Formation and Incorporation

The work of the Red Cross began on 30 September 1949 as a branch of the British Red Cross. On 6 April 1973, it was incorporated by an Act of Parliament and became known as the Singapore Red Cross (SRC).

Governance

The SRC adopts a three level organisational structure to govern the Society – the Council, the Executive Committee and the Secretariat.

The Council is responsible for pursuing SRC’s objective as laid down by the Act of Parliament and its Constitution. It comprises up to 33 members and includes the Chairman, members elected from the Annual General Meeting, appointed representatives from SRC’s divisions, co-opted members (invited to serve on account of their special skills or knowledge) and appointed members who represent various government ministries.

Working closely together with the Council are three commissions:

• the Finance Commission which oversees the financial functions of the SRC, including investment of SRC’s funds. It reviews the accounting policies and procedures, annual budget, performs quarterly reviews of the SRC’s financial performance and advises the Council on financial matters.
• the Legal Commission which looks into both local and international legal matters.
• the Medical Commission which looks into matters pertaining to the relief of sickness, suffering or distress and the improvement of health.

The Chairman is appointed by the President of the Republic of Singapore.

The Executive Committee is also headed by the Chairman and carries out the policies laid down by the Council. This Committee is responsible to the Council for the Society’s general management, with the operational responsibilities vested in the active divisions – the Adult Volunteer Division (AVD), Youth Chapters,  the Red Cross Youth (RCY) and all various Standing Committees, Task Forces and Resource Panels.

The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary General who is appointed by the Council and is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Society. He is delegated with the responsibilities of the management and administrative aspects of the SRC and is responsible for implementing the policies and directives laid down by the Council. Activities and programmes of the SRC are organised and implemented by the Secretariat and its volunteers.