Monitoring Group

Regulation of the operational and administrative aspects of fundraising by charities through Codes of Practice  

 

Seeking a Charity Fundraiser member of the Independent Monitoring Group 

 

Please note: The deadline for applications has now passed and the selection process has begun.

 

Background

 

In May 2006 ICTR was invited to work in partnership with the then Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to carry out research and make recommendations on how the operational and administrative aspects of fundraising by charities could be effectively regulated through Codes of Good Practice.  Following an extensive research and consultation process which included the development of the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising the final Feasibility Report was published in May 2008.  The report set out a proposed scheme to develop Codes of Good Practice on the operational and administrative aspects of fundraising by charities and also made recommendations on bringing this scheme into operation.  At the invitation of the Department of Community Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2009, ICTR was asked to bring the proposed scheme into operation and set up an Implementation Group chaired by Peter Cassells to oversee the process. 

 

The first phase of the implementation focused on developing a resource pack and good practice guidance materials to assist charities in putting the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising into practice.  This material together with a series of online educational seminars (webinars) on how to implement the Guiding Principles is available to download and view here on the ICTR website on the Fundraising Principles page.

 

The second phase of the project is now concentrating on raising public awareness about the Guiding Principles for Fundraising and on the development of the Monitoring process which includes the setting up of an independent Monitoring Group to oversee compliance with the Principles.

 

The independent members of the Implementation Group are now finalising the arrangements for membership of the Monitoring Group which will comprise:

  • Independent Chair
  • Three independent members: 2 to be nominated by the Consumer Association of Ireland to represent the public and 1 with a professional accountancy or legal background.
  • Two members from the charity sector:  1 to be nominated by Fundraising Ireland and 1 to be selected via an open application process for charities. 
  • One member from the Government Department with responsibility for Charities

In order to engage the second representative from the charities sector, individuals who meet the following criteria are now invited to apply for membership of the Monitoring Group:

 

Individuals will:

ü Have a keen and current understanding and experience of the fundraising process from an operational and a management perspective

ü Work in a senior or leading role in a charity that fundraises from the public in public places (the charity must have a CHY number)

ü Be flexible and responsive to the process

ü Be committed to best practice standards in fundraising

ü Be independent minded and respect the need for strict confidentiality in the role

Desirable experience:

  • Applicants who have, or whose organisation has, previously been part of the consultation process on the regulation of the operational and administration aspects of fundraising by charities through codes of practice  A
  • Applicants who have prior experience of an independent monitoring role involving adjudication on complaints
  • Applicants who have taken part in other sector-level initiatives

 

Application for membership of the Monitoring Group is open to current charity sector representatives on the Implementation Group but if selected appointees must immediately step down from the Implementation Group.

 

The selection process will seek to achieve an appropriate balance between the charity profiles of the two representatives appointed to the Monitoring Group.

 

Commitment required:

As a member of the Monitoring Group you will be expected to attend 8-10 meetings (to be organised as required) during the period June 2011 to December 2012.  The meetings will be held in a central location in Dublin. You will be expected to actively contribute to the independent monitoring process and to review papers and proposals at meetings and by email in between meetings.

 

Membership of the Monitoring Group is a voluntary commitment and only related out of pocket vouched travel expenses will be reimbursed.

 

Selection Process

The selection process will be overseen and implemented by the independent members of the Implemenation Group led by Peter Cassells.

 

Next Steps

 

Anyone interested should email Peter Cassells, stating

 

(a) your interest in this role, and

(b) how you meet the criteria set out above

 

The deadline for receipt of applications was Friday 29th April 2011.

 

 

Peter Cassells

25 Infirmary Road

Dublin 8

 

 

 

Email:  petercassells@eircom.net