Non-Profit Organisations Invited To Meeting On Draft NPO Law

by Carla Johnson, Investors Offshore.com, London

28 March 2008

Jersey's Council of Ministers is to hold a public meeting on April 10th, at which representatives from non-profit organisations and other interested members of the public will be able to hear more about the draft NPO law, and raise any issues they may have.

Earlier this month, the Council of Ministers reaffirmed the importance of Jersey joining in the international effort to combat the financing of terrorism, and for this to be independently confirmed by the IMF when they visit the Island later this year.

Chief Minister, Senator Frank Walker, explained that:

“We want to be seen to be meeting our international obligations but I want to emphasise that we intend to do so with the least burden possible being placed on local NPOs that can be judged to be ‘lower risk’."

"The meeting will be a further opportunity to listen to local concerns. We have already showed we are listening to these concerns by announcing that there will be no registration fee.”

According to the States authorities, under the draft NPO law the vast majority of NPOs will only have to provide the following information:

• The name of the NPO;
• Details of its status;
• A statement explaining what it has been set up to do;
• Details of how it may be contacted; and
• An indication of what it is expected to raise and disburse each year in Jersey and outside.

The intention of the meeting, and related initiatives, is to offer every possible assistance to local NPOs in meeting this and the other requirements of the law so that there should be no reason for them to fear that they will be in breach of the law by default, the Jersey authorities concluded by explaining.

Recommended