WDN-Uganda Chapter-a snap shot

1. WDN-Uganda Chapter-a snap shot Presentation by Perry Aritua, Executive Director, WDN-Uganda at a workshop for WDN-Kenya March 6-7, 2014 Nairobi-Kenya

2. Overview of WDN-Uganda Chapter • Registered as a Not for Profit local organization in Uganda in November 2011. • Currently has a secretariat headed by an Executive Director. Has four staff including: Executive Director, project officer, accountant and IT officer based in Kampala. IT officer and accountant work part time. WDN-Uganda implements activities in five districts in Uganda. • At district level, WDN-U partners with local civil society organizations to coordinate, monitor, conduct research and also participate in its activities. The chapter also works with local media to enhance visibility and advocacy for its projects and with local political and administrative leaders and other non-state actors. • Has a board of directors comprising of two chairpersons (both Women Members of Parliament), a treasurer, Secretary and two other board members including the Executive Director who sits as an ex-officio member. • Members- form the general assembly. The Chapter currently has about 200 members. They provide expertise for WDN-U in terms of training, attending meetings and advise to enhance its programs. Members include: Women MPs, district councillors, ex-women MPs, women politicians who have lost elections, women civil servants and councillors, women in civil society organizations (CSOs) and business women. WDN-U is yet to recruit women in academia.

3. Networks • At national level, WDN-Uganda networks with organizations that share similar objectives including: Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET), Action for Development (ACFODE), Center for Women in Governance (CEWIGO), Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), FIDA-U and Advocates Coalition for Environment (ACODE) among others. • WDN-Uganda’s expertise in governance has opened doors for consultancy with Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, Inter-Party Organizations Dialogue (IPOD), UWONET, ACFODE, IRI among others. • Major WDN-Uganda networks are created through its website: www.wdnuganda. org and its facebook page: wdnuganda

4. Programs • WDN-Uganda has four on-going programs including: • Women councillors leadership project. The project is implemented with four other women organizations including: FOWODE, UWONET, ACFODE and CEWIGO under a consortium Women’s Democracy Group. It enhances the leadership roles of district women councillors in 50 districts of Uganda. WDN-U is responsible for five of the 50 districts. The project is funded by the Democratic Governance Facility of the European Union. • Social accountability project: Implemented in three districts of Uganda. Project is titled “ Improving governance through enhancing social accountability”. Project is funded by National Endowment for Democracy. • Internet access project for women councillors in three districts with free internet services in offices of its CSO partners. WDN-Uganda received a donation of four laptops from WDN-DC to start the project. • Role models project on primary education in three districts of Uganda—Through this project WDN-Uganda sponsors two best performing girls in two sub-counties of the worst performing district with regard to primary education among its current three districts in which the social accountability project is implemented. The girls work with WDN-U and district political and administrative leaders and CSOs to mentor pupils to encourage them to perform well and remain in school. • Mentoring in schools-These are on invitation by schools • Political education forums by women leagues of six political parties represented in Parliament –funded by WDN-DC

5. Strategic engagements • WDN-DC for technical support mainly and some funding for political education forums in Universities • CSOs which pursue similar objectives • Political and administrative leaders at sub-county, district and national level • Donors to source for funding • Members for expertise in implementing Chapter activities • CSO partners in the districts of programming for coordination, monitoring, research and information

6. Management, Membership Recruitment and sustainability of a country Chapter Management • Important to have a coordination unit. Once the chapter raises resources it should employ staff to run its activities. • In Uganda the chapter is registered as a local organization and therefore runs a fully fledged office with an Executive Director at the helm of the secretariat activities and staff. • A board of directors (comprising of five people) is responsible for making policies and providing strategic guidance to the Executive Director and staff of WDN-Uganda • General assembly-Comprised of members approves policies and is the overall decision making body of WDN-Uganda.

