Independent experts to oversee charity fundraising in Scotland

SCVO media release 8 December 2016 The Scottish Fundraising Implementation Group has announced the members of the Independent Fundraising Standards & Adjudication Panel for Scotland, which will oversee fundraising standards and fundraising complaints about charities registered in Scotland. The panel will be chaired by Alison Elliot, Associate Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues, University of Edinburgh, a former moderator of the Church of Scotland and Convener of SCVO from 2007 to 2013. The panel members include:

• Jay Butler, Trustee SCVO, Non-executive director NHS 24, Non-executive director of Apex Scotland
• Sheila Logan, Experienced Data Protection Adviser and Trainer
• Cathy Bell, Director of Development and Alumni, Glasgow University
• Val Surgenor, Partner MacRoberts and Chair of Aberlour Child Care Trust
• Paul Drury, Director of Income Generation & Development, Bethany Christian Trust
• Ann-Marie Devlin, Head of Fundraising Sense Scotland and Chair of the Institute Of Fundraising Standards Committee
• Michelle Armstrong, Corporate and Community Fundraising Manager, Cancer Research UK

Collectively, members of the panel bring a wealth of experience and expertise, including understanding of fundraising, charities and the third sector; and having specialist knowledge of charity law, consumer law and data protection. Val Surgenor, Chair of the Fundraising Implementation Group, said: “The creation of an independent panel to oversee and promote better fundraising practice, and to adjudicate on matters where such practice isn’t implemented, is an exciting new development for charities and donors in Scotland. It provides a system of enhanced self-regulation that fits those requirements identified by the Working Party. Developed within the context of what works already in Scotland, it presents an opportunity for charities in Scotland to enhance their already strong relationship and trust with their donors and supporters. “Alongside the Independent Panel, a ‘fundraising guarantee’, which was recommended by the Working Group report, will specify how the public can expect to be treated by fundraisers. This is another commitment that signals how strongly charities value the support of their donors.” John Downie, Director of Public Affairs, at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations said: “Our research earlier this year demonstrated that people in Scotland trust charities and, right across the board, we’re seeing that people in Scotland are more closely connected to charities and are more likely to give their time and money to them than people in other parts of the UK. “We need to do everything in our power to maintain and strengthen this trust, and the new fundraising independent panel will play an important role in this by overseeing fundraising standards and fundraising complaints about charities registered in Scotland.” OSCR’s Head of Engagement, Jude Turbyne, said: “As regulator, we work to underpin public trust and confidence in charities. Fundraising is one of the most direct ways charities engage with the public. Getting it right is of great importance if charities are to continue to enjoy consistently high levels of trust and confidence. “We believe that a system of self-regulation that has, at its heart, a concentration on raising standards of both fundraising and complaints handling has great potential in the Scottish context. “We welcome the announcement of the Panel that will play a key role in ensuring that charities are both complying with the fundraising code and working to ensure high standards in terms of their complaints handing and fundraising practices. OSCR will be supporting the Panel by providing a secretariat function.” ENDS Notes to editors:

1. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland’s charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. The Scottish third sector turns over £4.5 billion a year and employs 138,000 people in over 45,000 organisations. For more on SCVO see www.scvo.scot
2. To request an interview or for more information, please contact Charlotte McNeill, Communications & Press Officer, SCVO on 0779 060 1995