BACKGROUND

NGO sector / voluntary sector / civil society organizations have been always looked upon with high reputation and dignity in our society.  Throughout history voluntary sector either individually or in organized manner have done yeoman services for people right from relief oriented programmes to rehabilitation and development oriented activities in various fields.  Infact, India is known for its strong voluntary sector admired by people, government and everyone for its contribution in virtually every field.  However, with the changing times, fast changing values, ethics and deteriorating social environment in our country, this sector needs to be guarded itself against bad name or stigma for resorting to any malpractices and unfair practices.  Alike Julius Caesar’s wife, voluntary organizations / NGOs have to be “beyond suspicious”.  This sector should represent competency, efficiency, integrity and transparency in its conduct so that the state and society continue trusting this sector and take benefit of such good civil society organizations.  In view of this, SAJJATA Sangh a net work organization of NRM NGOs of Gujarat thought of creating an Alliance of fair, transparent and creditable NRM (Natural Resource Management) NGOs in Gujarat.  The NGO as a sector is very wide, doing varieties of activities in different fields.  SAJJATA Sangh being a network of NRM NGOs.  In tune with above background, it is thought that the member NGOs of proposed Alliance have to regulate themselves with a kind of self disciplined, accepting broad Code of Conduct and displaying visible transparency and trustworthiness in their overall conduct. 

Possibly, this kind of Alliance is in line with Fair Trade practices being followed nationally and internationally by the members of Fair Trade Organization. 

SAJJATA Sangh or its Executive Committee or pioneering members of proposed Alliance may, if situation demand, encourage setting up of separate organization.  

OBJECTIVES

The prime objective of the proposed Alliance is to encourage and project fair, transparent and creditable NGOs in NRM field and thereby to build up a forum of strong and transparent NGOs in NRM. 

The Alliance / Association may work closely with the government and donor agencies to project fair and transparent NRM NGOs. 

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* Draft prepared by Harnath Jagawat and shared with some NRM NGO leaders of Gujarat along with officials of Credibility Alliance, Ahmedabad. 

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

The member NGO has to be registered under one of the following statutes ;

1.         Public Charitable Trust Act

2.         Societies Registration Act

3.         Companies Act under Section 25

If applicable, the member should have registration under Income Tax Act. 

Any other prevalent Act requiring registration by Rural Development NGOs. 

One of the major activities of member NGO has to be related with NRM field. 

NRM NGO

One of the major activities of member NGO has to be related with NRM. 

ADHERENCE TO NORMS

Though the membership to the Alliance is voluntary on the part of member NGOs, once any NGO becomes member of the Alliance, it would be necessary to adhere to specific norms which are broadly described as follows ; 

i.          It should have legal status with Governing Body, preferably in democratic and elected manner periodically as may be provided in the approved Memorandum of Association. 

ii.          It should not be a family dominated NGO.  Not more than two members of its Board should be from the same family.  Even in case of two members, both should be sufficiently qualified to be on the Board by virtue of their qualifications and other background. 

iii.         None of the Board member should be convicted under any Criminal Act under the provision of any statutes. 

iv.         None of the Board member should take remuneration or honorarium from the organization, excepting in the case of services offered to the organization by such Board member.  Offering of remuneration or honorarium to the Board members for the services rendered by them should be consistent with the provision of the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations of the organization and decided by the Board. 

v.         It’s Board should meet atleast two times in a year and General Body atleast once a year with all the decisions taken registered in the minutes books drawn of each such meetings. 

vi.         It should have clearly stated vision, aims, objectives, visibly good governance. 

vii.        It should adhere to fair and transparent good practices expected of good NGOs. 

viii.       It should have visible accountability and integrity. 

ix.         It should produce audited accounts annually and make it public to the members and all stakeholders and anyone who asks for the same. 

x.         It should produce annual progress report regularly within three months of the expiry of previous year and make it public to all the stakeholders or anyone who asks for the same. 

xi.         It should follow standard accounting practices in all its financial dealings including disbursal of salary, perks, etc. to the staff.  

xii.        The entire accounting system should be transparent and all the important aspects of the financial matter should be shared with the stakeholders including staff members in some formal manner like general meeting of entire staff.  

xiii.       It’s accounting system be open for the scrutiny of anyone or any organization concerned directly or indirectly with the operation of the organization. 

xiv.       It should submit and furnish annual returns under the Income Tax Act. 

xv.        It should submit the periodical reports and accounts as may be required by the funding agencies. 

xvi.       The organization in its annual report will furnish the information on the salary with perks in the suitable groupings.  

xvii.      It should offer statutory benefits and perks to the permanent and regular staff of the organization.

xviii.     The member NGO should give enough evidence of its performance, competency and efficiency in offering its services to the rural community.  This may be available both in the form of records, reports, evaluation reports and also observation and discussion with various stakeholders. 

xix.       It should not have gender bias and must be gender sensitive.

xx.        Its programmes and activities should be environment friendly, not creating adverse impact on environment.   

xxi.       It should not be black listed by donor agency, the government department. 

CHANGES IN THE NORMS

SAJJATA SANGH / Proposed Alliance may effect the necessary changes in this document and the proposed norms from time to time to meet the need of the changing times and to meet the challenges of operationalising the Alliance. 

SCREENING COMMITTEE / PEERS COMMITTEE

The Governing Body of the Alliance which would be in the beginning Executive Committee of SAJJATA Sangh will appoint a Screening Committee or Peers Committee for the membership of proposed Alliance.  The proposed Screening Committee / Peers Committee will represent reputed personality from the NGO sector, retired senior government officer having good experience in rural development, retired or existing judiciary officer not below the rank of district judge and preferably retired High Court judge or above and chartered accountant.  The Executive Committee of SAJJATA Sangh or a sub committee appointed by SAJJATA Sangh may nominate the members of proposed Screening Committee / Peers Committee with the names and duration of such Screening Committee / Peers Committee. 

ROLE OF SCREENING COMMITTEE / PEERS COMMITTEE

The Screening Committee / Peers Committee will verify the facts furnished by NGO as to their validity and adherence to the norms desired of member NGOs. 

On being satisfied with the verifications of various informations and also adherence to the prescribed norms, the Screening Committee / Peers Committee may recommend or itself issue a kind of accreditation certificate to the member NGO stating its known credibility.  The member NGO may be subject to revalidation periodically for every 3-5 years.  

If the Screening Committee / Peers Committee is not satisfied with the adherence of the norms and transparency of the member NGO, it may not issue accreditation certificate or its subsequent re-validity. 

While adopting the process of screening, the Screening Committee / Peers Committee may, if it so desires, collect the opinion from the public, villagers, the concerned government departments, donors, etc. on the overall image of the NGO. 

The proceedings and informations collected by Screening Committee / Peers Committee may be kept confidential unless it attracts the provision of Right to Information Act in sharing the information with the relevant authorities. 

Since the membership is voluntary, the member would be free to leave the Alliance voluntarily.  The decision of the Screening Committee / Peers Committee in giving accreditation certificate cannot be challenged in the court of law.  Infact, the members not desiring to be screened by the Screening Committee / Peers Committee may opt to be out of purview of Screening Committee / Peers Committee and such member obviously will not get accreditation certificate for their credibility. 

26.11.2007