Saturday, 7 November 2009
We're Registered!
It's official! After months of fundraising to get to the required £5,000, and several weeks of waiting and a minor amendment to our chosen Objects we are now officially a Registered Charity. We just need to wait for our charity number now. We should appear on the Charity Commission web site very shortly.
Sunday, 18 October 2009
We're registered!!!! (sort of)
Friday saw out bid to become a registered charity pass its final hurdle!
The person at the Charity Commission tasked with ensuring we ticked all the right boxes, and had everything worded legally gave us the final pass we required to become registered. We do not have a "number" yet because now our file is passed to the registrations team who assign the number. We're told this will take up to 15 days.
Five months of solid work by a dedicated team of volunteers has paid off.
Registration is important on so many levels. For the public in gives the reassurance that we are legal. It also stops some of the sniping that I have heard from one supposedly charitable group who seem to have resented our presence. It also saves us money, because now we can get a reduction in VAT on our veterinary treatment bills and advertising. It should also mean that we can claim gift aid on our donations. It's win win all the way.
The person at the Charity Commission tasked with ensuring we ticked all the right boxes, and had everything worded legally gave us the final pass we required to become registered. We do not have a "number" yet because now our file is passed to the registrations team who assign the number. We're told this will take up to 15 days.
Five months of solid work by a dedicated team of volunteers has paid off.
Registration is important on so many levels. For the public in gives the reassurance that we are legal. It also stops some of the sniping that I have heard from one supposedly charitable group who seem to have resented our presence. It also saves us money, because now we can get a reduction in VAT on our veterinary treatment bills and advertising. It should also mean that we can claim gift aid on our donations. It's win win all the way.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
New Objects agreed
The Directors have voted unanimously to accept the proposed Objects as suggested by the Charity Commission in order to complete registration. This is good news. The amendment must not be sent to Companies House and the Commission to complete this process.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Amendment to our Memorandum
Blimey, we've probably tried too hard but the Charity Commission have recommended we amend our chosen Objects because there are elements that not charitable in law. This is a requirement for us to complete the registration. This is what happens when you do not take legal advice and believe everything in the best interests of a dog is therefore charitable. That said the areas that are a cause for concern covered such things as having a non-destruction policy. This cannot be one of our objects in law, but can be a policy. Rest assured that our non-destruction is going nowhere.
Fortunately the good chaps at the Commission have recommended a wording that is charitable in law. We now need a directors meeting to approve the amended Memorandum.
Fortunately the good chaps at the Commission have recommended a wording that is charitable in law. We now need a directors meeting to approve the amended Memorandum.
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Dog fighting again
BBC News ran a detailed story on dog fighting today. I have already put into words my intense anger at these brutal acts and I did not want to see the report but I had to. The poor Staffie they showed with its broken jaw and numerous wounds over his head gave an indication of how pathetic our system of dealing with the perpetrators will be. The law simply is not strong enough. Breeding is too easy, and with that there is no way of knowing how many dogs are out there and with whom. A license scheme which I have always opposed seems even more necessary today. My objection to such a scheme is based on how well it will be administered and upheld. With that comes lots of taxpayers money and just do not see that being a priority for any political party.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
The rigours of modern red tape
Since becoming involved with the charity I am constantly amazed at how we have allowed our lives to become so complicated. As someone who works for a Government agency I perhaps should know better, but instead have become a little blase about paperwork.
My experiences thus far have found that each step is like turning a corner to find a door, which is locked and the key is invariably hanging amongst a dozen other almost identical keys. Then when you finally find the right one, it opens but someone has left the chain on the inside!
It isn't just the machines or government that cause me angst. Banks have also driven me to distraction. It took us almost six weeks to get our business account set up. Again it seemed that every step involved a new obstacle to complete. Now we have PayPal. Oh PayPal, what a resource you are but how you have driven me mad these last few days. Admittedly it isn't entirely their fault. We rushed with glee in creating our "charity" account in June and then forgot about it. Now we want to use it (because there is money in there) we find we cannot because we have supplied tax exempt confirmation. Not only can we now not get our money, but no one can donate to us through PayPal either. And of course, we're not yet "official" as a charity until the Charity Commission say yes. Que numerous e-mails, uploaded documents and confusion. Finally PayPal agreed to release the block on donations into the account, but we still cannot withdraw until we prove who we are. It wouldn't be so bad if the system of proving the evidence was not so fiddly. I cannot just pop into a branch, or ring banking number. They have their own way and it drives me crazy. Still, just another locked door around the corner. I've found the key, but guess what, someone has left the chain on.
