Membership Criteria

NGOs shall qualify for full membership of EuroNGOs if it is determined by the Steering Committee that:

1. The organisation's aims, policies and programmes are consistent with the ICPD Programme of Action and the 12 rights of the IPPF Charter on Sexual and Reproductive Rights.
2. The organisation's policy making bodies are not composed of or controlled by persons or organisations involved commercially in the sale, supply or manufacture of contraceptive goods.*
3. The organisation's attendance at EuroNGO meetings is not motivated, or likely to be motivated, by private commercial considerations.
4. The organisation's registered office and principal base has been in a member country of the EU, Norway or Switzerland for at least two years.
5. The organisation's staff are, in the majority, European residents.
6. The organisation is defined as a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation according to the appropriate national authorities.
7. The organisation's board of trustees/directors/volunteers is made up of at least two-thirds European residents.
8. The organisation can demonstrate that it is an autonomous European NGO entirely directed and managed within Europe.

*Formula based on “Standards and Responsibilities of Membership” (IPPF), which is held to permit subsidiary undertakings of the kind described, together with charitably based cost-recovery programmes.

Associate Membership Criteria

Based on historical developments within EuroNGOs, NGOs based in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan, which are ineligible to apply for Full Membership, for geographical reasons only, but still fit the criteria for full membership (# 1,2,3,6) shall be eligible to apply for Associate Membership.

Parliamentary groups and Networks in Europe are ineligible for full membership but if their activities are focussed on the ICPD PoA they shall be eligible for Associate Membership.

Organisation who would otherwise have a double mandate (two votes) may be eligible for Associate membership – i.e. for Networks whose members are already members of EuroNGOs or organisations with branches in different countries.

Membership Procedure

1. Applications for full or associate membership will be accepted on an ongoing basis and must be sent in writing to the current Secretariat. and must be sent in writing to the current Secretariat.
2. Letters of application must be on the headed notepaper of the NGO and must be signed by the Executive Director (or equivalent). The application must include: * the Governing Instruments of the NGO; * a list of the board members and senior staff and their respective nationalities; * a declaration of compliance with the criteria for membership, to include relevant supporting documentation (e.g. Certificate of Incorporation, Charity Status confirmation). Compliance with membership criteria shall be determined in accordance with national definitions for NGO, Charity etc. * a copy of the most recent annual report and accounts (audited in accordance with national laws)
3. The Secretariat will circulate copies of applications documents to the members of the Steering Committee. Members from the same country as the applicant will be fully consulted prior to consideration of the application by the Steering Committee. Members' comments are to be received within 14 days of the notification and should address themselves to the NG0s compliance with the criteria for membership. Any member NG0s may request to see the application documents and in this case they will be forwarded by the Secretariat.
4. The Steering Committee will then review the application, comments received from members residing in the same country and any other relevant information before deciding to: * admit the applicant as a member (full or associate); or * decline the application, and notify the NGO in writing, or * defer the application for a stated period which may include requesting additional information, and notify the NGO in writing. The Steering Committee will clearly state the reasons for its decision and summarize any comments received.
5. Immediately following its decision the Steering Committee will conduct an e-mail ballot via Europoplist to seek endorsement of any recommendation to admit a new member. The Steering Committee will clearly state the reasons for its decision and summarize any comments received. Such balloting should be concluded not less than six weeks before the commencement of the membership meeting and members should be given not less than 14 days to respond. Any application receiving 50% of votes cast will result in that NGO being admitted to membership.
6. The Steering Committee will advise the applicant NGO of its decision in writing, together with a clear explanation for its decisions. This advice will include the outcome of the membership vote, where applicable.
7. The Steering Committee may grant Observer status, following consultation with members via Europoplist, to any NGO whose application is pending.
8. A file containing a record of the application shall be established and maintained by the Secretariat.
9. The Steering Committee shall review membership applications at its regular meetings but may process applications by e-mail, without the necessity for a meeting, if it so chooses.
10. Associate Members wishing to apply for Full Membership shall be subject to the same procedure as new applicants for Full Membership. The differences between these two categories of membership are: * only full members have the right to change the governing instruments * only full members elect the SC or provide members to serve on the SC * only full members cast votes in the Ballot for election of Members.

Otherwise Associate members have full rights of attendance and participation at all sessions, including any members' only sessions.

Membership Benefits

• be eligible to vote
• participate in EuroNGOs meetings and workshops
• contribute to the development of EuroNGOs vision and strategy
• make use of EuroNGOs administration for matters of interest and benefit to EuroNGOs members as a whole
• convene a task group to implement specific EuroNGOs projects
• receive EuroNGOs publications, newsletters and listservs
• co-operation and ad hoc collaboration with NGOs involved in SRHR, population and development
• visibility through EuroNGOs website and access to internal policy and strategy information on 'Members Only' area of the website.