The NGO Consortium was established in Nairobi in 1999. The Consortium started as a mechanism for international NGOs to coordinate various activities and work together on specific issues. Since then the Consortium has grown as many Somali national NGOs have joined. Members contribute an annual membership fee that is designed to allow all active NGOs to become members. The scale of membership fees is outlined in this document. Funds raised through membership allow the Consortium to employ an Executive Assistant and cover administrative costs. The Consortium currently has 191 listed members. A new method of registration is outlined in this document. Tighter registration is required to ensure that all members respect and reinforce the mandate of the NGO Consortium. The work of the consortium started on an ad hoc basis. As the Consortium strengthened through active participation of members, it became a recognised body within the aid structure that operates in Somalia. The Consortium is represented by a core team of volunteers, led by the Focal Point, supported by two Deputy Focal Points, in Nairobi with regional focal points in Somaliland and Puntland. The original membership criteria and objectives were formulated in 1999 (See Annexe II attached). The NGO SPAS (Security Preparedness and Support) was established in 2004 with financial assistance from the European Commission and administrative support from Care International. The project came into being following the killings of foreign aid workers in Somaliland. The project provides weekly security information to all members, security training and advice as requested by members. In March 2006, a consultant was employed by the NGO Consortium to review the work and growth of the consortium since it’s inception. The consultant, Dorothe Appels worked extensively with national and international ngos, civil society groups and administration representatives in Somaliland, Puntland and South-Central Somalia. The outcome of the research formed the basis for this mandate. Using Dorothe’s report, a working group of …….NGOs (See Annexe III attached) debated the recommendations exhaustively and adapted Dorothe’s work to come up with this mandate. The mandate has been further revised based on comments from the wider membership. The process of developing the mandate has been as far as possible, open and inclusive, and representative of the NGO community working with and for the Somali people. The spirit of the NGO Consortium lies in volunteerism and a shared commitment by members to the agreed mandate. A mandate review can be requested by a minimum of 30% of the membership. Support of 75% membership will be required for validation of a new mandate