Background This article seeks, briefly, to help trustees of a charitable trust or committee members of a charitable society governing the charity more readily to understand the obligations they assume when appointed or elected (and those governing general incorporated societies have similar duties).  Before doing so it may be helpful to explain the differences between […]

Risks relating to Money Laundering or Financing of Terrorism  The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT) is intended to prevent money-laundering by criminals and the financing of terrorism.  Societies and charitable trusts (“not-for-profits”) and those providing them with services (such as legal, accounting and banking) are affected by this legislation: The […]

Introduction Most not-for-profit organisations (societies or charitable trusts, abbreviated to NfP in this article) are governed and managed by well-intentioned, honest people, but many of those people lack some or all of the knowledge and skills about the governance, decision-making and record-keeping required in such an organisation.  The sections that follow provide a brief guide […]

There’s nowt so queer as folk  The phrase “there’s nowt so queer as folk” (which is variously attributed to different parts of the British Isles) describes many of the difficulties people can cause in community organisations People can be difficult in many ways, sometimes deliberately, but often without consciously intending to be difficult.  Because many […]

Mixing governance and management In many voluntary organisations those who direct or manage the actual activities of the entity may attend meetings of those who govern it on an ex officio basis.  In the balance of this article I will refer to such a person as a “manager,” to cover managers, coaches, conductors, and any […]