Target Audience
This course will be beneficial for anyone needing a better understanding of the Companies Act 2014, Charities Act 2009 and Charities Amendment Act 2024 for organisations in the not-for-profit sector.
Outline
This course will explore the implications of The Companies Act 2014 for Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG), charity trustee obligations under the Charities Act 2009, the related reporting and compliance obligations set out by the Charities Regulator, and the key provisions of the Charities Amendment Act 2024.
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
CEOs, Finance Managers and Board Members of Charities.
Outline
- Overview of Charities (Amendment) Act 2024
- Introduction to Charities SORP 2026
- Overview of FRS 102 Charities SORP and reporting framework
- Structure and content of Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
- Fund accounting and types of charity funds
- Income and expenditure recognition (including grants and donations)
- Reserves policy and financial governance expectations
- Preparing for transition to the new SORP in 2026
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
For Approved Housing Bodies categorised as ‘Micro’ (less than 20 dwellings), ‘Small’ (between 20 and 100 dwellings) as well as those registered as Care and Support AHBs.
Outline
The Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) is an independent authority, established in February 2021. The organisation is tasked with the regulation of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the purposes of protecting housing assets provided or managed by such bodies. Section 37(8) of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019 requires all AHBs to comply with the Standards. The AHBRA establish a set of outcomes that AHBs are required to achieve to demonstrate the protection of housing assets provided or managed by AHBs.
Compliance with the Standards is a statutory requirement and clearly this presents many challenges for AHBs at the smaller end of the scale, particularly from a human and financial resource perspective.
The primary objective of the training programme is to provide AHBs categorised as ‘Micro’ (less than 20 dwellings) and ‘Small’ (between 20 and 100 dwellings with a clear understanding of the Standards for AHBs, enabling them to effectively implement and maintain compliance.
The training content supports:
- develop an increased awareness of the Standards for AHBs and what it means for them;
- enhance operational efficiency and help understand to a greater extent how compliance can be demonstrated; and
- undertake gap analysis to identify weaknesses or non-compliance with the Standards.
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
New Board Members, Directors, Charity Trustees of non-profit organisations.
Outline
A comprehensive induction is an important first step in ensuring that new Board Members, Directors and Charity Trustees have the understanding needed to carry out their roles, responsibilities and obligations effectively. This workshop aims to form part of that induction process.
Below is an outline of the topics covered:
- Governance Overview
- Board Members’ Roles and Responsibilities
- The Chairperson
- Board Relationship with CEO/Staff
- Company Limited by Guarantee – Directors
- Charity – Charity Trustees
- What more to expect from a Board Induction
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
This session is designed for those who are new to writing grant applications, or those who would like feedback on applications they are currently completing.
Outline
How do we make successful grant applications? This workshop provides an opportunity to identify the challenges, the most common mistakes applicants make and also what errors causes application disqualifications. Participants should come away with a better understanding of appropriate language & wording to help better make the case for their grant application.
Methodology
This session will be in Carmichael Centre, Dublin 7.
Target Audience
Effective report writing is a cornerstone of good governance, accountability, and transparency for every Irish charity. Whether you are a dedicated staff member, a manager, a CEO, a voluntary charity trustee, or a valued volunteer, your ability to communicate clearly and accurately through reports is paramount.
This essential introduction provides clear insights into the critical importance of robust report writing within the unique context of Irish charities.
Outline
- Why Report Writing Matters: Understand how well-crafted reports underpin your charity’s operations, decision-making, and external communications.
- Meeting Regulatory Requirements: Learn how precise reporting is vital for compliance with key regulatory bodies, including:
- The Charity Regulator: For demonstrating good governance, financial transparency, and adherence to charitable objectives.
- HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority): Essential for charities providing health and social care services, ensuring quality and safety standards are documented.
- TUSLA (Child and Family Agency): Crucial for charities working with children and families, requiring meticulous record-keeping and incident reporting.
- MHC (Mental Health Commission): Important for mental health service providers, demanding clear and compliant documentation of care.
- HSA (Health and Safety Authority): Necessary for all charities to document health and safety practices, incidents, and risk assessments.
- Enhancing Accountability & Trust: Discover how clear, concise, and accurate reports build confidence among donors, beneficiaries, and the wider public.
- Internal Communication & Decision-Making: Explore how effective reports facilitate better internal communication, enable informed strategic decisions, and support continuous improvement.
- Best Practices for Clarity & Impact: Learn practical strategies for structuring reports, using plain language, and ensuring your message is understood and impactful.
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
Are you a Board member of a voluntary or community group? Are you unsure of what is expected of you? Do you want to ensure your organisation is governed in accordance with good practice?
Outline
This session will demystify Board members’ roles and responsibilities and give you tools to enhance your contribution and the effectiveness of your Board. It outlines the purpose of the board as a whole in relation to governance and management. We then examine the specific roles of individual board members and in particular, their legal responsibilities and duties under the Charities Act (2009) and the Companies Act (2014). The workshop will finish with a discussion on typical problems arising within boards and some practical solutions to deal with them.
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
This course will be beneficial for chairs of boards, CEOs, senior managers leading executive teams, officers engaging in community outreach, education/training workers, and staff leading meetings.
Outline
In this workshop you will be introduced to tools and techniques for effective online facilitation. You will have a chance to think about what is working in your own facilitated sessions, and what can be improved. The workshop includes: tips on how to set up your workspace, making use of lighting, and effective use of icebreakers and interactive collaborative tools, so that you can come away with fresh ideas to bring your events alive.
Methodology
Delivered online via Zoom.
Target Audience
This course is aimed at people who already have some experience with digital fundraising/marketing in charities and not-for-profit organisations. Preferably, people who have been doing digital for 4 years or more.
Outline
1. Introduction:
- What is digital fundraising, and why is it important?
- The pros and cons of digital fundraising
2. Case Studies
3. Steps to Follow When Creating a Digital Fundraising Campaign:
- Review past strategies and results.
- Set goals and KPIs – What does your charity want to achieve? Work backward from there.
- Ensure your digital fundraising strategy resonates with your donors.
- Create a communication plan that aligns with your strategy.
- Identify all relevant channels.
- Choose the right tools for your strategic fundraising plan.
- Engage and cultivate relationships with your donors throughout the campaign.
- Measure and track performance.
- Review the campaign’s performance.
4. Q&A to Finish
Methodology
Delivered online via Zoom.
Target Audience
Managers and staff of charities and not-for-profits.
Outline
This training course is designed to engage non-technical management and staff of charities and non-profits, helping them understand the importance of preparing to handle a cyber security incident. The topics are presented in a practical and accessible manner to inspire confidence in the attendees that they would have the ability to handle an unexpected incident.
1. Introduction
a) What is incident response?
b) Why is it important for charities and non-profits?
c) Common types of incidents that such organisations face
d) The benefits of having an incident response plan
2. Planning for Incidents
a) Identifying your organisation’s assets and risks
b) Developing incident response procedures and playbooks
c) Assembling an incident response team
d) Testing your incident response plan
3. Responding to Incidents
a) Review of the incident response plan template
b) Detecting and analysing incidents
c) Containing and eradicating incidents, by using playbooks
d) Carrying out risk assessments
e) Recovering from incidents
f) Communicating with stakeholders during an incident
4. Conclusion
a) Best practices for incident response
b) Resources for charities and non-profits
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Google Meet. It will be an interactive workshop, including a breakout room for participants to see how they would respond to a particular scenario. A copy of the slides will be provided as well as a link to download an incident response plan template and a couple of example playbooks.