Keep your books open to the public – Premier

Premier Dr D Orlando Smith said his government is considering ways to make it easier for non-profit organizations to provide their financial records annually to the competent authority, adding that it is still important for such organizations to keep their records open to public scrutiny.

He indicated that, years after the Non-Profit Organizations Act took effect in January 2013, there are still concerns about the ‘complexity’ of the reporting process.

“We are also looking at that to see how it could be more easy because we don’t want people to be discouraged from starting such organizations and contribute because of the complexity…” he said.

Premier Smith further stated that, when non-profit organizations have their books monitored – as required by law, members of the community will become more willing to contribute to them.

“Have [an] open book to the community so that everybody knows that this is what you want to do, this is what you are doing, and this is how you are doing it…”

“One of the important things about having a foundation is that it must continue to have the trust and the confidence of the community so they can continue to support the foundation,” Premier Smith said during his address at the launch of the Jaleel Cameron Foundation on Saturday, June 3.

He also used the opportunity to congratulate Cameron for his continued efforts to raise funds to fight epilepsy. Premier Smith also expressed hope that members of the community will continue to support the Jaleel Cameron Foundation.