Setting Up and Running a Group

Every community organisation has a governing body known as a Management Committee.  The Committee's job is basically to ensure that the group does what it was set up to do; has enough money and does not go into debt and is well-run.

A Management Committee usually comprises:

• A Chair
• A Secretary
• A Treasurer

Charity Trustees: What's Involved

A constitution is the aims and rules that your group will use.  It will include information on your Members and the Management Committee.  It will include details of your Annual General Meeting (AGM) and any other meetings.  It will also include rules of procedure and information on controlling finances.  Finally, it will include how you make changes to the constitution and details around dissolution.

Model Governing Documents

You may need a number of policies depending on what service and activities you are running, but it is vital you at least have the following:

• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Health & Safety Policy
• Safeguarding Policy

Once you become a member of Communities 1st you will gain access to several model policies that you can tailor to your needs.

A group may wish to open a charity bank account.  It is always worth shopping around for the best advice on this.

Public Liability Insurance is needed for small groups to cover all group activities and should be regularly updated to include new ones.  There are various types of cover available.

We can give you advice around finances or we can signpost you to an organisation that can help. We also provide book keeping.

Fundraising is vital to keep your group sustainable and allow you to deliver your service. 

To apply for funding from grantmakers such as the Lottery, you will need to write funding applications.  Writing a funding application can be time-consuming and testing, but there is lots of advice out there should you need it.  A funding application may need to include job descriptions for project employees and a copy of your recent accounts.

We can give you advice around fundraising and bid and tender writing.

You can also sign up to our Members Monday monthly eNewsletter for regular updates on funding opportunities.

Some paid staff and volunteers working with vulnerable children and adults may need DBS checks, click here for more information.

Communities 1st also carry out DBS checks. Click here for more information.

In the early stages, you may wish to develop a logo and a brand around your group name. 

You can produce leaflets and flyers telling people about your service and could attend local networking events to promote your group and make new connections.

We can give you advice around logo development, brand awareness and graphic design.

An email address is an essential point of communication for any new group.

If you wish to you can develop a website (there are lots of free website templates available) and create social media accounts such as a Facebook page or a Twitter page to get you an online presence.

We can give you advice around web design and hosting.

By becoming a member, you can approach Communities 1st about putting your information on our website, and have information added to our newsletters, as well as access networks and forums helping you to make connections with like-minded groups.