My experiences thus far have found that each step is like turning a corner to find a door, which is locked and the key is invariably hanging amongst a dozen other almost identical keys. Then when you finally find the right one, it opens but someone has left the chain on the inside!
It isn't just the machines or government that cause me angst. Banks have also driven me to distraction. It took us almost six weeks to get our business account set up. Again it seemed that every step involved a new obstacle to complete. Now we have PayPal. Oh PayPal, what a resource you are but how you have driven me mad these last few days. Admittedly it isn't entirely their fault. We rushed with glee in creating our "charity" account in June and then forgot about it. Now we want to use it (because there is money in there) we find we cannot because we have supplied tax exempt confirmation. Not only can we now not get our money, but no one can donate to us through PayPal either. And of course, we're not yet "official" as a charity until the Charity Commission say yes. Que numerous e-mails, uploaded documents and confusion. Finally PayPal agreed to release the block on donations into the account, but we still cannot withdraw until we prove who we are. It wouldn't be so bad if the system of proving the evidence was not so fiddly. I cannot just pop into a branch, or ring banking number. They have their own way and it drives me crazy. Still, just another locked door around the corner. I've found the key, but guess what, someone has left the chain on.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Foxes
I like foxes. I like most animals. In fact I quite possibly do not dislike any animal. I live in a town and have lived in a big city. In both cases the urban foxes has been a welcome sight, a relief to know that in some tiny slither of urban jungle there is still, a small population of these beautiful creatures seeking out a desperate existence.
Yesterday I came across one of the most disturbing images I had seen for a long time. I will not repost it here. The link for the page is here at Sky News.
It shows the depravity of some people. We come across many disturbing images in our lifetimes. I remember the time while walking my dog several years ago that I came across a suitcase by the edge of a lake. The suitcase had burst open and inside lay a long cold, wet adult Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It made me sick. Another was the awful burning incident in Birmingham a few years back. The bastards responsible have never been caught. They tied and then torched alive a Staffie. Who knows what their motivation was. Perhaps it was fun. Perhaps the dog had misbehaved and in their pathetic mind this was the suitable punishment. It is an image I wish I had never come across. It haunts me to this day. There is a website devoted to trying to find those responsible. I will not post a link here. You can search for it in google if you really wish to see those images.
Yesterday I came across one of the most disturbing images I had seen for a long time. I will not repost it here. The link for the page is here at Sky News.
It shows the depravity of some people. We come across many disturbing images in our lifetimes. I remember the time while walking my dog several years ago that I came across a suitcase by the edge of a lake. The suitcase had burst open and inside lay a long cold, wet adult Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It made me sick. Another was the awful burning incident in Birmingham a few years back. The bastards responsible have never been caught. They tied and then torched alive a Staffie. Who knows what their motivation was. Perhaps it was fun. Perhaps the dog had misbehaved and in their pathetic mind this was the suitable punishment. It is an image I wish I had never come across. It haunts me to this day. There is a website devoted to trying to find those responsible. I will not post a link here. You can search for it in google if you really wish to see those images.
Good Breeders, Bad Breeders
I know there are plenty of good breeders. People who breed small quantities of pups and ensure that their new owners of thoroughly vetted. These breeders will even offer to take back an unwanted dog if it proves necessary.
Unfortunately as many of our local newspapers will testify the country is full of those people who should be called breeders. They are puppy farmers - and they do so not just in the farms across England and Wales but in council and privately rented houses up and down the country. Many of our towns and cities will have those individuals who see a dog solely as a money. They are not interested in breed standard, temperament, disease, socialising, etc. Only money.
We have had two dogs come in from an individual who claimed all manner of personal hardship. The violins were in full flow. We were new and fresh to this and bought the pathetic tale. The two dogs are beautiful but exhausted. They are in retirement now and await their loving new home knowing that their days of puppy-machines are over. This individual, who was so poor, broken and depressed took little more than 2 weeks before getting their next two puppies. Staffies of course. Money has to be made you see.
