Date: 6 March 2026
Duration: 1 day
Level: Basic
Venue: Singapore University of Social Sciences
Synopsis
This one-day course is designed for participants working with associations who are looking to enhance their understanding of diversity and inclusion while also effectively managing volunteers. Participants will explore key concepts such as unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, and allyship, while gaining practical insights on volunteer recruitment, retention, and development in a modern environment. The course will also focus on building robust volunteer management frameworks and communicating impact to stakeholders, ensuring long-term success and meaningful contributions.
Objectives
- Understand Diversity and Unconscious Bias: Develop a foundational understanding of diversity and recognize unconscious biases that may impact decision-making and organizational culture.
- Cultivate Inclusive Leadership: Learn strategies to foster inclusive environments through leadership that supports diverse perspectives and experiences.
- Develop Effective Communication and Allyship Skills: Gain insights into how to communicate inclusively and develop allyship to support diversity within your organization.
- Introduction to Volunteer Management and Development: Understand the basics of volunteer management and its importance in building a sustainable volunteer program.
- Learn Volunteer Recruitment Strategies: Explore contemporary approaches to volunteer recruitment in today’s evolving environment.
- Enhance Volunteer Retention Practices: Discover strategies to retain volunteers by creating meaningful experiences and fostering long-term engagement.
- Communicate Impact to Stakeholders: Learn how to effectively communicate the impact of volunteer programs to stakeholders, and explore the Volunteer Management Framework.
Who Should Attend
Participants of membership or clans associations who are interested to learn the latest on Diversity, Inclusion and Volunteer engagement to engage their organizational members and community partners.
Topics
- Understanding Diversity
- Unconscious Bias
- Inclusive Leadership
- Effective Communication and Allyship
- Introduction on Volunteer Management and Development
- Volunteer Recruitment in today’s environment
- Volunteer Retention
- Communicating Impact to Stakeholders and Volunteer Management Framework
Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and Understanding (Theory Component)
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Appreciate the considerations for building diverse and inclusive workplace with volunteer support
B. Key Skills (Practical Component)
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Create and promote cohesive and inclusive practices for the workplace and volunteer groups
Schedule
| Time | Agenda |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | |
| 09:00 - 09:30 | Understanding Diversity |
| 9:30 - 10:30 | Unconscious Bias |
| 10:30- 10:45 | Break |
| 10:45 – 12:00 | Inclusive Leadership |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Effective Communication and Allyship |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 – 14:15 | Introduction on Volunteer Management and Development |
| 14:15 – 15:15 | Volunteer Recruitment in today’s environment, Volunteer Retention |
| 15:15 – 15:30 | Break |
| 15:30 – 16:00 | Communicating Impact to Stakeholders and Volunteer Management Framework by NCSS |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | Assessment |
*SUSS reserves the right to change the course dates, topics and trainers.
Assessments
- Group Presentation
Requirements
- Nil
About the Trainer
Ms Joanna Tan
Joanna has held leadership positions across the social sector - covering healthcare, social services, education, and manpower.
She is both a visionary leader and hands-on problem solver, with a strong track record in philanthropy, enterprise strategy, and system-level transformation.
She is currently a Director at Institute of Mental Health (IMH) overseeing Corporate and Organisation Development, and Director of its Woodbridge Hospital Charity Fund.
Prior, she was at the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) driving social sector-wide capability development and organisation leadership development.
As CEO of a local charity Children’s Wishing Well from 2018 to 2025, Joanna led major organisational transformations — strengthening its governance and scaling the service delivery, social impact, and funds raised by more than 10-fold.
Joanna had previously held leadership roles at the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), contributing to national initiatives in healthcare integration, intermediate and long-term care, hospital development, and pandemic preparedness. She also advanced Singapore's international agenda through FTAs and at the UN, WHO, and ASEAN.
Over the past 2 decades, she was awarded many prizes and awards for her achievements and contributions to public service, including the National Day Award Commendation Medal 2018 and MSF Community Cares Award 2024.
Joanna is regularly invited by the Ministry of Education (MOE), National Council of Social Services (NCSS), and the local media as an expert on social issues such as philanthropy, community engagement, and social mobility issues in Singapore.
Since her teenage years, Joanna has consistently volunteered actively in various local and overseas charity organisations. She is currently serving as the Chairman of NTUC Health Medifund Committee and is a member of the national Medifund Advisory Committee. She also serves as a Board Director at local charity O'Joy and the School Advisory Committee of Yusof Ishak Secondary School.
She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with fellow social sector professionals and adult learners in her capacity as an associate lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and SUSS Academy.
She graduated from Harvard University in 2008 (Master of Public Health) and Kings College London in 2001 (Master in Science), both sponsored under Singapore Government scholarships.
Joanna is a respected social sector leader, well-liked colleague, and loving mother to all whom she serves.
Application Procedures
Please submit the following documents to [email protected]:
- Coloured copy (back and front) of NRIC for Singaporeans and PRs, or "Employment"/"S"
Pass for foreign applicant
- Application form
Course Fee
1 Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy:
Singaporeans aged 40 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course
fees.
2 Enhanced Training Support
for SMEs: SME-sponsored employees (Singaporean Citizens and PRs) aged 21
and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
- Participants are required to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass any prescribed examinations/assessments or submit any course/project work (if any) under the course requirement.
- Participants are required to complete all surveys and feedbacks related to the course.
- The course fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the course fees without prior notice.
- Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice.
For the various payment modes, please refer here.
Course Withdrawal and Refund
Request for withdrawal from a course must be submitted to SUSS Academy formally in writing.
- Course Withdrawal before Application Close Date: No charges.
- Course Withdrawal after course confirmation: 50% of the full course fee with an administration fee imposed.
- Course Withdrawal after the course commences: Full course fee applies.
For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:
Telephone: +65 6330 9110
Email: [email protected]