Annual Review and Impact Report 2002/2003

A look at the work of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations during 2002/2003.

Download Annual Review 2003 (PDF 332kb)

Contents

1. Building Communities 
2. Giving a shared voice to voluntary organisations
3. Campaigning for a Charities Bill
4. Cultivating an environment that fosters their development
5. Strengthening the Compact 
6. Tackling new issues and unmet needs 
7. Helping our growing membership improve its effectiveness 
8. Financial information
9. Legal and administrative information
10. List of members 
11. Acknowledgements

Building communities

Norman Warner, Chair, NCVO.

The principles of building communities and contributing to a strong civil society have always been key issues for the voluntary and community sector as a whole, and for NCVO in particular.

With the rise of e-democracy and emerging "virtual communities", the parliamentary modernisation programme, and the spotlight increasingly falling on building social capital and civil society, now is a critical time to develop a stronger sense of community. Voluntary organisations have a crucial role to play at the heart of this work and NCVO is striving to support them in this.

Annual polls carried out by Euromonitor, amongst 1000 members of the UK public, demonstrate a clear difference in the levels of perceived trustworthiness of different types of insitutions. Year on year, charities are seen as being one of the most trusted types of organisation; in 2002, 63% of the population "tended to trust" voluntary organisations, as compared to a figure of only 15% for political parties, 25% for big companies and 37% for parliament. Even religious insitutions were rated more poorly than charities, with only 38% of the public tending to trust them.

However, these levels of trust are declining, albeit slowly, and if charities are to maintain high levels of public support, they need to be (and be seen to be) open and accountable, and the rationale for awarding charitable status made clear.

New research commissioned by NCVO suggests that the current definition of charity is not clear to many members of the public and the Government's Strategy Unit report, Private Action, Public Benefit, has already stated that a public benefit test would further clarify the definition of charity.

NCVO has called for this recommendation to be implemented through new legislation. At our annual conference in February 2003, we launched a new coalition of top UK charities and NGOs which is campaigning for a charities bill, which would ensure that a test of public benefit is applied to all charities. The Charities Bill Coalition believes that it is essential, in the interest of preserving public trust and confidence in the voluntary sector, that the legal definition of charity is clarified to make it much clearer on what basis charitable status is awarded.

At the time of writing, we are waiting for the Home Office to publish its response to the consultation stage of the Strategy Unit's report. However, the Home Secretary has already announced that the Government is committed to publishing a draft Charities Bill, and the Coalition will continue to campaign for a definition of charity fit for the 21st Century.

Representing our members and the wider voluntary sector is a key part of our work. In 2002/3 we were delighted to reach (and exceed) our target of 3000 member organisations.

Our members continually to be highly engaged in our work, and this was demonstrated by an incredible response to our largest ever members' survey, carried out in June 2002. Even more encouragingly, 9 out of 10 of our members believe that we are effective in representing their interests and it is our aim to build on this in the year to come.

Such a growth in our membership, and in its diversity, coupled with an increasing demand for best practice information, has led us to develop new ways of providing our services. In November 2002, we were delighted to launch our new online resource askNCVO.org.uk, a fully searchable knowledge base of best practice information, which conforms to maximum accessibility requirements. Since the launch, there have been well over 3000 page impressions on NCVO's website and 655 individuals have registered as regular users on the askNCVO site, with around 1,192 searches being carried out each week.

NCVO continues to strive to work in partnership and we recognise that this takes time and effort to achieve. We have started to develop effective ways of working with other organisations and are working to share learning in this area. In particular, we need to work hard at gaining a fuller understanding of what happens at a local level, particularly where this impacts on national policy and where NCVO can help to affect change at a local level through national discussions and networks.

Overall, I believe that 2002/3 has been one of the most important years for the voluntary sector for over 400 years. Not since the Statute of Elizabeth was drawn up in 1601 has the environment in which voluntary organisations operate shifted so dramatically. It is a privilege and a pleasure to be steering NCVO through these most interesting of times and I would like to extend my warmest thanks to NCVO's honorary officers, trustees and staff for their hard work and support throughout the year, and to our many sponsors, funders and other partners who are helping to make our vision a reality.

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Giving a shared voice to voluntary organisations

'Nine out of ten members believe that NCVO is effective in representing the voluntary sector.'

