Membership Criteria and application process …Membership Criteria and application process 1....
Transcript of Membership Criteria and application process …Membership Criteria and application process 1....
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MembershipCriteriaandapplicationprocess
1. Introduction
NEAR(NetworkforEmpoweredAidResponse)isamovementofcivilsocietyorganizationswith
aboldambition–toreshapethetop-downhumanitariananddevelopmentsystemtoonethatis locally driven and owned, and is built around equitable, dignified and accountablepartnerships.
Wewanttoincreasegenuineaccountabilitytodonors,thepublic,andaffectedcommunitiesbypromotinggreatertransparencyincommunity,localandnationalresponsestohumanitariananddevelopmentchallenges.Andwewantpeopletobeattheheartofeveryresponsesothatdonorsatoneendandaffectedcommunitiesattheothercanseethequantityandqualityofwhatisdeliveredandreceived.Weenvisionclosingthegapbetweenthetraditionalaidsystemandthecommunitiesitaimstoserve.
Localispowerful.Itislocalorganisationsthatareoftenfirstatthesceneofcrisisandwhoseeffectivenessand speediness in respondingoften saves liveswithin the first fewdaysofanemergency.Localorganisationsareoftentheoneswhoareentrepreneursandinnovatorsinfindingsolutionstochallengesthattheyintimatelyunderstand.Wewanttobuildonthisandshapeasystemwherelocalcommunitiesareempoweredagentsofchangewiththecapacitytoaddressthechallengesthatimpacttheirowncommunities.
2. History
TheneedforNEARhasbeenlongoverduebutwasfirstaffirmedwhenAdesocommissionedastudyin2014todevelopamoresystemicunderstandingofthecurrentdemand,feasibilityandscopeofsuchanetwork.Thereportfindingsrevealedpositiveandwidespreadsupportforthecreationofthisnetwork.Aside-eventattheGlobalForumforImprovingHumanitarianActionheldinNewYorkinJune2015, over 20 leading organisationsworkingwith local communities officially endorsed thenetwork,reaffirmingtheneedforastrongerlocalvoiceinthehumanitariananddevelopmentsystem.Sinceon-goingconsultationswithlocalandnationalorganisationsinAfrica,Asia,MiddleEastandLatinAmericaprovidefurtherevidenceforthenetworkaswellasarepositoryofvoicesfromthecommunitiesinwhichtheyserve.ItisthesevoicesandissuesthatreaffirmthevitalneedforNEARandareshapingthenetwork’sstrategyandframework.
3. Ourvision
A world where local communities have the capacity, resources and agency to address thedevelopmentandhumanitarianchallengesthatimpactthem.
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4. OurmissionTowork towards restructuring theglobal response tohuman,economicandenvironmentalchallenges so that actions to address these are locally driven and owned, and promoteequitable,dignifiedandaccountablepartnerships.
5. Ourcorevalues5.1 Humanitybeyondidentity: Webring“humanitybacktohumanitarianism”byfocusingsolely
onthepeopleandmakingsurethathumanitariananddevelopmentresponsesgodirectlytothepeopleinneed;
5.2 Inclusiveness: Werecognisethepowerfulroleplayedbylocalcommunitiesintimesofcrisisandindevelopment.Wewanttoensurethatthemutedvoicesareheard,resourcesareshared,andpartnershipsareequitableanddignified;
5.3 Dignity: We believe local people can and should shape humanitarian and developmentresponseswiththeirownideas,values,lifestyles,preferences,needsabilitiesanddesires;
5.4 Credibilityandmutualaccountability:Wearedeterminedtoincreasegenuineaccountabilityto donors, the public and affected communities by making the delivery of local andinternationalhumanitariananddevelopmentresponsesmoretransparent;
5.5 Independence: While we depend on the support of our partners and donors, we areindependentofoutsideinfluences.Ourleadinglightisthevisionandmissionofthisnetwork.
6 DefinitionofNEARMemberorganisations
NEAR defines itsmember organisations as “local non-profit organizations”. These are civilsocietyorganisationsorcitizens’groupswhoarelocallyrooted,founded,andheadquarteredin a country that is not amember of the OECD-DAC (except for Chile, Korea,Mexico andTurkey); carrying out operations at the national, sub-national or community level and notaffiliatedtoanyinternationalNGO1.
