Fundraising Review - next steps

After SCVO’s report and the review conducted by Sir Stuart Etherington, the summit let 150 people from across the third sector discuss the future of fundraising self-regulation in Scotland. We've produced a report from the day, which includes the main points raised at each session. Key messages from the summit

• The development of the new system of fundraising self-regulation must be owned and led by the charitable sector.
• Developing the new system must be an inclusive process that is representative and produces the best solution for the charitable sector as a whole.
• We have to develop a system that suits the diverse nature of the charitable sector in Scotland.
• While there is an underlying bubbling of quiet discontent amongst the public, the situation might not be quite as peaked or as aggregated as we may think.
• Charities can improve how they communicate positive messages to the public and donors about their work and what is necessary to achieve it.

People were highly engaged on the day, with #FundraisingReview trending in Edinburgh. What next? A working group and two sub groups will produce a report. This will form the basis of further discussion at the Gathering in February 2016. Chaired by Theresa Shearer (Enable CEO and SCVO Trustee), the working group will focus on three main areas:

1. Produce an options appraisal for the three main approaches to self-regulation which can be used as an engagement tool by the sector.
2. Produce an engagement plan for involving the sector and gathering views.
3. Develop a final decision making process that is transparent and has legitimacy.

The working group members are:

• Theresa Shearer (Enable & SCVO Trustee)
• Andy Kerr (Sense Scotland)
• Mark O’Donnell (Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland)
• Gregor McNie (Cancer Research UK)
• Stephanie Fraser (Bobath Scotland)
• John Brady (St Andrews Hospice)
• Tony McElroy (Impact Arts)
• John  Downie (SCVO)
• Fraser Hudghton (Institute of Fundraising)
• Richard Hamer (Animate Consulting)

The group will be advised by:

• Jude Turbyne (OSCR)
• Laura Sexton (Scottish Government)

The two sub-groups comprising additional members will help contribute to the process. The working group will consult formally with the sector in the new year. But if you have anything to input at this stage, send me an email and I'll pass it on. The working group will contact the main people involved in implementing the Etherington review, both to ensure we contribute to that process and they are aware of how things are progressing in Scotland.