Daily Lesson from Life 16 July 2008

"Wed, Jul 16, 2008 The Straits Times Ming Yi suspended from office in 5 other bodies

THE Ministry of Health (MOH) called it an immediate suspension. Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre's management's version was that he stepped down voluntarily.

Whichever the case, Ming Yi is no longer an office-bearer for now in the charity and five other organisations.
The Commissioner of Charities has suspended him from decision-making positions in Foo Hai Ch'an Monastery; Foo Hai Ch'an Buddhist Cultural and Welfare Association; Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic; the Singapore Regional Centre of the World Fellowship of Buddhists; and the Katho Temple.

Ren Ci's board of directors has reassured MOH that the absence of its former chief executive will not affect its operations and services. It said Ming Yi had already stopped being involved in the charity after going on leave in February - when the police began investigations into its finances - and he resigned on Monday.

Ren Ci's clinical director and MP Ong Seh Hong has been acting as its interim chief executive since February.
The ministry said yesterday that it would continue subsidising Ren Ci's needy patients. It added that it was studying a request from the charity to inject more funds to cope with rising construction costs for the new Ren Ci Community Hospital in Irrawaddy Road."

An old story that got some press time again recently. One where some do-gooders went astray after the initial burst of enthusiasm, sincerity, honesty, and commitment to do good!

Lessons for me:

1. if we start off with good intention, it is critical to end with good intention too! It is not just the journey but the destination that counts. It is challenging to keep a straight path when you are successful and keeping hearing good things about yourself from the popular press!!;

2. there will be people who want to forgive the wrong doers or the do-gooders who gone astray but citing the goods that they have done earlier. In my opinion, they are not making a clear distinction between appreciating the past contribution and the need to take responsibilities for the crime committed! We can love a person while at the same time put him through a deserved punishment for the crime committed! We must be able to separate 'emotional responses' from 'rational responses'. It will NOT be easy;

3. when things broke, a lot of folks will add their comments and try to influence public opinion. We must watch out for such folks as they are normally not very truthful and committed. They are likely to be weathering. They will lean wherever the wind blows!

May the people who want to serve in the Non-profit organization be aware of your job and responsibilities! Do not go astray!!