1. Setting up a group REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401

2. What do you need to begin? People to form committee Members To decide on a structure Governing Document Policies Bank account REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401

3. Your committee The 3 basic roles you need for your committee are: Chair Secretary Treasurer REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401

4. Pros of unincorporated organisation Quickest, cheapest and easiest to set up A democratic structure Constitution allows you to decide the rules by which your organisation will be run No reporting responsibility as long as your income doesn’t exceed £5,0000 REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401

5. Pros of unincorporated organisation Gives the structure needed to apply for funding No need to submit accounts Group can decide criteria for membership and you aren't even required to keep a list unless you have a paid membership REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401

6. Cons of unincorporated organisation Has no separate legal existence which means: You cannot own property You cannot employ staff You cannot enter into contracts Trustees are individually liable for the organisations obligations and debts. REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401

7. Governing Document The governing document for an unincorporated organisation is called a constitution Your constitution is the set of rules by which you will run your organisation, which must be agreed by all your committee members. REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401

8. Policies Your policies are a set of rules about how your group will act in specific situations. The basics you should begin with are: Equality and Diversity Safeguarding vulnerable adults and or young people REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401

9. First meeting Once you have gathered together your people and documents you are ready to hold your first meeting. At this meeting your committee must agree and sign off your constitution and policies You are now an unincorporated organisation…… REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401

10. Opening a bank account Most banks will require the following: A copy of your governing document Signatories who will have access to the account Minutes of your first meeting Names of the people associated with the organisation A form signed by the appropriate people REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401

11. Opening a bank account Compare the charges made by different banks Note any restrictions on the account Banks and building societies need to check that your signatories are who they say they are so they will be required to provide proof of address and signature documents accepted will vary Some banks may not accept related signatories or those living at the same address REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401

12. Support for your group Wherever you are setting up there will be an infrastructure organisation who can give you advice and support to set up develop and run your group. NAVCA membership directory: http://data.navca.org.uk/members/directory REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1092047 ▪ COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO: 4279401