ICVA By-Law on Eligibility for Membership

Revised by the 153rd Meeting of the ICVA Executive Committee, 17 May 2011

A. Categories of Organisation Eligible to Become Members of ICVA

Category 1

Category 1 comprises international voluntary agencies or international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) whose operations extend beyond the organisation’s country of origin.

This category also includes families or federations of NGOs that share a common name, but that have chapters or operations in different countries.

Category 2

Category 2 comprises consortia, networks, and groups of different NGOs that have joined together to enhance the effectiveness of their work. Such groups may represent NGOs from one or more countries or they may be regional or global in scope.

Category 3

Category 3 comprises national voluntary agencies or national non-governmental organisations, which are NGOs that operate only within their organisation’s country of origin. ICVA will consider, at its discretion, applications for membership, particularly from the Global South, from the following:

1. National NGOs that have demonstrated a commitment to translating their work to the international level;

2. National NGOs with specific expertise that will assist ICVA in achieving its mission; and/or

3. NGOs based in countries that have no national consortium, network, or group of NGOs.

B. Organisations Eligible for Observer Status

A voluntary agency that wishes to participate in the ICVA network but which, because of constitutional constraints or reasons of principle, cannot be associated with the views and/or positions adopted by ICVA, may apply for Observer status. An applicant for Observer status will be assessed against the ICVA membership criteria and should follow the procedure for applying for membership of ICVA. The applicant also needs to specify the relevant paragraphs in its statutes, constitution, founding charter or similar document, explaining why it is unable to become a Member.

Observer organisations receive full access to the ICVA website and documents, meetings, and participation at General Assemblies. However, they do not have the right to vote or hold office.

C. Organisations Eligible for Affiliate Membership

The ICVA Affiliate membership category is for academic and research institutes that have existing activities of a human rights/humanitarian nature or existing activities of benefit to NGOs. Affiliate membership provides a means to make better links between their work and the work of ICVA members. An applicant for Affiliate membership will be assessed against the ICVA membership criteria and should follow the procedure for applying for membership of ICVA. The applicant also needs to provide confirmation that it is a research institution affiliated with an academic institution and is independent from any government, intergovernmental organisations, and UN agencies.

Affiliate members receive full access to the ICVA website and documents, meetings, and participation at General Assemblies. However, they do not have the right to vote or hold office..

D. ICVA Membership Criteria

An organisation applying for membership of ICVA will be assessed against the following criteria.

The organisation should:

1. Be an independent body established by a group of private individuals or organisations;

2. Have non-governmental, non-profit legal status in its country of incorporation;

3. Be non-partisan (operate without discrimination in regard to race, nationality, gender, political or religious conviction or social and economic background).

4. Have human rights/humanitarian programmes and/or activities that are consistent with the purposes of ICVA as described in ICVA’s Statutes (Article III) and Mission Statement;

5. Be governed by an independent, voluntary, and active board of directors;

6. Have a sustainable level of financial support;

7. Have a record of financial responsibility and accountability;

8. Have a record of accomplishing its objectives;

9. State its commitment to participate in ICVA’s activities as outlined in the ICVA Strategic Plan; and

10. Demonstrate, in all relevant situations, a commitment to:

    1. Collaboration with other NGOs and/or partner agencies, in line with the Principles of Partnership of the Global Humanitarian Platform;

    2. Humanitarian principles, including the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief;

    3. Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse as guided by the Statement of Commitment on Eliminating Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN and Non-UN Personnel; and

    4. Quality and accountability in humanitarian action, including use of the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response.

E. Applying for Membership of ICVA

What Applicants Should Do:

A completed Application for Membership of ICVA form should be sent to the ICVA Secretariat with the following documents in English:

1. Statutes, constitution, founding charter, or similar document;

2. Statement of organisational aims and objectives;

3. Proof of non-governmental and non-profit legal status;

4. Two most recent annual reports and audited financial statements, including sources of income and current donors;

5. Composition and term of executive body (board of directors or equivalent), including names and institutional affiliations;

6. Minutes of General Assemblies or similar meetings over the last two years (or, if no meetings held during that period, the most recent minutes);
7. List of member organisations (if applicable);

8. Copies, or internet addresses, of any codes of conduct, quality/accountability accreditation, or similar documents requested in the ICVA Application for Membership; and

9. Confirmation of payment of the application fee by bank transfer to ICVA of Swiss francs (CHF) 75.00 (not including bank charges).

What ICVA Will Do:

1. The ICVA Secretariat will review the complete application for membership against the criteria, check references as provided in the application, and may request additional information.

2. The Secretariat will make a recommendation to ICVA’s Executive Committee. The Committee will consider the application by e-mail or at its next meeting. The Executive Committee meets twice a year.

3. In assessing the application, the Executive Committee will take into account its responsibility to uphold ICVA’s mission and purpose and the degree to which the applicant will strengthen the work of ICVA.

4. The Executive Committee will approve, reject, or defer the application, based on a majority vote. The Committee’s decision is final.

5. The applicant will be informed by the Secretariat of the Executive Committee’s decision and, if applicable, the reasons why the application was rejected or deferred.

6. If membership is approved, the Secretariat will send a formal acknowledgement, with a membership package and an invoice for membership dues, in line with the ICVA Membership Dues Structure.

This by-law is drawn up in accordance with Article XVI of the ICVA Statutes (November 1981, revised March 1987, October 1987, December 1989, October 1999, and February 2006).