Greetings!

A riveting speech at Charity Finance Live this week provided some sobering food for thought about the efficacy of boards in the UK and elsewhere - in the private sector, voluntary sector and in government. Meanwhile the National Audit Office is conducting a survey to ascertain the true level of fraud within the sector.

Blackman-Woods named sector shadow minister

Nearly half of UK board members are too scared to speak up, says new research


Nearly half of UK board members are too inhibited to address issues deemed 'too sensitive' in board meetings, according to research on global board best practice from Andrew Kakabadse, professor of international management development at the Cranfield School of Management.

Survey attempts to uncover true extent of charity fraud


The National Fraud Authority is running a survey of 10,000 charities to try to improve understanding of the scale of fraud in the charity sector.

Sector expresses 'utmost disappointment' to Home Secretary following closure of Women's National Commission


Navca and other sector bodies have written to Home Secretary Theresa May requesting to know how the government will ensure gender equality would be protected following the axing of the Women's National Commission.

GuideStar Data Services falls into administration


GuideStar Data Services CIC has been placed into administration seven months after it was assimilated into the Directory of Social Change.

Community group issues call to arms for Big Society integration

The Community Foundation for Merseyside has released a call to arms report, strongly urging that civil society organisations work together to develop a sustainable "21st century model" to plan out the future of the charity sector.

Young Scottish people trust charity sector less compared with a year ago


Public trust and confidence in the Scottish charity sector has risen for over 35s, but declined amongst younger age groups, according to a new survey on public and charity perspectives from OSCR.

Nick Hurd visits Hertfordshire to 'see Big Society in action'


Minister for civil society Nick Hurd visited community groups in Hertfordshire yesterday to "find out about the challenges they face".

Big Society...Simples!

Big Society blogger Gordon Hunter asks whether the Big Society agenda is just too simple to implement.