Charity self-regulation: a commentary on the NCVO’s Code of Ethics 2018

Abstract

In July 2018, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations ('NCVO') released a draft version of the Code of Ethics for the Charity Sector ('CoE'). This proposed code is currently under revision. The purpose of this policy-paper is to provide a brief commentary on the CoE highlighting its normative strengths and weaknesses, proposing on each of the latter suggestions for improvement.

Exploring the inclusion of beneficiary voices in international development fundraising campaign creation

“…To address these issues, a steady increase of governance policies such as code of ethics have been adopted by charities and organizations over the past 30 years (Bromley & Orchard, 2016). This voluntary form of self-regulation has been shown to establish public trust, credibility, and a framework for organizational behavior (Carolei, 2019). Carolei (2019) identifies this method of self-regulation as, "a process undertaken by a conspicuous number of charities to set normative standards for charities without any formal State intervention in the regulatory process" (p. 4).…”

“…This voluntary form of self-regulation has been shown to establish public trust, credibility, and a framework for organizational behavior (Carolei, 2019). Carolei (2019) identifies this method of self-regulation as, "a process undertaken by a conspicuous number of charities to set normative standards for charities without any formal State intervention in the regulatory process" (p. 4). Bromley and Orchard (2016) suggest that codes of ethics have emerged as a result of accounting scandals, charity misconduct, and lack of trust; therefore, voluntary adoption enables charities to counterbalance this public apprehension with increased methods of accountability and demonstration of value.…”

Is Civil Society Self-Regulation Effective?

“…In December 2017, the Global Standard for CSO Accountability was launched which has the ambition of serving as a point of orientation to improve accountability of CSOs working in the global south and north (Accountable Now, 2017). In November 2018, British charities developed the first ever Charity Digital Code of Practice (Charity Digital Code of Practice, 2018) whereas, in January 2019, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (England and Wales) released the Ethical Principles for the Charity Sector (NCVO, 2019;Carolei, 2019).…”

#Metoo/#Aidtoo and Creating an Intersectional Feminist NPO/NGO Sector

“…The response to such situations in the past has been to call for stronger organizational accountability and bureaucratic reforms (Berdahl and Raver 2011;Garrie 2011) and in more recent cases, improving codes of ethics (Carolei 2019). Organizations such as Oxfam are tightening up their "safeguarding" procedures (Carolei 2019;Oxfam 2018).…”

“…The response to such situations in the past has been to call for stronger organizational accountability and bureaucratic reforms (Berdahl and Raver 2011;Garrie 2011) and in more recent cases, improving codes of ethics (Carolei 2019). Organizations such as Oxfam are tightening up their "safeguarding" procedures (Carolei 2019;Oxfam 2018). However, feminist theorists have argued sexual violence persists not due merely to lax rules, ethical codes, or lack of reporting, but because these organizations exist within a larger context that oppresses women, people of color, and other marginalized groups (Crenshaw 1990;Hunnicutt 2009;Jasinski 2001;Kalra and Bhugra 2013).…”