Governance Code — Parent in chief of all codes
Codes are like buses, you wait for one for ages and then three come along at once. The last few years, have seen a proliferation of ‘codes’ for community and voluntary organisations.
According to the dictionary, “a code is a set of rules that are accepted as general principles, or a set of written rules that say how people in a particular organization or country should behave”. In the absence of a strong regulatory framework that can monitor every single aspect of an organisation’s operating practice, codes are invaluable form of self-assessment and standard setting.
Suite of codes
The Governance Code is part of a suite of codes, the oldest of modern day codes (first launched in 2005 with the latest version issued in 2017), and is principally the code of codes — the mother of all codes. It is no understatement to say that if your governance fails, then ultimately all else fails and the consequences can be devasting. However very little has been done to cross reference all the codes and principles and to imbed them in a system of mutual appreciation — the current consultation on the Governance code is an opportunity however to do exactly that, forge links between the ‘dry’ world of governance to the exciting realms of Charity Ethics and Digitalisation.
The current consultation found here is a refresh rather than an overhaul of our current understanding of Governance. The consultation takes the opportunity to include new discussions on safeguarding, diversity and inclusion. It asks pertinent questions about who is (and by omission) who is not using the code. A version of the Charity Governance Code has been developed for smaller charities, and so there is uniformity of expectation, if not of approach across the sector.
Charity ethical principles
Earlier in 2019, NCVO published what has become to be known as the Charity ethical principles, which makes a commitment to four key principles,
1. To putting, Beneficiaries first
2. For community and voluntary organisations to work with Integrity
3. To organisations being accountable and Open
4. To ensuring that charities create cultures where people have the Right to be Safe
Written, in part, to draw a distinction between what we all intuitively know to be the reason why most charities and community organisations exist, it emphasis culture over compliance, it is a light touch route to making sure that everyone is included in discussions and that we don’t all go mission adrift. Such values are also replicated in the refresh of the Charity Governance Code. What the Charity Governance Code does is takes the desire to develop such cultures to the next level, but providing a framework for the discussion of the minutia.
Digital Code
Just slightly earlier in 2018, the Charity Digital Code was launched. The inception of the Digital Code was born under slightly different circumstances, where it was clear that there was a growing gulf between the digital haves and the digital have nots. Structured around seven key principles,
1. Leadership
2. User Led
3. Culture
4. Strategy
5. Skills
6. Managing Risks and Ethics
7. Adaptability
The Digital code calls for a whole organisation approach to managing a charities online presence, and really driving innovation, confidence and delivery. The authors are quite clear from the outset, the Digital Code needs to be read in conjunction with the Governance Code. So much of what drives the safe use of digital is defined by good stewardship and a deep understanding of our own organisations.
Taken together, there is some considerable overlap between the codes, all call for robust leadership, all call for inclusive working and all recognise the need for varied approaches.
During the demise of Fleet Street, and as journalism during the 1980s was riddled with scandal after scandal, the Government of the day often referred to the press as ‘drinking in the last chance saloon’ and that self regulation was the only way to avoid enforcement action by the Government. Whilst charities are far from drinking in the last chance saloon, there is growing anxiety about the relationship between regulators and the charity sector, and the constant claim that charities are not to be trusted.
Parent in chief
As parent in chief, the Charity Governance Code has lots to offer, the fact that the family has been extended to include other codes and principle, should be seen as a positive. Like all good parents, the governance code is itself inclusive and welcoming — the question is will you will you adopt the code?
