Governance Advice Notes
Our Governance and Charity Advice Team has produced these essential guides to good governance, covering everything from setting up a group and achieving charitable status to best practice on committees.
Reserves policy guidance
19 Jan 2021Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Funding and Fundraising (COVID19)Governance Advice Notes, Finance
A reserves policy helps trustees to justify holding appropriate levels of financial reserves to protect against future uncertainties. It is something which various stakeholders may be interested in viewing from time to time.
Developing a governance planning framework
20 Jun 2019Denise Copeland Governance and Charity AdviceGovernance Advice Notes, Governance
Creating a governance calendar is a very practical and effective way for organisations to develop their own planning framework to help them identify their key governance events and requirements throughout the course of a year.
People with significant control register - PSC Register
4 Jul 2016Denise Copeland Charity RegulationGovernance Advice Notes
From 6 April 2016 companies, including not for profit companies, are legally required to keep a register of individuals or legal entities that have control over them, known as ‘people with significant control (PSC)’ and ‘relevant legal entities (RLEs)’
Charity Trustees’ Duties
1 Jul 2014Denise Copeland Governance and Charity AdviceGovernance Advice Notes
This article outlines what a charity trustee is and what they are responsible for.
Committee Procedures
25 Jun 2014Denise Copeland Governance and Charity AdviceGovernance Advice Notes
This guidance is designed to help committees of small voluntary and community groups understand their basic responsibilities. It describes procedures which can help committees to prevent problems occurring.
Charitable Status
14 Apr 2014Denise Copeland Governance and Charity AdviceGovernance Advice Notes, Charity Regulation
This article will answer the key question - how do I get charitable status for my organisation?
Accounting regulations for charities
1 Jan 2014Denise Copeland Governance and Charity AdviceGovernance Advice Notes, Fundraising
This article gives advice on the new accounting requirements for charities in Northern Ireland.
Insurance
1 Aug 2013Denise Copeland Governance and Charity AdviceGovernance Advice Notes, Insurance
This is a general guide to insurance. It uses detailed explanations to highlight different types of insurance policies and includes real life examples to give an overview of all policies. There is also information on risk assessment.
Conflicts of Interest
1 Jul 2013Denise Copeland Governance and Charity AdviceGovernance Advice Notes
This guide will help organisations identify how to avoid conflicts of interest and how to act appropriately if one does develop. It sets out the legal background and has a sample conflict of interest policy and a sample declaration of interest form.
Legal Structures for Voluntary and Community Groups
1 Jul 2013Denise Copeland Governance and Charity AdviceGovernance Advice Notes, Charity Regulation
This guidance identifies the different kinds of legal structures that exist and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
