The Chartered Institute of Fundraising has announced a delay of nearly three months for its forthcoming Fundraising Convention, as it looks to focus on tackling harassment issues that have blighted its organisation in recent months.
The online convention was to have taken place on 5-7 July but has now been scheduled for 27-29 September.
The move comes after the sector body was criticised by charity sector leaders in March, after allegations merged that it had failed to deal effectively and swiftly with sexual misconduct complaints. Concerns were raised by committee chairs within the CIoF, among others.
(1/3)📢Important update: We’re moving this year’s Fundraising Convention to 27-29 September.https://t.co/ul2Bz7e2js pic.twitter.com/VQ9NyrBBWT
— Chartered Institute of Fundraising (@CIOFtweets) April 23, 2021
“Every year we look forward to bringing the fundraising community together at Fundraising Convention and we’ve been excited to hear just how many fundraisers want to speak at this year’s event,” said the CIoF.
“However, over the last couple of months we as the Chartered Institute have been focusing our attention on important issues raised around harassment within the sector and our role to effect change.
“We recognise there have been issues in our own complaints process and we are determined to address that.”
The CIoF has committed to enact an Action Plan to tackle harassment, discrimination and abuse over the next three months.
Laurie Boult, convention board chair and executive fundraising director at Age UK, added: “The Convention Board will do all that we can to support the Action Plan and to ensure that Fundraising Convention embodies the culture that we want to see in our sector.
“Fundraising Convention is above all, an event for fundraisers, by fundraisers, and moving to September this year gives us the best opportunity to make Fundraising Convention the best it can be for you.”
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