As in other organisations, charities and charity trustees can both end up in court. You may find yourself on the receiving end of someone else’s claim.  But what if you are considering taking your case to court? Disputes with third parties Your charity’s disputes may be: contractual issues with suppliers employment issues boundary disputes regaining […]

In the run-up to this general election, it matters what your charity says, and how much it spends on saying it. The Electoral Commission chose the day after Theresa May called our snap 2017 general election to announce fines on Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace for breaking campaigning rules during the 2015 General Election. […]

You may not have been waiting with bated breath for the House of Lords to produce its report “Stronger Charities for a Stronger Society”, but here it is, all 156 pages, published for weekend reading on Sunday 26th March 2017 – and usefully summarised for you here. Is this of any real practical use to […]

If so, you may not be alone! A charity CEO complains of being driven out of the third sector by “Victorian attitudes” among charity trustees – just as the draft of a new Charity Governance Code is published. Co-incidence or serendipity? Everyone starts out with the best of intentions, but… Are your trustee boards like […]

You could be forgiven for thinking that recruiting a new trustee for your charity is a pretty straight-forward process. Happily you would be largely correct!  But do watch out for some legal pitfalls. Take time and be careful, as illegal or unconstitutional trustees will cause your charity serious problems. Getting it right in the first […]

Troublesome trustees cross my desk only too often. Maybe there would be fewer troublesome trustees if more charity trustee boards adopted a Trustees’ Code of Conduct. How about yours? Clarity and accountability With a Code of Conduct, your trustees could spend less time and energy in trying to resolve trustee issues or even in removing […]

Are you back at your desk now after your holidays? Well it may not be spring, but this is still the perfect time to tidy up all those pesky loose ends at your charity. Post-holiday dynamism The only time many of us clear our in-tray is the day before we go holiday. But a good […]

Are you doing a good job as a charity trustee?  Well then, you’ll surely have these seven critical ingredients of charity governance in place already! 1. Evaluating your trustee board Appraisals for staff are common-place and need no justification. Individual trustees and trustee boards are no different. Objective evaluation of a board of trustees should […]

What would you think of a profession – doctors, lawyers, accountants, therapists, beauticians whatever –  that had no requirement for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)?  Even more, what would you think if that profession had absolutely no entry qualifications whatsoever ? Not much of a profession, more likely to be a shambles? Taking trusteeship seriously Nowadays […]

Is it just one trustee?  The one who ‘understands the accounts’ the best? Well then, you’re within the legal requirement is for your charity’s accounts to be signed by “one or more of the trustees.” But here’s a thought.  Why not have them signed by each and every trustee? So your whole trustee board takes […]

Most of the provisions of the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016 came into force in July 2016. Much of it may seem dry and far removed from the everyday operation of most charities.  But if your charity is badly run or your trustees inept or worse, you must expect the full weight of the […]

Your charity’s legal structure is a hot topic right now.    Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status was a bright idea in the Charities Act 2011, and it may have some substantial benefits for your charity.  Three reasons you might want to convert are: Limited liability!  A boon to nervous trustees of unincorporated charities Saving on admin […]

Making decisions is one of the most important parts of your role as a charity trustee. There may not be one single correct answer to each significant or strategic decisions that you need to make, but how you and your fellow trustees ARRIVE at the decision is critical. Make sure you reach a sound conclusion Using a robust decision […]

What are the ingredients of charity governance? For that matter, what is this ‘governance’ that we’re always talking about? It’s rather hard to find a good definition. And rather easy to slip into thinking that it’s all about rather dull and dry policies and procedures and documents and ooh, zzzz, I’ve just dropped off myself…. […]

Recently someone asked me “Would you hold a charity accountable or file a complaint if you thought malpractice was involved, if you were a trustee?” My short answer was “yes!”  But read on for more… Doing the right thing Dealing with dishonesty is a tough call wherever it happens.  All the more so in the […]