Accountability and Management of Social Service Organizations

The mandate of the social service organizations comes from the public. The public also affirm them by extending direct or indirect　financial support to NGOs, which can include full or partial exemption from taxes. In return for this support, NGOs pledge to pursue activities that meet a public or community need rather than the private profit-making interests of owners or stockholders. They are accountable to the public and must be cautious in utilizing public resources. There are Boards of Directors (or Executive Committees) in all social service organizations to make policies, set directions, monitor daily operations, oversee human resources and financial matters. These Boards compose of members from the public or even government departments. An organization exercises good governance when it has an internal　system of checks and balances that ensures the public　interest is served. Most organizations have adopted Service Quality Standards, pledging to answer any enquiries and expressions of opinions. In addition to be accountable to funding bodies, social service organizations are transparent and answerable to the public through provision of the following information:

Registration status

Mission and objectives

Composition of Board of Directors (or similar organization)

Up-dated financial report

Source of Donations and incomes (donors' request for anonymity will be respected)

Business plan and direction

Annual report (the above information usually included in the Annual Report)

Views on Charity Accountability

Mr Lee Ming Kwai, Former Commissioner of Police: understands how donations are used from financial reports(WMV, Chinese version only)


Mr Leo Ku, Founder of Leo Ku Children Medical Charitable Foundation: understands the works of charities and join volunteer works(WMV, Chinese version only)

Dr. Ko Wing Man, Chairman, Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society: good governance and efficiency (WMV, Chinese version only)

Ms Connie Lau, Chief Executive, The Hong Kong Consumer Council :expects higher standard of charity transparency (WMV, Chinese version only)

Miss Kelly Chen, Founder of Kelly Chen Children Education Fund: knows more about the service beneficiaries (WMV, Chinese version only)

Ms Teresa Au, Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, Asia Pacific Region, HSBC: HSBC Supports Charity Accountability (WMV, Chinese version only)

Acknowledgment::

Step to become a Charity Organisation