Getting your governance started

Not sure where to begin? These guides to different legal structures will help you start your governance off on the right track.

You can also see how your group is doing with the Essentials checklist as well as finding out more about what to do next.

Once you have decided to start a group, there are certain things you need to have in place before you begin delivering. Sported has used its experience and member feedback to identify a list of essential questions you should answer before you deliver activity with young people.

Have you developed your rules, structure, and committee?
Have you implemented basic financial practices?
Do you have approrpriate policies and procedures in place?
Do you know how you will communicate with your group?
Have you decided how you will market your services?

Along with each question, there are a set of achievement goals, ideas to get the member thinking and a thorough list of support available in and outside of Sported.

You can download the checklist here.

Setting up an unincorporated group

Starting off as an unincorporated association could help. It’s straightforward to set up and most suited to simpler and smaller organisations.

This how-to-guide includes information about:

Writing a Constitution
Setting up a Committee
Opening a Bank Account
Basic Finances
Insurance
Policies and Procedures

Disclaimer: Please remember that our resources reflect core governance principles and good practice but do not constitute legal advice.

You can download the guide here.

Setting up as a charity

The Small Charities Coalition created this free guide to the logistics of setting up a charity in simple steps. The tool is now administered by the NCVO.

The guide includes:

Writing your charitable purpose
Deciding your charity structure
Governing documents
Recruiting trustees
Banking and finance
Applying for registration

You can find the guide here.