Only a properly regulated, and punishable system of breeding can stop this. There is neither the will nor the time to do so. The Animal Welfare Act is already proving ineffective despite its fanfare. A simple dog license is not the answer. Any legislation is only as good as its enforcement. If no one enforces the law gets broken.
Unfortunately as many of our local newspapers will testify the country is full of those people who should be called breeders. They are puppy farmers - and they do so not just in the farms across England and Wales but in council and privately rented houses up and down the country. Many of our towns and cities will have those individuals who see a dog solely as a money. They are not interested in breed standard, temperament, disease, socialising, etc. Only money.
We have had two dogs come in from an individual who claimed all manner of personal hardship. The violins were in full flow. We were new and fresh to this and bought the pathetic tale. The two dogs are beautiful but exhausted. They are in retirement now and await their loving new home knowing that their days of puppy-machines are over. This individual, who was so poor, broken and depressed took little more than 2 weeks before getting their next two puppies. Staffies of course. Money has to be made you see.
Only a properly regulated, and punishable system of breeding can stop this. There is neither the will nor the time to do so. The Animal Welfare Act is already proving ineffective despite its fanfare. A simple dog license is not the answer. Any legislation is only as good as its enforcement. If no one enforces the law gets broken.
Dog fighting
There are many things that annoy me. Many that make me angry. Some even that I fume at. Dog-fighting is one of them.
The RSPCA this week successfully brought a prosecution against yet another batch of delightful individuals. The shocking particulars of any case such as this are amplified by the pitiful sentances handed out. These people will not learn when they can be imprisoned for six months and be out in three. The penalties much be greater.
It was a good week for this appalling subject. The media gave the story plenty of coverage though again images of Staffordshire Bull Terriers were used in kennels while the video imagery seemed to show Pit Bulls. The Sky News journalist even referred to a "Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier", an inaccurate description of the dog that further confuses the issue between those dogs that are American Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers. The term Sky used is familiar in North America but not over. The problem though is that bastard breeders are mixing Pit Bulls and Staffies to try and get around the DDA. It is working, but blurring the lines between two different breeds.
The RSPCA this week successfully brought a prosecution against yet another batch of delightful individuals. The shocking particulars of any case such as this are amplified by the pitiful sentances handed out. These people will not learn when they can be imprisoned for six months and be out in three. The penalties much be greater.
It was a good week for this appalling subject. The media gave the story plenty of coverage though again images of Staffordshire Bull Terriers were used in kennels while the video imagery seemed to show Pit Bulls. The Sky News journalist even referred to a "Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier", an inaccurate description of the dog that further confuses the issue between those dogs that are American Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers. The term Sky used is familiar in North America but not over. The problem though is that bastard breeders are mixing Pit Bulls and Staffies to try and get around the DDA. It is working, but blurring the lines between two different breeds.
Charity Commission registration
I should have posted this earlier. We have sent our application to the Charity Commission - in fact it was sent a couple of weeks ago. Last week I received an e-mail from the person at the Commission who will be looking at our application. She introduced herself and explained the time frame she has to work in. I thought it was an excellent piece of customer service. I have had a very very mixed, ney poor experience with Government departments and agencies this summer. The worst by far has been HMRC which is unfortunate. As a Government employee myself it gives me an understanding of how unpleasant such communications can be from a customer point a view. The Commission has been mixed itself - not in the speed, or the helpfulness but in the accuracy of the information. I think it might be like my own organisaton - that phonelines are manned by people fresh or inexperienced and not properly trained to know all there is to know about the work they do.
These are exciting times for us. I know we will probably have to make changes to the Articles but will work with the Commission to ensure our application is a success while still maintaining the ethic we created.
These are exciting times for us. I know we will probably have to make changes to the Articles but will work with the Commission to ensure our application is a success while still maintaining the ethic we created.
Time flies..
Cannot believe it is three weeks since I last wrote on here. Where has the time gone? I haven't been away, on holiday or in hospital. It seems life is too busy at the moment. I even missed our anniversary this week. Couldn't believe that I had forgotten. I need to prioritise things a little differently.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
How we are governed
Behind the scenes activities within any organisation are often shrouded in mystery. Getting information is difficult and anyway, where do you start?
