Article Review: Charity and Voluntary Sector Governance Analysis

This report critically reviews two articles focusing on charity governance within the voluntary sector. The first article explores the roles of trustees, emphasizing the importance of efficient work and access to information for decision-making, while also acknowledging the role of faith and hope. The second article examines good governance codes, highlighting their significance in promoting transparency and accountability within voluntary organizations, and the flexibility in applying these codes based on organizational size and activity. The review critiques both articles, pointing out the lack of statistical data to support claims and suggesting a more comprehensive discussion of potential negative outcomes, such as the misuse of trust and the challenges posed by unforeseen circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic. The report concludes by referencing the articles and other relevant sources.

Article Review

Contents
Critique the articles:.........................................................................................................................3
Critique summary:...........................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

Critique the articles:
The two articles, that are specifically being taken into consideration are: Hope and faith
don’t run charities (trustees do) (2020) and the other one is good governance a code for the
voluntary and community sector (2020), where if it is critically analysed and thought of first
article then it can be said that just hoping for something good and carrying a hope for the best for
everyone is something that may not work while running a charity. It is much needed for trustees
and board to consider and ensure that they work efficiently, and also receive the information as
well, which would aid them in taking right decisions. However, based on my opinion the
statement of this article is somewhere right as well as in some situations it is wrong. It is said
because, until and unless an individual is not having faith to do something for others or to have
hope to improve standards of living, then he/she being a trustee will not perform any sort of
charity related activities. Therefore, it is must for an individual to carry faith as well in order to
develop a particular charity a fruitful one (Faith and hope don’t run charities (trustees do),
2012).
On the other hand, in relation with the other article, it can be said that good governance is
a code for the voluntary and community sector, which is rightly said as good governance means
following the principles and codes that make the best use of resources and are also good for the
society. By following the codes, the trustees have all the information in a transparent manner and
if required they can show that. If the organization follows the codes then the stall, service users
and members will have clarity of information and will work accordingly which will help in
achieving the goals. The principles are relevant to different sizes and type of voluntary and
community organization, so it may vary where and how you use the principles and apply them
according to the situation. The code complies the legal requirements, it is better to work with
these codes. As all the codes can't be applied to every organization, they try to fulfill the codes
that are suitable for them, as these voluntary and community organizations vary in activity and
size. The codes are used to reward and support the board for their work (A Code for the
Voluntary and Community Sector, 2005).
As it is not mandatory to fulfill these codes but it’s good to follow them and if you have
used the code, mention the same in annual report which will work as evidence also if there would
be any requirements. Smaller organizations are basically said to focus on principles of these
codes and not to go in more details (Andrew, 2014). So by following these codes voluntary and

community sector would be able to work in a transparent way, and also it is not necessary to
fulfill all of them so they can use code according to the situation.
Critique summary:
Both the articles are well written, but if we talk about authenticity it requires use of
statistical figures. Here in these articles there is no use of numeric data which should have been
there to improve the reliability to the facts. It is believed that a supporting evidence is necessary
after stating things so the use of facts and figures in terms of numbers would have helped to
understand better. The article was talking about faith and hope on trustees wherever there are so
many situations when this trust is taken advantage of, they can use the money the amount of
charity for their personal use and manipulate the books or even can use the amount and don't
even show that so the article should also talk about the negative side also.
As all the situations can turn into two phases positive and even negative, so there are also
chances that the trustees break the trust and take undue advantage of the faith shown in them.
The next articles were about codes to be followed for good governance which is rightly said but
it is not possible that the situation of organization is that they can follow the code. As we have
recently seen the case of COVID-19, where the business was shut down like anything else, so
following the principles in every situation is not possible. There are uncertainties that may arise
and all these principles can't help at that time. So the article must have thrown light on such
situations also.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
A Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector. 2005. [Online]. Available through:
<https://ecgi.global/download/file/fid/9534>.
Faith and hope don’t run charities (trustees do). 2012. [Online]. Available through:
<https://wcva.cymru/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/WCVA-Faith-and-Hope-Dont-Run-
Charities.pdf>.