Denise Copeland

Governance and Charity Advice Manager
Organisational Development
Governance and Charity Advice

Denise's Latest content

Title Type Summary
Charity bank account challenges update Article Some organisations are still having issues with their bank over their bank account.  Over the last two years NICVA has continued to raise these issues on behalf of the sector to the banks, regulators and other stakeholders. Published
NICVA seminar on charity registration threshold consultation Event The Department for Communities has launched its consultation on the introduction of a £20k registration threshold for charities in Northern Ireland. This event is being organised by NICVA for its members and other voluntary and community organisations to hear your views on the specific consultation questions and to inform our response. Draft
Registration threshold for charities in NI consultation Article Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has launched a public consultation on the introduction of a £20,000 registration threshold below which charities would not be required to register with the Charity Commission.  Published
Consultation on Charity registration threshold one step closer Article The Minister for Communities has given the green light to the Department for Communities to carry out a consultation on the introduction of a charity registration threshold for small charities in NI.  Published
Trustee training series, 2024 Article This series of online training is designed specifically for charity trustees and those staff whose work contributes to the good governance of the organisation.   Draft
Making time for governance in the New Year Article As we are nearing the end of the year it is an opportune time to start planning for 2024 and reflecting back over the year which is almost past. Draft
Charity finance for charity finance workers *RESERVE LIST* Event An online training session specifically designed for staff or volunteers who work in the administration of finance within a charity. Draft
Being an effective chair REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Event Governance in an organisation can ultimately be improved by having a good Chair so it is worthwhile investing time in helping your current Chair or prospective Chair to fulfil their role. Draft
Risk assessment made easy Event Risk assessment is an important task that all organisations should be carrying out, regardless of size or nature. Having a process in place to record this work will help organisations to better manage both current and future risks. Draft
Financial reporting to the board Event The board has an important role in the financial governance of its charity, so it needs to ensure that it has good financial reporting to it. Draft
Managing finances in uncertain times - online Event Many organisations are experiencing reduced income from either funding cuts or from reduced donations. Added to this is the cost of living crisis which is leaving many organisations struggling. Draft
Trustees’ Conference on Risk Management Event A special conference covering various aspects of risk management for NICVA members in Trustees’ Week. Draft
Being an effective chair Event Governance in an organisation can ultimately be improved by having a good Chair so it is worthwhile investing time in helping your current Chair or prospective Chair to fulfil their role. Draft
Charity Commission for NI Scheme of Delegation Consultation Article The Department for Communities is consulting on a draft Scheme of Delegation for the Charity Commission which details decisions to be made by staff, senior management and those which are reserved for a committee of the Commissioners. Published
New working group to examine impact of a charity registration threshold Article The Department for Communities has set up a Registration Threshold, Registration and Proportionality of Annual Reporting Working Group to commence the work on introducing a threshold for charity registration.  Published
NICVA draft response to Charity Commission's draft strategic plan consultation Article The Charity Commission’s consultation on its draft strategic plan for 2023-2026 and its engagement strategy will close for responses on 6 March at 5.00 PM (extended from the 6 February).   Published
Charity banking challenges Article Some charities have experienced issues with either opening a bank account for their charity or maintaining their bank account.  We have been passing these issues on to the banks on your behalf via the Community Banking Project. Published
Department plans for a de-minimis threshold for charity registration Article NICVA warmly welcomes the Minister for Communities’s decision that a de-minimis threshold for charity registration should be introduced in Northern Ireland.   Published
The independent examination of charity accounts - what is it and what to look for in an Independent Examiner Resource Charity trustees have a responsibility to ensure that the Independent Examiner they appoint has the required skills and experience to carry out an independent examination of their charity. Published
The role of the treasurer and preparing an annual budget Resource This tutorial video will help you to understand the key duties of the treasurer and their role on the board. It also outlines how to prepare an annual budget. Published
Trustees Week 2022 Article Trustees' Week takes place in the second week of November this year.  It is a time to recognise and value the work that thousands of trustees contribute to charities large and small.  Draft
NICVA’s journey to reducing its environmental impacts Article Climate change is affecting every citizen on this planet and many of us will already have made changes in our personal lives to reduce our environmental impact, but could our organisations be doing more to help reduce our impact? Published
Good governance and charity regulation update seminars Article The Developing Governance Group in association with the Charity Commission would like to invite you to free seminars focusing on governance and an update on charity regulation.  Published
