# Think tank calls for clarity on areas of proposed Code changes

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/04/28/think-tank-calls-clarity-areas-proposed-code-changes/
- Published: 2017-04-28T09:30:48+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Greater clarity on the proposed changes in the Code of Fundraising Practice to
the whistleblowing process, and the area on ensuring a charity’s values are reflected
by the third parties it works with have been called for by fundraising think tank
Rogare.**

 

The [Fundraising Regulator](https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/)’s [consultation on the Code of Fundraising Practice](https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/code-of-fundraising-practice/code-consultation/)
closes today.

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In its consultation response document, [Rogare](https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/plymouth-business-school/centre-for-sustainable-philanthropy/rogare)
says that while most of the changes proposed seem proportionate and sensible, greater
clarity is needed in these two areas.

 

It believes that it should be made very clear that the whistleblowing process should
be to report illegal activity or activity that is not compliant with the Code, and
not to register complaints about a type of fundraising an employee’s charity is 
using.

 

The document states:

 

> ‘We would recommend that guidance on part i) of the new rules states that the 
> whistleblowing process would be for breaches of the code of practice, or any other
> breaches of any other legislation or regulation (such as ASA rules, data protection,
> or fraud). It should be made clear that the whistleblowing process is not available
> to people simply to register their dislike of particular types of fundraising.’

 

In response to the Regulator’s proposed changes regarding ensuring the values of
the organisation are reflected in the policies, performance objectives, indicators
and, where applicable, the incentives of the third party, Rogare says it believes
the Regulator should be policing facts, not values, both from a philosophical perspective
and a practical one.

 

It states that ‘values are nebulous and it will be difficult in practice to decide
whether the values of an organisation are reflected’, and adds:

 

> ‘We do not think it is the role of the regulator to become involved in regulating
> a charity’s values, or how it communicates those values. We think this could lead
> to any regulator exceeding its regulatory remit by imposing its own values about
> how the thing it regulates ought to be done, rather than sticking to the facts
> about how that thing is or isn’t done according to the code.’

 

The consultation opened in February, and is the Fundraising Regulator’s first into
the Code. It has asked for views on:

 

 * Charity trustees
 * The fundraising ask
 * Solicitation (disclosure) statements
 * Raising concerns about fundraising practice (Whistleblowing)
 * People in vulnerable circumstances
 * Charity collection bags
 * Third parties
 * General questions on the Code

 * **[OSCR seeks views on draft fundraising guidance](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/09/28/oscr-seeks-views-draft-fundraising-guidance/)**(
   28 September 2017)
 * **[Shaw Trust launches in-store customer experience rating scheme](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/07/13/shaw-trust-launches-store-customer-experience-rating-scheme/)**(
   13 July 2018)
 * **[Funder Feedback in the Real World](https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/08/18/funder-feedback-real-world/)**(
   18 August 2010)

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