In our a small charity there will be a very public image - our volunteers, the people who attend events and who work in the charity shop. What you will not see very often are the people upstairs!
Our structure is as follows:
Governance
This is the top of the tree, the peak of the pyramid. This is where the directors live. The directors are the trustees (they are called directors as this is a charitable company but they undertake exactly the same function as a trustee). They are unpaid, and volunteer their time. They can claim out of pocket expenses for attending general meetings though none has done so. They make strategic decisions. They often receive information from other officers or volunteers and consider them. Decisions they make are voted on and recorded in the minutes of their meetings.
Management Team
The directors do not manage the day to day activities but delegate certain tasks to a "management team" of volunteers. This includes a Fundraising Manager who arranges events to attend, sourcing volunteers and prizes and ensuring the event is profitable for the charity. A Welfare & Rehoming Manager oversees the dogs-in and out and reports to the directors on welfare issues. A Treasurer records all the financial activities of the charity and again reports directly to the directors as requested.
Employees
The charity shop required a full time shop manager and a part time assistant manager. In accordance with advice from the Charity Commission the recruitment had to be fair and open and to do this we advertised in Jobcentre Plus. We were surprised by the number of applicants. The directors considered the applicants and made a decision based on suitability for the role.
Volunteers
Where would you be without volunteers? Nowhere. Volunteers are what started the charity. Volunteers run and manage the charity. Volunteers stock shelves, operate the tills, attend events, do home checks and much much more. And do not forget - both our employees are also volunteers giving up almost as many hours again voluntarily to the charity.
In our a small charity there will be a very public image - our volunteers, the people who attend events and who work in the charity shop. What you will not see very often are the people upstairs!
Our structure is as follows:
Governance
This is the top of the tree, the peak of the pyramid. This is where the directors live. The directors are the trustees (they are called directors as this is a charitable company but they undertake exactly the same function as a trustee). They are unpaid, and volunteer their time. They can claim out of pocket expenses for attending general meetings though none has done so. They make strategic decisions. They often receive information from other officers or volunteers and consider them. Decisions they make are voted on and recorded in the minutes of their meetings.
Management Team
The directors do not manage the day to day activities but delegate certain tasks to a "management team" of volunteers. This includes a Fundraising Manager who arranges events to attend, sourcing volunteers and prizes and ensuring the event is profitable for the charity. A Welfare & Rehoming Manager oversees the dogs-in and out and reports to the directors on welfare issues. A Treasurer records all the financial activities of the charity and again reports directly to the directors as requested.
Employees
The charity shop required a full time shop manager and a part time assistant manager. In accordance with advice from the Charity Commission the recruitment had to be fair and open and to do this we advertised in Jobcentre Plus. We were surprised by the number of applicants. The directors considered the applicants and made a decision based on suitability for the role.
Volunteers
Where would you be without volunteers? Nowhere. Volunteers are what started the charity. Volunteers run and manage the charity. Volunteers stock shelves, operate the tills, attend events, do home checks and much much more. And do not forget - both our employees are also volunteers giving up almost as many hours again voluntarily to the charity.
Why the blog?
Why the blog - well I wanted to get a word in. I am a volunteer with Happy Staffie Rescue but my work is almost entirely behind the scenes. I helped put together our Articles and Memorandum of Association. I registered the company with Companies House and I am now putting together the application to the Charity Commission. Oh, and I am also the Treasurer.
The website is exclusively managed by Mark, though he receives occasional input from either the Directors (the Governance) or the volunteer Management Team. He is busy enough putting dogs on, news updates, advertising events, recruiting volunteers, attending fundraising events (as well as finding and organising them!) as well as running the Charity Shop without me nagging him about input to the website. Besides the detail of building a website is far to tedious for me to get embroiled in, so a blog was a natural, simple choice.
Hopefully this blog will not duplicate the website. That is, there won't be any dogs here, or much in the way of events. Occasionally I publicise something, but for more information of the actual charity please visit the website. This is more a personal blog where I hope to go through the journey the charity is making behind the scenes - the boring bit I guess.
