Greetings!

A theme of collaboration has arisen this week with the Charity Commission consulting on its future services, Hind calling for sector bodies to help each other out and Richard Gutch's appointment to oversee the merger of three sector organisations. But Gordon Hunter sounds a warning that in working closer with the government we may be losing touch with our charity roots.

Charity Commission to consult on which services it should deliver

Hind denounces sector's 'survival of the fittest' mindset


Charities must resist the urge to compete - for funds, donors and contracts - and focus instead on how they can share information and help each other out, former Charity Commission chief Andrew Hind said last night.

Gutch to spearhead merger of three disability charities


Richard Gutch has been appointed part-time interim chief executive of the Disability Alliance to drive through its merger with Radar and the National Centre for Independent Living.

NCVO group to assess whether regulation on charity fraud is proportionate


NCVO has set up a new group to review whether fraud prevention measures are fair and effective for charities.

Nesta to trial local action programmes to inform Big Society agenda


The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts will pilot programmes to test community organisation for the Big Society agenda.

Reviews of vetting and barring and CRB schemes get under way

The government has begun its review of the controversial vetting and barring scheme, and also confirmed it is to review the criminal records regime at the same time.

Systematically improving governance

Gri Harrison, national chair of the National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies, describes how her charity made its board more effective.

How to resign from a board successfully

At some point you may resign from a non-profit board before  your term is up. You might be angry, disappointed, or just  too busy. Don't botch your resignation: do it right, says Jan Masaoka.

Big Brother or Big Society?

Gordon Hunter wonders, whatever happened to charity now that it has been engulfed by the state?

At last...a women's network for the sector!

Regular blogger Rowena Lewis gives her thoughts on a new network for women working in the charity sector.