7. Management • Important to have policies and follow them to run the Chapter. Provides consistency and trust in the organization. Also enables it to raise resources and attract partners. • WDN-U has a secretariat headed by the Executive Director that runs the day today affairs of the organization • Board of Directors: Comprises of six members including: Two co-chairpersons, a secretary, treasurer and two other members including the Executive Director who are in charge of policy making and providing strategic direction to the organization • General assembly: comprises of all members of WDN-Uganda. They endorse chapter decisions and contribute to policy making

8. Membership Recruitment • Membership is voluntary. Members pay an annual fee of 50,000/= and also contribute 10% of their income for any consultancy with WDN-Uganda to the organization as institutional fees. • The Secretariat is in-charge of identifying and recruiting members who add value to the vision, mission and objectives of WDN-Uganda • Once a person becomes a member she completes the membership form of WDN. A copy is sent to WDN and one is retained at WDN-Uganda office.

9. Membership Recruitment • WDN-Uganda publicizes its activities to attract members. It mainly uses facebook for this purpose. • The Chapter regularly updates members about programs and where it requires their support it communicates. Communication enhances retention • WDN-Uganda ensures that members are involved in implementing its activities. This contributes to recruitment and retention of members. • Referrals by existing members have played a big role in recruiting new members.

10. Sustainability • Members are the life blood of the chapter. They must at the onset be informed about WDN, the local chapter, the strategic direction and programs of organization. they should also know their roles and responsibilities within WDN and the chapter. • Having a running office and programs have enhanced WDN-Uganda’s work in Uganda • Important to identify and recruit members who can add value to the organization and to use members regularly for program implementation • Volunteering by members keeps the chapter running. • Fundraising important for sustainability of the chapter • Networking and creating a niche for the Chapter on issues gives it clout and enhances sustainability

11. Sustainability • Adherence to Chapter policies enhances sustainability • Regular communication with WDN-DC, members and other stakeholders • Conducting activities that create visibility for the Chapter important for sustainability • Working with the media to cover programs of the Chapter and keeping them informed of actions taken after a program important for creating and enhancing a working relationship with them

12. Fundraising and Partnership building Fundraising • Find out what the Chapter is good at and develop activities around this • Advertise yourself—website, facebook..word travels fast on media and can lead the Chapter to sources of funds. Update the sites regularly • Establish networks and participate in network activities • Use Chapter expertise to contribute to networks—makes the Chapter indispensible • Share information with WDN-DC and IRI even when they are not funding any Chapter activities..It opens doors once funds are available for Chapter activities. WDN-Uganda writes monthly reports to WDN-DC on its activities.

13. Fundraising • Look for sources of funding from different sources---e.g. Internet, ask WDN-DC for list of donors who fund Chapter related activities and write proposals to source for funding, work with IRI and be relevant to its programs to enhance the partnership • Introduce a membership fee..covers part of WDN-Uganda’s administrative costs. Send reminders at the beginning of the year. Share Chapter reports and newsletters to enable members see how their resources are used. Send emails if something new and relevant for members comes up • Look for volunteer members. They provide added human resource to Chapter activities • Look for consultancies...easier once people know Chapter’s expertise...WDN-Uganda office rent for one year and part of its administrative costs was paid from consultancies • Always remember to thank those who give the Chapter money and share reports with them on Chapter activities regularly

14. Partnership building • Develop Chapter’s niche..easier to get partners once you are doing something • Share information about Chapter activities in newsletters, annual reports, with the media especially if you are implementing an activity etc • Attend partner meetings, events and offer your expertise when needed • Social media good platform for getting new partners and sustaining old ones..share Chapter achievements, programs and challenges. Share information that others may not have..Chapter becomes a reference for persons looking for information on its areas of expertise

15. Advise • Commitment and passion for the rights of women and girls and good governance drives the chapter • Commitment by coordination unit of the Chapter important for sustainability • Fundraising important to enable the Chapter implement activities • Members with expertise relevant to Chapter’s work important. This opens opportunities for them both within and outside the Uganda Chapter and keeps them busy and active. • Have Chapter policies and abide by them • Communicate...communicate...communicate • Develop a strategic plan to guide your work and use it

16. Thank you for listening to me! WDN-Uganda Chapter Plot 933, Kireka-Namugongo Road, PO. Box 8203, Kampala-Uganda Website: www.wdnuganda.org Facebook:wdnuganda