Aim: to represent the voluntary sector to government and policy makers

NCVO's increased campaigning around issues such as protecting the independence of the sector in the delivery of public services, and the recent and ongoing campaign around the reform of charity law, enabled all members to participate on issues at a national level.

We received almost 900 mentions in the media, including an increase in coverage in national newspapers.

Our membership gives us the legitimacy to represent the sector and to lobby the Government on its behalf. Market research carried out by The Compass Partnership on behalf of NCVO in June 2002, showed that 9 out of ten members believe that NCVO is effective in representing the voluntary sector.

In a bid to become more representative, we have actively targeted small, local and regional organisations, and were delighted to welcome the Liverpool-based Walton Youth Project as our 3000th member.

'As a small local voluntary organisation we can benefit from the unity of belonging to a national, umbrella organisation and we look forward to the support and advice NCVO can offer us.'
Peter Bull, Chair of Walton Youth Project

Over the next year, we aim to increase membership to 3500 voluntary organisations, to help us to represent the full diversity of the sector more effectively. We will also begin work on a new corporate membership scheme and investigate increasing public affiliate membership in order to boost understanding of the voluntary sector in both the private and public sectors.

Aim: to bring pressure to bear on proposals for the Lottery merger

We lobbied Government about the need to consult the sector fully on their proposal to merge the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund. Following our own consultation with the sector, we submitted a full response to Government to ensure that three key principles remain at the heart of any new body: that it should be independent, additional to government funding programmes and priorities, and that it should be sustainable.

Aim: to support the voluntary sector in its campaigning and lobbying activity

In the past year we chaired and facilitated:

• Four meetings of the Parliamentary Workers Group
• Two meetings of the Euro-Group
• Three meetings of the PR Forum
• A PR Masterclass

All these provided significant opportunities for engaging with senior politicians, MPs and MEPs, journalists and other influential opinion formers. Participants also shared best practice on campaigning, lobbying and media strategies and were networking opportunities for practical support for Parliamentary, European, Media and Campaigns staff in the sector.

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Campaigning for a Charities Bill

Aim: to push the reform of Charity law and campaign for a Charities Bill

We submitted a response to the Strategy Unit consultation document, Private Action, Public Benefit, on charity law reform, which was informed by extensive consultation with the sector. In our response, we made a strong case for the need for early introduction of legislation to implement legal and regulatory changes, which will be of long-term benefit to the sector.

The Campaign for a Charities Bill was launched at the Labour Party Conference the week after the Strategy Unit Report was published.

The Charities Bill Coalition was launched at NCVO's Annual Conference in February. As we go to print, the coalition comprises ACEVO, Amnesty International UK, Association of Charity Independent Examiners, Association for Charities, The British Heart Foundation, The British Red Cross, BTCV, Cancer Research UK, Catalyst Works, Charities Aid Foundation, Charity Finance Directors Group, Citizens Advice, Community Matters, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Help the Aged, Leonard Cheshire, Marie Curie Cancer Care, National Autistic Society, NCH, NSPCC, RNIB, RNLI, The Royal British Legion, Turning Point, World Development Movement, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and WRVS.

The Coalition has mobilised and generated demonstrable support through the media, with government and in Parliament, for the need for new legislation.

The Government announced its intention of publishing a draft charity bill at NCVO's annual conference in February.

'The recommendations announced by the Government's Strategy Unit last year must be enacted through a new Charity Bill in the next Queen's speech. There can be no compromise and no delay.'
Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive, NCVO

We will continue to lobby for a charities bill over the coming year.

Cultivating an environment that fosters their development

Aim: to review the role of the sector in public service delivery

We worked to ensure that voluntary organisations are aware of the outcomes of the Treasury cross cutting review of the role of the voluntary sector in public service delivery, providing briefings and speaking at local and regional events.

We worked closely with those in the sector and the Treasury to help develop proposals for the new futurebuilders fund of £125m in a way that best meets the needs of the sector.

Over the next year we will aim to progress the policy agenda in relation to the cross cutting review, including work on performance management and accountability.

Aim: to inform the development of the voluntary sector's infrastructure

We began work to review how best the needs of the sector can be met in the future, to help inform and influence the work of the ACU. This work has been led by a Steering Group, with representatives from local, regional, national and sub-sectoral infrastructure bodies and also from the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary sector. We published a detailed discussion document and shorter summary paper on these issues to enable as many in the sector as possible to input their views.

