1. Why be part of ? Many NGOs in Ireland are struggling financially, and some Dóchas members have difficulties paying the membership fee. That is why we want to remind you of the reasons:

2. As Ireland’s aid budget is shrinking, calls for greater NGO cooperation are increasing. Some have suggested that the vast number of not-for-profit organisations represent duplication of effort and that there would be scope for better value for money. The truth is that NGOs already are engaged in an array of coordination mechanisms, and that Irish NGOs adhere to a series of professional standards. 1. “There are too many NGOs” Thanks to Dóchas, coordination, shared learning and information exchange are built into the Irish Development NGO sector.

3. 2. “Small charities can’t make a big difference” Through NGO networks and coalitions such as Dóchas, Irish NGOs meet their peers and challenge themselves to reflect on their weaknesses and alternatives to their approaches. Irish Development NGOs know that their programmes work at a small scale, but that they can only secure lasting improvements for the world’s poorest people if they can influence international political processes, by mobilising the skills, energies and power of others.

4. 3. “NGOs are all about competition for funding” Dóchas helps its members to better inform the general public about development issues, the work of development NGOs and the many ways in which NGOs work together For the general public, the main form of interaction with Development NGOs tends to happen in the context of NGO fund-raising. The sector struggles to communicate the complexity of Development processes and comes across as disorganised and fragmented.

5. 4. “How do I know which NGO I can trust?” All Dóchas members have signed up to shared Codes of Conduct, and they use the network to hold each other to account. With so many NGOs, it can be hard for members of the public to tell which organisations are really making a lasting impact on poverty, and which organisations deliver on the claims they make.

6. 5. “NGOs don’t learn from their mistakes” Learn from: Dóchas Working Groups Dóchas Wednesday News Dóchas Members Update Dóchas “NGO Impact News” Dóchas research Dóchas & Dtalk trainings Dóchas seminars and briefings Dóchas Consultant Register Irish NGOs know that they work in a challenging environment, and that there is no one “silver bullet” approach in Development. Effective NGOs are those who are willing to admit they are not perfect, and are brave enough to ask others for assistance.

7. 6. “If only we had known…”

8. 6. “How do we know Dóchas has an impact?” The “We Do Care” campaign avoided massive aid cuts. Over 1,000 people attended Dóchas meetings last year – and they keep coming back for more. 59 organisations signed onto the Code of Conduct on Images and Messages. Politicians of all parties have welcomed our Submissions. Record attendance at the AGM, where members expressed their satisfaction with Dóchas’ work. There’s only one way to tell: - Ask yourself if Dóchas is delivering for you ? Don’t take our word for it; Watch the video testimonies

9. Resources Wednesday News Newsletters A space for discussion Topical seminars Working Groups Information about Irish Aid Representation Lobby on aid issues Conduit for govt- NGO relations Analysis A contact point for the entire sector A portal to Europe A voice for the sector Leadership Defending the sector Analysis of trends and gaps Formulating NGO action Critical voice Neutral space Mutual trust among members Credibility for the sector Member to member contact Moral support Visibility for diversity of the sector Strength in numbers A unifying voice What Dóchas will do for you:

10. What Dóchas will do for you: (contd) Dóchas Programmes 2011-2014 Desired Outcomes 1.Facilitate relationships and networking for learning 2.Capture, articulate and monitor NGO quality 3.Enhance NGO messages about Development 4.Engage and mobilise for Development ­ Effective NGO cooperation ­ A development sector that adheres to standards of excellence ­ Public debate informed by NGO experience and expertise ­ Government policies that promote human development

11. What Dóchas will do for you: (contd) Create opportunities for exchange: seminars, Working Groups, etc Improve the effectiveness of Working Groups Capture and disseminate examples of lessons learned Provide effective news services Facilitating relationships and networking for learning Formulate an NGO vision of NGO Quality and Effectiveness Monitor adherence to the Dóchas Codes of Conduct Capturing, articulating and monitoring NGO quality Communicate shared NGO messages to media and politicians Develop templates and communications toolkits on key issues Ensure adherence to the Code of Conduct on Images & Messages Enhancing NGO messages about Development Facilitating NGO-Government dialogue Incentivising Quality, by promoting quality-based Government funding Coordinating a campaign on ODA and the MDGs Assessing (NGO and Government) contributions to the MDGs Engaging and mobilising for Development

12. What’s Your View? What services does Dóchas deliver for you? What services should it deliver in the future? What impact are we making? How can we improve our services to you? Let us know, and take an active part in our work! anna@dochas.ie www.dochas.ie