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.