Charity 1: School PTA
The Parent Teachers Association in focus is a charitable school organization in a primary school. It is made up of volunteers who consist of parents, guardians, alumni and teachers who come together to generate resources for school programs, events or the acquisition of resources that are not included or planned for in the school budget. The PTA’s committee is made up of five executive members and other volunteers selected during the School’s Annual General Meeting held every September. The Executive position on the PTA Board include; the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and the Vice Treasurer. The application for the membership is open and voluntary as it is all inclusive of parents who have children within the school.
The PTA goes an extra mile to support the teachers by raising funds that enhance the development of learning within the institution. Currently, the PTA has no strategic plan but works within a basic framework scheduled over the annual school calendar. The PTA maximizes on the major events and ceremonies on the calendar to generate funds particularly by organizing charity drives during Christmas night, Silver night, bingo nights and other adult based nights. Most of the events normally occur within the confines of the school compound. However, the board meetings are usually conducted from the members houses. They are guided by general agreement to better the school and make it a better learning environment for the sake of their children and those of the generations to come.
In regards to their financial records, the PTA does not follow the strict financial reporting structures. However, the expenses and revenues are recorded with the treasurer while source documents are safely deposited with the PTA’s treasurer who stores them safely in her home. Currently, the PTA has an institution type bank account that occurs under the name of the school. The transaction processes are initiated by the chair and two other signatories are needed to transact through the checkbook. The treasurer maintains the petty cash book with regular checks to see whether the accounts balance or to verify whether the cash held balances. The PTA does not receive any funding from the government or grants from governmental agencies hence it depends entirely on raising resources from its seasonal drives.
The PTA does not have rigid rules and regulations that undermine the school’s authority but have a representative say in the decisions made by the school management. The events held in school also are not heavily restricted since during the events parents are present to supervise their children as well as the events. Great trust is accorded to the PTA Board who readily develop strategies to meet their set targets in realizing their objectives of supporting the school and the teaching body to ensure quality education is given to their children. The PTA has in the last four years made an attempt to get registered as a recognized organization but fails since in its deliberations quorums during the AGM are not reached hence it cannot be actualized this is by far the biggest challenge faced by the PTA. The financial controls in place necessitate that the treasurer and the vice treasurer account for the monies spent during given periods of time which is a way to promote transparency and accountability for the financial resources generated and used by the PTA in its activities as well as in supporting the school. The PTA is at risk of experiencing cases of financial loss in the event of a malicious treasurer. Moreover, the accountability of funds may be less transparent and likely diversion of funds may be experienced. In addition, the PTA may run at risk of running at risk of operating without funds if they fail to receive sufficient funds from the various drives they conduct.
Charity 2: Age Concern Morgannwg Connect.
Age Concern Morgannwg is limited company by guarantee registered as a charity company and set up under the Age Concern International umbrella which manages a group of charity organizations. The company was established between the 2008-2009 financial year with the intention of giving and being a voice for the elderly within the society. It operates in the County Boroughs of Rhondda Cynon Taff, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil. The company pays a total of £2465 to the Age Concern International as a membership fee to enable them operates. The organization purposes to provide confidential information services to the elderly in matters related to their social service benefits and it enable elderly members to gain access to their social funds.
Additionally, the company conducts an outreach program that offers specialized support for members within their homes as well as reaching out especially by settling their hospital bills and coordinating burial arrangements for deceased members. Moreover, through the panel of experts they offer independent advocacy in matters regarding their members by acting as an intermediary between their members and other social institutions. They give money management advices as well as lobby the local authorities in matters such as traffic rights and zebra crossing observance to ensure that their members are well facilitated to access the social amenities at their convenience. In addition, the organization publishes a newspaper that it distributes for general readership as well as it acts as a source of income to the company.
Importantly, the company lobbies elected representatives on behalf of the interest of their members to ensure that their representation needs are meet and addressed amicably. Currently, Age Concern Morgannwg operates under a board of 7 experts. The staff body is made up of 5 staff members 3 of who are fulltime employs and 2 are support members alongside a group of 30 to 40-part time staff and other volunteers. The company has established strategic plan that outlines the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the company. The strategic plan guides the management in aligning its management goals and objectives that will see the attainment of better services to members who have subscribed for their services. The CEO, Racheal also is pointed out as an expert with great experience in social services articulation which confirms that the company has the proper leadership to enable it achieve its set targets.
In regards to its finances, the company operates and reports its finances under the acceptable International financial reporting standards. These financial records are regularly audited by internal auditors within the organization as well as by external auditors with whom the organization has entered contract agreements with. The company holds and operates three active bank accounts that are accessed under signatories supported by the company’s constitution. In addition, most of the finance related activities are undertaken as electronic transactions to limit loss and ensure high levels of transparency and accountability. Moreover, the company finances are conducted under set out procedures such as payroll administration, petty cash use among other procedures. All financial transactions are well documented and authorized under the leadership and reporting structure of the organization and counter checked monthly to ensure that they are flawless. The company raises its operational income from grants and donations from well-wishers who constitute of individuals, corporates, sponsored athletes who participate in marathons as well as funds from deceased members. Strict observance of audited reports is emphasized and reported in their monthly reports. The company has a running viable insurance plan to protect and safeguard its finances and properties. It maintains a high level of good reputation standards by working under structured rules and regulations and in the observance of its members’ needs. The company has very minimal risks of financial constraints since expert professionals trained in accounting handle the book keeping for the business. Additionally, financial risks are very minimal as the periodic audits are conducted to evaluate the funds spent, raised or banked.