We will continue work in this area during 2003/4 and will work to influence the government's review of the sector's infrastructure, positioning NCVO and its members at the heart of that debate.

Aim: to demonstrate the added value of the voluntary sector

We began work to consider the added value of the voluntary sector to help the sector articulate more clearly what it considers to be its added value, which will in turn help organisations who wish to take on a greater role in public service delivery.

We also produced and distributed Impact: A Guide to Resources to all NCVO members and held a conference to provide examples of how voluntary organisations can measure their impact and become more transparent and accountable.

'Excellent! Best conference I've been to for ages. Lively, dynamic, well-paced, lots of information but also interactive.'
Delegate at Measuring Impact conference.

Aim: to research and disseminate key information to the sector

2002/3 saw increased interest in research activities, with 150 delegates attending the largest ever Research Conference and a 40% increase in our mailing list.

We carried out a Voluntary Sector Salary Survey, in co-operation with CELRE and established a partnership with the Charities Aid Foundation to take forward estimates for individual giving.

Over the coming year, we will prepare for and publish the 2004 Almanac. We will also seek funding to put in place a long-term research programme to monitor developments in the voluntary sector workforce and the role of voluntary organisations as employers.

We will also contribute to the strategic direction of the sector through the Third Sector Foresight programme.

Aim: to promote the development of a civil society

By the end of this year, a total of 21 MPs had participated in our Voluntary Sector Secondment Scheme. In September, we published Making Politics Practical, a book outlining a number of MPs case studies and experiences in the scheme. In March 2003 we launched the MEP secondment scheme, and 3 MEPs have already joined the scheme.

We are participating in the Euro-Preparations Unit Vulnerable Groups Working Group, chaired by the Treasury. We worked with our EU counterparts in Brussels to help mobilise support for prioritising social issues and for the need for a structured civil dialogue within the debates on the future of Europe.

We also worked closely with the European networks, CEDAG and the Social Platform of NGOs and presented best practice from the Compact, both in Brussels and to our French counterparts, CPCA.

We worked with the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (CEMVO) on the implications of the Race Relations Amendment Act for the voluntary sector and ran 20 half-day seminars across England, reaching over 1000 delegates.

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Strengthening the Compact

'Working together for mutual advantage.'

NCVO continues to host the Compact Secretariat (which services the Compact Working Group). The Secretariat was expanded in 2002/3 in recognition of the importance of this work, following securing of additional funding.

The Working Group has participated in joint Compact Groups with Government on mediation, communications, evaluation, and the futurebuilders fund.

The Compact codes are now virtually complete, and the primary focus in the coming year is on promotion at national, regional and local levels throughout the voluntary and community sectors.

Aim: to promote the use of the Compact

We expanded our range of Compact publications including development of the popular newsletter Compact - What's New? and will produce four more this year.

The new Compact website was launched at www.thecompact.org.uk, with interactive features and easy to use navigation.

Over the coming year, the Secretariat aims to create a step change in the nature of relationships that voluntary organisations have with all levels of government through the use of the Compact and its codes, via a sustained programme of dissemination and information.

Aim: to promote the development of Local Compacts

The sector survey, achieving a response from 92% of local authority areas, identified the development of local compacts as a key priority. It also highlighted the importance of local infrastructure in enabling this to happen.

The National Forum on Local Compacts was established to support continuous and effective Local Compact development in England.

The register of Local Compacts now stands at 111 with 5 more in the pipeline.

Aim: To highlight and help resolve breaches of the Compact

We launched the Compact Advocacy Programme to help organisations with a dispute with Government departments or agencies which involves a breach of the national Compact.

A number of cases are now being taken on and we are advocating effectively on behalf of voluntary and community organisations. We will continue this work over the coming year with the aim of seeking policy and practice change.

Tackling new issues and unmet needs

Aim: To increase the capacity of umbrella bodies to work collaboratively

We provided secretariat support to the formation of a national umbrella and resource agency forum, bringing about an unprecedented increase in the capacity of umbrella bodies to work collaboratively and provide good practice information and advice to thousands of their own members in turn.

We collected contact information on over 80 national umbrella organisations and published this in a downloadable searchable web based format.

We produced good practice guidelines on representation and accountability.

