Making your group work well

Community groups are most effective when it’s clear to everyone how things work and what they can do to contribute. You don’t need lots of complex policies and procedures, but it does help to put some things in writing so that everyone can see what’s been agreed. This section contains tips and advice to help your group run smoothly behind the scenes.

Organising meetings
Role of the management committee
Publicity and communication
Managing staff and volunteers
IT support and training
Policies and Procedures
Charity registration and requirements
Health and Safety and Insurance
Getting outside help with running your group

Information sheets in this section, A-Z

AGM checklist
Budgets for community groups
Chairing a meeting
Charity registration
Charity reporting and accounts
Data protection for community groups
Designing and using surveys
Equality and diversity policies for small groups
Examination of accounts
Facebook for community groups
Financial rules
Free accounts systems to download
Health and safety for community groups
How to improve your chairing skills
Independent examination of accounts at the RC
Involving people in your group
Is your AGM coming up?
Legal structures for community groups and not for profit organisations
Licensing and regulations for events and fundraising activities
Monitoring and evaluation
Organising a public meeting
Public liability and employers liability
Resource Centre policies and procedures
Reporting to a funder
Responsibilities of registered charities
Responsibilities of the management committee
Risk assessment
Roles of officers
Running a creche
Sample risk assessments
Support for chairs
Support for Resource Centre member groups
Support for secretaries
Support for Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations
Support for treasurers
Support with producing newsletters
Support with publicity and printing
Support with raising money
Taking minutes
Taking photos at community events
The agenda
The secretary’s role
Treasurer’s role
Using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Video making tips for community groups
Your group’s money