News & Events

Carmichael opens applications for the Good Governance Awards 2022. 

Strong governance in the nonprofit sector is more important than ever for maintaining public trust and is essential for the sustainability of the nonprofit sector. That’s according to Carmichael, who launched the Good Governance Awards 2022 today (01.06.22).  

The Good Governance Awards recognise and encourage adherence to responsible governance by nonprofit organisations in Ireland. Awards are made based on the quality of an organisation’s annual report and financial statements. 

Commenting today (01.06.22), Diarmaid Ó Corrbuí, CEO of Carmichael, said: “We are delighted to open applications for the Good Governance Awards 2022. Each year the Awards showcase the incredible work carried out by nonprofit organisations in Ireland to implement effective and transparent corporate governance policies. 

“The awards are now in their 7th year and I am delighted to say it is going from strength to strength. We had a record number of entries last year with 124 nonprofits entering the awards from across the country and in most of the categories we are seeing the standard increasing. 

“Charities and nonprofit organisations are very dependent on public trust and support for their sustainability and survival. In recent years, a number of high-profile cases of poor governance have damaged public trust. These cases are unacceptable and are not the norm in our sector. The annual report provides a real opportunity for nonprofits to tell their story and showcase their commitment to transparency by outlining its performance, governance, culture and financials. An annual report can help to reinforce trust and strengthen relationships with stakeholders and build relationships with the public, potential donors, volunteers and supporters.” 

As part of the judging process for the awards, annual reports of applicants are assessed by panels of governance and accountancy experts under the following criteria: transparency, governance, performance and impact and financial information.  

Last year’s awardees were: Sharing Point, Volleyball Ireland, Marie Keating Foundation, Jigsaw, Central Remedial Clinic and Concern Worldwide.  

Mr. Ó Corrbuí added, “The Good Governance Awards raise the quality of corporate governance in the nonprofit sector by encouraging higher standards of good practice. Expert feedback is provided to all entrants on how to improve the quality of their annual reports. This helps to ensure our sector is meeting best practice and constantly reforming.” 

“We were delighted to have the sports organisation Volleyball Ireland as one of the  Good Governance Award winners in 2021 and this year we would encourage more entries from sporting bodies and, in particular, from smaller, volunteer-run nonprofits. The awards are open to any Irish nonprofit organisation with a social objective. This can include charities, social enterprises, unincorporated groups, sports organisations and companies limited guarantee. We welcome applications from all areas – from local sports clubs and community groups to social & health service providers and arts organisations.” 

How to Enter  

There are seven categories for the awards based on the annual turnover of the organisation: 

• Category 1: For organisations with an annual turnover of less than €50,000 
• Category 2: For organisations with an annual turnover of between €50,000 and €250.000. 

• Category 3: For organisations with an annual turnover of over €250,000 and under €1 million. 
• Category 4: For organisations with an annual turnover of over €1 million and under €5 million. 
• Category 5: For organisations with an annual turnover of over €5 million and under €15 million 
• Category 6: For organisations with an annual turnover of over €15 million and under €50 million 
• Category 7: For organisations with an annual turnover of over €50 million. 

Details on the entry criteria and categories; the judging panel; guidance on how to enter; and other resources such as annual report templates are available at:  www.goodgovernanceawards.ie .

Minister Roderick O’Gorman to launch Rape Crisis Network Ireland’s ‘Breaking the Silence: Terminology Guidelines for Data Collection on Sexual Violence against Children’

Register here to watch the event. 

On Tuesday 22 February at 10am, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderick O’Gorman will launch the Rape Crisis Network Ireland resource ‘Breaking the Silence: Terminology Guidelines for Data Collection on Sexual Violence against Children’.  The event is being hosted by Carmichael resident organisation, The Rape Crisis Network of Ireland (RCNI).

‘With an estimated 2% conviction rate on reported Child Sexual Violence cases, making sure we can tell the child’s story, wherever they break the silence, is essential’ says Cliona Saidlear, Executive Director of RCNI, ‘All services and professionals meeting a child’s needs must be able to join up their knowledge with others’, especially when our children cannot. To do this we must develop a common language. This is what the RCNI Breaking the Silence collaborative project promises.’ 

The goal of a common language and the aim of creating guidelines for terminology on sexual violence against children is to enable the collection of reliable, comprehensive and comparable data across services which will improve our understanding and interagency pathways for children. Failure to use shared language risks minimising or even erasing the experience of the child.

‘Breaking the Silence’ is a collaborative project which provides child-specific terminology and definitions for some of the manifestations of the many forms of sexual violence against children that are covered by the Istanbul Convention and Irish legislation.  Now, more than ever, it is well understood that violence against children includes physical, psychological, sexual and emotional violence and it has become increasingly important that the language to describe it captures and accurately records its breadth and nuance. The terminology guide is designed to be used by Irish service providers who must be able to talk to the children and their carers, in language that is appropriate to their organisation.