'The Umbrella's Forum at the NCVO is an important network that can enhance the ability of the voluntary sector. 'Umbrella' organisations know the value of networking and sharing best practice; most are engaged in such activities on a day-to-day basis with their constituencies. Yet the umbrella groups themselves need something like the Forum organised by the NCVO if they are to be able to be supported in their vital work providing the infrastructure needed by the voluntary sector. The Forum is a good, cheap way of mutual support, learning and raising standards.'
David Pink, CEO, Long Term Medical Conditions Alliance.

During 2003/4, we will continue to review the effectiveness and role of the Umbrellas Forum and consider its future direction.

Aim: to meet the needs of communities in rural areas

We carried out work on social capital and voluntary organisations in rural areas and held a very successful rural conference in May 2002 at which we launched a policy report, Supporting Rural Voluntary Action. This led to the publication in January of a 10-point action plan for supporting rural voluntary action.

We continued to develop our programme of rural policy work, including the publication of a rural analysis looking at the role of partnerships and networks in rural areas.

In 2003/4, the third year of the rural project will examine the impact that the voluntary sector has in rural areas.

Aim: to support learning and skills development in the voluntary sector

The Voluntary Sector National Training Organisation (VSNTO), a semiindependent project hosted by NCVO, works to support the development of skills and training in the sector.

This year, VSNTO contributed to the development of National Occupational Standards developed for Fundraising and Management of Volunteers with wide and representative input from the sector.

It produced a functional map of the trustee role to inform work next year on development of National Occupational Standards in Trusteeship.

VSNTO also engaged with key agencies such as the Learning and Skills Council and worked with the Sector Skills Development Agency to ensure future funding for work on supporting learning and skills development within the voluntary sector.

Aim: to lead the strategic agenda in trusteeship and governance

We launched a Strategic Governance Forum to inform a new governance strategy and to focus attention on the Strategy Unit report's governance implications.

We launched a support programme for chairs of small voluntary organisations in partnership with the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG).

We launched a new voluntary sector leadership programme to develop and support closer partnerships between Chairs, Chief Executives and boards of voluntary organisations.

We began working in partnership with a range of umbrella organisations to evaluate models of governance support for small organisations.

Over the coming year, we will promote innovation and best practice and the importance of trusteeship and effective governance to voluntary organisations and opinion formers. Trends in governance and trusteeship will be identified, analysed and widely disseminated.

We will partner a project led by Bassac and supported by NACVS, Community Matters, ACRE and Charity Trustee Networks to evaluate different models of governance support for small local organisations. We will also deliver a project in partnership with the Black Training and Enterprise Group to improve the skills and confidence of chairs of small local and regional voluntary organisations and small local and regional Black and Minority Ethnic Groups.

Aim: to support other membership organisations in the sector

We developed a new membership networking forum to provide membership
organisations with an opportunity to share experiences and best practice and to
provide a platform to debate key issues. The network held two sell out events,
with further events and a publication planned for 2003/4.

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Helping our growing membership improve its effectiveness

Supporting our members and the wider voluntary sector continues to be a key
priority for NCVO.

Aim: to provide advice and support to voluntary organisations

NCVO's freephone helpdesk dealt with total of 16,020 enquiries and opening hours were extended to 9.00am - 6.00pm.

'It was quick, friendly and useful, thanks.'
'The help given was accurate and useful.'
Comments from users of NCVO's freephone helpdesk

We launched askNCVO, a new online best practice resource base for the sector, and updated NCVO's corporate website at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk to provide a user-friendly guide to our services.

'What an excellent site for someone like myself who is having to build a structure and develop strategies for our charity. I have recently given up my career in the private sector and have found the site provides a wealth of useful, clear and valuable information.'
'A very valuable source of information available - as a trustee I appreciate the "one stop service" that you provide. I will be re-visiting your site in the future.'
'Very useful site - especially for a small company like us. I wish I had found it before all our discussions and arguments!'
Users of NCVO website

A new FAQ database was set up to deal with complicated enquiries, developed alongside the askNCVO site.

We also developed a new service in collaboration with Business in the Community, Timebank and Pro Help, linking voluntary and community groups with free professional help at www.professionals4free.org.uk.

