Civil Society - Governance - Blogs

When ignorance is far from bliss

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:59:00 GMT

A shifting political atmosphere is putting power in the hands of the inexperienced, warns Robert Ashton.

What charities should know about zero-hour contracts

Wed, 8 May 2013 09:06:00 GMT

In straitened times, finding ways to cut staff costs can be all too tempting. But while zero-hour contracts offer some benefit to charities, they don't come without their risks, warns Jonathan Bruck.

It's no wonder young trustees are hard to come by

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:47:00 GMT

Ian Joseph says charities need to reassess their board processes to recruit young talent.

Dark days for the Commission

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 15:30:00 GMT

The Charity Commission's handling of the Cup Trust case was inadequate, according to its former chief executive Andrew Hind.

Where's the charity sector's voice?

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 11:23:00 GMT

With the Welfare Reform Act 2012 coming into force, charities face increased pressure on their services from the most vulnerable in society, but do they have a co-ordinated voice to speak up for them, asks Vibeka Mair.

Hoe down or show down?

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT

A charity has a big decision to make. But Robert Ashton is unsure of whether the charity will be able to make it.

Have you got form?

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 10:30:00 GMT

Do you often feel, despite your qualifications, that you're not taken seriously? Robert Ashton reflects on why personal experience carries weight.

In with the old

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 14:29:00 GMT

Ian Allsop previews another year of debates based on personal conviction rather than facts.

Slip sliding away

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:42:00 GMT

Did you huddle securely indoors with your family during the snow last week or did you attack the slippery surroundings with gusto? Robert Ashton reflects on a very British obstacle.

Caught in Steve’s Webb

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:00:00 GMT

David Davison calls for changes to legislation governing multi-employer pension schemes.

And the punctuation prize goes to . . .

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:49:00 GMT

Robert Ashton advises on the importance of attention to detail.

PM should think carefully before removing equality impact assessments

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 17:05:00 GMT

Woah there Mr Prime Minister! You're going to end equality impact assessments? Think it through, says Belinda Pratten.

Too busy bickering on giving stats to make a difference

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:15:00 GMT

Stop the jousting and start pulling together, pleads Rowena Lewis as she reflects on umbrella bodies' responses to the huge drop in individual giving reported yesterday.

Do as I say, not as I do…

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 12:45:00 GMT

The habitual late filing of regulatory documents by William Shawcross’s charity puts the Charity Commission in an invidious position, says Tania Mason.

'For charity' does not make Page 3 OK.

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:54:00 GMT

As The Sun's Page 3 attempts to clean up its image by extolling the models' charitable associations, Celina Ribeiro says that charities have a task to prevent their good work from whitewashing offensive anachronisms.

'If' - a poem about trustees by Alex Swallow

Fri, 9 Nov 2012 10:17:00 GMT

In honour of Trustees' Week, Alex Swallow offers his reflections on trustees via the art of poetry, and with thanks to Rudyard Kipling.

What is this life about?

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:10:00 GMT

Robert Ashton philosophises over the greatest question of all.

A bang or a whimper

Thu, 4 Oct 2012 11:56:00 GMT

Pensions auto-enrolment has kicked off. David Davison advises charities to start preparing.

Why shouldn't the Commission charge a fee to view charities' accounts?

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 12:21:00 GMT

The Charity Commission takes too long to make charities’ accounts public on its website, says Tania Mason. Maybe it should take a leaf out of Companies House’s book and charge a fee to see them.

Are your charity's staff and volunteers aware of data protection needs?

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 09:32:00 GMT

Ignorance is not always bliss, warns Mairéad O'Reilly, as charities are warned to be more aware of their data protection responsibilities.