How to write a report
Reporting and documentation play an important role in the effective functioning of NGOs, VOs, CBOs ... It helps in sharing the project outcome with donors, support agencies, government functionaries, well-wishers, and like-minded people. An effective reporting and documentation system will help the organization in its image-building efforts among its stakeholders. It also enhances the credibility of the organization within society.
There are two types of reporting, namely
- Internal (intra-organizational) reporting and
- Ppublic reporting (program and financial).
Internal reporting
Internal reporting involves collecting information for internal use. These reports are not designed to be
made public and may include confidential information. These reports can discuss efficiency, job
performance, and other aspects of employee activity that may be of concern. Many organizations also
support whistle blowing activity, and encouraging employees to file reports if they suspect that activities
may be violating the law or organizational policy. For instance, an accountant could express concern
about the financial reports of another branch of the organization or an employee could report a staff who
was behaving inappropriately
Many scholars argue that the explicit public nature of nonprofit action and the tax subsidy to the voluntary
sector invites public reporting to the government and citizens. In the corporate sector also various public
reporting initiatives have begun. These reports are normally called the annual report or the sustainability
report.
Annual Report
Trusts and Societies are not required by law to produce Annual Reports. NGOs under Section 25 of
Companies Act are required to publish Annual Reports.
However, organizations that desire to practice norms of transparency and accountability should make
their Annual Report for the corresponding financial year within eight months of the end of the financial
year. The Annual report should be widely disseminated to stake holders and be available in the public
domain.
The Annual Report should clearly describe what the organization is trying to accomplish and what are its
strategies for making it happen. It should also list the organization's capabilities for achieving its mission,
and state its objectives and how it measures its progress. The annual report gives a broad overview on
what the organization has accomplished during the year.
Components of Annual Report
Annual reports are used to review the work the organization has done over the past year, discuss the new
avenues of work, and define the rationale behind the programming decisions. In general, the annual report
has the following components:
- About the Organization (in brief)
- Main Objectives
- Vision
- Major Activities
On the first page, the annual remarks/ welcome note of the project director can come. The next five to
eight pages can have the details of the programs conducted/ organized by the organization in the
particular year. Some statistical highlights can also be shown.
Then the financial statements of the organizations can follow. A page on the governing board and legal
status of the organization can also be mentioned. In recent years, to have more credibility and
accountability, details of staff salary is also given in the annual report. The final page before the cover
page contains information of all the donors.
The basic format of the annual report given by credibility alliance is given below:
- Chairperson's Message
- Message from Executive Director
- About the Organisation
- Vision, Mission, and Core Value
- Programmes
- Governance
- Finance
- Future Plan
- Gratitude
- Appeal for Support for the Organisation’s Work
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