The Governance Code is a Code of Practice for Good Governance of Community, Voluntary and Charitable Organisations in Ireland.
All Community, Voluntary and Charitable (CVC) Organisations have a responsibility to provide and follow a code of good practice when it comes to how their organisations are run. It is the responsibility of the people who run the organisation, usually called the board or management committee – to make sure this happens.
Governance refers to how an organisation is run, directed and controlled. Good governance means an organisation will design and put in place policies and procedures that will make sure the organisation runs effectively.
Best practice is that an organisation should adopt this Governance Code because it is the right thing to do.
The Governance Code is based on five main principles, each with three sub-principles. For each principle there are recommended guidelines and actions on how to put that principle in place for your organisation.
The Governance Code is principles-based, rather than rule-based, and it is voluntary. It is expected that groups and organisations compare themselves to the standards outlined in the Code on a ‘comply or explain’ basis. This means that the organisation measures against the principle in question, specifically against each of the actions for that principle. After this the organisation makes any changes needed to bring that organisation in line.
This Code is a product of extensive feedback from the public consultation conducted between Autumn 2009 and Spring 2011, by the working group, comprised of
- Boardmatch Ireland
- Business in the Community
- Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups
- Clann Credo
- Disability Federation Ireland
- Irish Charities Tax Reform
- Volunteer Ireland
- The Wheel
The Code of Governance was published in March 2012 on this www.governancecode.ie website. Further information is available by contacting info@governancecode.ie.
Near media co-op signed up to the Code in September 2013