DIY committee guide, revamped and launched Article The revamped DIY committee guide website was launched at a special seminar on 20 September by the Developing Governance Group. Published
HMRC’s Trust Register Article Some unincorporated not for profit organisations which have assets held in trust may be required to register their Trusts with HMRC's Trust Registration Service.  The deadline is 1 September 2022. Published
Governance Health Check launched Article The revised Governance Health Check has been launched by the Developing Governance Group at a special online seminar.  If you missed the seminar on 9 June, you can watch the recording below and download the Health Check attached.  Published
Society lottery tickets can now be sold for more than £1 Article The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 received Royal Assent on 26 April 2022.   Published
Unhappy with a Charity Commission decision made prior to May 2019? Article The Charities Act (NI) 2022 will reinstate the vast majority of decisions made by Charity Commission staff prior to the end of May 2019.      Draft
NICVA response on the draft gambling codes of practice Article NICVA has submitted a response to the Department for Communities consultation on the draft code of practice for gambling operators which includes anyone conducting a society lottery.   Published
Basic finance tutorial videos Resource NICVA has developed a series of tutorial videos to help treasurers and trustees of small to medium sized voluntary led organisations understand the basics of financial record keeping and good financial governance. Published
How to prepare annual accounts (R&P) Resource This tutorial video will help you to understand how to prepare your annual accounts on the receipts and payments basis. Published
How to keep books of account Resource This tutorial video will help you to understand the basic rules and principles for good financial management in your organisation. Published
Basic finance tutorial videos launched Article NICVA has developed a series of tutorial videos to help treasurers and trustees of small to medium sized voluntary led organisations understand the basics of financial record keeping and good financial governance. Published
Annual reporting requirements for registered charities update Article Annual reporting for all registered charities is reinstated now that the Charities Act (NI) 2022 has received royal assent.  Published
Charities Act (NI) 2022 Article The Charities Act (NI) 2022 has now come into effect after receiving Royal Assent on the 30 March 2022. Published
Consultation on draft code of practice affecting Societies Lotteries Article The Department for Communities is undertaking a consultation on the introduction of a Code of Practice for gambling operators which includes any voluntary organisation running a Societies Lottery.   Draft
Independent Review of NI Charity Regulation Report launched Article The Independent Review Panel of Charity Regulation in NI has launched its report at a special stakeholder on 20 January 2022.  Published
Trustee training series, 2022 Article This series of online training is designed specifically for charity trustees and those staff whose work contributes to the good governance of the organisation.  Draft
Code of Good Governance 3rd Edition Resource The 3rd Edition of the Code of Good Governance for voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland was launched in Trustees' Week by the Charity Commission on behalf of the Developing Governance Group. Published
Code of Good Governance launched in Trustees' Week Article The revised Code of Good Governance for the voluntary and community sector in NI was officially launched at a special seminar as part of Trustees’ Week.  If you missed this event, you can watch it now at the link below. Published
NICVA's response to the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill Article Further to the introduction of this Bill to the Assembly in September, the Committee for Communities has launched its ‘call for evidence’ and seeks your views. The closing date has been extended to 26 November 2021.  Published
Trustees' Week 2021 Article Trustees’ Week takes place in the first week of November. It is a time to recognise and value the work that thousands of trustees contribute to charities large and small.   Draft
Running for Sunshine Article This Sunday, staff from NICVA will be pounding the streets of Belfast in an effort to raise funds for Sunshine Foundation Romania.   Draft
New rules for society lotteries Article Charities and other societies will be allowed to sell their lottery tickets online from the 7 September 2021. Published
NICVA's response to the Charities Bill Article NICVA has prepared a response to the Charities Bill 2021.  Closing date for receipt of responses is Friday 3 September 2021. Published
Charities Bill – your views are being sought by the Communities Committee Article Further to the introduction of the Charities Bill to the Assembly in June, the Committee for Communities has launched its ‘Call for Evidence and Views’ and seeks your views by Friday 3 September.  Published
Charities Bill introduced Article The Minister for Communities introduced the Charities Bill to the Assembly on 21 June 2021.   Published
NICVA response to the independent review of charity regulation Article NICVA has prepared its response to the independent review of charity regulation.  Closing date for receipt of responses is Wednesday 12 May 2021.   Published
Have your say in the future of charity regulation Article The closing date for responses to the independent review of charity regulation is 12 May 2021. Please take this opportunity to comment on changes that are needed to help voluntary and community organisations.  Draft
Independent review of charity regulation – please complete this questionnaire Article The Independent Review Panel of Charity Regulation (the Panel) seeks your views on how well the charities regulatory framework, which is administered by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, is working and what could work better.  Draft