The Characteristics of a well-functioning National Society are the standard criteria to identify an effective and efficient organization. Click on the boxes to see details.
Activities
a) A well-functioning Society carries out a set of activities that it well selected, planned and evaluated.
b) It ensures that activities are consistent with its mission and with its desired public image, thus enhancing public confidence.
c) It adheres to relevant Federation policies, including the Principles and Rules for Disaster Relief and for Development Co-operation, and other policy decisions of the General Assembly, the Council of Delegates and the International Conference.
d) It actively disseminates the Fundamental Principles and humanitarian law. It co-operates with the government to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and to protect the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblem.
e) While respecting the Principle of Neutrality, it is not indifferent in the face of situations that adversely affect the most vulnerable.
f) It is prepared to take prompt and effective action in response to disasters, in accordance with its specific role in disaster relief; it is prepared in peace time for its statutory tasks in case of armed conflict; it actively assists in relief operations after natural disasters; and it selectively undertakes development programmes aimed at strengthening the capacities of vulnerable communities.
g) It implements a set of core programmes in line with regional requirements as determined by respective regional conferences.
Relevance
a) A well-functioning Society concentrates its activities on the most vulnerable, enhancing their capacity to help themselves.
b) It pursues the active participation of programme target groups in its membership, in the decision-making process and in contributing to the costs of services.
Effectiveness
a) A well-functioning Society monitors continuously whether its activities have the desire effect and whether results are achieved efficiently, taking prompt corrective action where needed and feeding the results back into the planning process.
b) It enjoys a good reputation for the quality of its work, both amongst the country's leading opinion makers and the public at large. To help enhance its public image, it keeps the press well informed about its activities.
c) It prepares regular progress reports and keeps the Federation, its members, its donors and the public at large regularly informed about its activities, finances and achievements.
c) It regularly evaluates and assesses the quality and impact of is activities and makes adjustments where needed.
Leadership
a) A well-functioning Society has a clear and straightforward governing structure with well-defined roles for its general assembly, for the central or executive committee, for the chairman or president, and for the chief executive officer; accountability has been well-established at all levels of governance and management.
b) It avoids domination of the governing body by one person, one group or by the government; too, it avoids exclusion of certain persons or groups from membership.
c) Decision-making is widely shared, with all volunteers having access to the decision, making process and with provision for consultation and a wide expression of views.
d) Leaders are committed to the Red Cross/Red Crescent and have the necessary background and skills, with special efforts made to ensure regular succession of leaders.
e) Leadership training as well as leadership opportunities are provided at all levels, especially for women and youth.
Human Resources
a) A well-functioning Society engages in a sufficient number of properly qualified persons (staff and volunteers) to carry out its services, and taps professional advice and expertise beyond its own membership.
b) It has explicit policies regarding the recruitment, training, appraisal and reward of staff and volunteers, and it actively implements these policies.
c) It actively recruits volunteers from all sections of the community, including from vulnerable groups that it is trying to assist, and engages in programmes that rely on volunteers as well as on financial inputs.
Financial and Material Resources
a)It finances its activities on a planned basis, covering the expenses of administration and other core activities from its own, core resources.
b)It seeks to minimize dependence on foreign or government assistance through active local fundraising combined with sound financial management.
c) It carries out local fundraising on a systematic basis, seeking broad support within the population.
d) It diversifies its sources of funding in order to protect its independence and reduce risks while ensuring high ethical standards and avoiding support from sources and on conditions that are inconsistent with its mission.
f) It keeps administrative and other overhead costs under control to ensure that as many of its resources as possible are used to improve the situation of the most vulnerable.
g) It has available the basic material infrastructure (buildings, transport and other means) adequate for its purposes, consistent with its desires public image and sustainable in terms of operation and maintenance.
Organization
a) A well-functioning Society has the structures, systems and procedures in place that allow it to fulfill its mission.
b) Its organization is flexible, prepared to respond immediately to disasters.
c) It has a headquarters which gives leadership and support to local units.
d) It has an up-to-date, comprehensive development plan that brings together its mission, its specific objectives, its relief and development programmes, and its financing.
e) It has a sound system of financial management, budgeting, accounting and external, independent auditing, with clear accountability for the use of funds.
f) It works closely with other organizations - national and international, public and private - taking into account what others are doing, co-ordinating its activities with them and sharing resources, information and expertise.
g) It actively supports the Federation, participating in its affairs, implementing its policies, and assisting the Federation, the ICRC and the other Societies to the limits of its abilities, including the sharing of experiences, knowledge and expertise.
Mission
a) A well-functioning National Society has a clearly stated mission, in other words, a clear purpose, a clear idea of what it is trying to do. The mission is well understood and broadly supported by members at all levels of the Society.
b) It is guided by the Fundamental Principles of the Movement and operates in conformity with these Fundamental Principles throughout the Society.
c) It maintains a position of autonomy and independence, while working closely, as a responsible partner, with the government and with others.
d) Its mission reflects the Mission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent as well as the Challenge as defined in the Federation's Strategic Work Plan.
e) It demonstrates understanding and acceptance of its responsibilities as a member of the Federation and part of the Movement.
f) It strikes the right balance between the preservation of established values on the one hand and the innovation needed to meet new challenges on the other.
g) It has a positive public image that properly reflects its mission and its values.
Legal Base
a) A well-functioning Society has up-to-date and relevant statutes, modified only after concurrence of the ICRC and the Federation.
b) It is constituted on the territory of an independent country, as the only Red Cross or Red Crescent Society.
c) It uses the title and emblem of the Red Cross or Red Crescent in conformity with the Geneva conventions and the relevant regulations.
d) The Red Cross or Red Crescent law or decree under which it is recognized by its government is still relevant.
e) The statutes are being respected; in particular, the general assembly or equivalent governing body) is being convened regularly and elections are held in accordance with the statutes.
Constituency
a) A well-functioning Society has up-to-date and relevant statutes, modified only after concurrence of the ICRC and the Federation.
b) It is constituted on the territory of an independent country, as the only Red Cross or Red Crescent Society.
c) It uses the title and emblem of the Red Cross or Red Crescent in conformity with the Geneva conventions and the relevant regulations.
d) The Red Cross or Red Crescent law or decree under which it is recognized by its government is still relevant.
e) The statutes are being respected; in particular, the general assembly or equivalent governing body) is being convened regularly and elections are held in accordance with the statutes.
