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.
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 efforts of members to influence policy and budget priorities in Congress, helps provide access to top-level policymakers and provides members with analyses
of 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.
- Publications
Members receive free a number of InterAction publications, including Monday Developments, recognized as the leading source
of information on overseas humanitarian affairs, and our biannual Member Profiles.
- 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.
InterAction email lists provide members with timely updates on current issues and events.
Our annual Forum, CEO Retreat, and other meetings each
year bring together members, 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 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 working groups that focus on a variety of issues.
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).
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