8 November 2007

Creating a Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising

An update on the Process and the Lessons learned so far

Siobhán McGee

17 May 2007

What we did - how we went about the task

What we learned from the process Some questions that arose in Code

discussionsThe breakout sessions – considering

the Code today

17 May 2007

Establishing the Working Group

First Step

17 May 2007

The Working Group

Mark Mellett Focus IrelandThora MackeyUNICEF IrelandJoan Ward Roscommon Home ServicesCatriona Hogan Cork Counselling ServicesJudy Dunne The Consumers Association Lillian Sullivan The Alzheimer’s Society,

Limerick James Howe ConcernNiamh Sheeran Fundraising consultantLiam Manning St Vincent de Paul, DundalkGeraldine O’Sullivan Kerry Volunteer Centre

17 May 2007

Considering Other Codes

1. Code of Conduct on Images and Messages, Dóchas 2. Ethical Guidelines for Fundraising, ISOBRO (Denmark)3. Code of Conduct, Institute of Fundraising, (UK)4. International Non Governmental Organisations’ Accountability

Charter5. A Donor Bill of Rights, American Association of Fundraising

Counsel (US)6. Guidelines and Implementing Instructions for nonprofit

organisations soliciting donations (Germany) 7. Code of Practice, Irish Fundraising Forum for Direct

Recruitment8. ICFO International Standards, The International Committee on

Fundraising Organizations9. Code of Good Governance for Fundraising Charities, VFI

(Holland)

17 May 2007

Guidance on Regulation

Regulating Better: A Government WhitePaper setting out six Principles of BetterRegulation (2004)

1 Transparency 2 Accountability3 Necessity 4 Proportionality5 Consistency 6 Effectiveness

www.betterregulation.ie

17 May 2007

Accountability

Is defined as ‘answering for one’s

behaviour’ including to the public at large

Accountable to whom? To the public, whether donors or not

Accountable for what? For all fundraising carried out by charities

Accountable by what means? To be decided through the process of agreeing the Code

17 May 2007

Transparency

Transparency refers to ‘the provision

of information about the organisation’s

board, managers, employees, volunteers,

and members’.

Anheier, H.K., Nonprofit Organisations; theory,

management, policy (2005) Routledge, New

York.

17 May 2007

What we Learned

Engaging smaller organisations

Reflecting the public, or an

Independent, view

Resources – time and experience

17 May 2007

Some Discussion Points

Shorter or Longer? Meeting the needs of smaller organisations How much to reveal Not creating a burden How will compliance be monitored and

dealt with – what ‘teeth’ will the Statement have?

What would help me in my role?

17 May 2007

The 5 Recommendations of the Working Group

1. Agreeing the criteria for ‘success’

2. Establishing modalities for key relationships (the Regulator, the charities’ fundraising sector, individual charities, the Monitoring Group and the public)

17 May 2007

The 5 Recommendations of the Working Group

3. Establishing and resourcing the Monitoring Group

4. Information and training to support charities

5. Establishing a process for updating this and agreeing new Codes

17 May 2007

Meeting the Standards

Six Principles of Better Regulation:

1 Transparency 2 Accountability

3 Necessity 4 Proportionality

5 Consistency 6 Effectiveness

17 May 2007

The Statement

Introduction – Complements existing legal framework Goes further, principles and guidance To be of practical use To build capacity in the charities’ fundraising

sector Dialogue with regulator New Codes To be updated

17 May 2007

Who this Statement is for

Fundraising Practitioners Charity boards and senior management Charity donors or prospective donors

17 May 2007

Core Principles

RespectHonestyOpenness

17 May 2007

Commitment to Donors

Use of donations Disclosure Organisational Independence Third Party fundraising Volunteers Complaints and feedback procedure Financial controls Human resources Equality Appointment of External Auditor

17 May 2007

The Conduct of Fundraisers

Behaviour and responsibilities Know and follow the legal requirements Responsibilities of Fundraising

Management

17 May 2007

Board and Trustee Responsibility

Have ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the charity is able to and does fulfil its commitment to best practice in fundraising

Fundraising exists only to support the overall mission of the charity – therefore the management of the wider organisation is also of interest to donors (as well as clients, beneficiaries, service users, volunteers staff etc)

17 May 2007

Honest Communication

Language Representation Omission Images and Messages

17 May 2007

Financial Accountability

Goes to the heart of transparency and accountability and is of public interest.

Will be covered by regulation – but not yet SORP and Company law

17 May 2007

Monitoring and Compliance

Establish a Monitoring Group When a Regulator is in place? To be

continued………..

17 May 2007

What happens next

1. Breakout groups

2. Facilitators/Scribes/Rapportuer -Rooms

2. 3. Reconvene

Closing Date: 16th November 2007

17 May 2007

Breakout Groups – location

Pale Green Badge – O’Connell Suite Room 1

Dark Green Badge – O’Connell Suite Room 2

Red Badge – O’Connell Suite Room 3 Blue Badge – O’Connell Suite Room 4 Orange Badge – Stay here!