CharityComms AGM 2015Welcome: Vicky Browning, director

Agenda

1) Review of activities 2014-152) Approval of annual report and accounts3) Recent and future activity4) Election of trustees5) AOB

Our vision

Our vision is for effective and inspiring communications to be at the heart of every charity’s work for a better world. 

Our purpose

We improve the standard of communications and champion its role in the sector. We represent, support, inspire, connect and inform our members and the wider charity communications community.

Our 10-year goals for the sector

1) Communications will be recognised across the sector as an integral part of the effectiveness of charities2) The top 500 charities will have SMT/senior board representation from communications (ie an equal voice at the top table)3) More and better resources will be available to help charity communicators improve their skills and the impact of their work4) The planning and delivery of charities’ communications will take place in the context of an integrated brand and organisational framework

Key achievements 2014-15: financialIncome: £434,683 (2013-14: £356,660)

Expenditure: £380,158 (2013-14: £329,146)

Balance of funds at year end: £107,140 (2013-14: £52,615)

Cash in bank at year end: £246,914

Key achievements 2014-15: membership• We now have 506 organisational (whole charity)

members, and a renewal rate of 95%• We have 298 individual members• Corporate partners grew from 49 to 67 • We matched 82 people through our peer

support scheme

“For me, being a member of CharityComms is as vital as having a mobile phone – and cheaper!”Fiona Furman, media manager, Toybox

Key achievements 2014-15: events• We ran 39 events across the year• 2,111 charity communications professionals attended• 94% of event attendees rated our events as excellent or good (up

from 88% last year)

“Informative, inspiring, reassuring – a really great event and a positive response to helping us meet one of the most common sector challenges we face.”Lisa Day, head of marketing and communications planning, Diabetes UK

Key achievements 2014-15: AskCharity1,210 requests for information were sent to AskCharity registered charities

“The AskCharity answer service is one of a kind. Within minutes of each request I have received responses from helpful PR teams who have provided inspiring, unique and informative case studies. By working together we have helped to promote and raise awareness for many, many different causes.”Shannon Kyle, freelance journalist

Key achievements 2014-15: content• We posted 94 original articles on our website• We produced five Best Practice Guides and reports:

o Working with agencies: how to be a smart client

o HQ and beyond: communicating effectively with groups, branches and regions

o Team talk: analysis of charity communications team structures

o Marketing and communications salary surveyo One voice: a Best Practice Guide to integrated

communications

Key achievements 2014-15: Inspiring Communicator AwardsRecognising inspirational communicators in the charity sector, our second Inspiring Communicator Awards celebrated 11 worthy winners from across the range of communications specialisms

Here’s who makes the magic happen

Our impact on peopleBeing a member of CharityComms makes me feel less alone in my role. It has helped me communicate with our network better and, as a result, is increasing my organisation’s impact.”Kat Lloyd, project and communications officer, Population and Sustainability Network

Through my CharityComms mentor, I have been able to present people at my charity with evidence about the importance of digital. By doing this, we are able to make sure we are there for vulnerable children and young people across all channels.”Shaf Mansour, head of digital content and communities, Barnardo’s

CharityComms’ conferences are opportunities to take time out of your daily routine to look at things from a different perspective and identify steps you can take to make things just that bit better.”Ruth Richards, head of communications and marketing, Mind

Some great feedback from candidates in our recruitment process: when asked how they inspire themselves and network, the answer has consistently been CharityComms events.”Vicki Hearn, senior content planning manager, Save the Children

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Motion proposed to approve the annual report and accounts for financial year 2014-15

© aemde/Flickr

Motion proposed by: Matt Collins, managing director, Platypus DigitalSeconded by: Kirsty Marrins, content and community manager, JustGivingThe motion was carried unanimously

Activity for 2015-16 includes:

• Updating our CRM system to ensure we continue to deliver a high level of service to members

• Investigating ways to web-stream events to members• Developing a ‘stepping into comms leadership’ programme• Creating a freelance directory linked to individual membership• Investigating the comms needs of small charities and reviewing our

offer to this section of our community• Expanding the scope and reach of our Digital Benchmark• Exploring opportunities for raising the profile of comms with CEOs

and trustees• Lots more great content and events: www.charitycomms.org.uk

Understanding Charities Group

CharityComms is playing a leading role in the Understanding Charities Group, a cross-sector coalition aiming to increase the public’s understanding of how modern charities work while maintaining levels of trust, confidence and support

Email vicky@charitycomms.org.uk to get email updates on our progress

Board of trustees

Thanks and farewell:

Carolan Davidge

Peter Gilheany

Keith Bradbrook

Board of trustees

Trustees for 2015-16:

John Grounds (chair)Gail Scott-Spicer (vice chair)Louisa Dallmeyer (treasurer)Lara BurnsKatherine HallDonna HollandSeamus O’FarrellSteve PalmerVictoria ShooterAdeela Warley

Motion proposed to approve the appointment of the trustees

© aemde/Flickr

Motion proposed by: Sarah Johnson, director of policy and communications, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)Seconded by: Jacqueline Grogan, communications officer, Disability Federation of IrelandThe motion was carried unanimously

Any other business?

Thank you for coming!