About Us
The objects of the Association are to encourage charitable and community work on the island, and co-operation between its members. The Association was formed in 1984. There is currently a subscription fee of £10 paid on joining the Association.
Day to day running of the Association is the responsibility of a Council of six persons elected by the membership, who also ratify any important decisions. The Association does not interfere with the conduct of its members’ affairs in any way, but through the Council is prepared to give advice and information about charity matters in Guernsey to members or other interested parties.
Major decisions are taken by members at a general meeting, after details of the subject matter have previously been circulated.
Joint Action: If a member feels that some matter or other can be better pursued, if some or all members join in, the proposal should be put to the Secretary, who will circulate details to the members for their decision at the next meeting (or if necessary at a special meeting). The Council usually meets before a general meeting in order to be able to advise the meeting if necessary.
In practice, if a member suggests a project which the meeting supports, a number of members will decide to co-operate in pursuing the matter. Other members need not involve themselves in it.
Co-operation between members is achieved by:-
-
Holding meetings at which matters of common interest may be announced, discussed, and if necessary, voted upon.
- The publication of this directory and its updates. It contains most of the information that the Council has about members, so that anyone may make contact with a charity without having to make enquiries through the Officers of the Association.
Guernsey Charities Trust. The Association was responsible (with a donation of £50,000) for the setting up of the Guernsey Charities Trust (member number 118). This trust is designed to receive donations to charities where the donor wishes the capital to be invested to provide income to be used for charitable purposes within the Bailiwick. The Association provides administrative services to the trustees, some of whom are members of the Association Council.
Distribution of funds. The Association is prepared to receive money for distribution among charities, or among a class of charities with similar objectives. If such a distribution is left to the discretion of the Association, the Council proposes an allocation which is ratified by the members. If the proposed distribution should not be approved, it would be settled by three "arbitrators" after taking into account all the objections to the original proposals.
Applications for funds. The States of Deliberation have agreed to donate the proceeds of one draw per annum of the Channel Islands Lottery for distribution amongst the membership of the Association. The Secretary will forward application forms to all members, which must be returned, before the stated deadline, by any organisation wishing to apply for funds. Applications must contain full details of requirements and must also be supported by full accounts. If any charity subsequently has their needs satisfied from other sources, this should be advised to the Secretary, so that their application may be amended or withdrawn.
Emergency Fund. The Association also maintains an emergency fund which can be distributed, at the discretion of the Council, to meet urgent applications that cannot wait until the next meeting.
Benefits of Membership.
There are numerous other benefits of being a member of the Association. These include:
-
The receipt of a comprehensive directory
-
The right to put forward propositions and vote at meetings
-
Access to help from other members
- Offers of help from outside organisations (e.g. accommodation for meetings etc.)
(37k)
© The Association of Guernsey Charities
Website produced and updated by Malcolm Woodhams
Click here to contact: mail@charity.org.gg
