Governance and Leadership

Governance and Leadershop Figures image

NCVO’s Governance and Leadership team champions, supports and enables good governance and effective leadership in the voluntary and community sector. We work with a broad range of organisations, bringing together all sides of the governance and leadership relationship to provide you with the support you need.

Whats new? August 2010

Trustee Conference Monday 18 October, The Brewery, London
A must-attend event for anyone who is associated with trustee boards. This well established and popular conference offers a wide selection of workshops offering advice and information on governance and leadership practices, plus legal and policy updates. It also provides inspirational keynote speakers and opportunities to network with sector peers. For more information or to book your place visit NCVO Annual Trustee Conference 2010. Early bird discount is available until Tuesday 31 August 2010.
The first ever National Trustees' Week will be held 25-31st October 2010.
This campaign is being led by the Charity Commission in partnership with NCVO, CTN, Reach, Getting on Board, the ICAEW and others to raise the profile of becoming a trustee as a way to help charities and celebrate the great work of trustees around the country. Find out more about Trustees' Week.
Refashioned Code Principles
The refashioned Principles, slightly revised in the light of the consultations are now available. The full Code including supporting material is being prepared by the Code steering group and should be available in September 2010.
Trustee and Governance Information Centre has now been launched.
NCVO’s Trustee and Governance Information Centre contains a wealth of information on a range of subjects relating to third sector governance and trusteeship ranging from the role of the trustee to changing your governing document. Go to the Trustee and Governance Information Centre
Trustee Recruitment Resources for Small Organisations.
A resource which has been developed to help small voluntary and community organistaions find, recruit, induct and keep trustees. It has been developed with small voluntary and community organisations (VCO’s) in mind. We recognise that trustee recruitment can be challenging for small organisations that have limited resources. Read the information and download simple activities to help improve your trustee recruitment

Other Useful information and updates

Join the Governance and Leadership Network

Sign up to join our Governance and Leadership network, and you will receive regular email updates, event invitations and newsletters on all the latest thinking and action in the field of charity governance and leadership.

NCVO Leadership 20:20

NCVO’s Leadership 20:20 Commission aims to shape the future of leadership of civil society. The Leadership 20:20 Commissioners have now been recruited and further information on how they will take the work forward will be available here soon

more information on NCVO’s Leadership 20:20 Commission

Charity Tribunal

If you are not satisfied with the Commission's decision you may be able to appeal or make an application for review to the Tribunal. The First–tier Tribunal (Charity) can:

Hear appeals against the decisions of the Charity Commission (the Commission)
Hear applications for review of decisions of the Charity Commission
Consider references from the Attorney General or the Charity Commission on points of law

Further information about the Charity Tribunal can be found at http://www.charity.tribunals.gov.uk/

New model constitution launched for small charities

A new, simplified constitution for very small charities has been launched by the Charity Commission in partnership with umbrella bodies, including NCVO. The new constitution is designed to provide a clear, concise, practical framework for charities with an income of under £5,000. It uses clear, direct language that is easy to understand, is only 700 words long and covers all the requirements for a very small charity which does not own land or staff.

For more information visit the Charity Commission website

Leading Health and Safety

Trustees are responsible for ensuring adherence to a wide range of specific health and safety regulations. Trustees should therefore take steps to check their obligations and ensure compliance with requirements specific to their charity. A publication has been produced by the Institute of Directors.

Download a copy of Leading health and safety at work.
Further information can also be found on the Health and Safety Executive website.

Leadership and Governance National Support Service

Leadership and Governance National Support Service, is a three year programme funded by Capacity Builders and led by NCVO. Our mission is to strengthen the ability of support providers to help civil society organisations, especially small ones, to develop their leadership and governance, thus increasing their effectiveness.

We will seek to build upon and develop where appropriate the resources and work of the Governance Hub.

Further information about the programme can be found on the Improving Support website. If you would like to find out further information, or be involved in the piloting of new ideas and initiatives, please email the governance and leadership team at NCVO.

What has happened to the Governance Hub?

The Governance Hub completed its programme of work by 31 March 2008. Find out more about the legacy of the Governance Hub and how its work will be taken forward. The Governance Hub brought together people, information and ideas about governance in the voluntary and community sector. To ensure you have easy access to the Hub's resources they have been transferred to NCVO's website. The full range of the information, publications, toolkits and supporting documentation created under the programme has been made available throughout the Governance and Leadership sections of the NCVO website. An outline of the Governance Hub Materials can be found in a Guide to Governance Hub Resources.

Can't find something? If you are unable to find what you are looking for please email the governance and leadership team and we will be happy to point you in the right direction.