SCINDeA is a registered Network under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. It is also registered with the Home Ministry (FCRA) and the Income Tax Department (12A & 80G). An executive body comprising of 7 elected members forms the Executive Committee. All the partner organizations of the Network form the general body of the SCINDeA Association. Policy decisions necessary for the smooth functioning of the Network, such as budgetary provisions, justifications for deviations from plans etc., are taken by the Executive Committee which are later ratified by the General Body. This committee also appoints the Executive Director who is a full time staff of programmes. At the Annual General Body meeting of SCINDeA narrative reports of the programmes of all NGOs along with their audited accounts and balance sheets are shared and discussed. A minimum of one beneficiary and two programme coordinators participate in the meeting.
At the SCINDeA Secretariat the Executive Director with the help of Programme Coordinators, Consultants and Administrative staff coordinates the activities of the Network.
Organizational Development
Development is a continuous historical process. There has been much public debate on the efforts of those who are in the field of development and the status of their organizations, particularly their governance, accountability and transparency. It is widely believed that these non-governmental development agencies must address these issues through suitable self-regulation as is the practice in various other fields. Accountability to all stake-holders and transparency in functioning are key issues in good governance. The NGOs are expected to set their own benchmarks in these areas. Since NGOs and their Networks very in their objectives and activities, it may be impractical to except uniform standards for accountability and transparency.
In the field of community participation, NGOs and Networks can provide alternative perspectives; relevant expertise; an understanding of the local opportunities and constraints and the capacity to create a meaningful dialogue with and among communities, particularly those who are disadvantaged. It therefore requires a formal process of interaction and strategic collaboration with all concerned. This process requires certainly a considerable amount of capacity including the knowledge each one’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
SCINDeA, as a Network of 14 like-minded NGOs, from time to time, has undergone self-studies and enhancement process under Organizational Development Exercises. Members of SCINDeA Network found this exercise useful and having for reaching ensequences is not only their own work but developing communities in the overall development objectives.