The event will be hosted by RCNI Executive Director Clíona Saidléar and they are pleased to welcome the following speakers: 

Roderick O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth

Biljana Brankovic member of GREVIO, the independent expert body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention). She has over 20 years’ experience in research, advocacy/lobbying, monitoring, shadow reporting to UN Treaty Bodies. Most of Biljana’s research/ monitoring work has been done in countries of South-Eastern Europe, including cross-cultural/comparative studies on violence against women and children, and analyses of compliance of domestic laws/policies on VAW with international standards (CEDAW, CRC, Istanbul Convention, etc).  Her research bibliography involves over 120 references, roughly half of which are related to VAW/women’s rights/child rights and she has worked for many UN agencies/international organisations or NGOs/Networks as an Independent Researcher-Consultant.

Niall Muldoon was appointed as Ombudsman by President Michael D Higgins on 17 February 2015. His background is as a clinical psychologist and he has worked in the area of child protection for almost 20 years. Before becoming Ombudsman for Children in 2015, he worked at the OCO as Director of Investigations, and before that he was the national clinical director of The CARI Foundation, a charity that provides therapy and support for children affected by sexual abuse.

The Irish Stammering Association (ISA) are a Carmichael resident organisation, and they are currently promoting an upcoming ‘ISA Walk and Talk’ event.

The Event 

The ‘Walk and Talk’ event is set to take place on Sunday February 20 at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin 9.

The event poses a relaxing and informal opportunity for those who stammer their family and friends, or those with an interest in stammering to walk and talk as they make their way around the relaxing and beautiful gardens.

The gardens are noted for fine plant collections holding over 15,000 plant species from a variety of habitats worldwide, for award-winning plant houses, and for an array of garden features.

They plan to visit the gardens café after the walk for refreshments. The walk is open to all ages, although children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult. If you are interested in this event please register here – it is of course completely free to attend.

Who are the ISA?

The ISA are a charitable organisation providing information and support to people who stammer in Ireland. Stuttering, as it is also known, affects people of all ages and from all backgrounds. Parents, partners, friends and family can also be affected by stammering.

The ISA pride themselves as being the collective voice for a community, promoting an inclusive society that understands and accepts stammering. The core mission is raising awareness.

Indeed, The ISA are the nationally recognised organisation for people affected by stammering. They are committed to building and developing the stammering community, being the trusted source of reliable information, raising awareness and influencing policy.

They operate with five core values in mind at all times, they are; non-judgemental, person-centred, accountable, collaborative and empowerment.

Contact Details:

You can find out more details on their work here. They’re on social media, too. Check out their Facebook and Twitter here.

Carmichael is delivering free workshops for Board Members, Directors, Trustees, CEOs, Managers and anyone else involved in the preparation of Annual Reports for a nonprofit. This includes Companies Limited by Guarantee, Registered Charities, Unincorporated bodies, Social Enterprises and Sports Organisations. Each workshop covers the basics of what is required in an annual report and then focuses on how to use the annual report as a way of showing the public, your members and funders how good your organisation is. These workshops are aimed at smaller charities (annual income of less than €250,000) and, particularly, at charities with income of less than €50,000. Workshops will be delivered over Zoom. Email roisin@carmichaelireland.ie for more information. Sign up for a workshop here.

This programme is kindly sponsored by the Community Foundation for Ireland and Pobal.

New Podcast Episodes

Episode 15: Michael Wickham Moriarty gives insights to Trócaire’s award winning governance culture

In conversation with Michael Wickham Moriarty, the head of Corporate Services at Trócaire. Michael gives us an insight into Trócaire’s award winning governance culture and talks about how Trócaire is coping with Covid-19: https://soundcloud.com/user-982606224/michael-wickham-moriarty-gives-insights-to-trocaires-award-winning-governance-culture.

Episode 16: Coping with Covid-19 – The challenge for small charities as they provide much needed services

In episode 16, we speak with 3 small charities, Look Good Feel Better, FirstLight and Huntington’s Disease Association of Ireland about their Covid-19 challenges and how they are responding to maintain services to their clients. Listen at https://soundcloud.com/user-982606224/coping-with-covid-19-the-challenge-for-small-charities-as-they-provide-much-needed-services.

Carmichael in association with the local Volunteer Centres, are delivering a series of 25 workshops across the country on ‘Developing an Effective Annual Report’. The aim of this practical hands-on workshop is to understand the preparation of the Annual Report from the perspective of the Board Members, Directors, Trustees.

