How To Join?
All NGOs that is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-political and non-proselytising organisation with a full-time presence in Puntland who has appropriate registration with Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation in line with Puntland NGO Act, pays membership fees, and is approved by the General Assembly of the network is welcome to become a member. Please, note that international organisations, businesses, NGOs without a full-time presence in Puntland, or for-profit NGOs may not apply for membership.
PUNTNGO provides a scope of services that are provided to its members but these are broadly:
- Information Sharing / Communication – PUNTNGO manages an information network that is unique in Puntland. It exists to ensure that there is effective, and transparent, sharing of information relevant to both its members and external stakeholders.
- Coordination – PUNTNGO coordinates NGO activities through its various meetings and through relationships with external stakeholders.
- Representation / Policy / Advocacy / Lobbying – PUNTNGO represents the interests of its members in external meetings, policy discussions, advocacy meetings and documents, and lobbying on issues of common interest.
- Local NGO Development – PUNTNGO is committed to the development and capacity building of Local NGOs through the existence of a specialized system as well as engagement with INGOs and donors to this end.
Membership renewal/payment is done on a yearly basis. Renewal notifications are usually sent to members in January. This requires completion of the same application form as first-time members.
Any NGO with above criteria can the network with the following application process:
- Complete the application form.
- Await endorsement by the Steering Committee which meet every 2 weeks.
- Present a brief description of the organisation and its activities to the monthly Board of Directors meeting, after which membership is voted upon, endorsed and then approved by the General Assembly in their annual meeting.
In certain circumstances organisations such as the independent nonprofit governmental organizations and other organizations with nonprofit institutions that differs the primary membership can apply for an associate membership which allows for use of the network services but without having voting rights. The associate membership applications must be accompanied by a letter explaining the reasons for seeking associate status, which is then reviewed by the Board of Directors.
The current membership stands at 100 organizations spread across all regions and districts of Puntland state in Somalia.