By this article we want to present several examples of how the Standards for Local Organisations (Members of Associations) can look like.
We already wrote about single entity and associated structures here and role of the National Organisation here.
As you can see from the articles, one of the functions of the National Organisation is to ensure minimum standards. Usually this is the Constitution which includes the key elements to outline the membership:
- Categories of membership and their definitions
- Eligibility of membership
- Commitments and Rights of members
- Membership fees
- Acceptance to membership
- Resignation/Suspension/Removal/Change of membership category.
The eligibility of membership includes description which organisations can be accepted to the association generally.
Example from the Constitution of the European Association for the Education of Adults:
“An organisation eligible to membership shall be any institution or association, having legal personality and legally set-up according to the laws and customs of their country of origin, pursuing a non-profit goal by primarily working in the field of adult education (regardless of its size and organisational set-up), and having its administrative seat and operational sphere in a European country. The number of members of the EAEA is not limited. For the purpose of defining eligibility for membership, "country" means European countries as defined by membership to the Council of Europe.”
Many organisations create a separate document (annex to the Constitution, by-law, etc.) which presents more details on this topic.
The main reasons for having the Standards are the following:
- Brand protection;
- Reputation and positioning;
- Adherence to the mission and values;
- Ensuring good governance and management;
- Ensuring quality of the programmes and services (more here: https://www.ymcaeurope.com/quality-standards-for-programmes-and-projects);
- Motivation for sustainable development;
- Ensuring transparent procedures and equal criteria.
Please, see the example of YMCA Belarus, where they distinguish between obligatory standards (which is a must) and important ones. YMCA Belarus understands that there are some standards the local organisations are not ready for. Time and support are needed so they can reach them. The long-term strategy is that the “important” ones become “mandatory” with time.
YMCA Belarus Standards for Local Organisations MANDATORY STANDARDS 1. Compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, the Constitution and decisions of the Conference of YMCA Belarus:
a copy of the Constitution of YMCA Belarus, certified by a notary;
2. Presence of a democratic structure
3. Members of the organisation and program participants share the values ??of YMCA Belarus
4. Relevant activities
5. Participation in the activities of the National Organisation Participation in the governance of the National Organisation / Participation in key programs, projects of the National Organisation 6. Unified branding with the National Organisation * – today we are in the process IMPORTANT STANDARDS These are the quality standards that were discussed by the leaders of the LO and were identified as important for the sustainability of the organisation and for its effectiveness. The national organisation is ready to assist the LO in achieving these standards. 1. The leaders of the organisation deliver the values ??of the organisation in their activities and behave in accordance with the "Code of the Leader". 2. Focus on sustainable development:
3. Striving for diversity in programs (presence of 2-3 programs) 4. The presence of updated pages in social networks The Auditing Committee (AC) once every two years conducts an inspection of the Local Organisations (LO), informing the LO one month in advance. Within two weeks, the AC submits a report to the National Board on the presence / absence of violations. 3 months are given to correct violations. In case of non-compliance, the National Board has the right to raise the issue of closing the LO (Article 4.1.23 of the Constitution: the decision to liquidate the LO is made at a meeting of the Board, if the majority of the present members of the Board voted for the liquidation in the following cases: 1) violation of the Constitution of YMCA Belarus; 2) committing actions that are contrary to the goals and objectives of YMCA Belarus. |
YMCA Scotland has a separate annex in their Constitution to define conditions of membership.
