CONGOMA is a membership organization. It exists for and because of its members. In the past membership to CONGOMA was voluntary, thus an NGO could choose not to belong to CONGOMA. Now with the NGO Law/Act in place membership has shifted from being voluntary to mandatory. The Act establishes the NGO Board as a regulatory authority for all the NGOs in Malawi. It is mandated to register all the NGOs operating in the country. In order for the Board to register an NGO it requires a proof of membership with CONGOMA. Membership to CONGOMA is open to both local and international organizations.

WHAT IS AN NGO?  

The NGO Act (Sections 2 and 4) defines an NGO as an institution or organization constituted for public benefit purposes. It goes on to state that an NGO fulfils the following conditions:-

1. it has a written constitution or a governing instrument
2. it is not established, administered or controlled directly or indirectly by the Government of Malawi, or any other Government;
3. it applies all its funds and resources for public benefit purporses only;
4. it does not transfer or distribute, whether directly or indirectly, any benefit to its members, donors, trustees, directors or other officers, or their associates or next of kin, except if such benefits represent---
   1. reasonable remuneration for services actually rendered; or benefits conferred, without favour or discrimination, by reason of the beneficiary being part of an eligible group or
   2. category entitled to benefit in accordance with the public benefit purposes of the organization concerned;
5. it is not for private profit or gain for the persons controlling or managing the affairs of the NGO without prejudice to the rights and privileges of employees; 
6. it is managed or controlled by a committee, Board or Trust; 
7. it serves all eligible people, regardless of age, gender, tribe, race, religion, creed, sex, political affiation, nationality, region, disability or being a member of a minority group;
8. it is not a church or religious organization or a purely evangelistic or proselytizing nature;
9. it is not a political party, trade union or a social club created to pursue the interests of its members.

THE PROCESS  

It is required of all the NGOs that before operating in the country they must be registered under the laws of Malawi or another country other than Malawi, especially for international NGOs. Local NGOs must be registered to operate by the Registrar General of Malawi under the relevant laws.

Membership to CONGOMA has several benefits. CONGOMA Constitution Section 6 clearly defines members as those that have paid in full their membership dues. The following benefits are offered to our members:

1. Fiscal Incentives:

Under this arrangement, the Ministry of Finance and MRA government provides duty exemption to member NGOs on certain goods bought to benefit the poor. This arrangement is discretionary by the Ministry on a case by case basis and is given mainly as concessionary rates.

2. Trainings:

CONGOMA organizes in-house trainings on NGO self-governing and management for its members. These result in the development of Strategic Plans for the organizations. See our events section. 

3. Capacity Building Initiatives:

For prospective member NGOs, CONGOMA facilitates Capacity Building initiatives. These include arrangements with willing audit firms to audit the finances of the  NGOs at concessionary rates. CONGOMA produces manual books on NGO Self-governing (strategic plan development), proposal writing and financial procedures.

4. Office Space:

Some of the members of CONGOMA, especially new NGOs, are given office space within the building of CONGOMA at a subsidized fee. Currently occupying these offices are Eye of the Child, Elderly People's Association, Nkhomano Development Centre and Association for the Empowerment of Women.

5. Secretarial Services:

Member NGOs also benefit from secretarial services by the Secretariat. These services include photocopying, typing, printing, e-mail, telephone and faxes.

6. Access to e-mail addresses:

Member NGOs that do not have access to their own e-mail addresses, can create their own address through the website of CONGOMA at www.congoma.net. For example NGO X can have its address as X@congoma.net.

7. Recognition of NGO Status:

Many partners or stakeholders require a reference to attest to the NGO's registration as an NGO. CONGOMA therefore provides this reference for its members, through letters or membership certificate. The NGO Act of Parliament designates CONGOMA as the NGO coordinating body in Malawi. For NGOs to register with the NGO Board, they must show proof of membership with CONGOMA.

8. Meetings:

CONGOMA as a Secretariat receives a number of invitations for meetings or appointments to committees from other stakeholders that are not NGOs, the main stakeholder being the government. It is not possible for the Secretariat to attend all the meetings, which sometimes require sectoral expertise. CONGOMA therefore presents such opportunities to its members.

9. Publicity for NGO Work:

Our members enjoy publicity for their work through the newsletters, cards, flyers, NGO Week, calendars and the NGO Directory.

10. Access to Publications and other documentation:

Through its information resource center, members can access various publications, magazines, journals, books, CD-ROMs, research papers, video and audio tapes on relevant topical issues.

11. Sector Networks:

Members of CONGOMA belong to sector networks, which further enhance information, resource and knowledge sharing amongst themselves.