7 GeneralCriteria7.1 Theorganizationmustbeanon-profitorganization;7.2 Mustbelocallyrootedinthecommunityandhaveaproventrackrecordofexcellentworking
relationswithorwithinthecommunity;7.3 The organization shall have a governance structure, constitution/statutewritten down in a
publiclyavailabledocumenttoguideitsoperationandberegisteredorrecognisedinitscountryoforigin;
7.4 WillingnessandabilitytocontributetotheworkoftheNetwork;7.5 TheorganizationmustagreetoabidebytherulesandproceduresoftheNetwork;7.6 Theorganizationmustagreetofollowtheobligationsofmembershipincludingcontributingto
the development and implementationofNEARpolicies andprogrammes aswell as sharingexpertiseandexperiencewithothermembersofthenetwork;
7.7 Not affiliated to terrorist organisation or involved in terrorist financing as dictated byInternationalConventionfortheSuppressionoftheFinancingofTerrorism(1999) (the“1999FinancingofTerrorismConvention”)ormoneylaunderingoranyothercriminalactivitiesunderinternationalornationallaw;
1 International NGOs are those based in an OECD-DAC member country and carrying out operations in one or more developing countries. Cited from Global Humanitarian Assistance (GHA) Report 2015.
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7.8 Local and national organizations with special mandates on vulnerable/risk groups (such asgenderequality,womenandhumanrights,supportingpeoplewithdisabilities)areencouragedtojoin.
8. Typesofmembership
NEAR is an inclusive network, which leaves no one behind. Taking into consideration thediversityamonglocalandnationalactorsandthedifferentcontextsinwhichcivilsocietyactorsoperatethefollowingfour(4)categoriesofmembershipapply;
8.1 FullMembership:anyorganizationwhichmeetstheNEARdefinitionoflocalorganization-civil
societyorganisationsorcitizens’groupswhoarelocallyrooted,founded,andheadquarteredinacountrythatisnotamemberoftheOECD-DAC(exceptforChile,Korea,MexicoandTurkey);carryingoutoperationsatnational,sub-nationalorcommunitylevelandNOTaffiliatedtoanyinternationalNGOandhaveaprovenrecordofexcellentworkingrelationswithorwithinthecommunity;whilemeetingthefulldiligenceprocess;
8.2 Observer Membership: open to any organisation meeting the NEAR definition of local
organizationBUTisunabletomeetthefullmembershipduediligenceprocess.TheorganizationmayapplyforFullMembershippriortoNEARbi-annualGeneralAssemblyforapproval;2
8.3 AssociateMembership:isopentoDiasporaorganizations,whodonotfullymeetthedefinition
ofNEAR local organization, are rooted in their communitiesoforiginBUTare foundedandheadquarteredinanOECD-DACmembercountry;
8.4 SignatoryMembership:anyorganization,network,andmovementofchangewhichdoesnot
fittheNEARdefinitionofa“localorganization”:whosupportthemissionandvisionofNEAR;publiclydemonstrateitscommitmenttothenetwork;maintainsaclosecontactwithNEARandsupportsthenetwork'sactivitiesatthelocal,regionalandinternationallevel.
9. Fullmembereligibility9.1 AnyorganizationwhichfullymeetsNEARdefinitionofNEARlocalorganization;committedto
changing the humanitarian/development aid architecture that NEAR is advocating; andcommittedtothemission,visionandvaluesofthenetwork;
9.2 Haveatleasttwoyearsproventrackrecordofoperationactivitiesinthehumanitarianandordevelopmentsector;
9.3 Mustprovideauditedfinancialstatementsfor2consecutiveyears;9.4 Mustmeettherequirementsforfinancialaccountabilityunderthelawinthecountrywhereit
hasitsheadquarters;9.5 Is actively working towards improving accountability practices towards people and
communitiesaffectedbydisaster,conflictandpoverty;9.6 Willingtopaymembershipfees.
