Response to Chartered Institute of Fundraising report 26th August 2021

I welcome the trustees’ conclusion in this report that an independent review must be commissioned considering what has finally been listened-to this year. I call on them to remove any involvement by trustees, members of sub-committees of the Board, groups, volunteers or Staff in both the drawing up of terms of reference, or in choosing who will undertake the review.?

I have lost the final shreds of faith in anyone involved in the leadership of CIoF through this process and here is why:

I draw your attention to the section of the report titled A timeline of the allegations and complaints raised during the investigation (roughly half way), the 2nd bullet named September 2019, which says “this was not recognised or treated a separate complaint.”

This is my complaint, made in 2021, which is both against both a Fellow and against CIoF staff who knew about the actions of this Fellow and failed to act, repeatedly, over a number of years. I made this complaint to the “independent” and expert agent appointed by CIoF leadership and overseen by its trustees. I made the complaint “formally.” I did everything I was told was necessary for a complaint to be acted upon.

Trying to make out that my words did not constitute a complaint is gaslighting. But more, it removes the defence that these matters are “merely” historic. Ignoring my FORMAL, WRITTEN, OFFICIALLY GIVEN complaint in 2021 means that current leadership – paid and voluntary – are as culpable as those who have already left the organisation and must be held to account.

When the statement was made of “no wrongdoing” by the former Chief Executive in May 2021, I spoke to the trustee who in charge of these matters at the time, (who is still a trustee) and I explained about my broader complaint. I was assured that this would be dealt with in the conclusion to the sexual harassment complaint.

This has turned out not to be true – my comments were noted rather than my words being acted on as a complaint. I have been let down yet again by the CIoF, its leadership and the agents it has commissioned to provide its services.

My testimony will, I am assured, be included in the independent review but that brings the focus rightly, onto that review. The setting of the terms of reference is crucial, as is the commissioning of the reviewer.

The current CIOF leadership – and I include trustees and volunteers in sub-committees and Groups – cannot be involved as they cannot be trusted to draw up the right terms of reference nor to hire adequately as has been proven this year.

Moving past the failure against me, the statement lacks any tangibility to allow members to hold their professional body’s leadership to account. “As soon as possible” is not enough. I am concerned about a lack of capacity within the organisation, both at a trustee and staff level. In early July, the newly-appointed interim Chair promised round tables over the Summer so that members could be heard. On 1st September most people will be heading into the Autumn and just five days of “summer” remain… with no dates yet been set to hear from members.

Ultimately, success for me is a functioning and credible membership organisation that is relevant to more fundraisers than has ever historically been the case, one in which I can once again be proud.

Oh, and closure on this ordeal.