Networked Conference: Dispatch 1: When Networks Register as NGOs
12:56 am in Networked Conference, Research Texts and Articles, Triangle Network by toddlester
In order for networks to raise funds they must either register (as non-profit /non-governmental organizations) or have a registered fiscal sponsor. This means that networks have to register under the tax system of a specific country, and thus the network must defer to that nation’s rules. When a network is horizontal and works across multiple countries and regions, this can cause an identity crisis with the network in limbo between older non-profit institutional strictures/limitations and the prospect of radical organizing offered by the evolving network form.
Agree totally. When the European cultural networks started to grow in the 90′s and needed (or wanted) to fundraise, they had to choose a statute or constitution and what was available was that of a non-prpofit association. Well, it fit in some ways: a common value system and set of aims, members…. but it also imposed a pyramidal hierarchy (which especially at that time was precisely what the networks were set up AGAINST). Several of us tried to devise a statue for a network (non-hierarchical) but didn’t succeed. Maybe time to try again? Basically it’s about being accountable for the public (or private) money which is being requested.