Our Governance

NICVA is governed by its Executive Committee, which is directly elected by member organisations at the Annual General Meeting. 

The Executive Committee comprises twelve persons, one third of which is elected each year. Elected candidates serve for a period of three years.  Membership of the Executive Committee is broadly representative of different interests within the sector as a whole.  The Executive Committee is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of NICVA, developing the vision, mission and values and the organisation's strategic objectives in accordance with the Articles of Association and other legal and regulatory guidelines.

Executive Committee

• Bob Stronge (Chair), Advice NI, tel: 028 9064 5919
• Michael Briggs, East Belfast Community Development Agency, tel: 028 9045 1512
• Margaret Baumann, Training for Women Network, tel: 028 9031 9888
• Marie Cavanagh, Gingerbread NI, tel: 028 9023 1417
• Eileen Chan-Hu, Chinese Welfare Association, tel: 028 9028 8277
• Liz Cuddy, Extern, tel: 028 9084 0555
• Peter McBride, NI Association for Mental Health, tel: 028 9032 8474
• Michael Hughes, Rural Community Network, tel: 028 8676 6670
• Eddie Magowan, Northern Ireland Hospice Care, tel: 028 9078 1836
• Audrey Murray, Ulster Community Investment Trust, tel: 028 9031 5003
• Paul Roberts, Ashton Centre, tel: 028 9074 2255
• Margaret Ward, Women's Resource and Development Agency, tel: 028 9023 0212

The objects for which NICVA is established is to promote, develop and support the voluntary and community sector and any purpose for the benefit of the community in Northern Ireland and in any other part of the world which are, or may be deemed by law, to be charitable and in particular:

(a) to act as a representative of the voluntary and community sector in relation to government policies and legislation and in so doing promote and organise co-operation in the advancement of the above purposes and to that end bring together in Council or conference representatives of voluntary agencies and statutory authorities engaged in the furtherance of any of the above purposes.

(b) to promote and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of charities, voluntary and community groups by the provision and management for such organisations of office accommodation, conference, training, information, advice and other facilities, services or support.

NICVA Governance Manual

The voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland recognises the need to have its own set of standards in governance. This was also identified by the government through Positive Steps which stressed that a proactive approach in promoting good governance in the sector was needed. Governance has been defined as "the systems and processes concerned with ensuring the overall direction, effectiveness, supervision and accountability of an organisation".

In 2005, lead by a working group of NICVA's Executive Committee, two governance documents were produced: Roles and Responsibilities of Executive Committee Members and NICVA Executive Committee Code of Practice.  In 2008 the Executive Committee agreed an update to the Finance procedures. These documents, coupled with the organisation's Articles of Association provided a framework for governance of the organisation including guidance to Executive Committee on their responsibilities and the principles it adheres to in carrying out its duties.

In 2009 these documents were revised to reflect the key principles within the "Code of Good Governance" produced by the Developing Governance Group which is a group of voluntary and community sector associations, working to improve the quality of governance in voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland. The Code follows a set of seven core principles supported by a number of supporting principles contained therein. This NICVA Governance Manual follows this format with an explanation as to how NICVA adheres to these set of core principles and refers to supporting documentation and appendices.  See file attachements at the bottom of this page.

• Principle 1 Executive Committee Leadership
  Principle 2 Legal Requirements and Obligations
• Principle 3 Effectiveness
• Principle 4 Performing, reviewing and renewing the committee
• Principle 5 Executive Committee delegation
• Principle 6 Executive Committee integrity
• Principle 7 Executive Committee openness

Appendices

• Appendix 1 NICVA Articles of Association
• Appendix 2 Role Description for Executive Committee members
• Appendix 3 Role Description for Chair of Executive Committee
• Appendix 4 Role Description for Vice Chair of Executive Committee
• Appendix 5 Chief Executive Job description
• Appendix 6 NICVA organisational chart
• Appendix 7 NICVA Finance Procedures
• Appendix 8 NICVA's Equal Opportunities Policy
• Appendix 9 Role of the Resources Committee

Honorary Officers

President: Kenneth Branagh

The actor Kenneth Branagh formally accepted the invitation to be honorary president of NICVA in 2001, cementing a relationship of fifteen years.

The Belfast born, Oscar nominated actor, writer and director has demonstrated his support for NICVA many times in the past; offering his new films for charity premieres, making personal visits to boost fundraising, and promoting the work of the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.

Vice President: Dr Jeremy Harbison

Complaints Procedure

We are committed to providing a high standard of service. However, we recognise that there may be times when things go wrong. When this happens we ask you to tell us so that we can deal speedily with the problem.  Please see our Complaints Procedure for details on how NICVA deals with complaints.