The website is exclusively managed by Mark, though he receives occasional input from either the Directors (the Governance) or the volunteer Management Team. He is busy enough putting dogs on, news updates, advertising events, recruiting volunteers, attending fundraising events (as well as finding and organising them!) as well as running the Charity Shop without me nagging him about input to the website. Besides the detail of building a website is far to tedious for me to get embroiled in, so a blog was a natural, simple choice.
Hopefully this blog will not duplicate the website. That is, there won't be any dogs here, or much in the way of events. Occasionally I publicise something, but for more information of the actual charity please visit the website. This is more a personal blog where I hope to go through the journey the charity is making behind the scenes - the boring bit I guess.
The wonders of Facebook
I am not a Facebook person, I've never really got into. Much like many people don't dig blogs or have not tweeted or twittered or whatever the term is. But, the power of Facebook has startled many of the people at Happy Staffie Rescue. Mark, our Fundraising Manager opened the Happy Staffie Rescue Facebook page and we now have just shy of 400 fans. It's amazing how quickly it has leapt forth. I remember just a few weeks ago we were crawling slowly toward the magic 150 number. Since then we have breezed past 200, 250, 300, 350 and now 400 looms!
What's brilliant is we are getting a lot of feedback and thankfully it all seems positive. So many people love the Staffie/Staffy breed that they can see the need for the care and wellbeing that so many stray and unwanted Staffies now need.
What's brilliant is we are getting a lot of feedback and thankfully it all seems positive. So many people love the Staffie/Staffy breed that they can see the need for the care and wellbeing that so many stray and unwanted Staffies now need.
The money is in the bag
Happy Staffie Rescue, thanks to the generous and wonderful support of donors and volunteers has raised the minimum £5,000 required to registered as charity with the Charity Commission.
Now the paperwork! I thought the application would be straightforward, but time is needed on explaining our aims and how our Objects will be achieved. I have to demonstrate that the services of the charity do not neglect people in poverty, that there are no private benefits to those involved, that the benefits are balanced against detriment and harm. And much, much more.
I'm on day 2 of doing the form. Four Objects each have to be explained in detail. I hope to get the form completed before the weekend is out and get the directors to agree its content and then sign it off. Then we wait.
Now the paperwork! I thought the application would be straightforward, but time is needed on explaining our aims and how our Objects will be achieved. I have to demonstrate that the services of the charity do not neglect people in poverty, that there are no private benefits to those involved, that the benefits are balanced against detriment and harm. And much, much more.
I'm on day 2 of doing the form. Four Objects each have to be explained in detail. I hope to get the form completed before the weekend is out and get the directors to agree its content and then sign it off. Then we wait.
The end of the beginning is nigh
Happy Staffie Rescue began life in mid-May when a group of friends got together to see what they could to help the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed. On May 29 2009 the charity began its first fundraising activities. From this day forth we became a charity, only not a registered one. It is worth remembering that a charity does not have to be registered - in fact cannot be registered if it does not meet the minimum income requirements set by the Charity Commission. For that reason we wanted to ensure we were "regulated" as soon as possible. This influenced our decision to form a company limited by guarantee (as opposed to shares).
Happy Staffie Rescue was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee on 23 June 2009.
This was our chosen framework in which to operate the charity. There were three choices - unincorporated association, limited company or trust. The website gives a bit more information about the differences between the three. A trust was not suitable for us, so it was a straight choice between association or company. The latter was chosen because it enabled us to be regulated quickly (the registration of a charity can take weeks or even months).
The next stage would be to register as a charity. To do so the charity must be able to prove it has an income of £5,000 a year. The Commission does not accept forecasts or similar woolly estimations. It needs to see the income that has been generated or at the very least a guarantee from another source that such funding will come.
Happy Staffie Rescue was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee on 23 June 2009.
This was our chosen framework in which to operate the charity. There were three choices - unincorporated association, limited company or trust. The website gives a bit more information about the differences between the three. A trust was not suitable for us, so it was a straight choice between association or company. The latter was chosen because it enabled us to be regulated quickly (the registration of a charity can take weeks or even months).
The next stage would be to register as a charity. To do so the charity must be able to prove it has an income of £5,000 a year. The Commission does not accept forecasts or similar woolly estimations. It needs to see the income that has been generated or at the very least a guarantee from another source that such funding will come.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
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