November 2011
Governance is about ensuring that your organisation runs effectively and follows good practice. The private and public sectors have their own governance codes; there is also a code for the Voluntary and Community Sector, including charities.
Good Governance: a Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector ('the Code') has been written by the sector, for the sector. It is a practical and easy-to-use guide to help charities develop good practice. We support the Code and encourage all charities - from large to small - to use it.
An independent Steering Group including representatives from ACEVO, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA), NCVO and the Small Charities Coalition (SCC) is responsible for developing the Code, with support from the Charity Commission. A second edition was published in October 2010, and a version for smaller organisations was published in November 2011.
The Code is based on six key principles describing how an effective board provides good governance and leadership:
- understanding their role;
- ensuring delivery of organisational purpose;
- working effectively both as individuals and a team;
- exercising effective control;
- behaving with integrity;
- being open and accountable.
The Code explains why each principle is important, and gives examples of how to apply them in practice.
View the HTML Version or download a copy of the Code (PDF):
Full Version | Printer friendly Version
Summary Version
Version for smaller organisations | Jargon Buster
Where can I get hard copies of the Code?
The Code Steering Group currently has no funding for a print-run of the Code, but is hoping to obtain further funding in future. For the time being the Code is only available as a download. For further information see the Good Governance Code website.
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