2NEARthroughitsorganizationaldevelopmentstrategyprovidessupporttowillingmembersviaworkshops,onlinetrainings,andpeer-topeernetworkinginclusiveofagraduationstructurebasedontheadaptedharmonizedduediligenceprocess.AnysupportcanberequesttoNEAR
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10. Entitlementsoffullmembers: InadditiontothebenefitsreceivedbyallNEARmembers,fullmembers:
• havefullvotingrightsandarevestedwiththecollectivepowertopromulgaterules,policiesandobjectives;
• NominateandelectothersandbenominatedtotheLC;• EntitledtoattendtheGeneralAssembly;• ParticipateinNEARactivitiesandhelpdriveadvocacyprioritiesandpoliciesthrough
participationinthenetworksworkinggroupsandvariouslocal,regionalandinternationaladvocacyfora;
• AccesstoallthesupportandresourcesthatNEARprovides, includingitsonlinelearningplatform,reportsandnewsletter;
• EntitledtouseoftheNEARdesignation-“Member”andNEARlogo,toenhancetheirprofileinthehumanitariananddevelopmentsector.
11. ObserverMembereligibility11.1 Anylocalnotforprofit(CBOandCSO)whichdoesnotmeettheduediligenceprocessforNEAR
fullmembership.311.2 Willingtopaymembershipfees.12 Entitlementofobservermembers
• EntitledtoattendandparticipateatNEARGeneralAssembly;4• AbletoparticipateinNEARcommitteesandworkinggroups;• Entitledtoparticipateinallnetwork'sactivities;• AccesstoallthesupportandresourcesthatNEARprovides, includingitsonlinelearning
platform,reportsandnewsletter;• EntitledtouseoftheNEARdesignation-“Member”andNEARlogo,toenhancetheirprofile
inthehumanitariananddevelopmentsector.13 AssociateMembereligibility13.1 Anydiasporaorganizationwhosupportthemission,visionandvaluesofNEAR.14 Entitlementofassociatemembership
• Canparticipateincommitteesandworkinggroups;• Canparticipateinnetwork’sactivities;• AccesstoallthesupportandresourcesthatNEARprovides, includingitsonlinelearning
platform,reportsandnewsletter;• EntitledtousetheNEARdesignation-“Member”andNEARlogo,toenhancetheirprofile
inthehumanitariananddevelopmentsector.15. SignatoryMember15.1 AnyorganizationwhichdoesnotmeettheaboveNEARcategoriesBUTsubscribestotheNEAR
missionandvisionqualifies.
3Butwouldliketotakeapathwaytofullmembershipthroughcoachingandmentoring;4Butlacktheabilitytovoteorproposeresolutions.
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15.2. A commitment from the very top of the organisation and submission of the organization’sprofiletothenetworkisarequirement.
16. EntitlementofSignatorymembership
• AccesstoallthesupportandresourcesthatNEARprovides, includingitsonlinelearningplatform,reportsandnewsletter.
17 MembershipFees17.1 Payment of membership fee is considered a gesture of commitment and may contribute
significantlytothesustainabilityofthenetwork.17.2 Anannualmembershipfeebasedondifferentmembershipcategorieswillbebasedonannual
incomeofpotentialmembers.518 ApplicationProcess
AmembershipapplicationformshouldbecompletedandsenttotheNEARSecretariatalongwiththefollowingdocuments:
18.1 Statutes/constitution/StatutesofIncorporation/ArticlesofAssociationorsimilardocument;18.2 StaffCodeofConductthatincludestheprohibitionofsexualexploitationandabusebystaff
includingpermanentandtemporarystaff,volunteers,andconsultants;18.3 Proofofnon-governmentalandnon-profit legalstatusorproofof least2 to3yearsproven
trackrecordofoperationactivitiesinthehumanitarian/developmentsector(forfullmemberapplicationsonly);
18.4 Twomostrecentannualreportsandauditedfinancialstatements,includingsourcesofincomeandcurrentdonors;
18.5 NamesofBoardofDirectors,Trusteesorequivalent;18.6 Confirmation,viatheapplicationprocess,thattheorganisationorentitycommitstotheNEAR
vision,missionandvalues;18.7 Atleasttwo(2)references,oneofwhichisfromanexistingNEARmember,regional/country-
basednetworks,donors,partners,NGO/Not-For-ProfitCoordinationBodyetc.,andtheothershouldbefromthecommunityserved.
