Scotland’s Governance Code for the Third Sector has been launched to mark the start of Trustees' Week
New guidelines which help organisations to deliver good governance have been created.
Scotland’s Governance Code for the Third Sector was launched today (Monday 12 November) to mark the start of Trustees Week.
The code aims to support trustees of all organisations, big and small, to help create good practice throughout the third sector.
It was created by Scotland’s Third Sector Governance Forum, which brings together a range of people with knowledge and expertise in governance issues. Organisations represented include the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), ACOSVO, OSCR and the Scottish Government.
Chair of the forum Pat Armstrong said: “The Scottish Governance Code sets out the core principles and key elements of good governance for the boards of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises in Scotland. It is the first code to be produced specifically for Scotland’s third sector, recognising the need for the sector to have its own principles of governance.
“The code has been developed with reference to a broad range of other governance codes across the UK.”
The code has been created with the support of those who have created similar guidelines in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. More than 250,000 trustees in Scotland are volunteers and the code is aimed to support them.
It is based on five core principles – organisational purpose, leadership, board behaviour, control and effectiveness – which build on the assumption that all trustees should understand their legal and regulatory responsibilities.
Armstrong added: “Good governance matters because it underpins successful organisations. It matters in all sectors, but especially in ours where the purpose is to serve our beneficiaries as best we can. A good reputation takes years to build and seconds to destroy. Good governance underpins our effectiveness, and is also the best way to protect and enhance the reputation of our individual organisations and our sector as a whole.”
The full code and more information can be viewed online.
