Initial advice centred on explaining the benefits of incorporating the organisation prior to signing a lease.
Following this, help included drawing up appropriate charitable objectives, adapting the model-governing document to incorporate the rules of Bowls England, helping with the committee’s decision making to agree to this change of structure, and completing the register charity application. This included reviewing policies and procedures relevant to the application questions.
The club’s objective is to provide opportunities for participation and healthy recreation for the inhabitants of their local area by providing facilities for playing bowls.
Normally applications to the charity commission take at least 12 weeks. Whereas, this register process was agreed by the charity commission within 7 days.
Their next action is to contact their landlord with the news of their new status, which they hope will lead to an agreement of a long-term lease.
As a previously unincorporated body, they were unable to sign such a lease in the club’s name.
The chairman has quoted:
“Our trustees are of course very appreciative of the limitation of personal liability becoming a CIO also gives them. Our direction and potential development has really been enhanced by becoming a registered charity. VAL’s support along the way has been invaluable, as it will continue to be as we move into uncharted, but exciting, waters.”
They have some preliminary plans for expanding the club’s premises as they continue to grow; early season indications show a 25% increase in membership over the last 2 years. They are hoping their charitable status might help them to review potential sources of part funding.
Club Update
“I am pleased to say the lease arrangement has been working very satisfactorily. The fact that we are a charity and holders of a long lease has made a big difference to our position with regards to grants – we have managed to secure some very useful grants from Sport England and Charnwood Council which has really helped us get through Covid so far. We are in the process of organising Gift Aid on members subscriptions and are actively involving ourselves in “Easyfunding” (via Sport Leicester). Plans for clubhouse development have been a bit on hold due to Covid, but we are beginning to see the light again now and will be reviewing our plans over the next few months.”
For details of the club, click here http://www.quornbowling.co.uk