1. Background
1.1 CHERT is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), approved by the Charity Commission in June 2022. The objects and purpose of the Trust are as follows:
- To advance education for the public benefit about the history of the struggle for LGBT+ rights, including but not limited to the origins and history of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality and by contributing to the safe preservation of LGBT+ archives.
- To promote equality and diversity by encouraging a deeper understanding of the causes and progress of changes in public acceptance of LGBT+ rights.
2. Introduction
2.1 CHERT recognises that consistent, effective and appropriate communications – both external and internal – are essential for the charity to achieve its aims, objectives and policies, and fundamental to its credibility. This policy outlines the principles for managing communications
3. Scope
3.1 The aim of the Communications Policy is to reduce the risk to the charity of damaging or ineffective communication, and to ensure that they are aware how communications are best conducted externally and internally, and who has responsibility for which aspects. Trustees should be familiar the policy.
4. General principles
4.1 CHERT fosters a culture which encourages transparency of communication, clarity of style and the sharing of good practice and expertise.
5. Definitions
5.1 External communications include all the messages and information that the charity presents to different audiences, whether directly (through telephone calls, letters, e-mails, newsletters, marketing materials, social media channels, online and press releases) or indirectly through the media and word of mouth. They also include the messages and information given to stakeholders including Trustees, CHErt associates, supporters, those in receipt of grants and contractors.
5.2 Internal communications include all the messages and information (whether verbal or written) shared within the charity, principally between between Trustees and those contracted by CHERT.
6. Statement of Principles
6.1 The objective of the Communications Policy is to help CHERT achieve a better understanding of what it presents to the public to ensure that the charity can undertake its work as efficiently and effectively as possible, and to:
- Improve the clarity with which the values and identity of CHERT are understood, and ensure that all communications are considered carefully.
- Promote transparent and open communication.
- Provide clear and well judged information at the most appropriate level of detail in relation to the needs of the reader or user.
- Allow a greater likelihood of achieving the charity’s aims, objectives and priorities.
- Ensure CHERT presents an effective and purposeful ‘face’ to the world.
- Provide an environment in which Trustees, CHERT Associates, and supporters can locate the information they require.
- Support everyone with the skills to be confident communicators.
7. Principles for managing external communications
7.1 Corporate and marketing communications should be considered as part of the wider perspective in which the charity wishes to:
- Distribute high-quality information about its plans, projects and programmes of activity, ensuring that those who are influential for the future support of the charity (whether from the press, government or in the academic world, or as private or corporate supporters, or as key opinion formers or supporters) are well informed.p>
- Ensure that the visual identity of the charity, as shown through all its print and digital communications, is clear, coherent and expresses the charity’s key values.
- Have a beneficial dialogue with its audiences using research, feedback and social media channels to gain insights, answer queries and deliver key messages about the charity’s work.
8. Production and Approval of external communications
8.1 The CHERT Board must approve and sign off all substantive external communications regarding the organisation ensuring that all communications are accurate, honest and succinct. This can be done though a virtual sign off process by board members. Activities which should be considered and agreed by the CHERT Board include:
- Statements issued on behalf of the board
- Designing, producing and/or distributing communication materials. For example: publicity material, website development, key social media postings, presentations, external publications regarding the organisation
- Liaising with the media and press releases.
- Publicising CHERT and its activities through external communication channels, such as 3rd party publications and websites and though social media.
8.2 All publicity materials and correspondence, including standard letters and templates, must be in line with the GDPR Policy and Data Security Guidelines.
8.3 The CHERT logo should appear on all external communication.
8.4 Social media communications (such as postings on Twitter) will be made through designated Trustees.
9. Principles for managing internal communications
9.1 Internal communications are managed to the charity to ensure that:
- Trustees are informed of the most important information relating to the good management of the charity (for example, beneficiary numbers, volunteer numbers, level of donations, press coverage and results on key performance indicators) on a regular basis.
- Regular exchanges through face-to face or virtual meetings, e mails, and telephone calls are thoughtful, respectful, efficient and well disciplined.
8. Adoption and Revision of the Policy
8.1 This policy was debated by the Board at the meeting on 13 January 2022 and formally adopted at the meeting on 10 February 2023.
8.2 Alongside the Trust’s other policies it will be reviewed annually at a date close to the original approval.