We launched a new one-stop publications order service, integrated with the Helpdesk and published a range of new and updated titles to provide best 16
practice information in a user-friendly format. These included the new Good Management Guide and completely revised and updated versions of the Good Employment Guide and Good Trustee Guide, plus a range of other governance publications. In 2003/4, we will add to this series with new titles including the Good Investment Guide and the Good Membership Guide.

Read by around 10,000 senior executives in the sector, Voluntary Sector magazine continued to bring the sector a wealth of best practice information alongside news and other features.

In 2003/4, we will be reviewing the mechanisms we use to deliver our services to ensure they are the most relevant and efficient ways of improving effectiveness in the sector. We will be carrying out an evaluation of these methods, which we hope will also inform the implementation of the government's Infrastructure review. In particular, we will continue to improve online services, increasing dissemination of good practice material via a range of partners. We will also continue to develop our own online delivery tools, including an online events booking facility and e-commerce purchasing of publications.

Aim: to provide practical support to members through a range of discounted services

We continued to expand the range of our discounted products and services for members helping them to save money and improve efficiency.

We launched an IT Hardware and Software Support service and secured improved discounts on accounting and business software. We also expanded our telecoms service to include mobile telephony and will continue to build on this area during the coming year.

Aim: to provide specialist advice on sustainable funding

The Sustainable Funding Project encourages and enables voluntary organisations to explore a full range of funding options and has a particular interest in raising awareness as to how organisations can generate independent income from trading goods and services. In the past 12 months:

• More than 7500 introductory and signposting guides have been downloaded from our website
• 2459 people have attended our events programme delivered in partnership with a range of local, regional and subsectoral infrastructure agencies
• We have worked in partnership with bassac to deliver a groundbreaking one-day, two venue action learning event on generating income from buildings
• 5 newsletters have been distributed to our mailing list which now stands at more than 1200 organisations
• Our 2003 Annual Conference 'One Amazing Day' sold out in one week and sold out again on a changed venue at 215 delegates
• NCVO, through the Sustainable Funding Project, has been elected to the Board of the Social Enterprise Coalition
• We secured funding for the development and growth of the Sustainable Funding Project from September 2003.

'The work of the Sustainable Funding Project is vital in making sense of social enterprise for the voluntary and community sector. Potential is out there but it needs unlocking. And for that to happen, organisations need the sort of highly practical, user-friendly messages and information the Sustainable Funding Project delivers so well.'
Steve Walker, Co-chair, Birmingham Social Economy Consortium

In 2003/4, we aim to develop a pack of introductory information on sustainable funding and to disseminate key learning via infrastructure agencies.

Aim: to provide wider financial management advice to the sector

We secured three year funding of NCVO's Financial Management Project and published an updated version of the Good Financial Management Guide.

'Your recent book [The Good Financial Management Guide] is excellent. As I am a Management Accountant, not a Chartered Accountant, I am pleased to see your superb selection of (appropriate) management accounting techniques. Give me standard costs and variance analysis any day and I am well away! Thank you.'
Martyn Burt BSc (Hons), ACMA, ACMI, Diocesan Treasurer, Diocese Of Rochester

Over the next year, we will develop and disseminate our best practice guidelines and work with partner organisations to promote good financial management across the sector. We will also develop and maintain a network to encourage shared learning and mutual support.

Aim: to provide ICT advice

We contributed to the Active Community Unit's voluntary and community sector IT strategy group, a group that has been given the task of co-ordinating ICT activity towards the voluntary sector across government departments. The group is currently in the process of developing an agreed "big picture" strategy as identified in the Treasury cross cutting review for completion by July 2003.

We provided ICT advice and support services for the sector, including a free ICT advice and guidance helpline, run in partnership with the London Advice Services Alliance (LASA), which provides support on issues such as how to develop an ICT strategy and best practice guidelines on how to purchase software, hardware and consultancy.

We ran a series of ICT events, including an annual conference and a series of free practitioner seminars where we provide advice and information on emerging trends and good practice issues. Our flagship ICT Conference in February saw unprecedented demand.

We supported LASA in the development of the "Circuit Rider" movement in the UK to share best practice in ICT amongst small voluntary and community sector organisations.

Over the coming year, we will seek to make the sector more effective by providing a range of resources, including ICT advice and support networks, and to build understanding of current trends in ICT deployment.

Aim: to provide advice on human resources best practice

The Human Resources (HR) Service includes the diversity project and partnership at work project, and in the past year has run a number of events and services to build capacity in these areas.

