# NCVO warns fundraisers that more robust self-regulation is needed

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2002/06/11/ncvo-warns-fundraisers-more-robust-selfregulation-needed/
- Published: 2002-06-11T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Doing good isn’t good enough, was the clear message today for fundraisers at the
2002 Fundraising Forum in London. 
Delivering the keynote speech, Stuart Etherington,
Chief Executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), told
delegates that they may get a warning shot across their bows from the Government
when the PIU reports back to Ministers next month.

Opening the day-long event organised by _Professional Fundraising Magazine_, Mr 
Etherington argued that fundraisers should not assume that their more controversial
methods, such as face-to-face fundraising were not posing any significant threat
to public trust and confidence in the voluntary sector. He said: “the profession
should be less defensive and more open about this still young, but promising, technique.”

However, he added: “It is my belief that we in the sector can and should manage 
these issues ourselves: government regulation is neither necessary and indeed would
be inappropriate. I strongly suspect that the PIU is not minded to make recommendations
to regulate. But I believe that it will fire a shot across our bows¦So we will need
to act quickly to improve management practices and fully develop the self regulatory
framework.”

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Warning against complacency, Etherington said: “Doing good isn’t good enough – not
only do we need to ensure that we have ways to demonstrate the good that we are 
achieving. But we also need to have ways of assuring the public of the ethical practices
we are employing to achieve that good. We are masters of our own destiny. The PIU
may well play the ball firmly back into our court and will expect a decisive reaction
if we are to pre-empt the imposition of regulation. But more importantly we owe 
it to ourselves and our supporters to properly address this issue.”

Aruging for better self-regulation, he listed the various initiatives already in
place or underway which are designed to protect public trust and confidence in the
sector. These included:

 * The Donors’ Rights Charter and Giving with Confidence initiative
 * The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association
 * A project being undertaken by the Voluntary Sector National Training Organisation
   to develop National Occupational Standards in Fundraising
 * A Code of Conduct and ongoing development of Codes of Practice for members of
   the Institute of Fundraising.

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