The Code: Organisational Types
The Code caters for three types of organisations. All organisations should be able to find the type which is most appropriate to them.
- Type A organisations.
- Type B organisations.
- Type C organisations.
Below is a description of each of these three types of organisations. You have to decide which description best matches your organisation. Follow the guideline actions for the type of organisation you believe you are. If you feel that none of these definitions describes your organisation, choose the type that comes the closest and follow the guidelines for that particular type.
Type A organisations
Download the Code for Type A organisations as a PDF.
Checklist for Type A organisations.
These groups are run by volunteers and do not employ staff. The members of the board are therefore responsible for:
- Overseeing the work of the organisation (governance);
- Organising the daily work (management), and;
- Carrying out the work of the organisation (operations).
Many such groups operate on less than €10,000 a year although some may have a larger income. They may or may not have a CHY number. Type A groups are usually not incorporated but some may be required to do so by funders.
All-volunteer groups that are 'limited companies' should strive to meet the governance requirements of 'Type B' organisations (except those actions relating to staff, which clearly do not apply).
Some examples of Type A organisations:
A local community group which organises visits to older people living alone in rural areas;
A bowling club run by volunteers which maintains the bowling league for the area organises two special events per year;
An after-schools / homework club for children from the local school.
Continue to the implementation guidelines for this organisation type.
Type B organisations.
Download the Code for Type B organisations as a PDF.
Checklist for Type B organisations.
These organisations usually employ a small number of staff and many may have a single member of staff. While the most senior (or only) member of staff may have a title such as manager, coordinator or administrator, the people who sit on the board will still have some management and operations responsibilities as well as their governance/oversight role.
Annual income may vary considerably from one organisation to the next in this category and many organisations may receive grants from statutory bodies and/or trusts and foundations. A 'Type B' organisation may tend to be incorporated, and may have a CHY number.
Any organisation in this category entering into service level agreements with Government departments or statutory agencies should aim to meet the governance requirements and actions of 'Type C organisations'.
Some examples of Type B organisations:
A support group for people with a specific medical condition that employs an administrator to respond to information requests, produce a newsletter and maintain the accounts;
A local community centre that employs a coordinator and a number of part-time staff. The coordinator supervises the work of the staff and brings management decisions to the board.
Continue to the implementation guidelines for this organisation type.
Type C organisations.
Download the Code for Type C organisations as a PDF.
Checklist for Type C organisations.
The main characteristics of these organisations is that the people who sit on the board focus solely on their governance/oversight role, delegating management and operational duties to the staff. There is a clear division between the governance role of the board and the management role of staff.
These organisations tend to employ more than ten members of staff and may often have hundreds of staff which in turn, may require a structure based on functional or geographic departments. It is most likely that 'Type C' organisations will be incorporated and may have a CHY number, but this is not always the case.
Some examples of Type C organisations:
A national organisation working with homeless people that employs a CEO, a senior management team and over 100 front-line staff delivering a range of services;
An umbrella group of service providing organisations that employs a CEO with several staff reporting to him/her. Although a small organisation in terms of size, the CEO takes a high level of management responsibility in line with the organisation's strategic plan leaving the board members to focus on governance/oversight.
Continue to the implementation guidelines for this organisation type.
