Should people who give to charities have a say in how they’re run?

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A local organization says donors should demand more accountability from the charities they donate to.

The Donors Rights Society believes people who give to support their favourite causes also deserve to have a greater say in how they’re run. It’s lobbying the province to enable donors to have access to financial statements, and to vote on matters such as employee salaries and fundraising projects.

The society’s John Block says greater accountability and transparency will encourage more people to give and to get involved.

“Without question, a voting member of a public charity is more likely to become a volunteer, more likely to be generous in their financial support and to be a vocal advocate for the charity in the community,” he says.

“The role of public charities, we believe, is going to be more important in the years to come. Our charities need to re-examine how they engage their communities. They have to decide to be much more open, in our view.”

About 13,000 publicly-registered charities exist in BC. Block cites studies which show fewer Canadians are giving to charities, and fewer Canadians have confidence in the leadership of those organizations. Stats show a quarter of donors are responsible for giving 84 per cent of all donations to charities and non-profits.

The society has launched a petition to press the province to make changes to the BC Society Act.

The Finance Ministry is proposing to update the act, and the public has until Oct. 15 to make submissions.

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