Tearfund Partner Organisational Assessment Governance
This checklist covers some fundamental aspects of generally accepted good practice in the
governance of not-for-profit organisations and its purpose is to inform Partners of Tearfund’s
expectations and to identify areas where Tearfund may be able to offer advice or support.
Please answer each item by ticking the box ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and make any comment where you feel a
simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ does not adequately describe your situation. Answering ‘No’ to any of the
statements will not prevent your project being funded but will inform Tearfund about the appropriate
level of monitoring and support for your organisation. For some organisations a ‘No’ answer to
certain statements will not necessarily indicate an area of weakness .
Name of Organisation:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Yes
No
Comment
Yes
No
Comment
Yes
No
Comment
External Accountability
The Governing Body is appointed by, and responsible
to, a wider membership
The organisation submits annual returns/accounts to
its governmental regulating body
Members of the governing body are legally liable for
the actions of the organisation
The organisation has a written constitution/trust deed
specifying its purpose and governance structure
The constitution/trust deed has been
reviewed/updated within the last seven years
Board Regulation
The Board has a written set of rules and procedures
The Board members roles and functions are clearly
defined
and explained to new members
The Board members have a supervisory role and
delegate management functions to the employed staff
Board members are not paid and are not allowed to
benefit financially from their position
The Board has a procedure for identifying and
managing members’ conflicts of interest
Board members are appointed for fixed terms and
subject to a maximum term of service
At least 2/3 of Board members have been in office for
more than three years
Board members are selected for relevant skills and
experience needed for supervision of the organisation
Board Meetings
The Board meets on a regular basis, at least three
times per annum
All Board members attend at least 50% of meetings
The agenda is set by the Chairman in cooperation with
the Chief Executive Officer/General Secretary
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Form 3.D (Ver 2.1)
17
All proceedings are properly recorded in a minute book
Yes
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
No
Comment
Board Operation
The Board is involved in the development of the
strategic plans for the organisation
The Board approves a financial budget each year for
the administration of the organisation
The Board receives and reviews activity reports
against plan, at least twice each year
The Board receives and reviews financial reports
against budget, at least twice each year
The Board appoints an independent auditor to report
on the annual Financial Statements
The Board sets policies over the use of resources and
the management of personnel
The Board has access to information on activities other
than through the senior management
The Board provides the CEO with a clear job
description and limitations on his authority
The Board regularly reviews the performance of the
CEO
Please use a separate sheet if there is insufficient space for your comments
The information presented in this checklist is, to the best of my knowledge, complete
and accurate.
Completed by:
Position:
Signed:
16/02/10
Date:
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Form 3.D (Ver 2.1)