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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,youmayalsoemailthemtousatmembership@near.ngoormailthemto: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,pleasecontactusatmembeship@near.ngo