Seminar Report

Seminar: Association Codes of Conduct and Chartered Status Thursday 15 May 2008 1 Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster, London
All associations thrive or die on their reputation. The latest IofAM seminar, held on 15 May, gave practical tips and advice on how to improve the professionalism of boards and associations in general including the benefits of achieving chartered status. Alex Galloway, previously Clerk to the Privy Council, opened the seminar by giving an insight into how the Privy Council works and explained that a Royal Charter “is not to benefit you [the association], but to benefit the public”. Galloway outlined the reasons behind the Charter but noted that The Privy Council deliberately avoids defining a profession. He went on to warn delegates that it is very difficult for two institutions in the same field to get chartered and that associations need to think carefully about preparing their petition but added that the Privy Council will assist associations prior to application and will give free informal advice. Any chartered body can give chartered titles to their members but this needs to be made clear to the Privy Council in the application, added Galloway. A chartered title is equivalent to a professional qualification so is referred to the DIUS (Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills) and members are expected to have at least a first degree level qualification. However, a precedent was set by the Institute of Directors (IoD), where non-graduates can achieve chartered director status. Simon Bull (Head of Chartered Director, Institute of Directors) offered an inside perspective into achieving chartered designation. Bull noted that associations should think seriously about why they want to do this before going on to explain how their Chartered Director programme works. Of the IoD’s 50,000 members, only 675 currently hold the CDir designation since its launch in 1999, though this number is increasing. Bull remarked that it is important not to underestimate the amount of effort and resource needed to implement a chartered designation programme. He went on to explain that the IoD initially received objections for the programme but has now received backing from major investors and is now running joint ventures with other institutions. Bull recommends a code of conduct for the integrity of the qualification. “A number of people join boards not understanding what governance is and what it involves” suggested Rhona Howarth from Governance Works. She explained that governance involves focus on purpose, setting and upholding values, taking responsibility and accountability. “There is a general demand for better governance from all quarters”. Governance is essential for effective management and delivery and numerous codes and principles have been brought into place including chartered status. Howarth went on to say that “a code is a set of principles that must be important to you and an association should think carefully about whether a code of governance is needed”. She explained that codes embed these principles and values into practices. Above all, it is important to review governing documents, governance policies and practise before adopting a code, to make sure they are fit for purpose. “Things do go out of date” reminded Howarth.		View presentations made at this event: Successful Governance – Successful Associations IoD and Chartered Director Status Note: These presentations are not refereed publications and IofAM assumes no liability for the information contained within. The opinions expressed are those of the presenting authors and do not necessarily reflect those of IofAM or its representatives.

 

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