Concern Worldwide - Governance

Governance

Concern is controlled and regulated by its members who have responsibility for the Articles of Association, election of the Council, appointment of the auditors and approval of accounts. The Council of Concern is elected from membership at each AGM. The maximum number on the Council is 24 and one third must step down every year. The Council main role is to agree the policy parameters for the organisation and they meet at least 4 times per year. The Council is accountable to the relevant government Minister to ensure that the Companies Act is adhered to. They are also accountable to the general public to ensure that donations are put to an appropriate use. Concern is the first Irish Charity to receive certification from the Geneva based organisation Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP) which works to make humanitarian work more accountable and transparent through self-regulation, compliance verification and quality assurance certification. Concern is a member of the Irish Charities and Tax Research Reform Group which has developed a new code of practice aimed at boosting transparency and bolstering public confidence in the Irish charity sector. Concern Worldwide’s annual report and accounts won the charity and not-for-profit category in the annual Chartered Accountants Leinster Society awards for published accounts in 2009, 2010 and 2011.