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Many NGOs in Ireland are struggling financially, and some Dóchas members have difficulties paying the membership fee. That is why we want to remind you of the reasons:. Why be part of ?. 1. “There are too many NGOs”.
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Many NGOs in Ireland are struggling financially, and some Dóchas members have difficulties paying the membership fee. That is why we want to remind you of the reasons: Why be part of ?
1. “There are too many NGOs” As Ireland’s aid budget is shrinking, calls for greater NGO cooperation are increasing. Some have suggested that the vast number of not-for-profit organisations represent duplication of effort and that there would be scope for better value for money. The truth is that NGOs already are engaged in an array of coordination mechanisms, and that Irish NGOs adhere to a series of professional standards. Thanks to Dóchas, coordination, shared learning and information exchange are built into the Irish Development NGO sector.
2. “Small charities can’t make a big difference” Irish Development NGOs know that their programmes work at a small scale, but that they can only secure lasting improvements for the world’s poorest people if they can influence international political processes, by mobilising the skills, energies and power of others. Through NGO networks and coalitions such as Dóchas, Irish NGOs meet their peers and challenge themselves to reflect on their weaknesses and alternatives to their approaches.
3. “NGOs are all about competition for funding” For the general public, the main form of interaction with Development NGOs tends to happen in the context of NGO fund-raising. The sector struggles to communicate the complexity of Development processes and comes across as disorganised and fragmented. Dóchas helps its members to better inform the general public about development issues, the work of development NGOs and the many ways in which NGOs work together
4. “How do I know which NGO I can trust?” With so many NGOs, it can be hard for members of the public to tell which organisations are really making a lasting impact on poverty, and which organisations deliver on the claims they make. All Dóchas members have signed up to shared Codes of Conduct, and they use the network to hold each other to account.
5. “NGOs don’t learn from their mistakes” Irish NGOs know that they work in a challenging environment, and that there is no one “silver bullet” approach in Development. Effective NGOs are those who are willing to admit they are not perfect, and are brave enough to ask others for assistance. • Learn from: • Dóchas Working Groups • Dóchas Wednesday News • Dóchas Members Update • Dóchas “NGO Impact News” • Dóchas research • Dóchas & Dtalk trainings • Dóchas seminars and briefings • Dóchas Consultant Register
6. “How do we know Dóchas has an impact?” Don’t take our word for it; Watch the video testimonies • The “We Do Care” campaign avoided massive aid cuts. • Over 1,000 people attended Dóchas meetings last year – and they keep coming back for more. • 59 organisations signed onto the Code of Conduct on Images and Messages. • Politicians of all parties have welcomed our Submissions. • Record attendance at the AGM, where members expressed their satisfaction with Dóchas’ work. • There’s only one way to tell: • - Ask yourself if Dóchas is delivering for you?
What Dóchas will do for you: Leadership Analysis of trends and gaps Formulating NGO action Defending the sector Critical voice Analysis Representation Resources Wednesday News Lobby on aid issues Credibility for the sector Mutual trust among members Newsletters Conduit for govt-NGO relations A space for discussion Visibility for diversity of the sector Member to member contact A contact point for the entire sector Topical seminars Neutral space A unifying voice Working Groups A voice for the sector Moral support Information about Irish Aid Strength in numbers A portal to Europe
What’s Your View? What services does Dóchas deliver for you? What services should it deliver in the future? What impact are we making? How can we improve our services to you? Let us know, and take an active part in our work! anna@dochas.ie www.dochas.ie