19 Approvalprocess19.1 Secretariat
Ø Secretariat reviews the application against the eligibility criteria and verifies that alldocumentsaresubmitted,includingreferencesbytheapplicant;
Ø Thesecretariatmayrequestadditionalinformationfromapplicant;19.2 TheLeadershipCouncil
Ø ThesecretariatwillprovidefullinformationwithrecommendationandjustificationtotheLeadershipCouncilforapprovalofthemember’sapplication;
Ø TheLeadershipCouncilwilldeliberateandprovidethedecisionforapprovalornottothesecretariat.
Ø TheLeadershipCouncilwillreviewandapproveapplicationsquarterly.
5Membershipfeesamounts,andcommencementwillbedeterminedatthefirstGeneralAssembly
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19.3 Theapplicant
Ø The organisation applying for membership will get a response within threemonths ofapplyingformembershipunlessthereareissuesraisedbythemembersortheLC;
Ø Once the membership has been approved by the LC the secretariat will inform theapplicantandsendmemberpackageandwillrequestmembershipfeepayment;
Ø Onreceiptofthemembershipfeetheorganisationwillbecomeamember;Ø Theorganisationwillprovidetheir logotobeusedatthediscretionofNEARforvarious
communicationmaterials.20. MembershipRenewal
Themembershipwillberenewedonannualbasisonreceiptofthemembershipfee.621 Suspensionofmembership
ThemembershipofNEARwillbesuspendedif:21.1 Organisationisinviolationofmembershipcriteriaorrulesandregulations;21.2 Failuretopaymembershipfee;21.3 Theorganisationwillbegiventhechancetojustifyand/orrectifythemistakeandwillbeasked
toprovidejustification;21.4 Theleadershipcouncilwilltakethedecisionafterreviewingtheevidence.22. RighttoAppeal22.1 Incaseofrejectionordeferredapplicationtheapplyingorganisationhasarighttoappealthe
decisiononcewithjustificationtotheLC;22.2 Anappealscommitteewillexaminethefactsandwillprovidearesponsewithassistancefrom
thesecretariat.Theirresponseisfinal.
6AppliestoFULLandOBSERVERmembersonly
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JOINUS–ClosingtheGap! NEARwelcomesapplicationsformembershipfromlocalandnationalNon-GovernmentalOrganizations(NGOs)worldwide,includingcoalitions,networksandindividualorganisations.Byjoiningournetwork,youwillhavetheopportunitytobepartofaglobalmovementoflocalorganizationswithaboldambition–toreshapethetop-downhumanitariananddevelopmentsystemtoonethat’slocallydrivenandowned,builtaroundequitable,dignifiedandaccountablepartnerships.Togetherourcombinedknowledgeandexperiencewillhavearealimpactonclosingthegapbetweentheaidsystemandthecommunitiesitaimstoserve.MEMBERSHIPCOMMITMENTAsamemberofNEARyouarecommittedto:
• SupportingthemissionandvisionofNEARnetwork,• Sharingrelevantinformationrelatedtohumanitariananddevelopmentissueswiththenetwork,• Contributingtoouractivities,• ParticipatingintheGeneralAssemblywherepossible,• PromotingtheactivitiesofNEARinyourcountryandwithyourpartners,• ContributingtoNEAR’ssustainabilitybypayingannualmembershipfees.
HOWTOBECOMEAMEMBERPlease complete the Application Form here along with the relevant supporting documentation listed in theApplicationChecklist.Ifyoucannotuploadthedocumentsonline,[email protected]:orbypostto: MembershipCoordinator
NEAR P.OBOX70331-00400
NairobiKenya
ApplicationChecklist NotesApplicationDetailsForm–completedandsigned Y/NStatutes,constitution,StatutesorArticlesofIncorporation,ArticlesofAssociationorsimilardocument
Y/N
StaffCodeofConduct Y/NProofofNGOlegalstatusORactivitiyreportofatleast2to3yearsofoperationactivitiesinthehumanitarian/developmentsector
Y/N
2mostrecentannualreportsandauditedfinancialstatements,includingsourcesofincomeandcurrentdonors
Y/N
NamesofBoardofDirectors,Trusteesorequivalent Y/NConfirmation,viatheapplicationprocess,thattheorganisationorentitycommitstotheNEARvision,missionandvalues
Y/N
Tworeferences,oneofwhichisfromanexistingNEARmember Y/NNote:ApplicationforFullmembership.Pleasemakesureyouhaveuploaded/emailedorpostedallthedocumentslistedinthechecklist.Foranyqueriesonmembership,[email protected]