We held two flagship conferences (on HR and Diversity), a joint conference with Parents at Work on flexible working, six masterclasses (on diversity and recruitment, staff surveys, resolving workplace conflict) and twelve network events (on diversity, training and HR) in addition to supporting other organisations' events in the regions.

'Excellent - a very practical approach.'
'A really interesting and helpful day - thank you.'
'Very much enjoyed the conference, I had loads of opportunities to mix and network.'
'I felt energised and fit for going back to the office.'
Comments from evaluation forms received from delegates

We worked interactively with the Charity Trainers Network, Diversity Forum, and Personnel Network to promote good practice and share ideas. We arranged a user-friendly summary of a diversity literature review to be printed, so that organisations could benefit from the findings. We commissioned research from Strathclyde University into the HR requirements of small and medium sized organisations, which will be published in 2003/4. The Diversity project has been working with four pilot projects to promote diversity within their organisations, and the findings will be shared next year.

We worked closely with the NCVO Helpdesk as the second highest number of questions are on HR issues (over 1200 queries are received every year). The revised and revamped Good Employment Guide was published this year and was well reviewed. The employment information on the askNCVO website receives over 1200 viewings each week, and receives favourable feedback: 'I was able to find the information I was looking for in clear understandable form'.

In 2003/4 we aim to develop the diversity forum and diversity advisory group and to produce a toolkit for the voluntary sector. We will also be looking at the future direction and structure of our diversity work.

Aim: To support learning and skills development within voluntary organisations

The Voluntary Sector NTO produced a revised guide to achieving Investors in People, and developed and launched a new website,www.voluntarysectorskills.org.uk

'Very easy to navigate and quick to open. Uncluttered and easy to read. Delighted at the absence of jargon and the use of good old fashioned plain English!'
Alan Robinson, Oldham Development Agency for Community Action

Aim: to promote the use of quality systems in the voluntary sector

We supported the Quality Standards Task Group (QSTG) in promoting the use of quality systems, including:

• The appointment of "quality champions" for each of the nine regions of England to share their experiences of quality systems by speaking at local and regional voluntary sector events
• Publication of a literature review on the use of quality systems in the voluntary sector. This is the first part of a research project investigating the impact of quality systems in the voluntary sector
• Provision of a submission to the Strategy Unit review on the role of quality systems in performance improvement, to contribute to the development of a strategy for standards for the voluntary sector
• Holding a successful conference on quality issues which provided an overview of the most commonly used quality systems in the voluntary sector.

2003/4 sees the last year of QSTG and its exit strategy will include contributing to the strategy for standards for the voluntary sector in collaboration with the Active Community Unit, advising on the issue of self-regulation in fundraising and performance management and promoting the work of the regional quality champions.

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Aim: to promote and support trusteeship to a growing range of relevant audiences

The year 2002-3 saw ten years of trustee support at NCVO and the development of a new expanded programme of trustee and governance. As part of the new askNCVO website, we digitised a wide range of good practice information around trusteeship, resulting in over 1800 individual governance-related searches since the site's launch in November.

We provided training and ongoing liaison with the helpdesk to ensure hundreds of trustees every year receive information tailored to their needs.

We ran a range of events including:

• four networking seminars for chairs
• masterclasses on Practical Governance
• our "Board Essentials - training the trainer" programme
• good practice seminars at NACVS, bassac, Crossroads and UKCoD conferences

We began work with the Development Trusts Association and the Community Foundation Network to develop tailored programmes for sub-sectors.

We continued our close liaison with the USA, Australia and India with two US consultants running events in the US and NCVO reciprocating.

Our 10th annual trustee conference was the biggest ever, with keynote speakers including The Princess Royal and Esther Rantzen.

'I found the addresses to be inspiring and to the point. Challenging in this ever-changing sector.'
'Excellent calibre of speakers, good organisation/facilities and made even better by the high standard of delegate skills, experience and questions.'
Delegates at 'Meeting the Mission', NCVO annual trustee conference, 12 March 2003

Aim: to support the voluntary sector at a regional level

Our national conference, Route Map to the Regions was attended by 96 senior directors and CEOs to examine what works and what doesn't when setting up regional structures.

There were 210 downloads of the free conference report looking at best practice in working regionally.

