​Please ensure you have read the special statement about the future of the Governance Code, as published by the Governance Code Working Group in February 2021 and May 2019, prior to reading on further.

How to Use the Code

Below is a step-by-step description of the journey you must take in order to achieve full compliance with the Governance Code.

Please click on the headings below to learn more...
STEP 1 - Read the code
​Read the Code here to satisfy yourself that it will help lead your organisation on a journey to successful compliance.

The Code is in three main parts:
  1. The five principles underpinning the standard and their sub-principles.
  2. The definitions of the different organisational types (see step 2 below).
  3. The list of recommended practices for each of the principles and sub-principles for a particular organisational type).​
STEP 2 - identify your organisation type
​​Identify your Organisational Type from the three categories outlined further down this page and assess what parts of the Code are applicable to your particular organisation.
step 3 - fill in the appropriate checklist

​Fill in the appropriate checklist for your Organisational Type by:

  1. Identifying the recommended practices you think you need to introduce to comply with each principle (you can do this on the Organisations Type page, once you are done reading these Getting Started steps).

  2. Ranking the recommended practices and introduce them in a time-frame that is reasonable for your organisation. (We are aware that introduction of the identified practices and thus, compliance with the Code may take several months or sometimes even longer, depending on the level of change required in the organisation.), and

  3. Work to achieve these practices. (We know that introducing the identified practices and achieving compliance with the Code may take several months or perhaps longer. This will depend on the level of change required in your organisation.)

If your board believes that the organisation complies with the Governance Code, and has made a decision about this that is minuted at a board meeting, then go to Step 5. ​​
step 4 - complete the forms
  • Complete Form 2 (Public Statement of Compliance) in Appendix 1 of the Governance Code composite document. If relevant, please also complete Form 3 (Explanations Form) in Appendix 1.

    ​At this point, your organisation is considered compliant for three years from the date of the board meeting at which you declared yourself compliant. This is the date that you put on your ‘Public Statement of Compliance.’ ​
step 5 - public statement of compliance
You may now display the Public Statement of Compliance (together with the Explanations Form, if relevant) publicly, for example on your office wall, in your newsletter or annual report, and/or on your website.

State in your public materials:
“We confirm that our organisation complies with The Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charitable Sector in Ireland”.
step 6 - ongoing self assessment
Each year you should self-assess your practices against those recommended in this Code, to ensure that you are still compliant.  This review should be done by, or approved by, the Board.