Brandon M.

Safeguarding is non-negotiable for any organisation working with children or vulnerable groups.Legal context: The Children Act 2012 establishes protections for children and relevant obligations for adults...

Reframing how we think about complaints is important. A complaints mechanism is not about admitting failure; it's about taking beneficiaries seriously as partners.Key reasons a complaints process is valuable:It...

The Civil Society Accountability Toolkit gives specific attention to CSO umbrella organisations, recognising that their distinct structure requires specific accountability considerations.Accountability...

Volunteer retention is about creating an experience that is meaningful, well-organised, and appreciated. Practical strategies:Match volunteers to roles that use their skills and interestsProvide clear...

Revisiting your mission statement is healthy. A strong mission statement should answer: Who are you serving? What do you do? Why do you do it? How do you do it?Process for revision:Engage broadly — involve...

A constitution is a starting point, but it is not sufficient on its own. The NAF identifies the following key policy areas:Governance policies:Board/Governance Policy (code of conduct, conflict of interest,...

Strong grant proposals share several qualities:Before you write:Ensure your organisation is registered and compliantHave up-to-date audited/reviewed accountsHave a current strategic plan the project aligns...

There are several tools available specifically for T&T CSOs. The Civil Society Accountability Toolkit includes a detailed Accountability Self-Assessment Tool covering four areas: Accountability Basics,...

Rajan is correct. The National Accountability Framework (NAF) is a guidance document, not a legal mandate. It was developed by Veni Apwann (VA) in collaboration with The Cropper Foundation (TCF) under...

An annual report is one of the most powerful accountability tools available to a CSO. A well-structured annual report should include:Introduction/Message from the Chair and/or Executive DirectorOrganisational...

Donors are important, but they are only one of many stakeholders. The Civil Society Accountability Toolkit defines a stakeholder as "any person, group or institution that is affected by the organisation's...

The NAF draws from the 12 Project Management Principles (PMI) and identifies these core principles for CSOs:Integrity and TransparencyEffectiveness and EfficiencyOrientation to Learning and Knowledge SharingSystems...

Staff retention in the civil society sector is a well-documented challenge. Practical strategies:Non-monetary retention strategies:Create a learning environment — invest in training and professional...

Performance management is often underdeveloped in CSOs — but it's directly linked to achieving your mission. Recommended approach:Set clear expectations upfront — every staff member should have a clear...

Unfortunately, yes — this is a very common challenge in the sector. A comprehensive CSO financial policy should address:Authorisation levels — who can approve spending at different thresholdsProcurement...

Yes, recording in-kind donations is important — both for accountability and because it often strengthens your grant applications by demonstrating community and partner support.The NAF specifically states:...

Under the NPO Act 2019, NPOs with annual income of less than $500,000 are not required to have annual external audits.However, important caveats:Some donors require audit reports for grant applications...

The Civil Society Accountability Toolkit identifies "a clear separation of roles between the board and management" as an explicit accountability standard.The Board is responsible for:Setting and reviewing...

The NPO Act 2019 defines a non-profit organisation as one that "carries on its business without pecuniary gain to its members or officers except as reasonable compensation for services rendered." So the...