The Regions Consultative Network continued to grow, with 12 monthly briefings sent out this year and 2 network events looking at elected regional assemblies and what effect they will have on the sector.

We also ran regional briefing seminars in the South West, North East and North West of England.

'Amazing! - An all morning session with 5 really good speakers - clear content, good delivery, hugely informative and relevant.'
Delegate at Route Map to the Regions

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Financial information

Where does our money come from?

 

Sources of NCVO income 2002/03

Source of income	Percentage of £5,135,000 total income
Project grant funding	28%
Earned income	25%
Core government grant	16%
Donations via CAF	15%
Membership subscriptions	11%
Other voluntary income	4%
Investment income	1%

 

Where NCVO has received its money over the last five years

 

How do we spend our money?

 

 

Areas of NCVO expenditure 2002/03

Area of expenditure	Percentage of £4,912,000 total expenditure
Helping voluntary organisations to achieve the highest standards of practice and effectiveness	33%
Giving a shared voice to voluntary organisations	19%
Support costs	18%
Cultivating an environment that fosters their development	17%
Providing leadership to the voluntary sector in tackling new issues and unmet needs	10%
Management and administration	3%
Cost of generating funds	1%

 

How NCVO spent its money over the last five years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How are NCVO's net assets made up?

Total Net Assets: £3,509,000. Represented by:

NCVO's net assets 2002/03

 

Category of asset	Amount
Fixed Assets	£2,504,000
Investments	£1,221,000
Net current assets	£591,000
less
Creditors Amounts Falling Due After One Year	(£807,000)
Total Assets	£3,509,000

 

NCVO's net assets 2002/03

 

Type of asset	Amount
Unrstricted	£220,000
Designated - Fixed Assets	£310,000
Designated - Other	£1,602,000
Restricted	£1,377,000

A reserves policy is in place to ensure that reserves are maintained at a level which ensures core activity could continue during a period of unforeseen difficulty. An investment policy is also in place with a mixture of equities, bonds, property and cash. Equities declined in value during the financial year to 31 March 2003 producing an unrealised loss of £363k shown in the accounts.

Trustee's Statement

The summarised financial information shows the income raised for our activities, the cost of raising the income and the amounts spent on our charitable activities. The information is taken from the full financial statements which were approved by the Trustees on 2 July 2003. In order to gain a full understanding of the financial affairs of the charity, the full audited financial statements, Trustee's Annual Report and the auditors' report should be consulted. Copies can be obtained from:
The Company Secretary, NCVO, Regent's Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL

David King
Honorary Treasurer
on behalf of the Trustees

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Legal and administrative information

Patron

Her Majesty the Queen

President

Baroness Rawlings of Burnham Westgate - Appointed 20 November 2002
Lord Plant of Highfield - Resigned 20 November 2002

NCVO Trustee Board

Chair

Lord Warner of Brockley

Vice Chair

Rodney Buse

Honorary Treasurer

David King

Ex officio Members

Professor Joan Stringer CBE, Convenor Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
(Alternate: Martin Sime, Director, SCVO)

Tom Jones OBE, Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)
(Alternate: Graham Benfield OBE, Director, WCVA)

Anne O'Reilly, Chair, Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA)
(Alternate: Seamus McAleavey, Director, NICVA)

Sir Brian Jenkins OBE, MA FCA, Chair, Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)
(Alternate: Stephen Ainger, Chief Executive, CAF) - Appointed 21 October 2002
(Alternate: Michael Brophy, Chief Executive, CAF) - Resigned 18 October 2002

