Our Founding

In July 1988, UTES and the Management of Singapore Telecom jointly set up a Canteen Welfare Fund (CWF). The purpose of the CWF was for UTES and Management to jointly manage the CWF where the surplus generated from the CWF were used to fund membership benefits and activities of UTES.

Towards this end, in November 1988, the CWF opened a drinks-cum-snacks stall at Comcentre Cafeteria. Another such stall was opened at Orchard Exchange Canteen in November 1989. By the end of 1991, the CWF was operationally stable. Management then decided to hand over the business of CWF completely to UTES.In view of the Management's decision, UTES decided to form a multi-purpose Co-operative to take over and operate the drinks-cum-snacks stalls.

Formation

The Co-operative was then officially registered with the Registrar of Co-operative Societies on 3rd February 1992. In forming the Co-operative, UTES has on the onset decided that the Co-operative shall be the revenue arm of UTES. Therefore, the annual operating surplus of the Co-operative shall be used to fund the membership benefits and activities of UTES. It was with this in mind that the following broad social objectives were formulated for the Co-operative.

• to promote the economic interests of members and mutual assistance amongst its members;
• to encourage thrift, cooperation, self-help and mutual assistance amongst its members;
• to promote the buying and selling of consumer goods and services on a Co-operative basis; and
• establish and operate such Co-operative schemes, ventures or projects subject to the approval of the registrar.    

Membership

The membership of the Co-operative comprises of UTES as the Founder Member, Personal Members and Associate Members. The Personal Membership is open to employees of UTES, UTES Co-operative, employees of Singapore Telecom and its wholly owned subsidiary companies. The Associate Membership is opened to employees of other organisations which the Board of Directors may consider fit.

Board of Directors

The controls of the affairs of the Co-operative are entrusted to the Board of Directors for a term of 3 years. It comprises 10 members to be appointed by the Founder Member, and 5 members to be elected at an Annual General Meeting of members. The controls of the affairs of the Co-operative are entrusted to the Board of Directors for a term of 3 years.