Why Join InterAction?
For New and Potential Members
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If your organization
wants to enhance its standing in the public eye, its credibility
with donors, its professional effectiveness, and its ability
to speak out and influence policies, you should consider joining
InterAction.
InterAction is the largest
alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian
nongovernmental organizations. With more than 160 members operating
in every developing country, we work to overcome poverty, exclusion
and suffering by advancing social justice and basic dignity for all.
What
Kinds of Organizations Belong to InterAction?
InterAction members:
- Embody a philosophy
that reflects InterAction's commitment to partnership, humanitarianism,
sustainable development, justice diversity, ethical practice and
gender diversity;
- Have an active, voluntary
governing board of directors that exercises independent oversight
of the professional staff and finances;
- Have clearly defined
functions and programs with a primary focus on international development
assistance, relief, migration, refugee assistance, and/or public
education of such programs;
- Demonstrate a high
level of professional expertise and experience in implementing programs
to accomplish organizational objectives;
- Have tax-exempt status
under section 501 (a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and have
received such status at least two years prior to submitting their
membership application;
- Operate on the basis
of a detailed annual budget approved by the organization's governing
board and publish an annual statement of the organization's finances,
income and expenditures audited and certified by an independent
certified public accountant; and
- Certify compliance
annually with InterAction's PVO Standards, or provide compelling
reasons for non-compliance, in which case the organization must
(1) indicate duration of non-compliance and (2) take steps to come
into compliance.
What Are the Benefits of Membership?
- Effective
advocacy and representation
InterAction works to coordinate the efforts of member organizations
to influence policy and budget priorities in order to maximize effectiveness
of advocacy and outreach to the Congress and the administration
on humanitarian and development issues. InterAction helps open doors
and provides access to top-level government officials and policymakers.
InterAction members also receive timely information and analyses
of legislative, policy, and budgetary issues as they impact the
humanitarian and development community.
- Effective
Communications and Increased Exposure
InterAction is a hub for information on overseas humanitarian
and development programs and related policy work in Washington.
Our communications specialists multiply and complement member
efforts with media strategies, press referrals, message training,
online tactics, and video production. Averaging over 2 million
hits per month, InterAction's website features the work of our
member agencies and encourages the public to get involved in advocating
for various issues, to volunteer, and to donate to member agencies.
Members also can post press releases to our site. During international
disasters, as many as 525,000 hits per week have been recorded
at www.interaction.org.
- Publications
Members receive free a number of InterAction publications, from
Monday Developments, universally recognized as the leading source
of reportage on overseas humanitarian affairs, to Member Profiles,
our biannual directory of InterAction members, as well as numerous
other publications. With a focus on multimedia presentation and
a commitment to accurate, incisive commentary, these publications
present members an unparalleled opportunity to highlight their
work and values.
- Strong
Networking Among Peer Organizations and Information Sharing
InterAction's program committees promote collaboration with peers
on cutting-edge issues through policy- and practice-focused meetings.
Also relevant, InterAction email distribution lists provide member
organizations with timely updates on current issues and events.
Our annual Forum, CEO Retreat, and over a hundred meetings each
year bring together our members, and often times outside experts,
government officials, and other stakeholders. InterAction also maintains
close ties with NGOs and NGO networks in Europe, Asia, Africa, and
Latin America.
- Capacity
Building and Technical Assistance
InterAction has been the leading source for technical assistance
and support for gender integration and implementation of the Gender
Equity amendments to the PVO
Standards. More recently, InterAction has begun a related
effort to promote ethnic and
racial diversity. InterAction also facilitates NGO security
training and civil-military relations on disaster response, along
with organizing quarterly media
fora and roundtable discussions on trends in communications.
- Increased
Credibility with Donors and Funders
InterAction's PVO Standards continue to set member organizations
apart from all others. Adhering to these standards gives member
agencies widely recognized legitimacy in the vital areas of governance,
financial management, program performance, and fundraising.
How
Would Our Organization Participate?
InterAction members receive
personalized, efficient service from InterAction staff in such areas
as communications, as well as diversity and gender integration. In
addition, members are encouraged to be active in program
committees and working groups that focus on a variety of issues. These groups
include Gender Equality & Diversity, Strategic Impact, Humanitarian
Policy and Practice Committee and Public
Policy Committee among others.
What
are the Responsibilities of Members?
- Members participate
in the program committees and working groups to enhance collaboration
and partnership;
- Members annually self-certify compliance with the PVO Standards;
and
- Members pay annual dues based on a small percentage (.15%) of their
internationally related expenses. (Minimum
dues are $2,000 and maximum dues are $40,000).
How
Do We Become a Member?
To become a member, download and complete the member application or contact Member Services at 202-667-8227 to have an application packet mailed to you.
Applications may be submitted
at any time. They are reviewed periodically throughout the year by relevant program committees and the PVO Standard/Membership
Board Committee before being considered by InterAction's Board of
Directors. Applications usually takes at least three months to process. |
