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The Hong Kong Council of Social
Service
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BRIEF HISTORY OF HKCSS
In the 1940s, Hong Kong recovering from World
War II had experienced drastic social and economic changes. There
was massive influx of refugees from the Mainland which generated
the need to carry out large-scale relief work. Charitable organizations
and welfare agencies provided services and assistance to those
in need. The Committee on Voluntary Emergency Relief Council was
then set up to co-ordinate and plan various welfare services.
As the number of welfare agencies increased and services provided
became diversified, the coordination effort became more and more
important. By 1947, the Committee developed into the Hong Kong
Council of Social Service (hereinafter called "the Council"),
and became a body corporate in 1951.
The Council has grown since then to become an umbrella organization
of over 340 Agency Member, that provide over 90% of the social
welfare services for those in need through their 3,000 service
units all over Hong Kong.
Our Position
The Council represents, with clear vision and professional expertise,
non-governmental welfare agencies committed to sustain and develop
social welfare in Hong Kong.
Our Values
The Council and its member agencies believe in social justice
and equality, and the intrinsic rights of every individual. While
society is obliged to provide individuals with the basic social
and economic resources to develop their potentials, individuals
in turn should carry out their responsibilities towards their
families and society, to be self-reliant and to achieve self-actualization.
Our Vision
To build a welfare sector that is highly accountable, efficient,
effective and responsive to social needs, upholding the long-term
sustainable development of society and the well-being of our citizens.
Our Mission
To promote the development of social welfare together with its
member agencies, through:
- Enhancing accountability of social welfare service agencies;
- Promoting improvement of social welfare services;
- Facilitating agencies to better serve the community;
- Advocating equality, justice, social integration and a caring
society;
- Setting the local welfare sector as a model of excellence
in the international community.
FIVE CORE BUSINESSES OF
HKCSS
Agency
Development and Partnership
To liaise with social welfare agencies, provide
membership services and professional support, facilitate resource
development; promote public understanding of welfare agencies
and their services, enhance public accountability; foster strategic
cross-sectoral partnership with the business and other professionals,
and also pool together the effort of the third sector, to build
a cohesive and caring society.
Service
Development and Liaison
To promote social service development and planning,
enhance service quality, promote and encourage agencies to adopt
good practices, review service delivery models, provide forums
for exchanges and joint endeavours, keep abreast of the overall
needs and changes of society.
Quality
Management and Efficiency Enhancement
To co-ordinate training activities organized
by the HKCSS, enhance welfare agencies' capability, promote social
services efficiency and effectiveness, promote sharing of experience
in quality management, the effective use of management systems
and tools to improve management and service delivery of social
welfare services.
Policy
Research and Advocacy
To undertake and support research and other
evidence based studies on policies which have impact on welfare
and social development, monitor and analyze social development
statistics and trends, conduct policy analysis, advocacy and response,
maintain regular dialogue with policy makers and communications
with the public to promote understanding and influence policy
making.
International
and Regional Networking
To foster network and exchanges with international
and regional counterparts for experience sharing and practice
advancement, represent the NGO sector to participate in and contribute
to the international and regional social welfare and social development
agenda, facilitate the local welfare sector to keep abreast of
international agenda on welfare issues and standards of practices,
monitor the compliance of the international conventions related
to welfare and social development in Hong Kong.
HKCSS MEMBERSHIP
There are two kinds of membership: Agency Members
and Life Members. As Council's core businesses focus on the work
of social service organizations, no new application for Life Membership
would be accepted since our organizational review in 2001. Social
service organizations whose aims and objects are in harmony with
those of the Council and who have an active interest in the social
service field or those who provide as their primary function a
bona fide direct social service which helps to meet the existing
needs of the community are eligible to apply for the Council's
membership.
Agency Members
According to Clause 13 of the Council's Constitution,
organizations wishing to apply for the Council's membership must
fulfill the following criteria in order to be eligible:
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They must be recognized by the Council
as being a non-profit-making body;
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They must have been in operation for a
period of at least one year;
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They must possess a Constitution or similar
document in incorporation;
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They must publish their annual report and
audited accounts or certified accounts with regards to annual
income and expenditure;
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They must comply with such other conditions
as may be prescribed by the Executive Committee from time
to time.
Life Members
Individuals who had registered as life members
prior to the date of September 27, 2001 shall be the Life Members
of the Council until such time as they withdraw their membership
or become deceased.
As of March 2008, the Council has 349 Agency Members. Among
them, 137 are organizations receiving social welfare subvention,
128 are members of the Community Chest, and 57 are receiving
funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Among
the membership, there are 41 mutual help groups, 7 organizations
formed by professionals, 6 tertiary institutions providing social
work training and 4 foundations.
According to the information provided by Agency Members, 58 agencies
(around 17%) are large-scale social service organizations with
an annual operation cost over HK$50,000,000. 95 agencies (around
27%) are medium-sized social service organizations with an annual
operation cost ranging from HK$5,000,000 to HK$50,000,000. 105
agencies (around 30%) are small to medium sized social service
organizations with an annual operation cost ranging from HK$1,000,000
to HK$5,000,000. 91 agencies (around 26%) are small sized social
service organizations with an annual operation cost less than HK$1,000,000.
HKCSS ORGANIZATION CHART
Key Staff of HKCSS
| Ms. Christine FANG |
Chief Executive |
| Mr. Cliff CHOI |
Business Director
(Sector Development & Partnership) |
| Dr. Timothy CHAN |
Business Director
(Service Development) |
| Mr. CHUA Hoi Wai |
Business Director
(Policy Advocacy & International Networks) |
| Mr. Joseph WONG |
Business Director
(Corporate Management) |
(April 2008)
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