Complaining about a charity

cepheus

I'm trying to find out more about the legal responsibilities of charities and how to complain about their actions. Are these responsibilities similar to corporate organisations, with respect to the accuracy of their advertisements and treatment of the public?

The charity commission says the first port of call is the charity itself. Since this is a small charity I may have to write to the person I'm complaining about.

The charity commission says

in practical terms we will not take forward complaints: where you disagree with decisions made by the trustees and those decisions have been properly made within the law and the provisions of the charity's governing document

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/detailed-guidance/protecting-your-charity/complaints-about-charities-cc47/#b

looking through their documents they seem to be more interested when the reputation of the charity comes under question, fraud and terrorism rather than management issues. Although my problem won't help their reputation.

So how would I find out more about the law with respect to charities, and how would I get hold of the charities governing document?

However, they do add

If the charity does not deal with your complaint to your satisfaction, you can contact the Advertising Standards Authority:

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/how-to-complain/complain-about-a-charity/guidance-for-the-general-public/

the advert is only a small part of the complaint though.

fed_up_and_stressed

Charities are ran by the charities commission as you are aware. Their charitable aims are registered by them as are their governing documents to answer your first point.

Then as you say adverts are regulated by the ASA. They are the regulatory bodies and such investigate complaints.

cepheus

Your name seems appropriate to how I feel!

if one searches for a charity there is a short description including one called 'charitable objects' with a few paragraphs, I guess the 'governing document' is far longer and I would need to ask the charity to obtain it?

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/find-charities/

cookie365

What's the problem with writing to the person you have the complaint about?

Don't you want to offer them a chance to put things right?

powerful_Rogue

What is the nature of the complaint?

fed_up_and_stressed

cepheus wrote: »

Your name seems appropriate to how I feel!

if one searches for a charity there is a short description including one called 'charitable objects' with a few paragraphs, I guess the 'governing document' is far longer and I would need to ask the charity to obtain it?

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/find-charities/

The Charities Commission should have a copy of the governance document as well.

PlutoinCapricorn

A lot does depend on the nature of the complaint.

Has the charity got a website? If so, I would contact them via that.

If it is about face to face or door to door fundraising, an agency might be involved.

notanewuser

fed_up_and_stressed wrote: »

Charities are ran by the charities commission as you are aware. Their charitable aims are registered by them as are their governing documents to answer your first point.

.

No they aren't!!!

Charities are run by trustees. There are rules they have to follow in order to become and remain registered charities, but the CC are rarely involved closely with any charity.

In theory, OP, their governing document should be lodged with the CC.

cepheus

notanewuser wrote: »

In theory, OP, their governing document should be lodged with the CC.

OK thanks, I need to see that document, so I can judge if they have complied and tailor the details of the complaint appropriately, before I send it to the charity. On Monday I will ask the CC.

Charities must be the first port of call for a complaint, so they can put things right. However, from my experiences with them so far it's most unlikely they will take my complaint seriously unless they are faced with evidence of non-compliance.

notanewuser

cepheus wrote: »

OK thanks, I need to see that document, so I can judge if they have complied and tailor the details of the complaint appropriately, before I send it to the charity. On Monday I will ask the CC.

Charities must be the first port of call for a complaint, so they can put things right. However, from my experiences with them so far it's most unlikely they will take my complaint seriously unless they are faced with evidence of non-compliance.

If you want to PM me about the complaint I am happy to help you. I've been a charity trustee for several charities for several years.

kazzah60

The Charity Commission DOES NOT display details of the charity's constitution ( governing document) you would probably have to ask the Charity Secretary or Chairperson for a copy of it.
However most constitutions are quite vague - the "bones" of the remit of charitable work will more than likely be in the "aims and objectives"
which may be available to view on a website or in any printed matter the charity produces
I have been a Charity trustee for 20 years and Chairman for 10 years and if there was someone with a complaint about my charity- i would MUCH rather hear it sooner rather than later and would hope the complainant would feel able to approach me for help.