Stakeholders

We recognise that a large number of people have an interest in Plan’s work. We all want what’s best for children. Plan therefore seeks to be accountable in multiple ways to our many stakeholders. We take these accountabilities seriously and you should be assured that Plan’s activities are well supervised and advised.

1. Children in communities overseas

In the final analysis Plan’s ultimate accountability must be to the children we seek to serve in communities overseas. Our actions both here and overseas must be, and seen to be, in the best interests of these children. Plan seeks to be accountable to these children by inviting them to participate in the development process as appropriate to their age and education. Children are encouraged to express their views in the design, monitoring and evaluation of projects. Children are invited to form advisory clubs and youth forums that can influence the community leaders and Plan staff. Representative young people are invited to speak at Plan strategy and planning sessions. Plan regards its development work as not just for children, but work undertaken with them.

2. Families & communities overseas

Assisting children overseas should always be done in the context of their existing families and communities. Plan is accountable to children’s parents and carers as well as community leaders. Plan encourages the community to develop community development committees that take ownership of both the problem solving and development planning. These development committees work out what the priorities are and how each stage of development should be approached. Families are consulted on what changes they would like to see that would benefit their children. Following a thorough briefing, the community and families are invited to nominate the children that wish to represent them as sponsored children.

3. Host governments

In each of the countries overseas where Plan works it signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the host government. This MOU establishes Plan’s status as an independent humanitarian organisation but also Plan’s commitment to abide by the laws and regulations of that government. Plan is accountable to various host government departments in the sense that for example our primary school work must meet Ministry of Education standards, our water projects must meet Ministry of Construction standards and our Agricultural work must meet Ministry of Agriculture standards. While Plan has considerable autonomy to fund and implement its projects, planning and standards are done with government approval. This is a normal diplomatic courtesy and considered appropriate international development practice.

4. Plan International

Plan Australia is an autonomous member of the Plan International worldwide group, made up of a number of similar legal entities. These separate national supporting entities are located in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States of America. The members jointly subscribe to an agreement that establishes Plan International as the service arm of the worldwide group with an agreed international vision and mission statement that is dedicated to realising the potential of children.

The Plan name and trademarks are owned by Plan International and licensed to Plan Australia to use for this agreed purpose. Plan International supervises Plan Australia’s operations including its overhead and its distributions of funds to programs overseas. Representatives of the Plan Australia Board sit on the Plan International Board. Plan International sets and maintains a policy of ensuring 80% of donated resources given globally are used in programs, while just 20 % is used for administration and seeking new donors. Plan International publishes consolidated international accounts that show performance across the whole of Plan.

5. Corporate Structure & Members

Plan Australia is an incorporated entity established for the express purpose of assisting needy children. In effect it is a special purpose public company limited by guarantee, which means that rather than shareholders it has members who are entitled to vote at the Annual General Meetings (AGM). Its registered name is Plan International Australia (A.C.N 004 875 807 and A.B.N. 49 004 875 807). In compliance with corporation law the memorandum and articles of association prescribe membership of not less than 25 and not more than 100. The core members of Plan Australia are typically those who have demonstrated a long-term stake in Plan such as founders, long-term sponsors, former board members and current board members. The Board and management of Plan Australia report to the members at an AGM each year.

6. Board

The National Executive Director and management of Plan Australia report to a Board who are the directors of the company. These directors are accountable to ASIC and the Australian law in the same way as all company directors. Board members are also accountable and ensure the organisation is accountable to its full range of stakeholders. Board membership is prescribed as not less than 5 and not more than 12. Board members are drawn from across Australia and represent leaders in a wide range of disciplines. Board members are selected for the special contribution that can bring to the balance of the Board. To learn more about the Board and Board members click here. The Board typically meet 5 times per year to review strategy and progress against plans. Interest in joining the Plan Board is invited from the general community and especially from committed sponsors and donors.

7. ASIC

As Plan is registered as a company it is accountable to the Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC) in regard to all matters pertaining to the administration of companies. It submits an annual statutory financial statement in accordance with company and accounting standards. It must notify ASIC of changes to Board Directors and any significant changes in its circumstances. You can make enquiries about Plan or any company for that matter at the ASIC web site www.asic.gov.au

8. Annual Reporting

Plan takes seriously its financial accountability. Plan Australia finances are reviewed annually by PricewaterhouseCoopers. A fully audited annual report and statutory financial statement is made publicly available each year and formally submitted to ASIC. To review this report see Annual Reports. Furthermore every office of Plan around the world in both developing countries and developed countries is also audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers annually.

9. Australian Tax Office

You can be assured that your gifts to Plan of $2 or more are fully tax deductible. Plan International Australia is a Public Benevolent Institution and is endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as an income tax exempt charitable entity (ITEC) under Subdivision 50-B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and as a deductible gift recipient (DGR) under Subdivision 30-BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act. A tax deductible receipt for the sum of your contributions throughout a financial year will be issued to you each July.

10. State Fundraising Legislation

Plan’s fundraising activities around Australia are governed by individual state legislation. Plan is registered and compliant in each state with the local fundraising law. To learn more about these laws and Plan’s registration you may check with your state office for fair trading and consumer protection.

11. ACFID

The many responsible overseas aid organisations in Australia are also self-regulated under a professional peak body called the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). Plan is both a registered member and importantly a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct that defines minimum standards of governance, management and accountability for non-government organisations (NGO). Adherence to the Code is monitored by an independent Code of Conduct Committee, that is elected from the NGO community. Plan’s voluntary adherence to the code demonstrates our commitment to ethical practice and public accountability. More information about the role of ACFID and the Code of Conduct can be obtained from ACFID's website www.acfid.asn.au.

12. Australian Commonwealth Government

Plan is a recipient of Australian Government money through grants from AusAID. To be eligible for these funds Plan must meet accreditation requirements and continue to meet strict reporting and acquittal standards. Plan is currently fully accreditated and a trusted recipient of AusAID funds. To learn more about AusAID's NGO program and system of accreditation go to www.ausaid.gov.au

13. Sponsors, Donors and Partners

Plan is passionate about serving well our many sponsors, donors and partners. We seek to be accountable to you through prompt, courteous service as well as clear accountability for the contributions you make. We like to be explicit about what we can deliver in terms of reporting and feedback from your donations whether that is to sponsorship or one of our other projects. We communicate regularly with you through mail, phone, and email to share what is happening in regard to your sponsored child or things at Plan in general. We respect your right to control the level of information you receive from us. We pride ourselves on meeting those commitments. We encourage regular feedback and advice from our many sponsors and donors as well as holding formal and informal gatherings to solicit advice.

14. Children in Australia

We believe that the other side to our accountability to children in projects overseas, is accountability to children here in Australia. This is driven from our vision that includes a commitment to a world that respects people’s rights and dignity, especially those of children. We respect the contribution that children can make. We invite children to contribute to our website, our magazine and our fundraising. We encourage children to participate in the life and work of Plan and make room for a youth network and children’s advisory groups. We work with Australian children to help them better understand and promote children’s rights and dignity both here in Australia and overseas. We work overall for a world that is far more child friendly.