BULLETIN DECEMBER 2009

This is a bulletin which I send out regularly to around 10,000 clients, contacts, friends, friends of friend’s so forth, to keep them in touch with what’s going on in the world of charities. So much new material coming along right now that these bulletins write themselves. All I have to do is to sit hunched over my trusty typewriter pecking away at it, unlit cigar clamped between my teeth, glass of Glenlivet at my elbow, faithful dog at my feet.

Daryl Martin

CHARITY ACCOUNTS SOFTWARE:
With Microsoft dropping its Office Accounting software this year, it's clearly the right time to remind you of the software package that we are very proud to be associated with. This is one package that will be supported as long as we are around. Right now they are banging the drum about their new internet addition that provides fully secure on line donation facilities which works right through to Gift Aid schedules. Too complicated for me to understand. Check their website: www.paxtonipdonations.co.uk or e-mail Viv. She’s a busy lady but always seems to have time to talk to anyone who wants help or advice.

GOVERNANCE:
The link below takes you to a synopsis of my latest thoughts on charity governance. More on this in Trustee Governance Training below. (Governance Synopsis Link)

FIRE SAFETY:
My mention of the importance of carrying out Fire Safety Risk assessments prompted an e-mail from an old friend and client, Graham Pipe. Graham is a Building Surveyor (FRICS) and carries out FRAs. As a pastor he will understand the special needs of churches. Based just South of the M25. Contact us for his address.

RISK:
We have noticed that some buildings policies coming up for renewal have a clause to say it will not indemnify the insured for claims arising out of external work above ground level. In other words if someone falls off a ladder you will not be covered. Might be worth checking the wording of your policy! Before employing tradesmen to carry out ladder work, ask to see proof of their own insurance.

NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE:
The new rates from 1st October are:

LEGACY ISSUES:
I recently mentioned that the RSPCA lost out on a £2.3 million legacy in a case which went to the High Court. The court had decided that the Will was executed as a result of coercion from the deceased’s domineering and bombastic husband.
My instinct tells me that lawsuits tend to enrich the lawyers and leave the litigants in tears. If you have issues where litigation might be needed do make sure you get measured advice and not from a trigger happy lawyer. I still cannot understand how the trustees of the Princess Diana Memorial Fund were bamboozled into taking on Franklin Mint, with the connivance of the Charity Commission who should have known better. Who loses out? As always the end users, the aids sufferers, etc, etc. If you need a lawyer I can find someone for you who isn’t trigger happy (though he’s not cheap!)

ODD MAN OUT:
Who is the odd one out? Lord Stevenson (ex-chair HBOS), Andy Hornby (ex CEO, HBOS) Sir Fred Goodwin (ex CEO RBS), John McFall (Treasury Select Committee Chairman), Alastair Darling, and Sir Terry Wogan? Answer: Sir Terry, being the only one with a banking qualification.

OLDEST OCEAN GOING PASSENGER VESSEL TO RETIRE:
Many of us have fond memories of MV Doulos, first launched in 1914 (2 years after the Titanic sank), and since 1977 operated by Operation Mobilisation, bringing help and hope to communities around the world. In spite of continual maintenance, the costs of repairs were estimated at over €10 million. GBA Ships executive leadership team and board members believe that, given the limited future of the Doulos, it was not appropriate to invest resources on this scale and the decision was made to decommission the vessel.

OUR RELAUNCHED BOOK-KEEPING SERVICE:
My mention of this in my last bulleting has resulted in a large number of enquiries, proving that charities are finding that good book-keepers are in short supply. (If you have one treasure that person she (or he) is beyond rubies). Tony has put the information onto the website (Deal 2010) to make it easy for you. (Our whole aim being to make life easier for you hard pressed trustees)

TRUSTEE GOVERNANCE TRAINING:
I recently completed a re-write of my manual, and have begun to roll it out in my training days. Since then I have been working hard (well hardish; I don’t feel as though I ever work hard these days, except when a group of trustees are giving me a hard time) to produce some reasonably definitive thoughts on good governance. I am happy to share my thoughts with boards of trustees in the UK who are looking hard at best practise in governance. I am particularly looking at how the board relates to the staff or the CEO, or the leadership team in the case of a church. I have carried out about 20 training sessions this year. Next year I can double this figure. Let me know if this interests you.
Here’s my tip of the day to whet your appetite: When looking to extend your board, you might be looking for certain skills and knowledge; remember, you can buy brains, you can’t buy character. I have seen too many charities tested to destruction when this was ignored. (Last week’s tip is in my latest blog)

END OF TERM:
Probably time for me to stop now and go and sit quietly somewhere and start to think about Christmas (my dear wife Anita does most of the hard work, all I have to do is sit quietly, and help with the washing up). Two things remain: First, thank you dear readers for your kind thoughts and comments and gentle scolding’s when I got it wrong. I get a good deal of pleasure from your comments. The IE directors get a lot of pleasure because we get a steady stream of new clients, and that means we carry on being able to pay the staff for their hard work and solid commitment.

Secondly the AND FINALLY...

(being the main or only thing a lot of people read)

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE:
Jeremy: ‘What is another name for Cherrypickers and Cheesemongers?’
Contestant: ‘Homosexuals’.
Paxman: ‘No, they’re regiments in the British Army who will be very upset with you.

BEG, BORROW OR STEAL (BBC2)
Jamie Theakston: ‘Where do you think Cambridge University is?’
Contestant: ‘Geography isn’t my strong point’.
Theakston: ‘There’s a clue in the title’
Contestant: ‘Leicester?’

PHIL WOOD SHOW (BBC GMR)
Wood: ‘What ‘K’ could be described as the Islamic Bible?’
Contestant, ‘Er’.
Wood: ‘It’s got 2 syllables…Kor…’
Contestant: ‘Blimey’.
Wood: ‘Ha ha ha, no, the past participle of run’.
Contestant: (Silence)
Wood: ‘OK, try it another way, today I run, yesterday I …
Contestant: ‘Walked?’

BBC NORFOLK:
Stewart White: ‘Who had a worldwide hit with, What a Wonderful World?’
Contestant: ‘I don’t know’.
White: ‘I’ll give you some clues. What do you call the part between your hand and your elbow?
Contestant: ‘Arm’.
White: ‘Correct. And if you are not weak, you are ..?’
Contestant: ‘Strong’.
White: ‘Correct. And what was Lord Mountbatten’s first name?’
Contestant: ‘Louis’
White: ‘Well there we are then. So, who had a hit with the song, What a Wonderful World?’
Contestant: ‘Frank Sinatra’

THE WEAKEST LINK (BBC 2)
Anne Robinson: ‘Oscar Wilde, Adolf Hitler, and Jeffrey Archer have all written books about their experiences in what:
Prison or the Conservative Party?’
Contestant: ‘The Conservative Party’.

BBC RADIO BRISTOL
Chris Searle: ‘In which European country is Mount Etna?’
Caller: ‘Japan’.
Searle: ‘I did say which European country, so in case you didn’t hear that I can let you try again’.
Caller: ‘Er…Mexico?’

BBC RADIO NEWCASTLE:
Paul Wappat: ‘How long did the 6 day war between Egypt and Israel last?’
Contestant after long pause: ‘Fourteen days?’

There’s plenty more of these. More another time.