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   November 2011 (1st Ed.)

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 About CANGO

CANGO Organizational Chart

CANGO General Assembly

The General Assembly is the primary decision-making body of the Canadian Network of NGOs. It is composed of all recognized CANGO Network Partners, each holding equal status. At present, it is composed of 20 Partners. The General Assembly meets every two months at the Ethiopian Canada Cooperation Office (ECCO) or at members’ offices as required.

Any decisions concerning the structure of CANGO, its resources or its mandate are the sole responsibility of the General Assembly. Decisions are to be made by consensus whenever possible and are decided by a majority vote if necessary. The General Assembly is the last instance of conflict resolution within CANGO. Any conflicts arising among the Network Partners in other elements of CANGO may be brought to the General Assembly for review.

CANGO Network Lead

The role of Network Lead (Chair) is held by one organization, at the Country Director or Representative level. The Network Lead is appointed by nomination or volunteering of an organization and decided through group consensus (a majority vote if required) of the CANGO General Assembly. All members of CANGO are eligible to hold this position. Daniel Leonard, Country Representative for the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), is presently the Network Lead (Chair) until June 2012 after which Right to Play (RTP) will rotate to the position of Network Lead (currently Vice Chair).

The Network Lead is primarily responsible to chair General Assembly meetings, sits on the Management Committee (described below) and represents the best interests of CANGO whenever and however possible. The Network Lead (and Coordinator) also maintains open communications with CIDA representatives in Ethiopia, supervises and supports the implementation of decisions made by the General Assembly and Management Committee, and represents CANGO Network Partners to external stakeholders, upholding the interests of the Canadian Network of NGOs.

Previous Network Leads:

• Kebede Ayele, Country Director, International Development Enterprises (IDE) (2011)
• David Throp, Country Director, Plan International (2010/2012)
• Mr Sam Vander Ende, Regional Representative, Canadian Foodgrains Bank (2006/07)
• Mr Feleke Tadele, Country Representative, Oxfam Canada (2007/2008)
• Mr Tibebu Bekele, Country Representative, HOPE International (2008/2009)
• Mr. Berhanu Ambaw, Country Director, Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (2009/2010)
• Mrs. Abby Maxman, Country Director, CARE Ethiopia (2010)

CANGO Management Committee

The Management Committee (MC) is comprised of three network members in role of Network Lead (Chair), Vice Chair, and one other supporting member. Each member on the MC will serve in all three roles during their term for a total period of 18 months.

This Management structure of CANGO was changed in April 2010 to accommodate the need for greater flexibility and the decision to remove thematic groups from CANGO. As per the new structure, there will be a rotation every six months in which the chair will rotate off, the vice chair will become chair, the other member will become vice chair and one new member will be nominated to rotate on. This arrangement is intended to preserve institutional memory in CANGO’s management structure to enable consistent and continued activity and functioning.

Each organization is expected to be on the MC at one point. Selection of MC members will be decided at GA meetings. Members can nominate themselves for wider group consensus.

As elected representatives for the other CANGO Network Partners, the members of the Management Committee have a larger degree of responsibility to preserve the interests of CANGO. They are empowered with the mandate to do so. The role of MC is to work with the Coordinator to provide guidance and input into strategic network matters and play a leadership role on CANGO initiatives and planning on behalf of the membership. They will also oversee administrative and financial matters with the Coordinator. Members are required to attend monthly MC meetings with the Coordinator.

The Management Committee is presently composed of the following three members:

• Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Daniel Leonard: Chair
• Right to Play (RTP), Landuber Araya: Vice Chair
• Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), Loren Hostetter, Supporting MC Member

The next rotation will take place in June 2012, after which MCC will rotate off as Chair with RTP moving into the role of Chair and World Vision moving to Vice Chair. A new member will be nominated to join the MC as a supporting member.

CANGO Coordinator

The objective of the CANGO Coordinator is to assist member organizations in achieving their objectives of sharing information, promoting cooperation and enhancing collective action. Specific objectives are set out in an Annual Coordinator Work Plan.