Each workshop covers the basics of what is required in an annual report and then focuses on how to use the annual report as a way of showing the public, your members and funders how good your organisation is. The session will involve presentations and working in groups. These workshops are aimed at smaller charities (annual income of less than €250,000), particularly, at charities with income of less than €50,000.

The workshops are free thanks to the support of Community Foundation Ireland and Pobal.

Below is the current schedule of workshops with details of dates, times locations and booking arrangements.

Workshop schedule

Carmichael have released another episode for in its Governance Podcast Series.

In our first podcast of 2020, Diarmaid Ó Corrbuí, Carmichael CEO talks with Deirdre Garvey, CEO of The Wheel about her work and the challenges which face the Charity and Voluntary Sector as Election 2020 draws nearer. Episode 8 is available on https://soundcloud.com/user-982606224/diarmaid-o-corrbui-with-deirdre-garvey-ceo-the-wheel.

All our previous Carmichael podcasts are available from most podcast platforms – Soundcloud, Apple, Spotify.

FirstLight – a long established, national charity providing professional crisis intervention and counselling services to parents and families suddenly bereaved is seeking to recruit a Clinical Services Director and Clinical Services Manager.

The Clinical Services Director will be based in FirstLight’s Offices (Carmichael Centre, 4 North Brunswick Street, Dublin 2), will be a member of the senior leadership team and will contribute both strategically and operationally to the overall success of the organisation by leading effectively on client clinical services.

The Clinical Services Manager will be located in a region outside Dublin and will support the Clinical Services Director and deputise for him/her when appropriate. The regional location will be influenced by the location of the preferred candidate.Both positions are 2-year contract positions: the Clinical Services Director position is for 32 hours (4 days) per week; the Clinical Services Manager position is for 24 hours (3 days) per week.

A strong understanding of and empathy with FirstLight’s mission and objectives is essential as is a values driven approach to work based on integrity and service.

For the full job description and application form, visit https://firstlight.ie/clinical-services-director-and-manager-positions/.

We really enjoyed talking to Jillian Van Turnhout in our 4th episode of Carmichael podcast on the topic of “when things go wrong in charities”. This episode follows on from previous topics which looked at the Annual Report, the Charities Governance Code and Risk Management. Here’s link to this episode. https://soundcloud.com/user-982606224/when-things-go-wrong.

Episode 3 which covers Risk Management with Andrew Madden is available at https://soundcloud.com/user-982606224/risk-and-risk-management.

The Good Governance Awards (GGA) is an initiative that recognises and encourages adherence to good governance practice by nonprofit organisations in Ireland.

The Awards were developed in 2016 by Carmichael and are supported by Boardmatch, Charities Institute Ireland, Dóchas, Enclude, Volunteer Ireland, The Wheel, together with our corporate partners; 2into3, Chartered Accountants Ireland, Davy, Dept. of Rural & Community Development, Mason Hayes & Curran, Mazars Ireland and The Governance Company.

Annual Reports

The Good Governance Award seek to acknowledge, encourage and promote good governance practice primarily in the area of annual reports.

Best Governance Improvement Initiative

This award will recognise initiatives that have been taken in the last 12-18 months to improve the quality of the nonprofit’s governance. Nonprofits can submit their good governance initiatives, setting out (briefly – max 750 words) the governance issue(s) they addressed, the actions they took and the impact that this has had for the organisation.

Why You Should Enter the 2019 Good Governance Awards

1. We are open for non-profits of all sizes: There are 5 entry categories ranging from small (annual turnover of less than €250,000) to the very large (turnover of over €15million).
2. Get your entries reviewed by a first class assessment and judging panel: We have a panel of 40 plus assessors and judges and 5 accountancy firms who bring great expertise and experience who will review your entry and will provide valuable feedback and insight to assist you in enhancing your organisation’s governance.
3. Enhance your organisation’s reputation with your stakeholders: Entering the GGA demonstrates your commitment to adhering to good governance practice and transparency. It also shows your willingness to be assessed and receive feedback on how you can enhance your governance.
4. Boost your team’s morale and gain valuable PR opportunities: Being shortlisted for a GGA award recognises the hard work that goes on in your organisation to adhere to good governance practice. Winning an award boosts credibility and increases awareness of your organisation which can help convince even more people that you are a cause worth supporting.

Entry Criteria

• To enter, the organisation must be an Irish nonprofit organisation (i.e. it has a registered office in the Republic of Ireland).
• There are 2 award types and 5 entry categories based on the income size of the organisation from those with an annual income of under €250k to those with an annual income of over €15m. Organisations may enter for either award type or for both.
• A nonprofit organisation must upload their entry to the GGA website by the closing date (13^th September 2019).
• Shortlisted listed organisations may be asked to supply additional information to assist the judges in their adjudications.
• See www.goodgovernanceawards.ie for more information.