ACFID CODE OF CONDUCT
Changes to the Code Effective Jan 2015
Overview
• What are the proposed
changes?
• Why the changes?
• Wording….
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Changes to the Code - Outline
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Changes to the Code - Outline
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Preamble – proposed insertion
The CCC and
ExCom have taken
the view that Code
compliance
requires
organisations to
not only have
these policies and
procedures in
place but also to
implement them
appropriately.
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CODE
A.PREAMBLE
Structure
The Code sets out standards in the three areas of accountability:
Program Principles – including Obligations for effectiveness in aid and
development activities, human rights and working with partner agencies.
Public engagement – including Obligations on the signatory organisation
to be ethical and transparent in marketing, fundraising and reporting.
Organisation – including Obligations for governance, management,
financial controls, treatment of staff and volunteers, complaints handling
processes and compliance with legal requirements.
Each Principle is a statement of intent that links to the values framed in the
Preamble. The specific requirements of signatory organisations are set out
in the numbered obligations. If a principle or obligation refers to a specific
document – e.g. a complaints policy - then Code compliance requires
Code signatory organisations to both have the document in place and to
implement its provisions effectively.
D.6.2 Accessibility & awareness – proposed
deletion
An
organisation’s
complaints
handling
process must
be able to deal
with complaints
related to all of
its obligations
as outlined in
the Code.
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CODE
Signatory organisations will seek to
ensure that their feedback and
complaints handling processes
about their aid and development
activities conducted in Australia and
overseas, are effective, safe,
confidential and accessible to all
stakeholders, irrespective of their
gender, status or background and
without prejudice to their future
participation.
D.5.1.4 – Human Resources – proposed deletion
“informed” by –
rather than
compliant with –
the People in Aid
Code. The PIA
Code is both
difficult to observe
and to hold
agencies to
account against.
More appropriately
set in
Implementation
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Guidance.
CODE
Signatory organisations will
protect the human rights and
safety of personnel, including
paid and volunteer staff, working
in Australia or overseas.
• Obligation4 - Policies and
procedures relating to staff
and volunteers based both
inside and outside Australia will
be informed by the People in
Aid Code of Good Practice in
the Management and Support
of Aid Personnel.
Definitions - addition
B.1.5 refers to a
definition of non-aid
and development
activity but no
definitions are
provided under that
heading. Propose
adding a definition
which draws on
existing definitions of
relevant activities.
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• Added definition
Non-aid and development activity
– includes activity undertaken to
promote a particular religious
adherence or to support a particular
party, candidate or organisation
affiliated to a political party.
Changes to reflect updated processes
• E.2.1 – Application to become a signatory
• E.2.3 – Annual Reporting
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E.2.1 – Application to become a signatory Consistent
with changes
made to
Membership
Application
process in
July 2013
CODE
Organisations wanting to become a
signatory to the Code of Conduct must
complete the application process as
determined by the Code of Conduct
Committee and must be fully compliant with
the Code before being granted Code
signatory status.
Organisations that are only partially
compliant with all of the Code’s Principles
and Obligations will be given Provisional
Code Signatory Status.
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E.2.1 – Obligations– proposed changes
1. On application to become a signatory, an organisation will
complete the Compliance Self Assessment Process, which
details organisational documentation that supports
compliance with the Code Principles and Obligations.
2. On application, the organisation will provide the Code of
Conduct Committee with copies of the relevant documents
that demonstrate compliance with the Principles and
Obligations in the Code, as described in the ACFID
Membership Application Guidelines.
3. Organisations must complete their application process
within 12 months of lodging their initial application.
4. Organisations are not able to use the Code of Conduct until
they have full signatory status entitled to use the ACFID
Member logo when advised of this from the Code
secretariat.
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E.2.3 Annual reporting
Consistent
with changes
made to
Annual
Reporting
Assessment
process
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Signatory organisations will provide
copies of their annual reports and
financial statements to the Code of
Conduct Committee.
• Obligation: 1- Within 5 months of the
end of a signatory organisation’s
financial reporting period, it will lodge
with the Code of Conduct
Committee: a copy of its annual
report and; a copy of its annual full
financial statements (if not included in
the annual report) and the prescribed
ACFID lodgement form).
Removal of examples
• C.3.1 – Legal Obligations
• D.3.1 – Governing Instrument
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Removal of examples
C.3.1 – Legal Obligations
D.3.1 – Governing
Instrument
Signatory organisations are
encouraged to be aware of and
comply with the Fundraising
Institute of Australia’s Code of
Ethics and Professional Conduct
and their standards for the type
of fundraising activity
undertaken (eg. Telemarketing,
direct mail, electronic, events,
face-to-face, grands and
workplace giving).
1h. The strategic control (e.g.
Approving business plan,
appointing the CEO) of the
governing body;
1i. The financial control (e.g.
approving budgets, receiving
audited financial accounts and
appoint the auditor) of the
governing body;
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Any Questions?
• Changes will come into force in January 2015.
• If you have any questions or concerns please email or
talk to our Code of Conduct Coordinator Sarah Burrows.
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