The Coordinator’s key responsibilities are to:

1. To help develop and ensure the CANGO plans of action are implemented according to the approved Network agreements. Assist, wherever possible, to ensure the assignments of CANGO are accomplished in accordance with agreed time frames.
2. Be fully aware and track changes of policies, strategies and other initiatives and developments by the Canadian Government in the areas of priority including food security, good governance, and civil society support and poverty alleviation. Be responsible for disseminating this information to network members on a regular basis.
3. Regularly monitor and assess the implications of the CIDA strategic directions on CANGO thinking and strategies and provide periodic analysis.
4. Maintain regular contact and good relations with all CANGO Network Partners and act as a conduit link with the CIDA office in Ethiopia.
5. Identify and develop good relations with key stakeholders both in Ethiopia and Canada, particularly those actors identified by CANGO as key partners or collaborators in lobbying for or achieving changes that will address issues identified by the network. The Coordinator will serve as a representative for CANGO at forums in country such as OCHA HCC, BINGO, and HINGO.
6. Promote visibility in the humanitarian community of CANGO and its member organizations as well as Canadian development priorities.
7. In accordance with the decisions of CANGO, maintain full awareness of, and active participation in regular internal and external meetings; ensure the solicitation and incorporation of comments, changes and corrections of agendas, concept papers, minutes and briefing papers. Share information to CANGO about important events and projects of member organizations.
8. To organise CANGO General Assembly meetings and special events, announce details, access minutes; prepare the necessary documentation and other support facilities as required by member agencies and/or CIDA. Promote active engagement of members in meetings, collective learning activities, and other initiatives.
9. To identify and work with the CANGO Management Committee and any created task forces/working groups within CANGO to develop concept papers and proposals to new potential Canadian or other funding sources to expand or continue the CANGO initiative.
10. To provide a biannual progress report to the CANGO General Assembly against the milestones, activities or outputs agreed upon by the member agencies.
11. Update the CANGO website on a regular basis to revive it as an information and knowledge sharing platform for network members and the public.
12. Facilitate and/or undertake analysis and studies as thematic priorities arise and specific learning exercises are delegated by the Management Committee.

CANGO Canada-Based Focal-Person

Recognizing the importance of Canadian interests in the achievement of CANGO goals and objectives, the Network Partners are determined on preserving a Canadian representation. This offers the possibilities of improved communications with Federal Canadian institutions, CANGO representation at critical events or functions and closer linkages with Canadian constituents. The CANGO Network Partners identified the need for a Canada-based Focal-Person to act on their behalf in Canada, when circumstances require.

Communications is of particular importance to this position. The general purpose of the Canada Focal-Person is to facilitate the transmission of information between the Ethiopia based CANGO Network and Canadian stakeholders and public. As such, the Canada-based Focal Person:

• Holds the role of spokesperson, he or she transmits messages, positions and relevant documents that are developed by CANGO in Ethiopia, to Canadian stakeholders when specifically requested to do so;
• Provides input on CANGO produced documents (policy briefs, concept notes, etc) as requested with the aim of having a Canadian based perspective
• Provides information to members through the Coordinator on new funding opportunities, opportunities for CANGO to input into Canadian dialogue, and other key events as they arise
• Plays the role of meeting convener for Canadian representatives of partner NGOs as deemed adequate – these types of meetings are expected to be very rare and will only be called at appropriate times as agreed upon by the Focal Point and CANGO Coordinator/members.

The Canada Focal-Person shall:

• Preserve the values & mission of CANGO in all their relations;
• Make time to contribute to CANGO in a productive fashion, as permitted by their other commitments and schedules (estimated at about 5-10 hours per month);
• Ensure that leadership on any issues is given/developed by CANGO in Ethiopia and endorsed by its membership;
• Abide on all aspects to the Code of Partnership signed by CANGO Network partners when acting as the CANGO Focal Point.

The current Canada Focal-Person is Nicholas Moyer, Former CANGO Coordinator (2006/2007) and currently the Coordinator for the Humanitarian Coalition based in Ottawa, Ontario (website details provided on related link pages).

Working Groups

CANGO Working Groups are formed on an ad hoc basis around one specific project or initiative and are dissolved upon its completion. The Working Groups page shows past and current working groups formed under CANGO. Roles and Responsibilities of Working Groups will be defined by the members of each Group on the occasion of their first meeting.