Opinion

Call to action

Finance | 23 Jan 2009

While the banks are on their second bailout from the government, it is now over two month since the government pledged that it would produce an action plan in the new year on how to assist charities through the downturn.

And we are still waiting for further details. Plenty of work has been done in the sector to pull together ideas about what is needed, culminating in NCVO's call for £100m at the end of last month . Unlike a previous pie-in-the-sky random demand by Acevo for £500m, the NCVO request is at least itemised. Some considerable thought has gone into the perceived key areas of need including  loan and grant support, and funding to facilitate collaborations and mergers.

Meanwhile, the recession marches on relentlessly and it bears repeating that charities simply cannot sit by and wait for  the government to bail them out. Apart from the time-critical reasons of delay, it is unlikely that the sector will get nearly enough of  the money it thinks it needs. While the government recognises the vital role that charities play in society, there simply isn't going to be the same cash and priority given to it as the banks have received. It just doesn't believe that the knock-on effect of failure will be anything like as catastrophic.

It is a time for clear thinking, strong strategic leadership and a realistic assessment of priority. If fundraising really  is going to an even more difficult environment in which to operate than usual, is it time to invest more in this area? Should more voice be given to reminding the public that now  is not a time to stop those direct debits but actually give more as there will be greater need? How these messages are put across will determine their success and firm evidence of what is actually happening  to donations rather than what is  expected to is eagerly awaited.

And the NCVO's new high-powered commission exploring various funding streams has an important role to play in determining the future sustainability of the sector, especially given its stated aim that  it expects the recommendations it produces in December should be for the sector itself  to act on, not simply a list of demands for government assistance.

Out of character

There some in the sector that don't envy Lesley-Anne Alexander for taking on the role as Stephen Bubb's chair at Acevo. But what is undeniable is that under Bubb's control the chief executive's body has certainly punched above its weight in terms of influence, profile and access to government.You often hear ex-sportsmen bemoan the fact that there simply aren't the characters in football/snooker/rugby that there used to be - the implication being that professionalism has stifled those brilliant, entertaining but ultimately frustrating and flawed individuals that everyone loved.

Despite increased professionalisation of its own, the voluntary sector has always been and remains a fertile breeding ground for strong personalities, driven by passion and energy. Sometimes the very individuals that have the necessary drive to get things done, can step on a few toes along the way and sometimes leave a trail of destruction  in their wake that others have to quietly clean up. Such characters can sometimes be seen as doing more harm than good and are justly criticised by the media for some of their actions.

But an astute chair should accept that the bruised digits caused by reining in an over-exuberant CEO are worth it for the greater benefits that committed individual can bring. And, like the old-time sportsmen, it can make fascinating viewing.

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Directory: National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)