Guiding principles for fundraising

As a charity seeking donations from the public, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) aims to comply with the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on Fundraising from the Public.

Our pledge is to treat all our donors with respect, honesty and openness.

We commit to being accountable and transparent so that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in RCSI.

We promise we will effectively apply your gifts to us for their intended purposes. We commit that you, our donors and prospective donors will:

• Be informed of RCSI’s mission, and of the way RCSI intends to use donated resources.
• Be informed of the identity of those serving on RCSI’s governing board (Council) and that the board will exercise prudent judgement in its stewardship responsibilities.
• Have access to RCSI’s most recent financial statements.
• Be assured your gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
• Receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
• Be assured that information about your donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the full extent provided by law.
• Expect that all relationships with individuals representing RCSI will be dealt with professionally.
• Be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of RCSI or hired third party agents.

RCSI is committed to ensuring that all our communications and dealings with the general public and our supporters are of the highest possible standard. We listen and respond to the views of the general public and our supporters so that we can continue to improve our engagement. All matters of suspected illegality should be addressed immediately to An Garda Siochána, and/or the Charities Regulator.

RCSI welcomes both positive and negative feedback. Therefore we aim to ensure that:

• It is as easy as possible to make a complaint.
• We treat as a complaint any clear expression of dissatisfaction with our operations which calls for a response.
• We treat it seriously whether it is made by telephone, letter, email or in person.
• We deal with it quickly and politely.
• We respond accordingly – for example, with an explanation, or an apology where we have got things wrong, and information on any action taken etc.
• We learn from complaints, use them to improve, and monitor them. 

What happens next?

If you complain in person or over the phone, we will try to resolve the issue there and then. Similarly, if you complain by email or in writing we will always acknowledge your complaint within seven days, and do everything we can to resolve it within 21 days. If this is not possible, we will explain why and provide a new deadline.

What if the complaint is not resolved?

Ideally in the first instance you should address your complaint to RCSI as outlined above. You may however at any stage make your complaint to the Charities Regulator who oversee charities compliance with the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on Fundraising from the Public.