This website uses cookies for anonymised analytics and for account authentication. See our privacy and cookies policies for more information.

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
Join our community
 
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
Sign in Sign up
Supporting Scotland's vibrant voluntary sector

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

Good Governance

Trustees have a significant part to play in your organisation. They are there to oversee and take responsibility for everything your organisation does. Being a trustee is an important role and should not to be taken on without an understanding of what’s involved.

Scottish Governance Code

This governance code is a statement of best practice. It sets out the core principles and key elements of good governance for the voluntary sector in Scotland.

Good Governance Checkup

The Code outlines good practice for trustees in the voluntary sector in Scotland. Our checkup tool helps you understand how well your organisation is doing on governance.

Recruitment

Guidance to help you succeed in recruiting great trustees, including where to find them and how to get the right mix of skills

Trustee induction

A good induction will help new trustees to settle into their roles, and be more effective. Here's some guidance on how to create a good process for new trustees

Roles & responsibilities

Information on who can be a trustee and what's involved. Find out about collective responsibility, personal liability and the difference between governance and management.

Meetings

Running effective and efficient meetings will help your organisation achieve its objectives. Find out how to set an agenda and take minutes, and ensure your trustees follow a Code of Conduct

Mediation

Find out how our mediation support can help you manage conflict and stop it from escalating.

Managing risks and problems

Every organisation has to think about potential risks and challenges. Here is some guidance to help you be prepared.

Developing your board

Your trustees need to continually evolve and adapt. In order to develop a problem solving approach and ensure a long-term future, you need to invest in training and development for your trustees

Jargon buster

Clear descriptions of common governance words and phrases

Guidance & templates

We're providing you with some guidance and templates, so that you can get a head-start on making sure you've got everything in place

Scottish Governance Code Consultation

Scotland's Third Sector Governance Forum carried out a consultation on a review of The Scottish Governance Code for the Third Sector in 2022 which made a number of recommendations on how to refresh the Code. Find out more here

SCVO Trustee Network

The SCVO Trustee Network provides trustees and boards with support and guidance to help generate good governance across the voluntary sector in Scotland.

SCVO Trustee Network

Additional content elsewhere on SCVO

SCOPE eLearning platform

The platform provides entry-level information and learning to help trustees, volunteers and staff run their voluntary organisations
Find out more

Safeguarding

Information about safeguarding
Find out more