Starting up Guides

Learning to Fly

‘I/ we still want to set up a new charity or community group- How do we go about it?’

‘Learning to Fly’ - Piloting your local voluntary or community organisation

Or

http://www.governancehub.org.uk/resources/

Nice easily approachable guide to setting up and running small groups using the analogy of learning to fly a plane. Available from Trusteenet or the Governance Hub and also in hardcopy.

“Maybe you’ve just set up a local organisation to make a difference to your community. Maybe you’re involved in one that’s been running for some time, and have just joined the Committee or become one of the Trustees. Does it sometimes feel like one of those dreams? Where you’re flying a plane, but you don’t really know how?”

THE GOVERNANCE HUB HAS NOW CLOSED AND THIS WEBSITE IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED

Work is underway to ensure the transition of Governance Hub resources to NCVO's Governance and Leadership 'askNCVO' pages, which can be found at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/askncvo/

In the meantime, If you find you are unable to download a particular publication from the Governance Hub site, you can email governance.temp@ncvo-vol.org.uk and they will send you the document in PDF form

CVS 1st Steps

http://www.cvs1ststeps.co.uk/welcome.htm

Nice, well laid out user friendly site from Nuneaton and Bedworth CVS containing easily digestible information covering most aspects of starting up or developing voluntary or community groups as well as downloadable documents and links to other organisations and resources as well as a ‘Latest News’ section. You need to register to use the site but it’s free and pretty simple.

‘CVS 1st Steps offers charities, community groups, voluntary organisations and / or community practitioners a number of useful free resources. This site will be useful for anyone involved in starting up a new group or developing their existing group…’

Sections include:

Getting Started

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Gettinginvolvedinyourcommunity/

Compact and readable yet quite comprehensive guide to starting voluntary and community organisations form the government’s Central Office of Information ‘Directgov’ website which contains plenty of links to other sites and relevant documents.

‘Getting started - essential guides to starting up, finding and choosing trustees and tips on sources of funding and how to apply’

Starting up Checklist

http://www.volresource.org.uk/briefing/starting.htm

Short and very readable introduction from the VolResource site outlining some basic issues and signposting further information.

“We can't say do this, that and the other and you will be sorted. Hopefully [the checklist] will raise the pertinent issues, and point you to the appropriate next steps.”

Checklist of Policies and Procedures

http://www.volresource.org.uk/samples/checklst.htm

What they are and why you need them. Not intended to be complete or what everybody needs, but it is quite an extensive list and as they say, don’t be overwhelmed, identify the most important for your situation first, although bear in mind that a little careful thought now can save major problems later

‘Checklists of policies and procedures (and links to examples where we have them) for the following areas:’

Setting up a voluntary organisation in six steps

http://www.scvo.org.uk/scvo/Information/

Short, readable introduction from the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations which covers the main steps involved. Bear in mind Scottish charity law may differ from that in England and Wales.

‘This briefing gives a basic overview of the steps involved in setting up a voluntary organisation.’

  1. Identify an unmet need
  2. Build a team
  3. Agree the broad aims and purpose of the organisation
  4. Make a plan
  5. Get constituted
  6. Decide the legal standing: Formal or informal?

Starting Up Pack

http://www.lcvs.org.uk/home.php?/site/Support/Starting_Up

Twenty two page booklet from Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services outlining the basics to setting up a voluntary organisation in an approachable way.

“Because many voluntary organisations are started by groups of people interested primarily in providing a service, they are often unaware of the legal and practical steps needed to set up a successful organisation which can ensure those services do actually happen and benefit people. This booklet aims to help those people. It is of most use to people who plan to set up, or have recently started, a voluntary organisation. However it should also be relevant to all sizes of voluntary organisations, giving them a checklist to ensure that the basics are in place.”

‘Starting your Organisation’- Information sheets:

http://www.trusteewales.org.uk/guidance/governance-gateway/starting-your-organisation

Single web page from the Wales Council for Voluntary Action’s ‘Governance Gateway’ with short, easy to understand downloadable information sheets and links to other resources.

‘This section is concerned with information and guidance on all those matters that trustees need to consider when starting an organisation. These may include:’

Information Sheets

  1. First steps - from idea to action
  2. Involving the community
  3. Involving service users
  4. Planning your work
  5. Choosing legal structures
  6. Charitable status
  7. Where to go for help

Guide to setting up a new charity – first considerations

http://www.stewardship.org.uk/documents/Guide_to_setting_up_a_new_charity_2.pdf

Short (5 pages) leaflet from Christian Financial Services Charity ‘Stewardship’ covering the basics

Information Sheets

Choose ‘Information Sheets’ from the ‘Select Category’ menu

http://www.hullcvs.org.uk/downloads.asp

Informative and very readable introductory material from Hull Community and Voluntary Services

Legal Structures

‘…sets out the basic legal structures and some of their characteristics, and what type of organisation they might suit. The purpose of this sheet is to try to clarify confusion between legal structures and organisation types to help those involved in Third Sector organisations and those thinking of creating a new Third Sector organisation.’

The Truth About Social Enterprise

‘…explains what a Social Enterprise is and provides pointers to sources of information and help for social enterprises.’

Self Help and Support Groups

‘An introduction to what is involved in setting up and running a Self Help group or a Support Group, and where to find more information and support.’

Model Constitution for a small group

‘This is a template for a simple constitution which would be suitable for a small community group. It would not suit an organisation that is likely to grow larger, register as a charity, lease premises or apply for large sums of money. Please contact our information services if you need any further assitance with creating a governing document.’

Why and How to Take Minutes

‘A general introduction to minute taking, what they are for and how to take them.’

Consultants

‘…gives some starting points for groups thinking about using a consultant and points to sources of information and guidance.’

Data Protection - Getting Started

‘…gives a very basic introduction to Data Protection and points you to the Information Commissioner's guidance and other more comprehensive information on the law.’

Setting Up A Charity FAQs

‘…gives general information answering some of the most common questions that we are asked by people who are thinking about setting up a Charity. It includes references to Charity Commission documents which you should refer to for full information.’

Group Rules

‘…gives some starting points to help you think about the rules you will need to put in place when you set up a small group.’

Milestones: Managing key events in the life of a charity

http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/rs6.asp

Extensive and comprehensive resource from the Charity Commission covering issues likely to arise right across the lifespan of the organisation

Milestones: Managing key events in the life of a charity - Annex A, B, C, D & E

Additional information from the above document

http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/rs6annexs.asp

Annex A - Questions to ask at each stage
Annex B - Survey Findings
Annex C - Glossary of Terms
Annex D - Resources for Trustees
Annex E - Bibliography