How to apply for Microfinance Pasifika Membership
1. Membership Eligibility Criteria
The Network wishes to maintain a balance among membership from institutions with national policy responsibility in the area of microfinance, commercial banks or similar financial institutions, NGOs and support organisations. Candidate organisations may fall into one of the following four categories:
- Institutions which exercise national level policy responsibility in the area of microfinance in one of the countries represented by the Network
- NGOs and similar microfinance institutions with good performance as measured by level of financial self-sufficiency and scale of operations. The Network shall consider institutions that are fully self-sufficient or whose record demonstrates the vision and commitment to become self-sufficient. Microfinance must also be a core activity of the institutions.
- Regulated financial institutions, such as commercial banks, that demonstrate a commitment to microfinance.
- Support organisations that provide technical and other assistance to microfinance institutions. The number of support institutions shall be restricted to ensure at least 75% of Microfinance Pasifika are financial institution.
Institutions that satisfy the criteria in any of the above four categories and are unable for any good reason to accept membership of the Microfinance Pasifika may be invited by the Executive Committee to participate in Network activities as Associated Institutions. They may attend the Annual General Meeting but will not be eligible to vote.
Donors, International Agencies/NGOs will also be invited to join the network as Associated Institutions.
All applicants must also comply with the following criteria:
- Be legally constituted in their country of operation,
- Show evidence of commitment to microfinance development,
- Provide a strategy and business plan including target clientele and positioning in the microfinance sector,
- Provide a description of the organization governance structure,
- Commit to fulfil responsibilities to the Microfinance Pasifika including
- regular reporting,
- services cost-sharing,
- in kind contributions to build the network knowledge and capabilities
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2. Benefits and responsibilities
Within the next 3 years Microfinance Pasifika expects to support the development of the microfinance sector in the Pacific region by becoming:
- a leading advocate for a policy environment that is conducive to the growth and strengthening of a socially-development focused, market-oriented microfinance sector, committed to
- assisting the poor breakout of the poverty syndrome
- a regional platform for partnerships, peer learning and cross-fertilization of ideas;
- a unique vehicle to assist organizations to achieving sustainable growth and scale becoming more efficient,
- a regional forum to disseminate best practices, innovations, standards, tools and methods.
a) Benefits for members
Microfinance Pasifika will provide members the opportunity:
- to use the Microfinance Pasifika name and logo, under circumstances approved by the Executive Committee, in member organisation publications and letterheads,
- to receive newsletters, publications and technical materials produced or sourced by the Network with a focus on best practices knowledge in microfinance, regionally and internationally, subject to availability of resources,
- to participate in national and regional program activities conducted by the Network, including meetings and workshops/forums, and/or conferences
- access training and technical assistance as well as targeted value-added services to members, subject to availability of resources,
- of establishing channels of communication by the Network on behalf of member institutions to multilateral and bilateral development agencies and international financial institutions concerned with microfinance development,
- of establishing and strengthening collaborative relationships with other international networks,
- of publishing and dissemination of member's work, tools and achievements,
- to access an interactive website comprising a regional information database, major publications, discussion lists, news and interactive programs.
b) Responsibilities of members
- Members of the Microfinance Pasifika, are expected to work constantly towards achieving the Microfinance Pasifika's objectives with an active participation in the network activities,
- Members are expected to participate in the Microfinance Pasifika's conference,
- Members are responsible for paying their annual fees at rates approved at the Annual General Meeting.
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3. Membership application approval process
Applications will be sent to the Microfinance Pasifika Secretariat. The elected Membership Committee, with the support of the Microfinance Pasifika secretariat will be responsible for assessing a candidate's eligibility and interest in joining the network. Membership nominations will be sent to the Executive Committee for approval.
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4. Membership fees
Members are sought to financially contribute to the network:
- For single organizations:
- US $200 for Non-Profit Organizations
- US $500 for all other institutions
To maintain the diversity of members and the a balance between the different types of organizations, the Microfinance Pasifika Network reserves the right to refuse or postpone an application for membership.
5. Membership Application Form
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