Administrative and Organizational Structure

The General Assembly
The General Assembly is made up of the entirety of the Network’s member organizations. It has the following powers and responsibilities:
1. To discuss and approve the Network’s annual plan and its audited budget.
2. To discuss and approve future annual plans.
3. To review and approve the Network’s financial plans and policies.
4. To elect member organizations which are to form part of the Network’s Steering Committee once every two years. Two member organizations which were part of the previous Committee must maintain their membership in the new Committee in order to guarantee the continuity of work.
5. To approve new memberships, upon the recommendation of the Steering Committee.
6. To modify and approve the Network’s By-Laws, with the approval of at least two-thirds of the member organizations.
7. To convene at least twice a year.
8. To determine annual membership fees.
9. To form specialized committees within the Network whenever the need arises.

The Steering Committee
The Steering Committee comprises seven to nine member organizations that work voluntarily and have the following powers and responsibilities:
To implement the goals of the Network by formulating annual administrative and financial plans and programs, which are to be approved by the General Assembly.
To prepare detailed work plans derived from the annual plans.
To meet at least once every two weeks in order to supervise the Network’s daily performance. Additional meetings can be convened when the need arises.
To supervise the process of receiving and disbursing funds, to prepare the annual budget and to ensure that accounts are audited.
To present administrative and financial annual reports to the General Assembly for approval.
To raise the funds required to guarantee the execution of the Network’s annual plan in cooperation with the General Assembly.
To supervise the collection of the annual membership fees.
To receive, process and assess applications for membership and make recommendations to the General Assembly during its annual meeting concerning the suitability of the organizations in question.
To approve the employment of the Network’s coordinator and other employees, in accordance with the needs of the Network.
To seek the help of advisors and experts in order to improve the Network’s performance.
To officially represent the Network both locally and internationally, within the framework of its stated goals.
Membership
Organizations, not individuals, are eligible for membership.
Any organization, meeting the definition of an NGO as outlined above, is eligible to join the Network if it fulfills the following criteria:
It must have been established for at least two years before applying for membership.
It must be active in one or more of the fields detailed in the above NGO definition.
Its program must outline a clear strategy, goals and activities. It must have identified mechanisms for the attainment of its goals and the evaluation of its work.
It must have clear By-Laws that stipulate how decisions are made and define the interrelation among different administrative levels. There need to be job descriptions for all employees. The organization must provide information about its internal structures, including the names and duties of the people working for it.
Its financial reports must be completed professionally, audited by a chartered auditor and approved by authoritative bodies.
It is required to have issued at least one annual report outlining its work and activities.
Its activities must be compatible with the stated goals and objectives of its program.
The Chairperson of its Board of Directors, the Chairperson of its General Assembly, its Director General or its Executive Director must not occupy the following governmental positions: Minister, Deputy Minister or Director General in a Ministry.
The Executive Committee considers applications for membership and presents its recommendation to the General Assembly for approval by at least two-thirds of the member organizations.

Suspension of Membership
The General Assembly can suspend or revoke the membership of any organization in the following cases:
If the NGO in question does not abide by the criteria of membership outlined above.
If it no longer embraces the goals and general principles of the Network.
If it terminates its programs and activities.