After two years of non-functional regional committees, CONGOMA holds the first regional meeting which saw the election of new Regional Committee chairpersons to oversee regional activities in the year 2016. The meetings which were held on 17th March for Southern Region, 29th March for Central Region and 31st March for Northern Region were successful and saw Age Africa, Disabled Women in Africa and Matunkha Development Trust respectively being elected as Regional Chairing organizations for the year 2016.
With the aim of advancing coordination and networking in regions, Regional Committees have the responsibility of promoting Regional NGO activities; facilitating coordination between NGOs in the Region and the Regional Office; set and agree Standing Orders to ensure effective regional governance within the Region; fundraise for the NGO Regional community; oversee the management of the Regional Office and present the interests of NGOs working within the Region to the Governing Council of CONGOMA.
Among other things the meetings discussed 2015 AGM Key resolutions; NGO Governance Charter; CONGOMA 2016 plans; 2015 updates and conducted Regional Elections. In particular it was announced that NGO week and AGM will be held sometime in third or fourth quarter of 2016, there will be capacity building for NGOs which will focus on training in development of a Theory of change vs log frame and understanding the balance sheet for non-finance directors. In addition, CONGOMA secretariat announced the initiative it is undertaking to establish an NGO workers SACCO. In this regard, NGOs are expected to submit to CONGOMA numbers of their employees that are interested to join the SACCO. It is a requirement by MUSCCO that we have a minimum of 300 people for a SACCO to be registered among other things. Besides information on CONGOMA computers project and progress in the development of the NGO policy were share.