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Organisational Development (Governance)

Getting Started

Setting up an organisation take a lot of hard work time and commitment. Before setting up a new organisation it is wise to find answers to the following questions:

What do we want to do?
What activities will the group do?
For whom?
And why?

Every organisation needs an 'Aim' something that it is trying to achieve. This aim is often summed up in a sentence know as a 'Mission Statement'

The mission of an organisation is why it exists and the difference it wants to make.

Aims often involve 'change' for the target group or for the community or society at large.

Where do we want to do it?

This is likely to be in a geographical area but could also involve identifying a community based on interest or an issue i.e. LBGT
In the beginning it is often useful to remain focused on a particular area even if you would like to eventually expand your services e.g. you may intend to work with offenders and their families across London but initially limit your work to Tower Hamlets.

Who do we want to do it with?

This should follow on from the previous question. Who are your potential customers or members? How will you tell them about your group? What are their needs? Do they want what you are offering?

Is any one else doing this work?

Are there any other organisations that are already offering what you intend to offer? If the answer is 'yes'; can you work in partnership with them? If you cannot work in partnership with them how does what you are offering differ? What is your unique selling point?

NB. Funders are not keen to fund projects that involve the duplication of work provided by other organisations because it is seen as a waste of resources. If you are going to set up a project that involves any perceived duplication of services you will need to be prepared to make a good case for why your service is needed and how it differs from what already exists.

All organisations need the following when getting started:

• Constitution & legal structure
• Committee
• Bank Account
• Policies and Procedures - Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, Child Protection etc.

There is a lot of help available for people who want to develop their organisation - a good place to start is your local Council for Voluntary Service.

More from CSAS

Links

• Governance Hub
  The Governance Hub brings together people, information and ideas about governance in the voluntary and community sector.
  www.governancehub.org.uk/
  
  
• Charity Commission
  The Charity commission produce a range of publications which provide information about charity law, recommended best practice, the duties of charity trustees, and their role as a charity regulator. In addition, they also provide a wide range of online guidance for charities on specific issues, where possible, bringing together points of good practice.
  www.charity-commission.gov.uk/
  
  
• Companies House
  All limited companies in England, Wales and Scotland are registered at Companies House. They provide information and guidance on a range of issues relating to setting up a business.
  www.companieshouse.gov.uk/
  
  
• Black Training & Enterprise Group
  BTEG provide technical assistance support for BME voluntary and community organisations and public bodies.
  www.bteg.co.uk/
  
  
• National Council for Voluntary Organisations
  Information on Trustees and Governance
  www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/askncvo/TrusteeGovernance/
  
  
• Charities Information Bureau
  A range of publications related to setting up and sustaining an organisation
  www.fit4funding.org.uk/publications/

Downloads

• Islington Voluntary Action Council
  This page from IVAC provides several sample documents and useful guidance, primarily for groups in Islington.
  www.ivac.org.uk/
  
  
• Age Concern - Handy Hints
  A useful guide for people who have recently set up or are thinking of setting up a group.
  www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/Documents/ 
  
  
• CSAS
  A useful guide to writing policies and procedures.
  Writing Policies and Procedures training handout.doc
  
  
• Office of Criminal Justice Reform - Public Relations Toolkit
  A useful aid to any third sector organisation seeking to raise their profile. Publication commissioned by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform, compiled by the Yorkshire Funding Bureau.