forced to stop her speech. Crowd kept chanting - “We are Aware! We are Aware! We are Aware!!”

4.01pm: Thio Su Mien going to speak, crowd BOOED!!! “I believe I am a feminist mentor because…, please show some civility” (crowd kept interrupting). “Listen to me, I was….you have NO RESPECT FOR THE ELDERS” (BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!) “I was the first female law dean..”

4.00pm: Thio Su Mien asked audience to show respect for elders!

3.55pm: I join AWARE only 3 weeks ago and I support a vote of vote against the new exco. For those of you sitting out there supporting the new exco, they are all of the same race, the same faith and worship in the same place.

3.46pm: Constance Singam speaking. You have to trust and honor the achievements of the old guards over the last few years. Where were you when women are abused and battered in their homes? Where were you when women are denied equal medical benefits? Where were you??? Crowd chanted “Where were you??”

3.45pm: I am Irene Ng, a Christian and I do not support the new exco.

3.45pm: I am a new member and I would like to highlight to you that you have not heard from the new members because the mikes are off. If you know the Singapore pledge…to build a democratic society built on justic and equality..where is the equality when you deliberately left out exco members from the old guards from your meeting, one more point, congratulations on the increase in your membership, but it is not because of you guys, but because of the old guards of aware who built it up all these years. I would remain as a member if the old guards returned (crowd went into frenzy).

3.41pm: Josie Lau invited legal counsel yet again to explain about the sacking of the subcommittees.

3.40pm: Braema Mathi speaking. I struggle over what is your (Josie) character….,but today is even more disappointing. We have written to the members of the exco, can we have a civil discussion on how to run this meeting and today we are being treated like children (crowd stand up and wave!!!) On that alone, 1 100% convinced that you are not the right representative for this association.

3.35pm: Dana Lam speaking. She said Josie’s actions and words during the last 2 weeks have shown she is not a suitable leader for Aware, crowd burst into applause. Dana castigates Josie for dismissing long-serving staff and volunteers of AWARE and paid for sophisticated CCTV for the center for a woman center which is meant to be a safe place for women. This act of yours alone shows that you are in the wrong seat for our association (crowd erupted into applause). I propose now…I support the vote of non-confidence.

3.30pm: Voting going to commence soon, instructions being given to members.

3.25pm: Haji Mohamad, a practising lawyer stands up to rebut legal counsel’s opinion that no-confidence motion has no legal binding under the Aware constitution.

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