Voluntary Organisation Members

John Isherwood, OXFAM (International Activities EC)
Geraldine Peacock CBE, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Social Services EC)
Jude Cohen, Women's Nationwide Cancer Control Campaign (Health EC) - Resigned 20 November 2002
Helen Dent, Family Welfare Association (Social Services EC)
Shelagh Diplock OBE, Hansard Society for Parliamentary Government (Equality of Opportunity, Law and Advocacy EC)
Dominic Fox, Kidsactive (Culture and Recreation EC) - Appointed 22 April 2002
Paddy Moon, Association of Disabled Professionals (Business and Professional Associations, Unions EC) - Resigned 20 November 2002
Karin Pappenheim, UK Haemophilia Society (Health EC)
Peter Davies, Business in the Community (Economic and Housing EC)
Melinda Letts, Long Term Medical Conditions Alliance (Health EC) - Resigned 20 November 2002
Melvyn Carlowe OBE, Jewish Care (Religion EC) - Resigned 20 November 2002
Krishna Sarda, Ethnic Minority Foundation/Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (Umbrella and Resource Organisations EC)
Vivien Gaymer, Parentline UK (Social Services EC) - Resigned 20 November 2002
Roly Owers, The Perse School (Environment and Animal Welfare EC)
Susanne Rauprich, National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (Education, Employment, Training and Research EC)
Graeme King, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (Religion EC) - Appointed 20 November 2002
Ray Kipling, Wessex Medical Trust (Health EC) - Appointed 20 November 2002
Eric Appleby, Alcohol Concern (Business and Professional Associations, Unions EC) - Appointed 20 November 2002
Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe, Universities UK (Education, Employment, Training and Research EC)
Jonathan Moore, Suffolk Association of Voluntary Organisations (Eastern)
Wynne Garnett, Engage East Midlands (East Midlands)
Koku Adomdza, Greenwich Networks Trust (London)
David Dorman-Smith, Stockton Borough Voluntary Development Agency (North East) - Resigned 21 October 2002
Dr Bhagabat Charan Das, MBE, Indian Senior Citizens' Centre Manchester (North West)
Edward Dawson, RAISE (South East)
Angela Bailey, Bath & NE Somerset VS (South West)
Jane Slowey, Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (West Midlands)
Dot McGahan, CPRE Sheffield (Yorkshire & Humber)
Ray Cowell, Voluntary Organisations Network North East (North East) - Appointed 14 December 2002

Co-opted Members

Stephen Sears - Resigned 20 November 2002
Mark Blake
John Knight - Appointed 15 January 2003
Lord Adebowale of Thornes, CBE - Resigned 20 November 2002

Observer

Tina Jenkins, Home Office, Active Community Unit

NCVO Executive Committee

Lord Warner of Brockley (ex-officio)
Rodney Buse (ex-officio)
David King (ex-officio)
Geraldine Peacock
Stephen Sears - Resigned 20 November 2002
Wynne Garnett
Shelagh Diplock - Appointed 26 February 2003

Chief Executive

Stuart Etherington

Company Secretary

Catherine Wood

Auditors

Sayer Vincent
8 Angel Gate, City Road, London EC1V 2SJ

Bankers

National Westminster Bank plc

Investment Managers

Schroders Investment Management Limited

Address

Regent's Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL

Registered charity Number 225922
Company registration Number 198344

Constitution

NCVO is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its memorandum and articles of association.

Director of Membership Services - Ben Kernighan
Head of Development - Jane Hatfield
Head of Marketing & Communications - Diane Lightfoot
Head of Membership & Business Development - Lucy French
Head of Services - Linda Mitchell
Head of Trustee & Governance - Tesse Akpeki
Head of Voluntary Sector NTO - Janet Fleming

Director of Planning and Support Services - Catherine Wood
Head of Central Services - Tracy Kiernan
Head of Finance - Oliver Sladen
Head of Human Resources - Barbara Waugh
Head of IT - Simon Bishop

Director of Public Policy - Campbell Robb
Head of Campaigns - Chris Stalker
Head of Policy - Ann Blackmore
Head of Research - Karl Wilding

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our many supporters, funders, sponsors and partners, whose help enables us to deliver a wide range of services and effectively to represent voluntary organisations' interests.

3Com
Albert Reckitt Trust
Bank of England
Barclays PLC
Baring Foundation
Bridge House Estates Trust Fund
British Gas
Centrefile
Centre Point Software
Charity Bank
Class Telecommunications
Comet Business Services
Commission for Racial Equality
Community Fund
Corporate Training
The Countryside Agency
DeHavilland
DfES
DTI
Durrants
Entec
Fisk Brett
Friends Provident
The Guardian
Halifax
HP
HBOS Foundation
The Home Office
Infoworks
Interquad
John Ellerman Foundation
Keegan and Pennykid
Lloyds TSB Foundation for England
and Wales
Marks & Spencer
Microsoft
NAI
Nationwide Building Society
New Opportunities Fund
PKF
Phoenix
Provident Financial
Pugh
QCA
The Schroder Charitable Trust
The Scouloudi Foundation
SocietyGuardian.co.uk
Symantec
The Vodafone UK Foundation
XKO

Thank you

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