Tools, Thoughts and Things one can Do with a little Time and Hardly any Resources

Solid financial management is key for all NGOs in order to make funding sustain their efforts as effectively as possible - or put more simply, to get the biggest bang for the buck.

Good financial records are essential for good governance and funders, which many organizations rely on for their survival, obviously want to be assured that they're making a sound investment. That's not to mention the fact that fiscal discpline is essential for maintaining the integrity and reputation of the sector. It is difficult to forgive a private enterprise for waste - but almost impossible to forgive a charitable effort for the same.

Yet it can be a bewildering field to say the least. Both when sitting on, as well as when advising boards, I have found that the quality not to say quantity of reporting varies considerably.

Mango, a UK-registered charity that exists to help NGOs strengthen their financial management, has a guide. The Guide has five sections - Here's quoting from their website:

1. Introduction - key responsibilities for trustees, senior managers, finance staff and donors. Principles of financial management for NGOs.
2. Getting the Basics Right - the building blocks: keeping accounts, financial planning, financial monitoring and maintaining control. Also: working with beneficiaries, managing audits and legal requirements.
3. Advanced Issues - financial sustainability, working with donors, giving and receiving grants, accountability (including cost-effectiveness) and overseeing controls.
4. What NGOs Do - a short introduction to what NGOs do and what this means for managing their work. The important implications for managing NGOs are summed up as two golden rules.
5. Resources - practical resources available to download and use, including Mango's highly-rated training manual, a complete financial system and Mango's Health Check, available in seven different languages.

My favourite is their Health Check - available in seven languages - which alas, as I am writing from São Paulo, does not include Portuguese. Still, essential reading-for-action for Chairman and Treasurer.

I'll add it to my set of standard list of documents I suggest as essential first reading for new trustees. Here are the original three for reference, as outlined at the end of the 'Finding New Trustees' article from earlier this year:

• The Essential Trustee
  - http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/supportingcharities/efftrustintro.asp
• The role of the Charity Commission
  - http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/tcc/ccabout.asp
• Operational Guidance from the Charity Commission on charity accounts and reports
  - http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/supportingcharities/

And the essential websites for UK trustees/board members (in addition to the Charity Commission):

• The Governance Hub
  - http://www.governancehub.org.uk/
• Trustee Net
  - http://www.trusteenet.org.uk/
  

Posted by Michael at 06:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Having a good board is essential for good governance. That's stating the obvious. But how about finding good trustees? Here's are some ways of reaching beyond your phone book to top talent:

NCVO Trustee Board is good gateway to brokerages – see the full list here: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/askncvo/index.asp?id=725

Out of those mentioned, here are some favourites:

Reach - 'matches the skills of experienced people to the needs of voluntary organisations' - a reliable source for board members but also positions that need to be filled in a limited capacity. I have used them for more than ten years and I have found them worthwhile.

Common Purpose - Now you need to be alumni in order to post opportunities - the reason for including it here is as a reminder to whilst going to the broad field, it is also worthwhile looking at your own private networks.

The Governance Hub, like NCVO, actually refers to other organizations… They have a road in for people wanting to be trustees, but the advertising of vacancies is left to Do-It and the local Volunteer Centres. The Volunteer Centres have to be contacted directly  (and that is also one of the routes referred to by Do-It for local organizations). For national – you need a login and it is chargeable...

The main thing about the last one is the host of resources they have for Good Governance.

Continue reading "Finding new trustees (in the UK)" »

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