Appointments

• a publicly available written appointments process;
• job descriptions and person specification;
• the use of advertisement and/or consultation with interested bodies and other forms of canvassing;
• the encouragement of nominations (including self-nominations);
• the sifting of candidates by a nominations committee; and
• defined terms of appointment after which reappointment should not be automatic.

Openness

• making the agendas and minutes of governing body meetings widely available, together with board papers where this will not inhibit frankness and clarity;
• publicising forthcoming meetings and summarising decisions in a newsletter or through some other user-friendly method;
• holding an open annual meeting at which board members can be questioned by the public and press;
• setting up more specialised consultation bodies for important interest groups;
• publishing an annual report which includes information on the role and remit of the body, its plans or strategy; the membership of the board; and where further information can be obtained;
• publishing audit reports;
• making publications available as widely as possible, for example by sending them to interested parties and putting them in local public libraries.

Codes of conduct

• a statement of the aims and values of the body
• statements of the obligations of the body towards its customers, staff, community, and other interested parties;
• information about the body's approach to openness and arrangements for acquiring information about its activities;
• procedures for handling inquiries and complaints;
• procedures for raising complaints with an independent body.

Whistleblowing

• a clear statement that malpractice is taken seriously in the organisation and an indication of the sorts of matters regarded as malpractice;
• respect for the confidentiality of staff raising concerns if they wish, and the opportunity to raise concerns outside the line management structure;
• penalties for making false and malicious allegations;
• an indication of the proper way in which concerns may be raised outside the organisation if necessary.