YMCA Scotland – CONDITION OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL Only an Association which formally accepts the Conditions of Membership as listed may be admitted to membership of The National Council. An Association in membership of The National Council must also accept these Conditions of Membership:- (1) To use the name “Young Men’s Christian Association” Note: Permission may be given by The National Council for the use of the name in conjunction with other names. (2) To submit its Constitution for approval on application for admission, and not to change any items of this document affecting the objects of that Association, the conditions of membership, the representative nature of its controlling body, or provisions for the management or disposal of the assets of that Association, without the prior permission of The National Council (3) To reserve all controlling powers to the Full Members of that Association, except that:- An Association which operates a single category of membership shall either:- (a) consist of Full Members or (b) ensure that its Constitution conforms to that of The National Council, especially of this Appendix, and also have approved by The National Council its statement on conditions of membership accepted personally by those joining that Association (4) To conduct a programme which has as its basis the extension of Christ’s Kingdom, recognising that Christian discipleship and service involve the development of the whole being – body, mind and spirit – and that religious, social, educational and physical activities should be sponsored (5) To provide The National Council with a copy of the Annual Report on activities and Financial Statement (6) To contribute, on an agreed basis, to the funds of The National Council for the support of the national and international work of The National Council (7) Not to suspend or discontinue the work of the Association, or withdraw from The National Council, without giving prior intimation of such intentions to a meeting of The National Council (8) To place the assets of the Association in the hands of the Trustees for the purposes of that Association. The National Council shall have the right to appoint two of the Trustees for this purpose (9) To adopt and comply with YMCA Scotland brand guidelines (10) To comply with all charitable requirements of OSCR and other regulatory bodies as required including the submission of annual returns (11) To comply with all legal requirements regarding Safeguarding (12) To invite YMCA Scotland to send an individual to represent the National Council and attend the Association’s AGM/ABM and one Board meeting per year (13) To ensure that all new Board members of the Association undertake YMCA Board induction training (14) To participate in the National Council Quality Review process (15) To append the National Council Conditions of membership to its governing constitutional document or memorandum and articles of association (16) An Association’s membership of The National Council may be terminated on a resolution of The National Council should that Association’s activities be inconsistent with this Constitution. Such a resolution must have the approval of three fourths of those entitled to vote and voting (17) If an Association ceases to be a member of The National Council and ceases in the view of The National Council to abide by YMCA principles and objectives in terms of a Constitution approved by The National Council, the assets, funds and records of that Association shall be handed over to The National Council (18) It shall be competent to grant a temporary membership of The National Council for a period of one year to a society which cannot immediately fulfil all the conditions of membership |
Here is the Membership Agreement of YMCA England and Wales
This is an example of how YMCA USA qualifies members in the Constitution.
Section 2. For the purpose of qualifying for membership in the National Council, the National Board shall recognize as a member association a corporate Young Men’s Christian Association: (a) Which annually certifies that it accepts and supports the statement of purpose of the Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America as stated in Article I, Section 2. (b) Whose governing documents provide that it shall be designated as a Young Men’s Christian Association and which is organized and operated in conformity with this Constitution. (c) Which certifies its acceptance of this Constitution of the National Council. (d) Which monthly pays to the National Council one-twelfth of its share of the financial support of the National Council by electronic funds transfer, or such other means as directed by the National Council; provided that in exceptional circumstances a member association may be released from this requirement in whole or in part, and on conditions, by action of the National Board. (e) Which annually reports to the National Board concerning such matters as the Board may request from time to time. (f) Whose chief employed officer meets the education and training qualifications of that position as determined by the National Board. (g) Which annually certifies that the member association does not unlawfully discriminate against its staff, board, volunteers, committees or recipients of services based on any characteristic or status protected by federal, state or local law and is committed to a culture of inclusion and understands, respects and values the diversity of others. (h) Which is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an exempt organization described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended or any successor provision thereto, and which conforms to applicable federal, state, or local laws regulating charitable nonprofit or not for profit corporations. (i) Which annually acknowledges that the name “Young Men’s Christian Association” and all names, marks, logos, symbols and other intellectual property, including copyrights, owned, used, or authorized by the National Council, are the property of the National Council and member associations have a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferrable right to use such intellectual property only as authorized by the National Board through its policies and guidelines to protect the YMCA brand and reputation. (j) Which annually certifies that, not withstanding its local autonomy, the member association recognizes its responsibility as part of a national movement; it shall not act in a manner which the National Board, through its National Committee on Membership Standards, determines adversely impacts the reputation of other member associations, the YMCA brand or the national YMCA movement. SANCTIONS Section 3. The National Board shall have the power to terminate, put on probation or otherwise condition the membership of a member association in the National Council for failure to meet any or all of the established criteria for membership as stated in Article II, Section 2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR BRANCHES Section 4. Member associations are solely responsible for their branches complying with the qualifications for membership as set forth in Article II, Section 2. |
Legal Standards for Non-Governmental Organisations by Council of Europe, here.
Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the legal status of non-governmental organisations in Europe, here
The material is created within the project “Organic Governance and Quality Development” supported by Erasmus+, Key Action 2 programme.